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15 Days Uganda Safari Vacation – Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife, Scenery & Community Uganda Tour
15-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Overview
This 15-day Uganda safari tour is a rewarding safari in Uganda tour featuring gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, rhino tracking, wildlife, and community tours. This safari in Uganda starts and ends in either Kampala city or Entebbe town.
Your 15-day Uganda tour begins with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on foot and en route to Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo unveils Africa’s true wildernesses of golden savannah plains, and on the game drives, you will see lions, leopards, elephants, cheetahs, buffalos, and many other animals. You will also visit the indigenous Karamojong village for a matchless cultural experience.
From Kidepo Valley National Park, you will explore the largest national park in Uganda, which is Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison has over 76 mammal species and one of the strongest waterfalls in the world.
You will also enjoy game drives and boat cruises on the Nile, then proceed to Kibale National Park for Uganda Chimpanzee trekking.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, your next destination, houses over 600 Uganda bird species and 95 mammal species, including the rare tree-climbing lions. You will then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an unforgettable Uganda gorilla trekking adventure in the misty and hilly Bwindi Forest.
The park also boasts over 50% of the mountain gorillas in the world. After this adventure, you will visit Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. Then, a morning game walk safari in Lake Mburo National Park will wind up your 15-day safari in Uganda.
15-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Prime Safari Activities
- Uganda Gorilla trekking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda’s Kibale forest national park
- Exploring Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park on game drives
- Tracking the unusual tree-climbing Lions of the Ishasha plains
- Morning game walk safari at Lake Mburo National Park
- Boat trip on the River Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls
- Nile delta boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
- Visiting the top of Murchison Falls.
- Boat cruise in Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth park
- A canoe ride and Island hopping on Lake Bunyonyi
- The Karamojong tribe’s cultural encounter near Kidepo Valley National Park
- Cultural village walk in Bigodi Community, near Kibale National Park
- Traditional lunch at the Igongo Culture Center in Mbarara District
- Taking photos at the Uganda Equator landmark in Kayabwe
Book or customize this 15-day safari to Uganda and enjoy the best safari encounter in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
15-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Highlights
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala or Entebbe to Gulu with an en-route visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Day 2: Drive from Gulu District to Kidepo Valley National Park; enjoy a game drive upon arrival.
Day 3: A morning game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park and an afternoon Karamajong Community Safari.
Day 4: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park and a night game drive.
Day 5: A morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls.
Day 6: Enjoy a boat Cruise to the Lake Albert Delta, bush breakfast, and an evening game drive
Day 7: Visit the top of Murchison Falls and drive to Kibale National Park.
Day 8: Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and an afternoon walk in Bigodi Community Village.
Day 9: Have a sumptuous breakfast and then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park to relish a game drive upon arrival
Day 10: A morning game drive, an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat trip, and an evening game drive
Day 11: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through an adventurous en-route game drive in the Ishasha sector to see tree-climbing lions.
Day 12: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Uganda, and a trip to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation.
Day 13: A canoe ride, island hopping, and relaxation on Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 14: Delicious breakfast and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park; an en-route lunch stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre; and an evening game drive upon arrival.
Day 15: Morning safari game walks in Lake Mburo and then drive back to Kampala through the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe.
15-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer From Kampala Or Entebbe To Gulu With An En Route Visit To Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Your driver guide will pick you up at around 6:30 am from your hotel in either Kampala or Entebbe. Thereafter, you will drive to Gulu town in northern Uganda for over 7–8 hours, passing through beautiful landscapes, busy roadsides and markets, and silent rural villages.
However, you will have a stop along the way at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is home to only 32 wild Rhinos in Uganda. Here, you will do rhino tracking on foot as you live an outstanding close encounter with one of the big five animals of Africa.
On this 2-hour hike, you will also spot a wide range of wild animals, like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, oribis, waterbucks, and many bird species.
After the rhino trekking experience, you will have a delicious lunch at the nearby Kabalega Dinner, then continue with your drive to your hotel in Gulu town. You will then enjoy a relaxing encounter, dinner, and an overnight.
The highlight of the day was tracking wild rhinos on foot.
