The 15 Days safari in Uganda is one of the best travel itineraries that allows you to explore Uganda’s abundant faunal species, the breathtaking landscapes and unique cultures and traditions. Embarking on this 2-week plus 1-day trip guarantees you ultimately authentic experiences ranging from mountain gorilla trekking, rhino tracking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, launch cruise and Batwa cultural experience.
Explore exotic tourist sites in Uganda including Mabamba Wetland, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi and more. This trip encompasses the big 5 game encounter; get to sight the African bush elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffaloes in the wild.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up at the airport in Uganda & drive to your hotel
Upon arrival at the modern Entebbe International Airport (EBB), meet our company representative for a warm welcome into the pearl of Africa. From the airport, drive up to the pre-booked accommodation within Entebbe city for you to relax, dine and have a night stay.
Accommodation
- The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Day 2: Explore Mabamba birds half day and drive to Kampala
After breakfast, you will be taking part in birding excursion on Mabamba wetland. This is typical of shoebill trekking excursion and you will be exploring this endowed wetland on a boat/canoe. Look out for diverse avifaunal species including shoebill storks, papyrus gonoleks, goliath herons, orange weaver birds, black-faced rufous warblers, lesser jacanas, and more. From the birding excursion, get back and you will connect to the hotel in Kampala.
Accommodation
- Kampala Serena Hotel (Luxury)
- Cassia Lodge/Latitude 0 Degrees Hotel (Midrange)
- Fairway Hotel (Budget)
Day 3: To Murchison Falls NP, en-route rhino tracking at Ziwa
Leave Kampala city early for Murchison Falls National Park via Luweero and en-route journey covers a break at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. At Ziwa, enjoy the best of rhino tracking. You will be accompanied by an experienced park guide on a search for rhinos in the wild and after, you will proceed to the hotel in Masindi for lunch. Cross to Kichumbanyobo gate to clear with the park officials then head off to the top of the falls.
Accommodation
- Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
- Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget)
Day 4: Game drive with an expert and launch cruise
Have breakfast then proceed with the morning game drive. Navigate via the rich ecosystem game tracks in the northern side of Murchison Falls NP with higher chance to encounter animals such as the Rothschild giraffes, elephants, Uganda Kobs, lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, and birds. This will be 2-3 hours’ game viewing excursion and after, get back for lunch plus some relaxation.
Leave the lodge for an afternoon boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. This includes exploring the unique aquatic life including hippos, crocodiles and water birds. At the base of the falls, capture great views of Murchison Falls and take pictures. You may continue with a hike to the top of the falls (provided the water levels are low) –optional.
Accommodation
- Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)
- Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
- Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget)
Day 5: Kibale National Park trip through the oil city (Hoima)
A delicious breakfast will be enjoyed early morning and after, depart for Kibale National Park. Today’s journey covers 7-8 hours’ drive through the breathtaking rift valley escarpments in Bunyoro area, Hoima to Fort Portal tourism city where lunch break will be had. While here, enjoy the scenic view of the legendary Rwenzori Mountain ranges at the backdrop and proceed to check in at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury)
- Primate Lodge (Midrange)
- Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking experience
After breakfast, you will be picked up from the respective lodge and driven to Kanyanchu for briefing. The 7:00am briefing also covers allocation of park guides who will lead you on actual search for chimpanzees starting at 8:00am. Kibale Forest Park is endowed with 1500 chimpanzees and trekking to see these apes takes 2-4 hours. This includes a maximum of an hour for photography and a face-to-face encounter.
Other primates and also birds will be encountered on a trek to see chimpanzees. On returning to the lodge, have lunch and relaxation then proceed with afternoon nature walk through Bigodi Wetland.
Accommodation
- Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury)
- Primate Lodge (Midrange)
- Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Budget)
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Game Park trip via Kasese
A hefty breakfast be enjoyed early morning and after, set off for Queen Elizabeth Game Park through the Crater dominated area. Early arrival will be followed by check in at the lodge, lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, we proceed to Kazinga for a boat cruise –enjoy sights of hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Accommodation
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Simba Camp
Day 8: Kasenyi & Ishasha game drives, transfer to Bwindi
In the morning after breakfast, set off through Kasenyi to explore the wonders of Queen Elizabeth NP. In a pop-up roof vehicle, enjoy sight of mammals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, warthogs, and antelope families. From the Kasenyi game drive, get back to check out of the lodge and next visit will be Ishasha.
At Ishasha, enjoy the second game drive and this time round, look out for the tree climbing lions. You will also have the best of bush lunch under the shade of the tree and after, you will continue to Bwindi.
Accommodation
- Buhoma Lodge
- Mahogany Springs/Engagi Lodge
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 9: Gorilla trekking adventure with a guide
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and after, drive to the briefing centre in Bwindi to have insight into the guidelines to be observed when trekking gorillas. The park official will allocate park guides and gorilla families to you then the actual trekking begins at 8:00a.m. This thrilling adventure will run for 2-6 hours which includes an hour of observing how gorilla behave and taking pictures. After the interaction with a family of mountain gorillas, have a relaxed stay at the pre-booked accommodation property.
Accommodation
- Buhoma Lodge
- Mahogany Springs/Engagi Lodge
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 10: Batwa community visit & drive to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will be visiting the Batwa pygmies community. Today’s visit will enrich you with unique cultures, traditions of the Batwa pygmies and expect great traditional/cultural dances. From the cultural experience, get back to check out then proceed to Lake Bunyonyi to have a relaxed moment at the lake shores.
Accommodation
- Birdnest@ Bunyonyi (Luxury)
- Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Midrange)
Day 11: Boat/Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi
Leave your lodge for the morning canoe ride and today, you will head off up to one of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy the beautiful sceneries, sight different bird species and surrounding areas. Get back and have lunch plus relaxation. Later in the evening, you may return for sunset cruise which comes with drinks.
Accommodation
- Birdnest@ Bunyonyi (Luxury)
- Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Midrange)
Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi –Lake Mburo N/Park for wildlife encounter
Enjoy a hefty breakfast at your respective lodges and after, leave Lake Bunyonyi area for Lake Mburo. This will be 6-7 hours’ drive journey and expect the long day relaxation at the lodge on arrival.
Accommodation
- Kigambira Lodge (High-end)
- Mihingo Lodge (Luxury)
- Rwakobo Rock (Midrange)
Day 13: Game drive and boat cruise Lake Mburo NP excursion
This special day will begin with a delicious breakfast and after, set off for morning game drive. Drive via the scenic Lake Mburo NP on a search for faunal species including zebras, giraffes, antelopes, birds, and others. Get back after the 2-3 hours’ game viewing experience and have leisurely lunch. You will again join other guests for afternoon excursion and this time round, enjoy Lake Mburo boat cruise experience.
Accommodation
- Kigambira Lodge (High-end)
- Mihingo Lodge (Luxury)
- Rwakobo Rock (Midrange)
Day 14: Depart Lake Mburo with a game drive
After breakfast, leave the lodge for a game drive early morning. Get a chance to see more animals and those you never spotted the previous day. From here, continue to Entebbe city and en-route, make a stopover at the Equator crossing.
Accommodation
- The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Day 15: Departure at leisure
A leisurely cup of tea or coffee and after, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Entebbe airport. Today, you will be taking a flight back home and this marks the end of the tour.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives
- Boat cruise
- Gorilla and chimp permits
- Accommodation and meals
- All travel by road and service of guide/driver
- A bottled drinking water
Exclusions
- Tips
- Laundry
- Telephone bills
- Insurance
- Shopping
- Alcoholic drinks
