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18 Days Uganda Safari – Gorillas, Chimpanzee Trekking, Wildlife, Community Uganda Tour
18-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Overview
The 18-day Uganda safari tour is an itinerary that allows you to explore the chief Uganda tour destinations to their smallest details, offering gorilla & chimpanzee trekking, wildlife viewing, and community Uganda tours.
This 18-day safari in Uganda begins and ends in Entebbe. Additionally, it covers Uganda safaris, primate tours like gorillas and chimpanzees, culture, adventure, and recreation.
The tourist destinations featured in this safari include Jinja to explore the source of the Nile River. The Nile is the longest river in the world and its source in Jinja is a nature preserve for whitewater rafting.
You will also visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos on foot. Thereafter, continue to Murchison Falls National Park to view wild game and have a breathtaking boat cruise. This is where you will see 4 of the big 5 African safari animals.
The 18-day safari to Uganda will likewise lead you to Kibale National Park to trek chimpanzees in Uganda. Also, you will visit the Mpanga tea estates to do cycling, the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, and the Virunga Volcanoes for mountain climbing.
Similarly, you will go to Semliki National Park to tour the Sempaya hot springs. Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for tree-climbing lions and have a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel will be another amazing destination.
On this 18-day Uganda tour, you will also visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi for recreational activities.
Last but not least, Lake Mburo National Park will offer a magical game-viewing adventure. It will also unveil a cultural tour of the Banyankole community, the Batwa of Ntandi, and the Bakonzo of the Rwenzori Mountains.
18-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Highlights
Day 1: Land at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your lodge in Entebbe.
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja to explore the renowned Nile River.
Day 3: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park and en route to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Day 4: Go for a morning game drive and a boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 5: Visit the topmost part of Murchison Falls and then drive to Hoima District. Have a stop at Kibiro Salt Gardens en route.
Day 6: Transfer to Fort Portal and have lunch in Fort Portal town. Either head for cycling in Mpanga tea estates or visit the Amabere Ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves, hike Fort Portal crater lakes and drive to Kibale National Park.
Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and a nature walk in Bigodi wetland in the afternoon.
Day 8: Transfer to Semliki National Park. Visit the Sempaya hot springs, Batwa of Ntandi, and take a drive to Kasese. After arriving, visit the only bronze casting center in Africa, the Rwenzori Art Foundation, and the Ruboni Community Craft Village.
Day 9: A whole day of hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, which is the 3rd tallest mountain in Africa, rising to 5,109m and having snow-capped peaks.
Day 10: A morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and lunch at Mweya. Afterward, undertake an afternoon boat trip to Kazinga Channel.
Day 11: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector to spot the tree-climbing lions.
Day 12: Undertake Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 13: Either do an exploratory hike to one of the 3 Virunga Volcanoes or do Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day 14: Follow the Batwa Trail for a cultural experience and drive to Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 15: Do a canoe or boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi and visit the neighboring islands in Bunyonyi, communities, and schools.
Day 16: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda, with a stop for a traditional lunch at the Igongo Cultural Center. Later, do a night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 17: Go for a cultural tour of the Ankole community at the Enyemebwa Center. An afternoon drive back to Kampala and en route to the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe.
Day 18: Departure.
Book or customize this 18-day Uganda Safari Tour to relish the best safari experience in Uganda.
18-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Land At Entebbe International Airport And Transfer To Your Lodge in Entebbe
Upon your expected arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will meet your hospitable safari guide from Prime Safaris & Tours Limited. He will welcome you to Uganda and then drive you to your hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
On this first day of your Uganda safari tour, you will also be briefed about your whole tour in Uganda.
Accommodation Options in Entebbe
Upmarket/Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel
Mid-range/Standard: Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: Buziga Country Resort or Camping
Day 2: Transfer To Jinja To Explore The Renowned Nile River
After your delicious breakfast, you will drive to Jinja at a distance of 80km from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda and this will take about 2 hours.
This scenic drive will go through the lovely landscapes of the capital outskirts before getting to the sugarcane plantations of Lugazi. Likewise, you will pass by the Mabira forested lands and finally reach Jinja for whitewater rafting.