Accommodation Options In Gulu
Luxury
- Gulu Churchill Courts Hotel
Mid-range
- Gulu Churchill Courts Hotel
Budget
- Gulu Churchill Courts Hotel
Drive distance and time
- About 422km for over 7–8 8 hours
Day 2: Drive From Gulu District To Kidepo Valley National Park; Enjoy A Game Drive Upon Arrival
After your early morning breakfast at around 7 am, you will depart from Gulu and be driven to Kidepo Valley National Park for about 3–4 hours. You will arrive at your lodge for lunch and then relax.
You will then go for an exploratory game drive in the golden Narus plains of Kidepo Valley National Park, either in the afternoon or evening. These plains reflect the natural wilderness of Africa, with over 77 Uganda mammal species.
There is also some wildlife endemic to this Ugandan park, for example, cheetahs, caracals, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, and ostriches. On the game drive, you will also spot great herds of zebras, buffalos, elephants, giraffes, lions, hyenas, leopards, and waterbucks. Then you will go back to your lodge for relaxation, a delicious dinner, and an overnight stay.
Accommodation At Kidepo Valley National Park
Luxury/Upmarket
- Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate
- Kidepo Savannah Lodge
- Ng’Moru Wilderness Camp
Budget/Basic
- Kidepo Savannah Lodge
- Apoka Rest Camp
Optional Safari Activities On This Day
- Night game drive in Kidepo
Day 3: A Morning Game Drive In Kidepo Valley National Park And An Afternoon Karamajong Community Safari
The third day commences with an early wake-up at 6 am for a swift breakfast, then a 3-hour game drive in the African wilderness of Kidepo National Park. You will enjoy the bliss of the sunrise upon the rugged horizon and golden plains, along with the abundant wildlife, as you game drive through the undulating grasslands of the Narus Valley in the south of this park.
On the game drive, you will spot herds of elephants, zebras, buffaloes, lions, leopards, side-striped jackals, hyenas, and many antelope species like Uganda kobs, oribis, elands, mountain reedbucks, and many others.
You will also explore many bird species before returning to your lodge for lunch and then a short rest. In the afternoon, you will visit the Karamojong village near Kidepo Park and learn about peculiar and realistic traditions.
These lovely people will show you their typical housing structures called the “Manyatta,” tell you about their customs, and entertain you with their lively traditional dances. A return to your lodge will make you relax and have dinner before resting and preparing for the night.
The highlight of the day: a morning game drive in the true African golden wilderness of Kidepo.
Optional Activities To Do On This Day
- A nature walk safari in Kidepo Valley National Park.
- Night safari game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park.
Day 4: Drive To Murchison Falls National Park And A Night Game Drive
After having your breakfast around 7 am, you will be driven from Kidepo Valley National Park to Murchison Falls National Park. This will take about 7-8 hours through the inspiring landscapes of northern Uganda.
You will have an en-route stop in Kitgum town for an early lunch break and a stretch before continuing with your drive. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Murchison Falls National Park to freshen up and rest at your lodge.
Around 7 pm, you will go on a night game drive to explore nocturnal animals like hyenas, leopards, lions, civets, porcupines, genets, bush babies, nightjars, and grazing hippos.
You will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation In Murchison Falls National Park
Luxury/Upmarket
- Bakers Lodge
- Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate
- Murchison River Lodge
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget/Basic
- Red Chilli Rest Camp
- Hornbill Bush Lodge
Drive distance and time
- Approximately 400km for about 7-8 hours
Day 5: A Morning Game Drive And An Afternoon Boat Cruise On The Nile To The Bottom Of Murchison Falls
When you wake up at 6:00 am for your coffee, you will go for a 3–4 hour game drive in the northern section of Murchison Falls National Park. These northern plains are dotted with palms, and they boast many of the animals of the park. You will pass through many game-viewing tracks as you keep in view for giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, and many species of antelopes like Oribis, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Kobs, Waterbucks, and Bushbuck.
Also, you will get the chance to see lions, leopards, jackals, and many other birds. Later, return to your lodge to relax and have lunch. At 2:00 pm, you will continue for a relaxing boat cruise of 2 hours on the Nile, giving you great views of hippos, elephants, crocodiles, buffalos, and many water birds.
