18-Day Wildlife & Gorilla Trekking Safari - Uganda Tour

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport during daylight hours. After clearing immigration and collecting luggage, meet your English speaking tour guide who will welcome you to Uganda and transfer you to Jinja where the Nile begins. En route enjoy sights such as the Namawojolo roadside market, Mabira Forest, and tea and sugarcane plantations. Upon reaching Jinja check in to your accommodation and relax at your leisure.

Morning at leisure in Jinja with a choice of adventure activities on the Nile or alternative excursions. Activities are available for an additional fee. After exploring Jinja transfer to the Sipi area in Kapchorwa, check in and enjoy a relaxing evening at your accommodation.

After breakfast explore the stunning Sipi Falls on an approximately 3 hour hike visiting a series of three waterfalls with breathtaking views. In the afternoon enjoy a coffee tour to learn about the journey of coffee from seed to cup. Later unwind at your accommodation and take in spectacular views of Sipi Falls from your room.

After breakfast embark on a scenic transfer to Moroto via Soroti. Moroto sits at the base of Mt Moroto amidst savannah plains and offers insights into the Indigenous Tepeth people. Expected arrival is around 12 or 1 p.m. After check in and a lunch break visit the Tepeth people to learn about their traditional hunter gatherer way of life.

Depart early around 6 a.m. for Kidepo Valley National Park arriving in time for rest and lunch before heading out for game viewing. Explore Narus Valley in the southern part of the park known for savannah grasslands and acacia woodlands and year round water sources attracting diverse wildlife including buffalo herds, elephants, zebras, antelopes, lions, and elusive leopards. Return to accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast set out on a sunrise game drive offering chances to spot lions, buffalo herds, elephants, zebras, and possibly an elusive leopard. Return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation. Later visit the Karamojong community for a cultural encounter spending the afternoon and evening learning about their traditional way of life and beliefs. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

After breakfast transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Ugandas largest park, where you can witness the dramatic Murchison Falls and explore vast savannah plains home to lions, giraffes, hartebeests, buffaloes, and elephants. If time permits stop at Aruu Falls near Kitgum for relaxation and photos and visit Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for guided tours and close up views of rhinos.

After breakfast set off on an early morning game drive through the park and return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon enjoy a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls spotting hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. For a memorable experience you can hike to the top of the falls though the hike can be challenging. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After a leisurely breakfast transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park for an overnight stay. The long drive is scenic passing vibrant villages, lush countryside, rolling hills, and tea plantations. Upon arrival check in and unwind. If time permits you may opt for a crater lakes excursion at extra cost or relax at the facility.

After breakfast head to the Bigodi Wetlands to explore a rich habitat home to black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, LHoests monkeys, baboons, and many bird species. Alternative optional activity for an extra cost is chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest with permits required in advance. After Bigodi or Kibale activities transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a roughly 2 hour journey, and enjoy a game drive upon arrival.

Rise early for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains watching for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, and possibly lions and leopards. Return to accommodation for rest and lunch then embark on a 2 hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel linking Lakes George and Edward to view giant hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and many bird species. After the boat trip choose to return to the lodge to relax or take a brief late afternoon game drive.

After a leisurely breakfast travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park known for tree climbing lions with a 60 70 percent chance of spotting them. After exploring Ishasha continue to accommodation near the edge of Bwindi National Park. Upon arrival relax at the lodge or at extra cost join a late afternoon cultural experience including local community dances and participation in traditional cooking and weaving activities.

After breakfast attend a briefing at the rangers post on gorilla trekking guidelines then venture into the rainforest for the trek. The rainforest features dramatic steep terrain and dense foliage with animal trails aiding access. The trek can take 4 8 hours depending on gorilla movements. Once you locate a gorilla group you will spend an hour with them before returning to accommodation to rest. Optionally if you finish early a community visit or short nature walk can be arranged at extra cost.

After breakfast depart for Lake Mburo National Park which is conveniently located near the highway linking Entebbe Kampala with western Uganda. Lake Mburo is the smallest of Ugandas savannah parks but is rich in birds and animals including giraffes, zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and the elusive leopard. Upon arrival check in and relax before a late afternoon game drive to encounter the parks wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Begin with an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park to observe wildlife in the cool active hours including giraffes, zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and possibly the elusive leopard. In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Mburo to view hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species such as fish eagles and kingfishers providing peaceful photography opportunities and a different perspective of the park.

After your stay at Lake Mburo begin the journey back to Kampala with a scenic detour visiting the Igongo Cultural Center to explore traditional artifacts and Ugandan cultural heritage and enjoy a meal with traditional cuisine. Next stop at the Kayabwe Equator Crossing to stand on the equatorial line and view water flow demonstrations. Continue the drive back to Kampala reflecting on wildlife encounters and cultural experiences before concluding the day in the vibrant capital.

Explore Kampala on a city tour blending history culture and urban life. Visit Kasubi Tombs UNESCO World Heritage Site with traditional Ganda architecture, Namirembe Cathedral for historic charm and views, and experience the bustling Owino Market for street food and local life. Also visit the Uganda Museum for archaeology and ethnography exhibits and if time allows see Makerere University. End the tour in the lively city center enjoying local cafes shops and Kampala's vibrant energy.

Depending on your flight departure time take the opportunity to explore Entebbe. Wander its picturesque streets visit local markets and immerse yourself in the lakeside towns culture. Delight in a variety of cuisines at local restaurants sampling traditional Ugandan dishes and international flavors and soak in the relaxed atmosphere before your flight.