21 days Uganda Safari – Experience Uganda

This 21 days Uganda safari lets you travel through Uganda and really dive deep into what the Pearl of Africa has to offer. We start by searching for the Great Shoebill Stork at Mabamba Swamp before making the journey northwards to Jinja for the source of the Nile. We continue on to the scenic Sipi Falls before heading through remote parts of the country to Kidepo Valley National Park. We are now in the far north of Uganda with untouched wilderness and the fascinating Karamojong people. The journey southwards then starts taking you to Murchison Falls National Park for an abundance of giraffes and on to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to trek rhinos on foot. We then continue south for chimps trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and on to the Rwenzori mountains for a hike. Next is Queen Elizabeth National Park with a Kazinga channel boat-cruise and search for tree-climbing lions. We have then reached the great highlight of Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The last part of the 21-days Uganda safari takes you for relaxation by beautiful Lake Bunyonyi and finally looking for zebras in Lake Mburo National Park.  The nights you spend at comfortable Uganda safari lodges.

• Mabamba Swamp
• Jinja
• Sipi Falls
• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Murchison Falls National Park
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Kibale Forest National Park
• Rwenzori Mountains National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Lake Bunyonyi
• Lake Mburo National Park

DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE AIRPORT FOR OUR 3-WEEKS UGANDA SAFARI

We meet our tour guide at the airport and transfer to the lodge for an overnight.  Relax after the flight to be ready for the 21 days Uganda safari starting the next day.

Overnight Tilapia Lodge

DAY 2: Shoebill Stork at Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Jinja for source of the Nile

Head over to Mabamba Swamp in the early morning to search for the prehistoric looking Great Shoebill Stork. We then leave Entebbe to head to the town of Jinja. Here you go for a boat cruise to the source of the mighty river Nile.

Overnight in Kingfisher resort

DAY 3: TRANSFER TO SIPI FALLS & WALK TO THE FALLS INCLUDING LOCAL COFFEE CEREMONY

Leave Jinja after breakfast and make the journey to Sipi Falls. The target is to arrive in time for lunch at the lodge. Sipi Falls offers stunning scenery and beautiful waterfalls. In the afternoon you go for a guided walk to see three of the water falls close up and experience the local coffee ceremony with the Sebei tribe.

Overnight Rafiki Lodge Sipi

DAY 4: TRANSFER TO MOROTO THROUGH KARAMOJONG WILDERNESS AREA

We leave the stunning views of Sipi Falls in the morning and start the journey to the town Moroto. We continue our journey off the beaten track by going through the tribes. We are today driving through a very very remote area with a scenic reserve, local people and markets in the most un touched area.

Overnight in Moroto lodge

DAY 5: TRANSFER TOWARDS KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK TO NATABA GATE

After breakfast we start the drive to Kidepo Valley NP in a landscape of vast plains and semi-arid savannah framed by jagged mountains and wooded hills, Kidepo is one of the wildest and most spectacular reserves in Africa. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions enjoy panoramic views of the Narus River Valley and photographic opportunities of wildlife from all corners. An evening game drive along the Narus River Valley for game viewing and photography of elephants, herds of buffaloes, jackals, Jackson’s Hartebeest, klipspringer and possibly Lions.

Overnight at Apoka Hostel bandas

DAY 6: A DAY TO EXPLORE KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive to Kanangorok hot spring area crossing the sand river as we continue our 21 days Uganda safari. A variety of animals can be seen roaming around including ostrich connecting back for lunch. In the afternoon have a cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamjong 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.

Overnight Apoka Hostel bandas

DAY 7: TRANSFER TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Leave the park in the morning and transfer through Gulu, Uganda’s biggest town in the North. Continue through the flat scenic landscape with local villages and enjoy the Ugandan countryside. Arrive at the lodge by Murchison Falls NP in the afternoon.

Overnight in Hornbill Bush Lodge

DAY 8: EXPLORE MURCHISON FALLS NP WITH A GAME-DRIVE & BOAT-CRUISE

Start the day with a game-drive on the broad savannah. Here we will most likely see big cats, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, plus more as the checklist of mammals in the park reaches 76.  We continue browsing the game-drive circuits to the delta point for a cocktail of birds and mammals. Have lunch and then in the afternoon head for the 2-5pm boat ride on the mighty r Nile to the base of the falls. During the boat-cruise you get to see the Hippos (You have never seen more hippos yawning, Grooming in there Pods anywhere else than here- Believe me you)! Nile crocodiles, elephants and a variety of beautiful bird species along the banks. After the boat-cruise we get back to the lodge for a relaxed evening.

Overnight Hornbill Bush Lodge

DAY 9: TOP OF THE FALLS AND TRANSFER TO Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking

We enjoy breakfast and then drive through the park hopefully getting some last sights of what this rich animal kingdom has to offer. Our target for the morning is a visit to the top of the falls. Here the Nile is pushed through a small gap and the sight of the power of the rushing water is impressive. We then leave the park, have lunch in the town of Masindi before continuing on to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where they are working to reintroduce rhinos in Uganda you head out trekking rhinos on foot.

