19 Days Uganda Safari
19 days Uganda safari is one of the longest of Uganda safaris, the safari literally covers all the major safari destination as well as the major national parks to mention gorilla trekking , chimpanzee trekking, wildlife encounters among others.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe, Uganda
You will be received by your driver/guide at the airport. Depending on your arrival time you will be transferred to Kampala to your hotel.
Day 2: Sezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest & Jinja Source of River Nile
After breakfast, an early morning drive on Jinja with our first visit being at the historical Ssezibwa Waterfall briefly. after we continue with our drive to Jinja passing through the cool rainy forest that is Mabira forest. Its a birding destination and quite eco system, its among the few rain forests remaining in Uganda. We will rich Jinja as we continue to Itanda Falls after the bujagali falls. We have some sightseeing. We now head to the white rafting area where you can have a half day rafting and Bungee jumping (optional) After we drive to our lodge for lunch, after lunch go for evening boat cruise to the source of the Nile. Enjoy the views of the sun set while on the boat.
Day 3: Sipi Falls
After breakfast you drive through the eastern part of Uganda to Mbale in Bagishu region. We will go to the beautiful Sipi Falls, on a plateau 1800m above sea level.
The Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, forming a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. You will stay in a wonderful lodge. From your lodge you have beautiful views over one of the waterfalls.
Day 4: Sipi Falls, Mt. Elgon
Prepare yourself for a beautiful day in paradise. After breakfast, choose to go on a 3-hour or – for the real adventurers – a 7-hour hike through the region. A local guide accompanies you on your hike to explain flora, fauna and culture.
Whichever option you choose, you can be certain that you pass many picturesque waterfalls, plantations and caves. Local villagers will be sure to greet you with ‘Jambo!’ and beaming smiles.
Day 5: Karamojong tribe
After and early breakfast you will continue your journey to Moroto town where you have an exclusive cultural interactive experience with the Karimajong tribesmen. Karamoja is an area in North-Eastern Uganda where the Karamajong people live. They are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live and dress similar. The main difference is that not any other tourist is going here. Only few years ago, tourism in Karamoja would not have been possible due to armed inter-tribal conflict but nowadays it’s safe.
The Karamajong live in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rivaling tribes and wild animals. Some of Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily as the karamajong follow the fresh grass to feed their cattle. The Karamajong are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live a similar lifestyle. The main difference is that the Karamajong is completely unknown and you are therefore sure to experience a very authentic and unique visit. In the afternoon you will visit one of the impressive Kraal or Manyatta of this community.
Day 6: Kidepo National Park
After breakfast leave Moroto to Kidepo Valley arrive in time for the afternoon or evening activities depending on the conditions of the roads This afternoon you can either take a game drive around the lodge area or refreshing dip in stunning swimming pool. Carved out of a granite kopje the pool affords fantastic views down the Narus valley and over a waterhole frequented by many animals including Bullbull- our friendly elephant and unofficial head gardener, Overnight.
If you can plan today on a Tuesday you’ll have the chance to experience an authentic Karamajong cattle market on Wednesday (that is today in this tour). Some herders walk for 5 hours to be able to buy or sell their goats, cows or chicken here. It’s a colorful and stunning sight and one of the few remaining authentic experiences. Don’t miss this!
Day 7: Safari Kidepo valley National Park
After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive to Kanangorok hot spring. A variety of animals can be seen roaming around including Ostrich. In the afternoon have a cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamojong peoples at Karenna and Kapedo. Meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items.
Day 8: Murchison Falls National Park
We set off from Kidepo valley national park at 7a.m. after our morning breakfast and drive to Murchison Falls The park has a variety of vegetation ranging from riparian forests and swampland to broad savannah, and provides visitors the opportunity of seeing large concentrations of wildlife including lion, leopard, civet, hyena, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, a host of smaller game, small primates and many bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. The park is especially famous for crocodiles and hippos.
Day 9: Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast head to the delta in search for bird life and enjoy the game drive to look for lions, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes and many more.
We will drive back to the lodge for lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls. This boat trip along the Nile is often cited as being the highlight of a trip to Murchison since it allows you to get up-close and personal with the animals. Along this stretch of the river, there are reported to be around 4,000 hippos in addition to some enormous Nile crocodiles.
