16 Days Uganda Safari Trip – Gorillas, Wildlife, Scenery, Community Uganda Tour

16-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Overview

16 Days Uganda Safari Tour is an amazing 16-day Uganda tour that takes you to climb Mount Rwenzori, do gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing, the source of the Nile, the community, and see beautiful scenery.

You’ll track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where over 50% of the 1,063 mountain gorillas on earth thrive, do island hopping on Lake Bunyonyi, the most magnificent lake in Uganda, and do community tourism around Lake Mburo National Park, where you’ll encounter the beautiful Ankole long-horned cattle, the wild game viewing including elephants, tree-climbing lions, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, etc. in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mburo National Parks, plus aquatics in Kazinga Channel such as Nile crocodiles and hippos.

The 16-day Uganda safari tour also features chimpanzee trekking in Uganda in Kibale National Park, a Fort Portal Crater Lake hike, an Amabere caves tour, and cycling in the Mpanga tea estates. These magical places combine to generate a memorable safari experience in the Pearl of Africa.

16-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Safari Highlights

• Day 1: Arrive in Uganda & transfer to the lodge
• Day 2: Undertake half-day white water rafting in Jinja and an afternoon boat cruise to the Source of the Nile
• Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Make a stop at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe. Undertake an evening game walking safari in Lake Mburo NP
• Day 4: Undertake an experiential cultural tour to the Banyankole community and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 5: Do a whole day of Island hopping and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Day 6: Undertake Volcano Climbing to any of the 3 Volcanic Mountains: Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabinyo
• Day 7: Do Batwa Trail Experience and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 8: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking and attend the Bakiga/Batwa traditional performance at the lodge
• Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha sector en route in search of tree-climbing lions
• Day 10: Do morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga channel boat cruise, and transfer to Kasese
• Day 11, 12 & 13: Undertake 3-day adventure hike to the Rwenzori Mountains and explore the Mahoma trail
• Day 14: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk
• Day 15: Hike the Fort Portal Crater lake field, tour Amabere ga’ Nyinamwiru Caves, Mpanga tea estate cycling and transfer to Kampala
• Day 16: Departure

16-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive In Uganda & Transfer To The Lodge

Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport on day 1 of your 16-day Uganda Safari Tour, you’ll find our company representative, who will courteously welcome you into the Pearl of Africa, introduce himself, and transfer you to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight. He will also brief you about your safari trip

Accommodation: Budget: Banda Inns; Basic: Buziga Country Resort

Day 2: Do Half Day Of White Water Rafting In Jinja and a Boat Cruise To The Source Of The Nile

After breakfast, transfer to Jinja, driving 80km from Uganda’s capital city, Kampala, which takes about 2 hours. You’ll pass through the impressive landscapes of the city outskirts before entering the scenic sugarcane plantations at Lugazi, the forested lands of Mabira, and eventually arriving in Jinja for whitewater rafting.

The world’s longest river (the Nile River) moves out of Victoria Lake at the submerged Rippon Falls, embarking on its 6650-kilometer journey to empty into the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. On its course, it meets a series of impermeable rocks that form cascades and rapids; therefore, getting onto the rafts to undertake such a challenging adventure is a worthy undertaking experience.

You’ll raft in the company of expert guides who are at your rescue in case the waters push you off the raft. After this adventure, you’ll connect to the source of the Nile in the afternoon. The boat cruise to the source of the Nile is a rewarding adventure as it exposes you to opportunities to explore beautiful birds, including kingfishers.

Stepping at the point where John Speke stood as the first European to discover the source of the Nile takes you back to ancient times when the legendary Nile River source lured great men into the world of the unknown.  Retreat to Kampala for relaxation, dinner, and overnight

Accommodation: Budget: Banda Inns; Basic: Buziga Country Resort

Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. A stop at Uganda Equator- (Kayabwe) and an Evening Game Walking Safari in Lake Mburo NP

After breakfast, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park at around 6:30 am, covering about 240km, a 3- to 4-hour drive. On the way, you’ll make a stop at the Uganda Equator Monument (Kayabwe) for photo shooting while standing in either hemisphere of the earth. What a memorable experience in life!

For keen geographers, they can have amazing experiments to demonstrate the geographical separation of the north and southern hemispheres by doing the equator water experiment. You retreat from this break and drive to Mburo National Park. You’ll check in at the lodge and rest for lunch and simple relaxation.

In the evening, you embark on a thrilling game walking safari, passing through the beautiful acacia plains, offering you great views of the park. You’ll encounter numerous game animals, including giraffes, impalas, zebras, topis, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, elands, and acacia-associated birds. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Eagles Nest Mburo; Basic: Rwonyo Camp

Day 4: Undertake An Experiential Cultural Tour To The Banyankole Community And Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi

You’ll wake up at 6 am and connect to the Enyemebwa center to catch up with the herd’s men getting up to do the milking and their daily routine. You’ll actively participate in the traditional hand milking of the Ankole long-horned cattle, sick animal treatment, and caring for cows by brushing their bodies and then setting out to graze in the wilderness.