Overnight Ziwa Rhino Guesthouse

DAY 10: TRANSFER TO THE AREA OF Kibale Forest

It’s a long days drive today during the 21 days Uganda safari with our target to have lunch in Fort Portal. We ease the journey by a punctuation of stopovers in villages and tea plantations along the drive as we check in late afternoon.

Overnight Isunga Lodge

DAY 11: Chimps trekking in Kibale Forest and transfer to Rwenzori mountains

Head into the forest of the Primate city of Kibale in the morning for chimpanzee
trekking, the first great ape you will meat during this 3-weeks Uganda safari. This is a three hour experience. Kibale Forest national park is a rainy forest and a home to over 1500 Chimpanzees. Here you have the chance to see the chimps close up and capture shots of our closet cousins in the jungle. After the trek your guide picks you and we start the journey to Rwenzori Mountains.

Overnight Trekkers Hostel

DAY 12: First day of 2-days RWENZORI HIKe

In the morning you set off from Trekkers hostel and start the hike in Rwenzori Mountains. You can expect a day of scenic views and beautiful nature.

Overnight in Rwenzori Mountains

DAY 13: Second day of RWENZORI 2-days HIKE AND TRANSFER TO THE LODGE BY QUEEN ELIZABETH NP

Wake up in the mountains and enjoy another day of hiking in the mountains. Continue down to the base camp. Your guide picks you at the base camp and you make the journey to the lodge by Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Overnight in Pumba Safari Cottages

DAY 14: RELAXED MORNING AND AFTERNOON BOAT-CRUISE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL

Have a relaxed breakfast and enjoy the morning relaxing at the lodge, resting after your hike in Rwenzori mountains. When having finished lunch at the lodge we continue our 21 days Uganda safari by getting ready for the Classic highlights on the 2hrs Boat cruise on the famous Kazinga channel. This is a 36kms channel linking Lake George – Lake Edward. Here you can see land and water Adapted Hippopotamuses Yawning and some slashing canines to each other. As well as the National Geographical society Killing machine the Nile Crocodile gaping along the Banks. Savannah version of Pigs the Warthog- Pumba of the award winning Lion King are a hallmark sign in this Animal home of Mamaland Uganda. With your Binoculars along the peninsula you have a magnificent view of Birds and animals like the ever playing African Elephants in Waters.

Overnight in Pumba Safari Cottages

DAY 15: TRANSFER TO ISHASHA and AFTERNOON GAME-DRIVE

After breakfast we continue our 3-weeks Uganda safari by making the journey through the park to the southern Ishasha sector known for tree-climbing lions. We have lunch at the lodge by Ishasha . In the afternoon we drive off for a game-drive in this adventurous vast savannah. Here we have chance to see Topis, elephants, buffalo and hopefully get the Lions high in the Fig tree branches.

Overnight Topi Lodge

DAY 16: MORNING GAME-DRIVE IN ISHASHA & TRANSFER TO BWINDI MOUNTAINS

In the early morning we head out for another game-drive in Ishasha for a chance to search for the tree-climbing lions ones again. After the game-drive we have lunch at the lodge and then transfer through to Bwindi Impenetrable forest.

Overnight in Buhoma Community Rest Camp

DAY 17: GORILLA TREKKING DAY- BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the home to the forest giants that are cousins to human beings, the Mountain Gorillas. This day you will have a highlight of this 21 days Uganda safari as you head into the jungle in a group with a specialized guide who leads you to the point where the gorillas are. You get to spend one hour with them. This Impenetrable Forest is full of birds, butterflies and plant species plus forest hog, forest elephants, statungas and dikers. After the trek your guide picks you and we shall transfer to the town Kisoro close to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Overnight Travellers Rest Kisoro

DAY 18: Batwa Forest Experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After breakfast we head to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for the batwa
cultural experience. You will be joined by the ranger guide who will lead you into the forest and begin to discover the magic of the Batwa’s ancient home while enjoying nature walks and learning about the cultural heritage. After we head back to the lodge for lunch and after lunch we relax a bit as prepare for an evening walk around kisoro market to observe how the bakiga transact their businesses.

Overnight Travellers Rest Kisoro

DAY 19: Golden Monkey trekking Experience and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After our early morning breakfast we get ready for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You will be allowed an hour with the golden monkey after trekking through the jungle to where they are. We get back to the lodge for lunch if we didn’t carry a packed lunch with us. After lunch, we head to Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy a relaxed evening by the scenic lake (it is even safe to swim!).

Overnight Lake Bunyonyi Eco resort

DAY 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo NAtional Park and game-drive

After breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo, the ‘Zebra magnet’. Leave Lake Bunyonyi and continue the 21 days Uganda safari by driving through the hilly areas. Arrive in the park and have lunch at the lodge before heading for an afternoon game drive. During the game-drive we can expect to see zebras, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, cape buffaloes and if lucky leopard.

Overnight in Rwakobo Rock

DAY 21: SAFARI WALK BY LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK and tRANSFER TO ENTEBBE for flight

Early morning safari walk from the lodge with chance to see zebras, waterbucks, birds and buffaloes in their day break jungle life! Then have breakfast at the lodge and start the drive to Entebbe. Have a stop at the Equator and some photo poses where the southern- and northern hemispheres meet. Continue on to Entebbe for your flight. Plan for a late afternoon or evening flight.