This cruise will take you to the bottom of the gigantic Murchison Falls as you marvel at the 50-meter-wide Nile River passing through the narrow 8-meter gorge and dropping onto a 45-meter cliff. This hence creates an exquisite scenery with a permanent rainbow across it.
Return to your safari lodge for relaxation, have dinner, and rest after this day’s adventure.
Optional safari activities to do on this day
- Nile delta boat safari
- Sport fishing along the Nile River
- Hot air balloon safari & bush breakfast
- Community village visits near Murchison Falls
Day 6: Enjoy A Boat Cruise To The Lake Albert Delta, Bush Breakfast, And An Evening Game Drive
After your pleasant breakfast, you will get on board for a 5-hour boat cruise to the Nile Delta locale, taking over 20km. This is the region where the Nile River empties into Lake Albert and it is a favorable place to view the many water birds, even the rare shoebills. Other birds to see in the region include the Papyrus gonolek, kingfishers, African jacana, saddle-billed stork, herons, African fish eagle, pelicans, and African skimmer.
The boat trip is another great way to explore the striking scenery and learn about the different routines of the local fishermen who fish for tilapia from their wooden canoes on Lake Albert. Likewise, you will also be able to see the unusual hippos of the river, elephants, and Nile crocodiles on the banks. The highlight of the day is this 5-hour boat cruise, where you will stop along the water banks for a fabulous bush breakfast prepared and served by your private chef.
You will thereafter return to your lodge for lunch and also get ready for the evening game drive in search of many animals that you might have missed on your first game drive.
Optional Activities For This Day
- Hot-air balloon safari with bush breakfast
- Nile Perch fishing along the Nile River
Day 7: Visit The Top Of Murchison Falls And Drive To Kibale National Park
When you finish your breakfast at about 8:30 am, you will check out of your lodge and drive to the top of the mighty Murchison Falls. This is where you will meet the sight of the longest river and strongest falls in the world from a new perspective.
Afterward, you will drive southwards to Kibale National Park, also labeled the Primate Capital of the World. Passing along the Albertine Rift Valley, you will enjoy the great scenic drive through the lavish green scenery of the countryside.
En route to the lovely Fort Portal town, you will have a chance to have a delicious lunch, then continue on your 1-hour drive to Kibale National Park. This park is home to 13 primate species, including over 1500 chimpanzees, who are the closest genetic cousins to humans. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon to relax, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep.
Accommodation Options In Kibale National Park
Luxury/Upmarket
- Primate Lodge Kibale
- Crater Safari Lodge
- Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange/Standard
- Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
- Kibale Forest Camp
Budget/Basic
- Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
- Kibale Forest Camp
Drive distance and time
- Approximately 366km for about 6 hours
Optional Activities For This Safari Day
- A tour of Fort Portal town.
- A nocturnal safari walk in Kibale Forest to see nocturnal animals for example, bushbabies and pottos.
Day 8: Morning Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale Forest And An Afternoon Walk In Bigodi Community Village
Following your breakfast at 6:30 am, you will drive to Kibale Forest headquarters with your packed lunch to have a briefing at 8:00 am.
Thereafter, you will go on a 2-hour Uganda Chimpanzee trekking adventure in lush flora as you search for the habituated Chimpanzee community. While on the trail, you will see many other primates and various forest birds, as the park holds over 370 bird species.
Upon finding the Uganda chimps, you will be amazed at how similar they are to humans. Note the way they groom, socialize, eat, hunt, patrol, and play during the one hour that you will spend with them. Afterward, return to the briefing area to have your packed picnic lunch.
After lunch, the Bigodi community walk will follow so that you can relate to the local people and learn more about their daily lives.
See young men make local banana beer or Waragi gin, speak to the traditional healers while learning about local herbs and medicines, then visit the Bigodi Women’s Group, who will show you their handy crafts. You will then return to your safari lodge for relaxation, an enjoyable dinner, and an overnight stay.