You retreat and visit the traditional hut, where you find the women churning milk in the churning gourd. From here, you’ll go to explore the extensive banana plantations where you can participate in pruning and weeding using local methods and then participate in initial arrangements for traditional lunch.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the second-deepest lake in Africa. You can opt to have a tasty traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Center, 12km to Mbarara town, before proceeding to the magnificent lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, dinner, and overnight

Accommodation: Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort, Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat

Day 5: Do A Whole Day Of Island Hopping And Transfer To Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After breakfast, embark on a whole day of island-hopping exploration, visiting the main islands of Lake Bunyonyi. You’ll explore Bucurunuka (upside down), which is believed to have buried people alive after refusing to offer local brew to an old woman, who cursed it to turn upside down, burying its inhabitants.

You’ll visit Akampene (Punishment) Island, where pregnant, unmarried girls could be taken to die of hunger or drown while trying to escape. Others include Bushara, Kahugye, and Njuyera Island, which was a traditional leprosy healing center. This experience will expose you to the local life of the island communities, including the process of brewing local beer.

Retire from the activity and drive along the scenic Kabale-Kisoro road to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Travelers’ Rest Kisoro; Budget: Amajambere Iwachu Community camp

Day 6: Undertake Volcano Climbing To Any Of The Three Volcanic Mountains Namely: Gahinga, Muhabura, And Sabinyo

After an early breakfast, you’ll gather at Ntebeko Park Headquarters with your packed lunch for a briefing from park rangers at 8 am and embark on the adventure of volcano climbing. You can choose to climb Muhabura, Gahinga, or Sabinyo.

The 3,669-meter Sabinyo Mountain hike takes about 8 hours to make a 14-kilometer round trip with a series of peaks at the top. Gahinga, towering up to 3,474 meters, takes about 6 hours with the opportunity to spot golden monkeys in the bamboo zone on the mountain slopes.

The Muhabura Mountain (4,127m) hike takes about 8 hours, and its peak offers distant views of Bwindi Forest, the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day, the entire Virunga Mountain chain, and the 3 countries of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Retreat from the day’s adventure and connect to the lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Travelers’ Rest Kisoro; Budget: Amajambere Iwachu Community camp

Day 7: Do Batwa Trail Cultural Experience And Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Visitors having safaris in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park have the opportunity to experience the unique Batwa culture by going for the Batwa Trail Experience. The Batwa Trail offers a glimpse into the historical lifestyles of this marginalized community from the perspective of ancient forest life.

The Batwa trail tour starts in the morning around 8 am at the Ntebeko Visitors’ Centre, taking 5–6 hours. On this cultural tour of Uganda, trained Batwa guides will demonstrate their customs, such as gathering herbs for medicine and wild honey, fetching water the old-fashioned way with bamboo cups, building grass-thatched huts, and showcasing their incredible hunting prowess.

This thrilling cultural experience ends with a cultural dance by the Batwa families at the Ngarama cave, a ceremonial ground for Batwa cultural leaders. The cave was a symbolic place in the Batwa culture, and you’ll be overjoyed to be part of this encounter.

Retreat from the encounter and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget:  Broadbill Forest Camp; Basic: Nshongi Camp

Day 8: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking And Attend The Bakiga/Batwa Traditional Performance At The Lodge

Gorilla trekking is a memorable adventure, giving you a chance to encounter the gentle giants in their natural environments—the misty Bwindi impenetrable forest. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to park headquarters for a briefing at 8 am and embark on the trek into Bwindi Forest with the help of potters, rangers, trackers, and the park guide.

The trek takes about 2–8 hours. The hike can be physically demanding; however, the expectation of the rousing experience ahead is superb. On spotting the shy giants of the forest, you’re limited to one magical hour enjoying them feeding, playing, and grooming. You’re free to take as many photos as you can.  Most treks finish before lunch and you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the evening, while chilling at the lodge grounds, you’ll be offered a traditional, amazing performance by the local Batwa or Bakiga, people that live around the park. They’ve got magical songs and dancing styles that will make your evening colorful.

Accommodation: Budget:  Broadbill Forest Camp; Basic:  Nshongi Camp

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Do a game drive in Ishasha Sector En Route in search of tree-climbing lions.

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through the southern sector of the park. Ishasha is well known for its amazing tree-climbing lions. You’ll spot these mysterious creatures resting comfortably up in the big fig tree branches, sighting at their prey—the Uganda kobs feeding in the Savannah plains. Continue the drive to the north of Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages; Basic: Kazinga Channel View Resort/UWA Bandas

Day 10: Do Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise, And Transfer To Kasese

You’ll have an early breakfast and by 7 a.m., you’ll undertake a game drive in the scenic Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This Uganda safari encounter will offer you the opportunity to spot some of the big five African safari animals, including lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. Other animals include Uganda kobs, oribis, waterbucks, bushbucks, topis, warthogs, stripped jackals, hyenas, etc., plus numerous bird species.

