18-Day Discover Uganda Trip

Upon your arrival, you will be met, greeted, and transferred to Entebbe town for an overnight stay on a Bed and Breakfast basis. Situated just 5 minutes away from the Entebbe International Airport, Entebbe has emerged as Uganda’s top tourism city, boasting a growing number of hotels and guest houses.

Should you arrive early, various optional activities await. You may opt to explore the town of Entebbe on foot, venture into the Botanical gardens, or embark on a boat excursion to Ngamba Island. Additionally, you have the opportunity to visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center..

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Hotel: Protea Marriot Hotel Entebbe

This morning, you will drive to Jinja town, known as the ‘adventure capital of Uganda’ via Kampala. The journey will take you through small towns, the Mabira forest, a tropical rainforest, roadside markets, and tea and sugar plantations.

You will arrive in time for a lunch break and a boat ride to the Source of the River Nile. It would be unfair for you to visit Uganda and then miss out on visiting the Source of the River Nile. River Nile is the second longest river on planet Earth.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Jinja Nile Resort

Arrive from Jinja to Nakasongola via Kampala, towards the north of Uganda, to visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. This is a perfect opportunity to track White Rhinos in the wild. Rhinos became extinct in Uganda in the 1970s due to over-poaching for their treasured horns.

They have now been reintroduced in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the hope that when their population improves, they can be reintroduced in some of Uganda’s National Parks. Have an opportunity to track these endangered species and learn more about them.

Drive time: approximately 4-5 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Budongo Eco Lodge

After breakfast, you will walk to the forest headquarters for a briefing about Chimpanzee trekking Dos and Don’ts. Thereafter, start your primate walk in the Budongo Forest guided by well-trained and experienced ranger guides. Your walk will expose you to other primates, birds and different plant species in the forest.

Once you get into proximity with the Chimpanzees or one community/party of habituated chimpanzees, you will be allowed one hour of observations and photography before you return to the Lodge. You may carry a packed lunch or order a hot lunch, which you can have when you return to the lodge.

In the afternoon, you will drive to Murchison Falls National Park for a brief game drive via the top of the falls to see how the Nile waters squeeze through a narrow gorge only later to explode into what has been referred to as one of the most robust and most powerful waterfalls on planet Earth. Thereafter, you will proceed to Murchison River Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge overnight.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Murchison River Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge

Following breakfast, set out on a morning game drive to catch sight of nocturnal animals before their retreat. Traverse the Nile Delta, spotting giraffes, lions, hyenas, elephants, buffalos, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, and other wildlife.

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise to the bottom of the iconic Murchison Falls. Along the Nile, witness an array of wildlife before witnessing the mighty falls’ breathtaking spectacle.

Once at the bottom of the falls, you may opt to hike to the top of the falls to see how the mighty River Nile squeezes itself through a narrow gorge only to explode into what has been referred to as the strongest waterfalls in the world. Thereafter, you will drive back to the lodge for an overnight stay.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Begin the day with a morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise to the Albert Delta. This offers further wildlife encounters along the Nile’s banks. Expect to see large herds of elephants, buffalos, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, and possibly lions and leopards.

In the afternoon, partake in a boat cruise on the Albert Delta, providing a glimpse of unique bird species, including the elusive shoebill stork.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari Lodge

After breakfast, embark on a picturesque drive to Kibale Forest National Park. En route, soak in the countryside views of small towns, roadside markets, tea plantations, and homesteads, with a lunch stopover in Fort Portal town.

On arrival, you will check into your lodge and relax for the evening.

Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for a briefing about Chimpanzee trekking. You will be divided into groups and assigned a park ranger/guide who will lead you on your trek. Your trek will expose you to a variety of wildlife, birds, and plant species in the forest.

Once you locate the Chimpanzees, you will be allowed an hour of observation and photography before you return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will go on a Bigodi wetland walk. This is a community-based tourism project that benefits the local people.

The walk will take you through swampy areas where you will see different bird species, primates, and plant species. After the walk, you will return to the lodge for an overnight stay.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Following breakfast, journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, traversing Uganda’s countryside with its charming towns, roadside markets, tea plantations, and homesteads. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge for the evening.

Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge

Start the day with a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park‘s savannah plains, spotting elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, and various bird species. After lunch, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, offering close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes along the channel’s banks.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge

Following breakfast, head to Kyambura Gorge for a Chimpanzee track, navigating lush forests to encounter habituated chimpanzee communities. After lunch, visit the Katwe salt mining site, learning about traditional salt extraction methods and local history.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge

Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, winding through Uganda’s scenic countryside with terraced hills, homesteads, and tea plantations. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge for the evening.

Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Broad Bill Forest Camp

DAY 13: Gorilla trekking and village walk

Embark on a Gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after breakfast, encountering these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After lunch, participate in a village walk, immersing yourself in local cultures and traditions.

Lodging: Broad Bill Forest Camp
Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Embark on a Gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after breakfast, encountering these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After lunch, participate in a village walk, immersing yourself in local cultures and traditions.

Lodging: Broad Bill Forest Camp
Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Start the day with a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring its numerous islands and admiring its scenic beauty. This serene experience provides excellent birdwatching opportunities, with sightings of the African fish eagle, herons, and kingfishers.

After the canoe ride, return to the lodge for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing, swimming, or taking a leisurely walk to soak in the beauty of Lake Bunyonyi.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Bunyonyi Overland Resort

Following breakfast, embark on a drive to Lake Mburo National Park via the Igongo Cultural Center. Enjoy scenic views of Uganda’s countryside, passing terraced hills, homesteads, and tea plantations. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax for the evening.

Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge

Begin the day with a walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park, offering close encounters with wildlife such as zebras, impalas, and elands. After the walking safari, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a game drive through the savannah plains, spotting giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, and more.

Drive time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Entebbe International Airport, passing through Uganda’s picturesque countryside with its small towns and roadside markets. Enjoy a stopover at the equator crossing for photographs and a leisurely lunch break before continuing to the airport for your departure flight.

Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

This 18-day Discover Uganda trip offers an unparalleled exploration of Uganda’s diverse wildlife, landscapes, and cultures. From trekking with chimpanzees and gorillas to boat cruises on iconic waterways, this journey is designed to provide a comprehensive and unforgettable safari experience in the heart of Africa.