This 18 days’ vacation in Uganda is a combination of wildlife encounter, photography, primate expedition, coffee tours and cultural experiences and so much more.
Among destinations to visit during this safari include Sipi falls, Jinja, Kidepo national park, Lake Mburo, Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks, Sempaya hot springs, and so much more.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Visit Sipi falls and Coffee farms
Wake up early for breakfast as you prepare for drive to eastern Uganda in Kapchorwa district for an amazing hike on the slopes of Mount. Elgon, the mountain with the largest caldera in the world.
On arrival, have lunch and proceed for a hike along the three series’ waterfalls of Sipi. This hiking experience will expose you to the three beautiful waterfalls of Sipi as you will ascend to the top of the three falls through the beautiful vegetation with a view of bird species, plantations and primates. On this hike you will see the three water falls as they surface three amazing spots on the slopes.
After the hike, have lunch and embark on another visit to the Arabica coffee farms on the slopes of Mount. Elgon, here you will be exposed to the plantation, harvesting and processing of these rich coffee beans. You can also do some coffee tasting to feel the sweetness and richness of the locally grown coffee beans. Return for a rest the lodge.
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo Valley national park
Have a very early breakfast as you get ready for long journey to Kidepo Valley national park in north eastern Uganda. You will have stop overs for lunch and relaxation while on your journey to the park. On late arrival, check in at the lodge for a warm dinner and sleep over.
Day 3: Game drive and visit to the Karamojong villages
You will have a game drive in the Narus valley where a number of wildlife such as Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, cheetahs, sided stripped jackals, waterbucks, zebras and Buffaloes among others will be seen while on this game drive not forgetting the beautiful plains of the virgin land.
After return to the lodge for lunch, then head for a community visit just outside the park of the Karamojong people. You will be welcomed by the awaiting local residents of the community.
You will have a briefing about the community by the area guide who will later on lead the tour through the indigenous village while explaining their cultural practices and lifestyle. You will be rewarded will their traditional dance that will end the visit. Return to the lodge for an overnight and dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Murchison falls national park
After a delicious breakfast, check out of the lodge and prepare your journey to the Murchison falls n/park. You will have a stopover in Gulu town for lunch after continue our journey to the park. After arrival rest as you wait for dinner at the lodge checked in.
Day 5: Full day game drive
On this day, get ready to have more wildlife encounter in Murchison falls national park. After a warm cup of tea head straight for a game drive in the northern area of the park. On this drive many mammal species will be witnessed and the late hunters just before they go back to the bush for a rest and also many more animals.
The Jackson hartebeests, waterbucks, warthogs, Giraffes, Leopards, Giraffes, Elephants, Oribis and Uganda kobs etc. this drive will head to the Nile delta where more mammals and stunning vegetation will be sighted with the cooling breeze of both Lake Albert and River Nile.
Day 6: Boat Cruise along the Nile and transfer to Hoima
Wake up early for breakfast, prepare for a launch cruise on the Nile. This cruise has more to offer from the calming sail on the river, numerous animals such as the hippos, crocodiles and birds and a breathtaking view of the strongest and thunderous water fall in the world; Murchison falls.
Upon reaching the bottom of the falls, you hike up to top of the falls where you will have a game drive though Budongo forest. This drive will expose various primate species like monkeys and baboons that will bade you a farewell as you drive out of the park. Later on drive to Hoima town where you will sleep.
Day 7: Mparo tombs and Kibiro salt gardens
Have breakfast in the morning, prepare for a tour of the historical town of hioma with rich culture and attractions. Have a visit to Kibiro salt gardens where you will experience local methods of salt mining and processing.
Later on have a chance to visit the historical Mparo tombs – the royal tombs of the kings, queens and princesses of Bunyoro kingdom. It is also the resting ground of King Kabalega II, have a tour of this area as led by the site guide. After touring Hoima town return to the lodge for a sleep over and dinner.
Day 8: Transfer to Semuliki national park
Wake up early for another exciting Uganda adventure; after breakfast hit the road for a drive to Semuliki national park. Have lunch in Fort portal and head to the park where you will have an overnight stay and dinner.
Day 9: Birding and visit the Sempaya hot springs
After breakfast head out for a nature walk that will involve birding. This park has over 441 bird species that will be sighted. Also a visit to the historical Sempaya hot springs that are scenic and ancient.
The Sempaya hot springs are in two sets where you will visit the female hot springs and the male hot springs. The traditional and geographical formation of these hot springs will be provided by the guide.
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. Kyambura gorge visit.
This day will continue to explore the beautiful Uganda. After breakfast transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park for a primate experience in Kyambura gorge. You will have a trek into this gorge for chimpanzee viewing and birding.
After head back to the lodge for relaxation and chill as you wait for dinner and a night stay.
Day 11: Game drive and boat cruise.
This will be another day in Queen Elizabeth national park. Have a game drive in Kasenyi sector where a number of wildlife will be seen. These include antelopes, giraffes, Elephants, warthogs, Buffalos among others.
After lunch have a boat trip along the Kazinga channel for more wildlife viewing such as hippos, crocodiles and birds. Later on, return to the lodge.
Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi and Batwa community visit.
Wake up early, have a cup of coffee and departure for Bwindi impenetrable national park. Drive to the Buhoma northern sector of the park. Check in at the lodge and in evening walk to the Batwa community for a cultural experience.
These people initially lived with the gorillas till they were re-located to another area around the park. They will showcase their lifestyle through hunting and fruit gathering skills, traditional dances and many more.
Day 13: Gorilla habituation experience in Buhoma sector
Rise up early for the habituation activity, that will set off as early as 7am for this activity involving tracking the day to day life of the gorillas from the time they wake up to the time they head for a rest.
Take packed lunch with you and spend the whole day in the forest, dedicating the entire day to the habituation of these species; from waking up, weaning of the young ones, feeding, playing and sometimes fighting. This activity helps to make the gorillas more familiar to human presence.
Day 14: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla national park.
As you still ponder on the gorilla habituation experience, more is still in offer as another journey will be made to the land where silver meets gold; Mgahinga national park. This park is found in Kisoro and on arrival have lunch and relax at the lodge as you gaze at the beautiful vegetation of the park and Virunga ranges regaining back your energy for another gorilla experience.
Day 15: Gorilla trekking
Wake up early for yet another gorilla encounter. This park has only one habituated family that will be trekked for about 6 hours. Have packed lunch and well geared for the activity after a briefing at Ntebeko park headquarters.
Trekking will take about 2 to 8 hours and 1 hour will be spent with the Nyakagezi family as you see them live their cheerful and interesting lives. Later on in the evening, return for a rest and an overnight at the lodge.
Day 16: Golden monkey trekking and transfer to Lake Mburo N/park.
Have breakfast and return to the jungle in search on the golden monkeys. These live in bamboo plantation as you will witness them swinging and feeding on the fruits and shoots of the trees. After, transfer to Lake Mburo national park where you will sleep and have dinner.
Day 17: Horseback safari and boat cruise along Lake Mburo.
Have breakfast and head for a horse ride around the park where a number of wildlife will be viewed such as the zebras, impalas, Buffalos among others not forgetting a number of birds and the beautiful view of Lake Mburo.
In the afternoon, undertake a leisurely boat cruise along Lake Mburo which is a great opportunity to spot an array of reptiles, birds and mammals.
Day 18: Departure
This will be the last day of your 18 days’ safari in Uganda. After breakfast, drive back to Kampala for departure to your next destination.
