21 Days Uganda Safari, Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Wildlife Holiday
The 21 days Uganda safari takes you to one of the Best Tourism Destination in the World, according to CNN Travel on 2nd January 2023. Your safari will take you to the world of primates as you see the endangered mountain Gorillas, the chimpanzees, extensive game drives, the rich culture and Uganda’s beautiful sceneries. Expect a lot of mammals like the Big 5, birds, rapids on river Nile, cruise to the source of River Nile, visit the 3 Sipi falls among many others.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe, Uganda – Transfer to your hotel
Arrive in Uganda following your arrival time to Entebbe International Airport which is the main gateway to Uganda. You will be picked by our professional safari driver guide to transfer you to your booked hotel, and will offer you a courteous welcome to Uganda.
The amazing weather and views on the shores of Lake Victoria as you leave the airport will give you a remarkable first impression of Uganda. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a city tour or relax at your Hotel and have an evening experience in the club to test the nightlife in Uganda’s clubs.
Dinner and over night stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Jinja, visit Sezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest and the Source of River Nile
After your breakfast, you will be picked by our drive guide and transfer to Jinja with our first visit being at the historical Ssezibwa Waterfalls. The waterfalls are as a result of water squeezing through narrow opening of rocks and dropping at great speed into a large pool that is about 14 meters deep.
This tourism site has ever green natural vegetation cover with several bird species which present a wonderful opportunity for bird watching together with a few monkeys that can be seen on the trees as your having a nature walk. The site presents several tourist activities such as bird watching, camping, rock climbing, nature walks, hiking, canoeing.
We shall then continue with a stopover at Mabira Forest for a forest walk as you get to appreciate this natural forest with over 300 bird species, and many Ugandan primate species.
Continue to Jinja for lunch and take a boat cruise to the source of the River Nile.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 3: White water rafting and transfer to Kapchorwa for Sipi Falls
After your breakfast, you will drive to nile explorers point for a briefing as you prepare for white water rafting. You will fitted out with life jackets and helmets before heading off down river to the start point. The activity takes you the extreme adventure of your safari as you test the rapids of the Nile.
There after, you will have lunch and transfer to kapchorwa in Eastern Uganda as you await the hike to the 3 Sipi falls. You will leave Jinja and drive to the hills of Masaba where you will appreciate the beautiful landscapes before your eyes.
Day 4 : Hike Sipi Falls (The 3 water falls) and a coffee tour
After your breakfast, you will choose to go on a 3-hour or – for the real adventurers – a 7-hour hike through the region. You will be briefed by a local guide who will lead us on the hike to the falls.
Whichever option you choose, you can be certain that you pass many picturesque waterfalls, plantations and caves. Local villagers will be sure to greet you with ‘Jambo!’ and beaming smiles.
Later in the evening, you will have a coffee tour and get to know how the coffee you take at your favorite cafe get from the garden up to the cup on the table. You will also have time to prepare yourself as test your original made coffee. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Moroto for the Karamojong tribe cultural encounter and visit the traditional “Kraal”
On this day, you will wake up on a cool breakfast, and begin on your journey to Moroto where you have an exclusive cultural interactive experience with the Karimajong tribesmen. The Karamajong people are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live a similar lifestyle.
This area has been facing a lot of armed inter-tribal conflicts, making tourism difficult. But thanks to the peace keeping missions from the government forces, this place is now open and welcoming tourists all over the world.
The Karamajong people live in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rivaling tribes and wild animals. Some of Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily as the karamajong follow the fresh grass to feed their cattle.
Dinner and over night stay at the camp.
Day 6: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast leave Moroto to Kidepo Valley National Park and arrive in time for the afternoon or evening activities depending on the conditions of the roads This afternoon you can either take a game drive around the lodge area or rest at the lodge as you view wait for the lions that usually come by at the lodge area, not forgetting the beautiful sceneries.
If you can plan today on a Tuesday you’ll have the chance to experience an authentic Karamajong cattle market on Wednesday (that is today in this tour). Some herders walk for 5 hours to be able to buy or sell their goats, cows or chicken here. It’s a colorful and stunning sight and one of the few remaining authentic experiences. Don’t miss this!
Kidepo valley national park is one of Africa’s best national parks with a nick name “The true African wilderness” simply because of the open plains and Savannah giving you clear views of the large herds of cape buffaloes.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
After an early breakfast, you will drive to the Narus valley for the game drive where you will see a number of animals. The valley is home to a number of animals like the lions, elephants, Reedbucks, Jackson hartebeest, oribi, Klipspringer, buffaloes, zebras, kudus, Oryx, caracal, Bat eared fox, hyenas, Cheetahs, giraffe, bushbucks, water bucks, Uganda kob, bush pig, side-striped jackals, warthogs, the dikdik, among many others. You will continue to Kanangorok hot spring where you can see the Ostriches.