The bird life is stunning with brightly colored kingfishers and bee-eaters darting along the riverbanks. If lucky, you may see the rare and prehistoric looking shoebill, which is a cross between the dodo and a dinosaur. The boat takes you to the base of the falls which only adds to their impressiveness.
Day 10: Fort Portal & Kibale National Park
Leave Murchison Falls National Park for Kibale Forest National Park via the Lake Albert escarpment, having a good view of the lake.
Stopover at Kolping Hotel in Hoima for lunch and after drive across the interesting river Nkusi (flowing from the southern end of Lake Albert, through the villages of Kagadi, joining Victoria Nile). Both rivers join Lake Kyoga and flow through the Murchison Falls continue to Lake Albert and north to the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 11: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Assemble at Kanyankyu River camp at 08:00 hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is chimpanzee tracking.
Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species. More primates like black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.
Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, and socialise with each other, or even, occasionally hunt.
In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of Kibale Forest is Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs and among others.
Day 12: Tour Fort Portal, Crater Lakes, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru Caves & Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leave the national park after breakfast and drive to Fort Portal.
You will visit the Amabere caves in Nyakasura area. This is the traditional home of the Bachwezi who were believed to be demi-gods. This area still has historical regalia of the Bachwezi that helps one in understanding the life they lived while still on earth (they later disappeared). You will then take a nature walk to the crater lakes whose history is associated with the mysterious Bachwezi.
After you have witnessed all these amazing landscapes, you will be transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 13: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast we depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains – the famed “Mountains of the Moon”. This 767-square-mile conservation area is bordered on the north-east by Lake George and on the south-west by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Congo Parc du Virunga.
As we drive through the park, expect to spot teeming herds of impala-like Uganda kob, as well as topi, elephant, Cape buffalo. There are also several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally.
In the afternoon we will go for a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray at very close range from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.
Day 14: Queen Elizabeth National Park & Maramagambo Forest Bush Walk
Another early start for a bush walk through the Maramagambo Forest.
This is one of the largest forests in Uganda, and forms a habitat for a number of primates and forest dwellers. Due to its location, Maramagambo also has a great diversity of butterflies and birds. The walk culminates in a visit to volcanic caves that are home to thousands of bats. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the bats cave as they prey on bats. In this walk you will see the picturesque blue lake Kimeranjojo which got its name after swallowing an elephant. Other trails will lead you to the Crater Lake and habitats of the wild chimps and forest bird.
In the afternoon you will proceed to Ishasha Sector. Drive along the deep and wide dry craters that are occupied by savanna grasses and acacia. The drive takes you through the unique western rift valley escarpment and the (southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park) Ishasha sector where you will take on yet another game drive in search of tree climbing lions in the afternoon and evening.
Day 15: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Early morning guided bush walk for a closer interaction with nature in Ishasha. The mid morning will be spent on a game drive for the tree climbing lions, elephants and other Big Mammals, thereafter proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes about 2-3 hours but driving through interesting features. We shall be arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening.
Day 16: Gorilla Trekking
After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip – gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day.
We trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Day 17: Lake Bunyonyi
After having breakfast, we shall take a scenic drive to Kabale taking you through the beautiful terrain of the rolling hills with terraced landscape. A short drive leads us to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi where we can relax and enjoy some reflection time. With its fresh water, bilharzias-free and beautiful landscapes, Lake Bunyonyi is a small paradise for travelers.
Day 18: Lake Mburo National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park.
Upon arrival, you will go for the game drive which will give you insights of animal species like the zebras, topes, elephants, elands, impalas, buffaloes, antelopes and so many others.
Day 19: Game Drive and transfer Entebbe
After breakfast, you will go for the last game drive within the park to search for the early risers and also look out for animals missed out in the previous game drive.
Later transfer back to Kampala with a brief stopover at the Equator for photographs; Reach Kampala in the afternoon. Proceed to Entebbe for your flight departure back home.
The cost includes
Gorilla permits
Chimpanzee trekking permits
Boat Cruise
Park entry fees
Accommodation with all meals
Car, fuel and English speaking guide
Pick up and drop off
Cost exclude
accommodation before the trip and after the trip
Visa fee
International flights
Personal expenses
Alcoholic drinks