The Nile flows out of Lake Victoria at the Rippon Falls and then continues on the 6650km distance to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. On its way, it passes through many impermeable rocks that form rapids and cascades. Hence, undertaking challenging but adventurous rafting is worth the experience for your Uganda tours and safaris.
Expert guides will guide and accompany you on your rafting adventure so they can rescue you in case the waters push you off the raft. Spectating local crowds on the banks of the Nile will always cheer you while you struggle with the white waters. Hence, they made you part of their community and even loved you more.
The adventure continues for half a day and thereafter, you will relax a bit before connecting to the source of the Nile in the afternoon. The boat ride to the source of the Nile is a fulfilling experience because it will expose you to many beautiful water birds, like the kingfishers.
You will explore the point where John Speke stood as the first European to discover the source of the Nile. Thus, it takes you back to the ancient time when the mystical River Nile lured great men into the unknown world.
After this experience, you will then depart from Jinja and lodge in Kampala overnight.
Accommodation In Kampala
Upmarket/Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel
Mid-range/Standard: Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: Buziga Country Resort or Camping
Day 3: Drive To Murchison Falls National Park With An En Route At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After a yummy breakfast, you will begin on a drive to Murchison Falls National Park, which will take about 311km and over 5 hours.
You will then branch off at Nakitoma, following a 115-kilometer drive from Kampala Main Road. There, you will branch 7km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Headquarters for a rhino tracking undertaking on foot.
Here, you will get the chance to meet the white rhinos in the sole place that protects rhinos in Uganda. This was since they were reintroduced in 2005 after their extinction in the country in 1983.
Upon trekking to see the only 32 Southern White Rhinos in their natural habitat, you will then walk through nature. Passing by beautiful flora, unique birds, and amazing landscapes will be a gratifying experience to undertake.
Encountering the rhinos marks the genesis of your encounter with the big 5 African safari animals. They include lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos.
After retreating from this activity, you will then continue with your drive to Murchison Falls National Park. You will arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Accommodation In Murchison Falls National Park
Upmarket/Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget/Basic accommodation: Heritage Safari Lodge/Wild Camping
Day 4: Go For A Morning Game Drive And A Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Following your early breakfast in your lodge at around 7:00 am, your safari driver guide will drive you to the Buligi game area. Buligi is in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park.
You will consequently engage in a 3- 4-hour game drive adventure where you will see, among other wildlife,
- Large herds of Rothschild Giraffes
- Cape Buffaloes
- African Elephants
- Many antelope species
- Warthogs
- Bush-bucks
- Hippos
- Various birds
On a fortunate day, you will see lions and leopards, as popularly seen during Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, & Rwanda safaris.
After your adventure, you will then drive back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Then you will be driven at 2 p.m. for a 2-hour boat cruise on the Nile River.
On the boat cruise, you will also see a diversity of both water and land animals, like hippos, elephants, nile crocodiles, and buffaloes. Also, you will encounter beautiful birds like African Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Pelicans, and many others.
The boat trip to the bottom of Murchison Falls, the strongest waterfall on earth, will avail you of the magical scenery of the giant Murchison Falls. After this adventure, you will return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Day 5: Visit the Topmost Part of Murchison Falls and Then Drive to Hoima District: Have A Stop At Kibiro Salt Gardens En Route
After your breakfast, you will drive to the top of Murchison Falls to view, from a fresh vantage point, the world’s strongest waterfall.
This 50-meter-wide Nile passes through an 8-meter gorge and falls 45 meters from a cliff. It, therefore, forms the beautiful, dramatic scenery of the Devil’s Cauldron that favors photo shoots.
After withdrawing from this safari activity, you will be relocated to Hoima, but with an en route to Kibiro Salt Gardens, a historic site. This site has supported the economy of the neighboring community for over 900 years. The locals extract salt using native innovations and trade it for food.
Touring this site reveals to you the strenuous walks through the steep, challenging landscapes that you can only pass through on foot.
You will afterward retreat from this adventure and transfer to Hoima District in the afternoon for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Accommodation
- Kontiki Hotel
Day 6: Transfer To Fort Portal For Lunch
A drive to Fort Portal after a delightful breakfast will take about 5 hours. You will pass through the beautiful countryside of Kagadi and Kyenjojo, which is dotted with lush green flora. Also, you will drive through rural homesteads and farmlands before arriving in Fort Portal for lunch.