Later in the afternoon, you will have a cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamojong peoples at Karenna and Kapedo. While there, you will meet up with the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them and get to know the challenges they are facing as well as knowing the history of the place. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting facts about the community.
Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
On this day, you will have early breakfast and after you will transfer to Murchison falls national park the northern part of Uganda via Kitgum and Gulu town.
The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert.
There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the lodge through the park such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes among many others.
We reach Fort Murchison just outside the park boundaries later in the afternoon. Here we will stay and with a cool drink and a fabulous view over the river Nile, the evening will help you relax from the long journey from Kidepo.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 9: Game drive and boat cruise on Victoria Nile
After an early morning cup of hot tea/ coffee, you will leave for an early morning game drive looking for the early morning riser. As you head out for the game drive, you will be in position to spot animals like the buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, Oribi, Kobs and waterbucks together with some bird species along the way with some feeding together with the big animals.
After you will head back for breakfast and relaxation as you wait for lunch. In the afternoon you head for a Boat ride along the Victoria Nile to the bottom of the falls. This Boat ride on River Nile goes for 3 hours and you will be able to see some Nile crocodiles, numerous hippos, as well as various bird species. You will then return to the lodge for dinner and the overnight.
Day 10: Top of the Falls and transfer to Fort Portal
After a relaxed breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and drive to the top of the falls. While there, you will enjoy the spectacular view of the most powerful waterfall in the world, Murchison falls.
Murchison Falls National Park runs on the Victoria Nile that connects to Lake Albert, in Northwestern Uganda. It’s originally known as Kabalega falls where water forces its way through a very narrow gorge of about 7 meters wild forming the world’s most powerful waterfalls, and a rainbow on a sunny day. In Every single second, the equivalent of 200 bathtubs full of water drops down through this narrow space. This experience a must see on your safari to Uganda.
Thereafter, you will leave the park and transfer to fort portal via a stopover in Hoima for lunch. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge/ Hotel, and after you may opt for an evening city tour or visit some of the unique places in fort portal such as the Tooro palace among others.
Dinner and overnight stay at your Hotel.
Day 11: Transfer to Ssemuliki National Park and visit the Sempaya hotsprings
On this day, you will wake up on a delicious breakfast, and after get on the road to Ssemuliki National Park. The park is located in western Uganda, Bundibugyo District bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. These hot springs are the main tourist attraction in the park and are composed of both a female and male hot springs. They are adjacent to each other, the male is called Bintente and the female is called Nyasimbi.
Thereafter you will have lunch and continue with a nature walk to see a number of birds and other amazing sceneries good for photography and filming. Later in the afternoon, you will return to fort portal for relaxation at you Hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 12: Visit the Crater lakes and Amabere caves
On this day, you will be served with breakfast and head to the craters for a nature walk where you will see a number of them.
Some of these crater lakes are next to each other, giving you an opportunity to view them close to each other. You will also head to the Top of the World where you will also see two twin lakes together. You will have your lunch there, relax a bit and drive to Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru caves.
These historical caves mean a lot to the people of the community in regards to their culture. You will learn about the ab-sad history of these caves that were formed long time ago, together with the waterfalls found there. You will then have a nature walk, and an optional hike of Nyakashura hill where your will see over 3 crater lakes surrounding you.
Later return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13; Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland walk
You will wake up very early with cup of coffee at your hotel, and drive to the assemble point at Kanyankyu information center for a briefing session by the lead tracker. At 08:00am, expect to get into the forest and start on your chimpanzee tracking.
More primates like black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater among others. When you spot the chimpanzees, you will have one hour in their presence to get to see how they live in the forests and there after walk back for lunch.
In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing birds like the great blue turaco, the purple breasted sunbird, Abyssinia, the African pitta, ground thrush, crowned eagle, black-capped apalis, kingfishers, weavers, cuckoos, green breasted pitta, papyrus gonolek, hornbills, among many other.
Day 14: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruise on Kazinga channel
On this day, you will wake up to breakfast at your lodge, check out and then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
As you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will get to see the magical slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains in Kasese district. As you enter the park, you will be in position to see some animals grazing for example the buffaloes.
You will drive straight to Mweya peninsular where the boat sets from.
The boat cruise along kazinga channel is one of the must do activities on your visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. During your boat cruise, you won’t get disappointed because channel attracts so many wild animals like herds of elephants, skulls of hippos, crocodiles, Buffaloes and more birds species. The boat cruise takes about 3 hours as you enjoy this amazing wildlife on the waters.