Retreat from the activity, settle for lunch, and then embark on a boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. The cruise provides a chance to get up close and personal with hundreds of hippos submerged in water, along with over 100 different bird species and local crocodiles lazing on the banks. The 2-hour cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing.

Retreat from the activity and connect to Kasese, arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Sandton Hotel Kasese, Basic: Ruboni Community Camp

Day 11, 12 & 13: Rwenzori Mountains Hike 

Day 11: Hike From Ibanda to Omu’ka Kizza Rest Camp (2.977 m)

After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on the trek to the legendary mountains of the moon, rising at 5,109m altitude with snowcapped peaks.

The day 1 trek takes you through the Kyambogho forest ridge. While climbing this forested ridge, you’ll have great views of Mubuku Valley and spot several primates, counting the rare L’hoest monkeys and the blue monkey stretching up to the Omu’ka Kiiza Rest Camp at an altitude of 2,977m.

This point offers you impressive views of the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and the town of Kasese. Below 2,160m altitude, you can spot the beautiful Rwenzori turaco and also hear the pant-hooting calls of chimpanzees. You’ll camp for an overnight in the mountain wilderness.

Day 12: Hike From Omu’Ka Kizza Rest Camp to Lake Mahoma

After your early morning breakfast, embark on the hike to the beautiful Lake Mahoma, which the trail is named after. You will travel along this forest trail through a lush forest filled with enormous heather and layers of bright green moss, as well as a narrow, picturesque ridge rising to 3,515 meters in altitude.

You’ll impressively follow the mountain elephant footprints passing through the bamboo and the heather forest, where you might have the opportunity of spotting them as they take water at the hot spring. The ridge takes you to Rukenga Valley, where you’ll encounter everlasting flowers and giant lobelias.

After this point, you cross to Mahoma Lake Camp for dinner and overnight. Under clear skies, you have the opportunity to view Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and the Portal Peaks from the camp.

Day 13: Mahoma Lake to Ibanda

After breakfast, you’ll take a walk around this mountain lake before descending back to the starting point through Nyabitaba Ranger Post and the Mpanga Ridge to adjoin the Valley of Mubuku, which is home to the three-horned chameleon, leading you back to Ibanda.

From Ibanda, you embark on your vehicles and drive to Kibale National Park, arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse; Basic: Rwetera Safari Park

Day 14: Morning Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing at 8:00 am from the park warden before going for chimpanzee trekking, which lasts for 2–5 hours. After an encounter with the chimps, man’s closest relatives, sharing 98.7% DNA, you’ll be limited to one magical hour with them.

You’ll enjoy them feeding, playing, grooming, swinging in trees, getting to hear their amazing pant-hooting calls, and having an incredible time for photo shoots. Please note that while tracking chimpanzees in Kibale, you’ll spot other primates, including the L’hoest’s monkey, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white monkeys, olive baboons, and numerous bird species.

After the encounter, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and, after a transfer to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, for a remarkable nature walk. It features over 138 bird species, including the beautiful great blue turaco, plus 8 primate species. Retreat from the activity and drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Budget: Rwenzori View Guesthouse; Basic: Rwetera Safari Park

Day 15: Hike The Fort Portal Crater Lake field, Tour Amabere Ga’ Nyinamwiru Caves, Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling, And Transfer to Kampala

After breakfast, embark on a visit to Amabere ga’ Nyinamwiru caves and hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake field. The locals, who have a rich history of the area, will welcome you upon arrival.

You’ll visit Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves—the breast-like features believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of Bukuku, who was a self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi.

She was denied the opportunity to breastfeed her baby Ndahura as the father was alerted that the child would take over his throne. The milk continues to flow out of Nyinamwiru’s breasts.

Retreat from this encounter and embark on the hike to Fort Portal Crater Lake Field, where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa Hill, surrounded by numerous crater lakes and crater hollows that present one of the most beautiful scenic views in Uganda.

The top of Kyeganywa Hill offers picturesque views of the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Retreat from the chosen activity and transfer back to Fort Portal, where you’ll connect to Mpanga Tea Estates for a cycling adventure in the rolling green tea plantation with an amazing landscape ideal to encounter on the mountain bike.

On your bicycle, you’ll encounter the estate staff plucking tea and you’re free to participate in the exercise to gain the exact touch. Retreat from the activity and embark on the drive back to Kampala (300km, about 5 hours).

Accommodation: Budget: Banda Inns; Basic: Buziga Country Resort

Day 16 of the 16-Day Uganda Safari Tour: Departure

This day is dedicated to your departure back home through Entebbe International Airport

End of the 16-Day Uganda Safari Tour