Optional Activities
- Night forest walk
Day 9: Have A Sumptuous Breakfast And Then Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park To Relish A Game Drive Upon Arrival
At 9:30 am, after you have had your leisurely breakfast, you will journey from Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is a 2- to 3-hour trip filled with awe-inspiring sights of the permanently snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains along the way. Reach your accommodation in time to stretch and have lunch.
Following your lunch, proceed for a game drive to explore the splendid landscapes and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. This is the most famous tourist destination because of its amazing scenery spanning the
- Tropical rainforests
- Moist acacia woodlands
- Rolling savanna plains
- Sprawling grassy hills
- Sparkling crater lakes
- Freshwater lakes
- Fertile wetlands
- lovely background of the distant Mountains of the moon
This landscape protects over 95 mammal species in Queen Elizabeth Park and about 600 bird species. On the safari game drive, you will see herds of elephants, waterbucks, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, leopards, oribis, lions, hyenas, and many others. After the exploratory game drive of 2 hours, you will go back to your lodge for a relaxing rest, dinner, and overnight.
Lodges In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Luxury
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Midrange
- Enganzi Game Lodge
- Kasenyi Safari Camp
- Bush lodge
Budget
- Pumba Safari Cottages
- Bush Lodge (tents that are non-self-contained)
Optional Activities You Can Choose To Do
- A night game drive safari
Day 10: A Morning Game Drive, An Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Trip, And An Evening Game Drive
A 3- to 4-hour game drive on the scenic Savannah plains of the Kasenyi sector will follow an early breakfast at 6:00 am. You will look for and meet some of the wildlife of Uganda, like the
- Lions
- Leopards
- Buffaloes
- Elephants
- Hyenas
- Hippos
- Waterbucks
- Bushbucks
- Uganda Kobs,
- Warthogs
You will afterward return to your comfortable lodge, relax, and have lunch. An exhilarating 2-hour boat cruise on Kazinga Channel will be next in line, beginning at 2 pm. While on the channel holding the highest concentrations of hippos in the world, you will also find many Nile crocodiles and innumerable wading birds.
Herds of elephants and Cape buffaloes will likewise be along the shores, bathing and cooling off from the day’s heat. Later, you will enjoy a brief game drive along the channel track while going back to your lodge.
Safari Activities That You Can Also Choose To Do On This 10th Day
- Chimpanzee tracking in either Kyambura Gorge or the Kalinzu Forest
- Lion tracking in the Kasenyi plains
- Night game drive in Queen’s park
Day 11: Drive To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Through An Adventurous En-Route Game Drive In The Ishasha Sector To See Tree-Climbing Lions
Upon waking up for breakfast at 8:00 am, you will get on a 4- to 7-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
On your way, you will experience a short game drive in the southern Ishasha plains of Queen Elizabeth Park to see the renowned but rare tree-climbing lions.
Later, you will continue with your drive through the undulating hills of southwestern Uganda to Bwindi, the home of gorillas.
Despite the intimidating legend behind its name, Bwindi is one of the most biodiverse tropical rainforests, whose ancient age makes it a wonderland.
It is 321 km2 of pure rainforest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1994. This park is home to 459 out of the 1,063 mountain gorillas in the world, thereby protecting almost half of their population.
The park also has about 350 Ugandan bird species, including all 24 Albertine Rift endemics, 120 mammal species, and much other wildlife to marvel at.
You will reach your lodge in the evening to relax, get dinner, and have an overnight rest for the following day.
Accommodation In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Luxury
- Haven Lodge Buhoma
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
- Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range
- Gorilla Mist Camp
- Ichumbi Lodge
- Agandi Uganda Eco-Lodge
Budget
- Trekkers Tavern Cottages
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Drive Distance and time
- About 160km or around 4–7 hours
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Uganda And A Trip To Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation
After your lovely early breakfast at around 6:30 am, drive to Bwindi headquarters for a briefing at 8:00 am and then embark on the unequaled mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda adventure. While on the briefing, you will be assigned the Gorilla family to track
Bwindi, Uganda, has about 20 habituated mountain gorilla families and each trekking group has either 8 or fewer trekkers.
After your briefing, you will embark on a quite tough activity of about 2–8 hours in the dense, misty forests to locate a habituated gorilla family. Upon finding them, you will have a lovely one-hour with them as you see them communicating, grooming, and feeding, as you marvel at the sheer size of the silver-back gorilla. Consequently, it is one of the most memorable wildlife experiences in Africa.
You will thereafter go back to the briefing point to get your Gorilla trekking certificate and then have your packed picnic lunch.
The journey to Lake Bunyonyi will take about 90 minutes through the striking terraced Kigezi highlands. You will reach your lodge on the shores of this beautiful lake for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight.
Accommodation Options In Lake Bunyonyi
Luxury/Upmarket
- Birdnest at Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range/Moderate
- Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Distance and time
- About 52km in 90 minutes
Optional Activities On This Day
- Community village walks around Bwindi, Uganda
Day 13: A Canoe Ride, Island Hopping, And Relaxation On Lake Bunyonyi
On the 13th day, at around 7:00 a.m., you will enjoy a lovely breakfast as you watch the scenic beauty of Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second-deepest lake, over 900m deep.
The terraced, rolling Kigezi hills surround the lake and its 29 islands. After breakfast, you will go on a canoe ride and an island-hopping adventure where you will explore some of the islands of this lake and the historical and present traditions attached to them.
The most captivating of these is Akampene Island, also called Punishment Island. For the purpose of eradicating family shame, fathers abandoned unmarried pregnant girls here.
The girls either starved to death or drowned in an attempt to escape. A man who wanted a wife but couldn’t afford a dowry only saved the lucky ones. However, this practice is no longer there.
After touring the islands, you will then spend the rest of the day resting.
Optional Activities For This Day
- Swimming in Lake Bunyonyi
- Zip-lining across Lake Bunyonyi
- Hiking the top of the mountains encircling Lake Bunyonyi
- Visiting the Batwa Pygmy Community
Day 14: Transfer To Lake Mburo National Park; An En Route Lunch Stop At The Igongo Cultural Center; And An Evening Game Drive Upon Arrival
After your amazing leisurely breakfast at around 9.30 am, you will embark on a drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park. You will drive along the gorgeous Ugandan countryside, passing by villages, banana plantations, and Mbarara town. Visit the Igongo Cultural Center and the Museum for a cultural meal.
While you proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, keep in view the large herds of Ankole cattle on your way to the park entrance. Lake Mburo National Park will give you wonderful sights as you do nature walks, game drives, boat cruises, horseback rides, and cycling tours.
Check into your lodge upon arrival before going to explore the national park. On a game drive, you will view wonderful Savannah plains with various herbivores, for example, Zebras, Topis, Impalas, Giraffes, Elands, and Buffaloes. Leopards and hyenas are many and yet remain elusive. Go back to your lodge to relax, eat a delicious dinner, and have an overnight.
Accommodation In Lake Mburo National Park
Luxury
- Mihingo Lodge
Mid-range
- Rwakobo Rock
- Mpogo Safari Lodge
Budget
- Eagles Nest Mburo
Meal Plan
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive Distance and Time
About 199km for about 4 hours
Optional Activities On This Day
- Tour the Biharwe Eclipse Monument
- Explore the Igongo museum
- Have an evening boat cruise on Lake Mburo
- A night game drive to see leopards and other nocturnal animals in Lake Mburo National Park
Day 15: Morning Safari Game Walks In Lake Mburo And Drive Back To Kampala Through The Uganda Equator In Kayabwe
After your early 6:00 am breakfast, you will then go for a 2-hour guided safari walk in Lake Mburo National Park to explore the wonderful Savannah as you have a close encounter with the animals.
Later, board for a 4-hour drive back to Kampala or Entebbe with an en-route stop at the Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe. Here, you will take photos while standing on both the northern and southern hemispheres at once.
This is also the ultimate place to buy souvenirs as a reminder of your 15 days on Uganda tour. Then you will be at Entebbe Airport as you prepare for your departure flight.
Drive distance and time
- Approximately 240km for about 3–4 hours
Optional activities on the final day
- Horse-riding safari in Lake Mburo National Park
- Cycling
- Banyankole community cultural tour experience