Return to the lodge for relaxation.
Day 15: Morning game drive and visit the Kyambura gorge
On this day, you will wake up very early in the morning and have a cup of coffee, then drive to the kasenyi plains in the northern part. The Kasenyi plains are the most famous grounds for game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Thanks to the many resident herds of Uganda Kobs and the Lions that prey on them. Tourists swam the Kasenyi plains during day time to enjoy the game drives as well as a special game drive called experiential lion tracking. It’s just a 30 minutes drive from Mweya peninsula where the boat cruise launches.
later return to the lodge for lunch and head to lake katwe for the salt mining experience. While there, you to get to know some important information about salt mining and history of the area from the miners. The activity was launched by the late president of Uganda Idi Amin Dada in the 1970s, to mine salt for use.
Later you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 16: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasaha
On this day, you will have breakfast then set off for a breathtaking game viewing experience in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions which are only found in two places in Africa, Ishasha and lake Manyara in Tanzania. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are really hard to spot. These lions spend their day time in the trees resting from the hot ground and the insects on the ground. Some rest from hunting in the night and find it perfect to climb trees.
You will also be able to see other wildlife such as the Uganda kob, Cape buffaloes, elephants, and warthogs in addition to the tree-climbing lions.
Thereafter, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National park reaching in the evening and rest at the lodge as you appreciate this beautiful biodiversity.
Day 17: Gorilla tracking and batwa community visit
On this day, you will wake up very early for a cup of coffee, and transfer to the briefing point. You will get a briefing from the lead tracker and begin on your trekking safari. Gorilla tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience once in a life time and worth a visit.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park is the world’s best destination for a gorilla safari hence it was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in 1994. It’s home to over 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, over 21 gorilla families and the forest being among the oldest forests in Africa.
You will get deep into the forest led by your guide, and the tracking last for 2 to 8 hours depending on the time you meet the Gorillas. when you spot the gorillas, you will have 1 hour in their presence and walk back to the beginning point.
Relax and wait to visit the batwa community in the evening as you have to learn more about their culture.
Day 18: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
On this day, you will wake up on a chill at your lodge, have breakfast and transfer to lake Bunyonyi in kabale district. You will be welcomed by the beautiful landscapes and sceneries of Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi is known to be the deepest lake Uganda and second deepest in Africa after Lake Tanganyika.
Lake Bunyonyi is popular for its green and lush terraced hills that are punctuated with a plethora of over 200 bird species. The place combines both water birds and some migratory birds that can sing in your ears as you sleep and wake to their whispers. The cool environment is perfect for relaxation and meditation.
You may engage in a number of activities available for guests like the boat cruise to tour the islands, most importantly the punishment Island.
Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
You will wake up with the whispers of the birds of lake Bunyonyi and later transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. You will pass through the steep hills of Kabale and drive smoothly to Mbarara where you will have lunch and visit the cattle farm and Igongo cultural museum.
Later you will hike to the eclipse monument and have a view of the beautiful surrounding areas, there after you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. On arrival you will check in at your lodge and relax for the evening as you wait for dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 20: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
On this beautiful morning, you will wake up to an early breakfast and immediately go for a game drive to see what this park has to offer to visitors. Be expectant of the bird species in the park since it’s a home of over 350 bird species including the African wattled lapwing, Bare-faced go-away bird, Black-bellied bustards, Greater painted-snipe, Saddle-billed stork among many others. The park has a number of animals seen through the park, mostly the zebras, impalas, elands, buffalos, oribis, Defassa waterbucks, leopards, hippos, hyenas, topis, reedbucks among many others.
Later you will head back to the lodge for lunch as you get ready for the afternoon boat cruise. The boat cruise on Lake Mburo is best in the afternoon when the sun hits in order to see the animals coming on the shores to take water and mostly the schools of hippos seen straight form the docking point of the boat.
You will the return to the lodge for relaxation or opt for some activities if you wish.
Day 21: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport
On this day, you will wake up to a very delicious breakfast at your lodge and check out after. You will then head out for a nature walk in the park where you will get very close to animals like the giraffes and zebras. This will take about 1 to 2 hours and then embark on your journey to Kampala via a stopover at the equator for lunch and some shopping.
On arrival to Kampala, dropped at your Hotel or to Entebbe International Airport for your next destination.
End of 21 days safari to Uganda.
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Included
Park fees
Gorilla permits
Chimp permits
All activities
All accommodation
A professional driver/guide
All transportation
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals
Drinking water
Excluded
International flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips
Personal items
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals