18 Days Wildlife Adventure Safari
18 Days Wildlife Adventure Safari across Uganda unveils the beauty of Uganda and what Uganda has to offer to the world in term of Tourism. In this 18 Days Safari, you will take a tour across Uganda visiting the best savannah National Parks.
Trip overview
Fly into Entebbe International Airport. Go for the Mabamba excursion in search of shoebill stork and then transfer to Jinja, on the Nile. From Jinja, head to Sipi falls in Kapchorwa for a coffee tour then continue to Moroto. Experience the Tepeth and Karimojong people firsthand and proceed to Kidepo for a typical African safari experience. Drive to Murchison Falls National Park for wildlife viewing, continue to Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee tracking. Proceed southwards to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives. From there, you head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and then connect to Lake Mburo National Park for upclose game viewing. Then finally you’ll return to Kampala and drive to Entebbe.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, pick-up and transfer to your Booked Hotel.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our English-speaking professional tour driver guides. He will receive and welcome you to Uganda the Pearl of Africa, and then drive you to hotel. You will check in and take your rest recovering from jet lag, and adjusting to the time difference.
“Incase you arrive early during day time, you can pay a visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens at an extra cost (USD 30 – Optional)”
Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Uganda)
Accommodation: Via Via Guest House
Meal plan : Dinner with Drinking Water.
Day 2: Visit Mabamba Wetlands in Search of Shoebill Stork and Transfer to Jinja.
This morning you will have breakfast at around 7am and then drive to Mabamba Wetlands where you will get a wooden boat. The area is considered one of only a few places in Uganda with a higher chance of spotting the prehistoric shoebill stork. It’s fascinating to watch this bird in its natural setting. It may stand absolutely still for a long time awaiting its prey’s movements and then suddenly strike with a marvelous speed. From Mabamba, we shall return for lunch and thereafter, embark on a transfer to Jinja, a city famous as the historical source of the Nile River. Arrive, check-in, and have the evening at leisure.
Main Destination: Jinja (Town)
Accommodation: Source of the nile Hotel
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 3: Choose Activity of Interest, Do It and Continue to the Sipi Falls Area Kapchorwa.
This morning, you are at liberty to choose the activity of your interest and do it.
Note: Costs are not included as rates will vary according to one’s choice.
If you’re adventurous, what better way to start your safari than to experience this most exciting, exhilarating adventure on the Nile. Dive in and enjoy a number of activities like:
- White water rafting, an unforgettable adventure on the Nile at (140$).
- But if you’re scared of the rapids, you can consider Kayaking on calm waters at (30$)
- If being in the water is not your thing, let’s go Quad biking (125$)
- Another one is Mountain biking at (30$)
After the fun is in Jinja, we shall transfer to the Sipi in Kapchorwa for the overnight, check in and spend the evening at the hotel
Main Destination: Sipi Falls (Highlight)
Accommodation: Rafiki Lodge Sipi
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 4: Sipi Falls Walk/Hiking Experience and Afternoon Coffee Tour Plus Community Encounter
You will have breakfast and thereafter, proceed out to explore the 3 Sipi Falls. The hiking (about 2½ – 3 hours) takes you to explore the nearby Sipi Falls which is a set of 3 tall waterfalls. The views are breathtaking and offer you an amazing experience while in kapchorwa. The (afternoon) coffee tour on the other hand will enable you to trace the story of coffee from seed to that in the cup and you don’t want to miss this informative experience. Later, just relax at the accommodation with a spectacular view of Sipi right in front of you.
Main Destination: Sipi Falls (Highlight)
Accommodation: Rafiki Lodge Sipi
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 5: Sipi to Moroto and Visit the Tepeth Community, Overnight at Kara-Tunga Safari Camp
Today morning, you will enjoy breakfast and then embark on journey to Moroto via Soroti. Moroto is a town situated at the foot of the massive Mount Moroto and the surrounding savannah plains. A visit here gets you closer to one of Uganda’s most indigenous tribes, the Karamojong and the Tepeth. We hope to arrive around 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm and after check-in at the camp. There will be lunch before we can proceed to visit the Tepeth tribe. They are hunter and gatherers from origin and were the first inhabitants of Karamoja land. When the nomadic pastoral Karamojong migrated into their land, they moved into the highlands till today. After this amazing experience, you will return to your camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Moroto (Town)
Accommodation: Kara-Tunga Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Half-Day Trek – Mount Moroto and Afternoon-Evening Karamojong Village Experience
Today morning you will have breakfast and move out to explore a bit of Mount Moroto on a short trek (half-day). This will be a less strenuous climb offering a mix of rich encounters with Uganda’s highland people. The breathtaking views of the landscapes and unique sights along the trail will live you wowing. We shall return to the camp for lunch and rest abit before moving out again to encounter the local people of the community. The Karamojong village experience will offer a firsthand impression of Uganda’s last living traditional cultures. Experience traditional life, domestic duties and colorful dances and games. Thereafter return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Moroto (Town)
Accommodation: Kara-Tunga Safari Camp
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 7: Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park and Afternoon/ Evening Game Drive.
After your breakfast, you will drive off to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving in time for lunch before going out for game viewing. You will proceed for game viewing in the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus is the sector of Kidepo that has savannah grassland mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter, most of the animals are in this part of the park. Be on the look for large herds of Buffaloes, Elephants, many Zebras, Giraffes, Lions, Cheetahs, antelope species, and elusive leopards. Later you will return to the accommodation for dinner and your overnight stay.
Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
- Best Time To Visit : September to March (Dry season)
- High Season : September to March (The park rarely gets crowded)
- Best Weather : September to November (End of the rains)
Day 8: Morning Game Drive and the Karamojong Community Encounter
Today morning, you will have your breakfast then embark on a sunrise game drive where you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife. These may include lions, herds of buffalos, elephants, zebras, or the elusive leopard among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation. Later you will go to the Karamojong community, a cultural encounter where you will spend a wonderful afternoon (evening) with the Karamojong people. You’ll have an insight into their way of life and beliefs. Return to the lodge for Dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 9: Morning Nature Walk and Afternoon Game Drive/Safari
This morning we will have breakfast and then move out to explore the African savannah on foot. Accompanied by an armed ranger-guide, you will venture along dry river beds, over rocky outcrops through bushland to track the resident wildlife. Later in the afternoon after your lunch at the lodge, you will return to the Narus Valley for more wildlife viewing. Later you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 10: Early morning Game drive and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
You will wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and proceed for an early morning game drive. Thereafter you will exit the park and head to Murchison Falls National Park via Gulu town. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison falls, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park where you will have the chance of viewing the big 4 “lions, buffalo, elephants and leopards”, as well as giraffes, hartebeest among so much more. The concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles on the Victoria Nile will fascinate you. You will reach Murchison Falls National Park and chech into your lodge as you wait for dinner and overnight stay.
You may opt to do a night game drive at (extra cost 40$) under the guidance of a ranger guide.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 11: Murchison Game drive and Afternoon Boat Trip to the Base of the Falls.
Early morning, have your breakfast then depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park. Be on the look for wildlife including lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, antelopes, giraffes among others. For bird lovers, there are quite a number of bird species to sight to during your game drive.
Later Return to the lodge for lunch, rest after as you prepare for your boat safari. Later, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including hippos, crocodiles and several water birds.
After this adventure, drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 12: Drive to the Top of the Falls and Transfer to the Edge of Kibale National Park.
We will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check-in and just relax.
Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, you can proceed with the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation : Kibale Forest Camp
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 13: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
We shall have early morning breakfast and head straight the headquarters for the briefing from the guides as you start on the chimpanzee tracking expedition by 7:30 am. You will head into the forest and look for these intelligent creatures that share over 90% DNA with humans, which makes them very intelligent and behave almost like humans. Meeting these animals will depend on the last nesting location of the previous night, and when you reach them you will be limited to one hour with them and continue with the adventure as you discover more of the secrets of the park. You will also view other primates especially monkeys floating in the trees and several bird species.
You may have packed lunch or transfer back to the lodge to have lunch and then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited national park in Uganda with thousands of hippos that populate shorelines of Kazinga Channel. The open savannah dotted with Acacia and Euphorbia trees provide a habitat for elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs and big herds of buffaloes.
You will have an evening game drive, upon reaching Queen Elizabath National park, you enjoy a game drive to animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, Lots of antelopes, buffaloes etc.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation : Buffalo Safari Lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 14: Experiential Lion Tracking and afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel.
On this day, after your breakfast, you will head to the northern section of the park “Kasenyi planes” where you will interface with the predators under the guidance of a ranger guide and researchers who drive around the park with radiation trackers which will help them to find lions that have radio collars placed around the neck.
Lion tracking experience takes about 3 hours and later on, you will continue with a morning game drive. After lunch you will head to Mweya peninsular at Kazinga channel for a boat cruise. A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel will offer you one of the greatest wildlife experiences in Africa and Uganda in particular. Prepare to see countless hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, water birds and many of the other park animals drinking from the channel.
The boat will go for a 2-hour on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge. You will also have beautiful sunset views while resting at your accommodation.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation : Buffalo Safari Lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 15: Head to Ishasha sector, then connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to the Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector). With a strenuous day ahead, we recommend that you check in and relax in preparation for tomorrow’s trek.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation : Buhoma Gorilla Camp.
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 16: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and a Community/ batwa Cultural Tour.
Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during Gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The terrain varies with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation and have some rest before moving out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This involves cultural dances from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, and weaving among others. Return for dinner and your overnight stay at the lodge.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation : Buhoma Gorilla Camp.
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Enjoy Afternoon (Evening) Game Drive.
Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topis, impalas, Uganda kobs and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night.
Optional (extra cost 40$): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.
Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge
Meal plan : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Drinking water.
- Best Time To Visit : June to August and December to February
- High Season : June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
- Best Weather : June, July and January to February (Little rainfall)
Day 18: Morning Walking Safari in the Park and Return to Entebbe to Catch Flight.
Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range) zebras, giraffes, eland, topi and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe Airport to catch the flight (6:00 pm or later).
/Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
End of your 18 Days Wildlife Adventure Safari