You will then embark on a cycling tour of the Mpanga tea estates. The extensive green tea plantation covers a rolling landscape with boundless scenic views that favor mountain biking. When cycling, you will explore the estate staff as they pluck tea and you are free to join in the exercise.
On the other hand, you can choose to visit the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves and then hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake field. On arrival, the locals, who have a deep understanding of the history of this place, will welcome you.
The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves are breast-like features that are believed to have been real breasts belonging to Nyinamwiru. Nyinamwiru was the daughter of Bukuku, the self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi.
Bukuku cut off Nyinamwiru’s breasts to deny her the chance of breastfeeding her baby Ndahura. This was because the king was forewarned that Ndahura would take over his throne. The white substance flowing from these breast-like rocks is believed to be the milk flowing from Nyinamwiru’s breasts.
From this site, get on a hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field. On the Kyeganywa Hill slopes, you will undertake a strenuous hike to one of Uganda’s most breathtaking sights—the numerous crater lakes and crater hollows that surround it.
The top of Kyeganywa Hill gives amazing views of the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.
After this activity, you will drive to Kibale National Park for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation In Kibale National Park
Upmarket/Luxury: Ndali Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Budget/Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse/Wild Camping
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park And a Nature Walk in Bigodi Wetland In The Afternoon
Following your heavy breakfast, you will transfer to Kibale National Park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing at 8:00 am.
Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in the Kibale Forest takes about 2–5 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Upon encountering these closest relatives to humans, you will spend a magical hour with them.
During this time, you will happily watch them play, feed, groom, swing in trees, and get to know their distinctive pant-hooting calls. As you watch, you take their photos for remembrance.
Note that on this trail, you will see other primates like the
- L’hoest’s Monkeys
- Red-Tailed Monkeys
- Blue Monkeys
- Black And White Monkeys
- Olive Baboons
You will also see many forest bird species and after this experience, you will get back to your lodge for a delicious lunch.
Following lunch, you will visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a breathtaking nature walk. Bigodi has about 138 bird species for example, the beautiful Great Blue Turaco and many other primates.
Withdraw from this safari activity and drive back to your lodge to relax, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 8: Transfer to Semliki National Park. Visit The Sempaya Hot Springs, Batwa Of Ntandi And A Drive To Kasese
You will drive to Semliki National Park after your breakfast at a distance of 78 km, taking about 2–3 hours. Upon arrival, you will take on the famous Sempaya nature walk to visit both the female and male hot springs, Bitente and Nyansimbi, respectively.
These hot springs both boil over 1000 °C, and the female hot spring has a hot, boiling geyser sprouting to over 2m high. While here, you can even boil some eggs or plantains for picnic bites.
This adventurous walk to the hot springs will uncover for you the lush flora of Semliki Forest, which is an extension of the Congo forest biome. There is similarly a great chance of seeing primates like the Olive Baboons and the Black and White Colobus Monkeys.
A visit by the Batwa people in Ntandi will be the next adventure. The Batwa were former residents of the forest before they were evicted upon the creation of the park. These jolly people will dance for you and also share with you their ancient history and heritage.
After meeting the Batwa, you will transfer to Kasese.
When you arrive in Kasese, you will explore the Rwenzori Art Foundation, which is the sole bronze casting center in Africa. You will tour this art gallery, which has a wide collection of beautiful artwork, plus you can join in the casting process.
Depending on the time available, you will visit the Ruboni Craft Village and get to meet the indigenous women making great craft products. You can join to learn a skill for example, basket weaving.
You will then retire for relaxation, dinner, and a night’s sleep.
Accommodation In The Rwenzori Region
Upmarket/Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget/Basic accommodation: Ruboni Community Camp/Wild Camping
Day 9: A Whole Day Of Hiking The Rwenzori Mountains
After a heavy early breakfast, you will meet at Nyakalengija Park Station, from where you will begin your whole-day hike in the Rwenzori Mountains.
Rwenzori Mountain has an altitude of 5,109m and it has snow-capped peaks despite being close to the Equator.
Rwenzori is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous more for its wonderful flora than for its fauna. Examples include the beautiful giant lobelias and the groundsels. You will view these amazing sights of the glaciated peaks and glaciers rolling down the mountain on a hike.
While on the Rwenzori hike, you will get amazing panoramic views of the Savannah plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the rift valley, and Kasese township.
You will then have lunch while on the mountain and then return in the evening around 5 pm for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Day 10: A Morning Game Drive And An Afternoon Boat Cruise In Queen Elizabeth National Park
When you finish your breakfast, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a remarkable morning game drive. From here, you will see 4 of the big five African safari animals, which are the lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes.
Other animals to see on the game drive are various beautiful antelope species, for example, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, and oribis. You will mostly spot them on the stretch to the Kasenyi Plains and the Mweya Peninsular.
After lunch, continue for a 2-hour boat cruise at 2 pm on the legendary Kazinga channel. This stream hosts the highest concentration of hippos in one place in the whole world.
The area also has over 100 bird species, both migratory and resident, as well as many wild animals. These include Nile crocodiles basking on the water edges, African elephants bathing by the shores, and Cape buffaloes playing in the mud along the channel.
As you go back to your lodge, you will do a game drive along the channel track and thereafter relax, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Accommodation In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Upmarket/Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget/Basic accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages/Wild Camping
Day 11: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Through The Ishasha Sector To Spot The Tree-Climbing Lions
After breakfast, drive to Bwindi, Uganda for about 3–4 hours over a distance of 160km. This will be through the Queen Elizabeth National Park Southern Sector (Ishasha) to see tree-climbing lions. On the drive, you will also see Uganda kobs, buffalos, topis, and elephants.
After encountering the mysterious tree-climbing lions, proceed to Bwindi, Uganda. You will arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Accommodation In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upmarket/Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget/Basic accommodation: Broad-bill Forest Camp/Wild Camping
Day 12: Undertake Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Following an early breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Park headquarters with a packed lunch for a briefing that begins at 8:00 a.m.
Upon finishing this briefing, you will go into the misty and hilly jungle of the Bwindi impenetrable forest. An armed ranger guide, other trackers, and a park guide will accompany you on the trek.
Even though the hike is physically challenging, the anticipation of the inspiring experience ahead is great and it will keep you going.
The pursuit of these gentle giants takes about 2–8 hours. Once you meet them, you will spend one magical hour with them, watching them as they feed, play, groom, and kiss. You are free to take their photos and enjoy your packed lunch upon returning to the headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking certificate.
After this experience, you will be transferred to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Accommodation In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Upmarket/Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Mucha Hotel
Budget/Basic accommodation: Amajambere Iwachu Community Camp or Wild Camping
Day 13: Either Do An Exploratory Hike To One Of The 3 Virunga Volcanoes Or Do Golden Monkey Tracking In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Upon completing breakfast, you will be transferred to Ntebeko Park headquarters for a briefing at 8 am. After this, you will embark on a volcano-climbing adventure where you will choose to climb one of the 3 Virunga volcanoes. These are Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, or Mount Sabinyo.
Sabinyo Mountain, which is 3,669m high, will take about 8 hours to climb on a 14-kilometer round trip and it has many peaks.
Mount Gahinga, on the other hand, towering up to over 3,474 m, takes about 6 hours to climb. It likewise gives you the chance to spot golden monkeys in the bamboo zone.
Climbing Muhabura Mountain, which is 4,127 m, takes about 8 hours to cover a 12-kilometer round trip. Reaching the top will give you distant views of the Bwindi forest, the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day, the Virunga Mountain chain, and the neighboring countries of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda.
On the other hand, you can choose to go for golden monkey tracking to explore the endemic golden monkeys. Mgahinga National Park boasts over 3000-4,000 golden monkeys, and over 120 of them, living in the bamboo zone of Mount Gahinga, are habituated.
Their unique golden patch and tricky, playful tactics make them exciting to meet on Uganda safaris and tours.
After finishing the day’s activity, you will connect to your lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Day 14: Follow The Batwa Trail For A Cultural Experience And Drive To Lake Bunyonyi
The mountain forest of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was an ancient home for the Batwa pygmies. However, they were evicted following the designation of the park.
This trail was developed to allow you to explore the cultural heritage of these Batwa people with the help of the Batwa guides.
The trail begins in the morning at Ntebeko and while following it, a Mutwa guide will show you many items and their significance in their tradition. These include medicinal leaves and plants, wild honey extraction, bamboo cup and tree house making, and forest hunting techniques. They will tell you a lot along the way until you arrive at the Ngarama cave, which was the home of their chief.
Batwa women will entertain you with their beautiful local songs that tell of their ancient life in the forest and their distinctive culture and heritage. This encounter will take about 5–6 hours.
After the cultural encounter, you will drive to Lake Bunyonyi along the scenic-filled Kisoro-Kabale road with challenging sections.
A branch off Muko will reveal you to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Accommodation Option In Lake Bunyonyi
Upmarket/Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range/Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort
Budget/Basic accommodation: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat or Wild Camping
Day 15: Do A Canoe Or Boat Ride On Lake Bunyonyi; visit islands, communities, and schools
Upon completing your sumptuous breakfast, you will go for a recreational boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi has over 29 islands, which is why it is called the “lake of a thousand islands.”.
The breathtaking Kigezi Hills encircle it, and it is also the second-deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. Thus offering remarkable scenery while on a cruise in the calm waters.
Since the boat trip makes many docks, this will permit you to walk on some of the islands. You will also visit the local people and learn about their way of life for example, cooking traditional foods, making a local brew, attending traditional musical performances, and visiting the local schools.
After finishing this activity, you will get back to your lodge for rest and finally have an overnight.
Day 16: Transfer To Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda For A Night Game Drive
Following your breakfast, you will continue with a half-day of island-hopping exploration in which you will visit some of the main islands of Lake Bunyonyi.
Among the islands that you will visit is Bucurunuka Island, commonly known as the upside-down island. This island has a legend behind it about village members who refused to give an old woman some beer. Consequently, she cursed them to drown, causing the island to turn upside down.
The other island that you will visit is Akampene Island or Punishment Island. This was the place where pregnant but unmarried girls were abandoned to die of hunger or drown while trying to escape. Only a man willing to marry them without paying a dowry would save them.
Other islands that you will visit are the Kahugye, Bushara, and Njuyera Islands.
Upon returning from this activity, you will have lunch in your lodge and then drive to Lake Mburo Park at a distance of 199km for about 5–6 hours. You will go through remarkable countryside landscapes before coming toward Mbarara town, which is 45km from Lake Mburo National Park. You can either opt for an Igongo Cultural Center lunch or visit the Biharwe Eclipse Monument.
Later, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, where you will check in at your lodge and relax until dinner time.
At 7:00 p.m., you will go on a night game drive and you will be able to see nocturnal animal species. These include
- Leopards
- Bush Pigs
- Side-Stripped Jackals
- Spotted Hyenas
- Honey Badgers
- Serval Cats, Hares
- Civets
- White-Tailed Mongoose, and many others.
You will also spot the daygrazers getting a night’s rest, and then you will retire overnight.
Accommodation In Lake Mburo National Park
Upmarket/Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge
Mid-range/Standard: Arcadia Cottages Mburo
Budget/Basic accommodation: Eagles Nest or Wild Camping
Day 17: Go For A Cultural Tour In The Ankole Community At The Enyemebwa Center
You will awaken at 6:00 am and depart for the Enyemebwa center to catch up with the herdsmen. They will likewise be waking up for milking and continuing with their daily routine.
Equally, you will actively join in the traditional hand-milking practice of these long-horned cattle of the Ankole. You will also get to treat sick animals, care for the cows by brushing their bodies, and go graze in the wilderness.
Later, you will visit the traditional huts of the local women churning milk in a churning gourd. Hereafter, you will similarly explore the extensive banana plantations where you can join in pruning and weeding through traditional methods and then participate in prior preparations for a traditional lunch.
Retreating from this adventure, you will then drive back to Kampala in the afternoon hours, covering a distance of about 240 km, or about 3–4 hours.
An en-route stop at the Uganda Equator monument at Kayabwe will allow you to take great photos. Advance with your driving to Kampala for evening relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Accommodation in Kampala
Upmarket/Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel
Mid-range/Standard: Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: Buziga Country Resort or Camping
Day 18: Departure
On the final day of your Uganda safari, you will do some last-minute shopping and then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
