17 Days Uganda Safari – Adventure Uganda Safari
17 Days Uganda Safari Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi tour offers a wonderful African wilderness experience through the spectacular and unspoiled destinations in the country including the remote Kidepo Valley, Mount Elgon, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in addition to Lake Bunyonyi through boat cruises, gorilla trekking, nature walks/hikes and game viewing. While on this safari, you should expect to see the big five animals (buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, lions and leopards), giraffes, zebras, antelopes (impalas, Uganda kobs, Topis, elands and Defassa waterbucks among others), hyenas and many others.
Activities to look-out for in this 17 Days Uganda tour;
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
- Chimpanzee tracking.
- Game viewing.
- Boat cruises.
- Adrenaline activities.
- Mountain hiking.
- Tour of Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Itinerary highlights of this 17 days Adventure Uganda Safari
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.
- Day 2: Drive to Jinja (source of the Nile).
- Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Mount Elgon National Park.
- Day 4: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park.
- Day 5: Game drive and relaxation.
- Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
- Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise.
- Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
- Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and tour of Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
- Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruise.
- Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge.
- Day 12: Game viewing and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 13: Gorilla trekking in Bwndi and cultural walk.
- Day 14: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
- Day 15: Drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park.
- Day 16: Morning boat cruise and transfer to Kampala.
- Day 17: Departure.
Detailed itinerary of 17 Days Adventure Uganda Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.
You will be received by our driver/guide upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and driven to the Capital (Kampala). Check in at Kampala Forest cottages and if you arrive in the morning hours, you will tour some of the City’s most exciting places like Kasubi Royal Tombs, Bahai Temple, African Village (for all kinds of African arts and crafts), local markets (including Nakasero fruits market) and the Uganda Museum among others. Lunch and dinner as well as the next day’s breakfast will be at the Hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Jinja (source of the Nile).
Breakfast will be at the Hotel before transferring to Jinja, the Source of the Nile and Adventure Capital of Uganda. While here, adrenaline activities such as white water rafting, mountain cycling, quad biking, boat rides and Bungee jumping can be experienced. You will have lunch and proceed to the rapids along the Nile River for the jaw-dropping white water rafting adventure. Overnight and dinner will be at Jinja Nile Resort or the Haven Eco River Lodge.
Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Mount Elgon National Park.
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and with your packed lunch, set off for the journey to Mbale, the home to the wonderful Mount Elgon National Park. It’s on this day that you will hike the Sipi Falls that is characterized by four awe-inspiring falls along the Sipi River flowing down the Elgon Mountain.
It’s not only the waterfalls that will take your breath away but also the jaw-dropping views of the Karamoja Valley as well as typical African homesteads. Dinner and overnight will be at Sipi River Lodge for luxury, Lacam Lodge for midrange or the Crow’s Nest Rest Camp for budget.
Day 4: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Due to the nature of the journey, the fourth day will be for just transferring to the unspoiled Kidepo Valley National Park. Have breakfast and continue northwards (with packed lunch) through Nakapiripit, Moroto and Kotido until finally Kidepo.
After enduring several hours through the dusty roads of Karamoja, you will finally arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight at Apoka Safari Lodge (luxury), Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp (midrange) or Apoka Rest Camp (budget).
Day 5: Game drive and relaxation.
The beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park cannot be explored within just a 2-3 hour game drive but rather a full day. You will therefore start with an early morning breakfast before continuing for a drive along the game tracks to catch up with the early risers especially striped hyenas, lions, leopards, cheetahs, the bat-eared fox and the side-striped jackals among others.
Other animals like warthogs, zebras, giraffes, greater and lesser kudu as well as the Defassa waterbucks can be spotted during the activity. Besides that, several bird species can be sighted during the game drive. Meals and overnight will be at Apoka Safari Lodge (luxury), Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp (midrange) or Apoka Rest Camp (budget).
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
Breakfast will be followed by a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest Park rewarding tourists with views of four of the big five animals, antelopes, giraffes and several bird species.
Arrive in the late afternoon for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight is at Paraa Safari Lodge (luxury), Heritage Safari Lodge (midrange) or Red Chilli Rest Camp (budget).
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise.
Start the day with an early morning breakfast, followed by a fascinating 3-4 hours game drive to explore the spectacular savannah in the northern banks of the Nile River where giraffes, buffaloes, elephants and antelopes are seen roaming. Head back to the lodge for some snacks and relax while waiting for lunch. 17 Days Uganda Safari
Continue for a boat cruise along the Nile River to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls where large Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and buffaloes are seen lazing at the banks of the Kazinga channel. Return to the same Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Wake up to a taste of Uganda’s finest coffee/tea and fruits before being driven for (6-8 hours) through the magnificent Rift Valley escarpment with a lunch stop at Hoima Town.
Continue relishing the views of the landscapes and countryside to Kibale Forest National Park. Arrival is in the evening for dinner/overnight at Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), Chimps Nest Lodge (midrange) or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (budget).
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and tour of Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Breakfast will be served early to allow you prepare yourself (wear long sleeved shirt, long trouser, hiking boots and carry a backpack, camera, walking stick, drinking water, packed lunch and binoculars), before continuing to Kanyanchu visitor center for briefing.
This thrilling experience will last few hours before the chimpanzee community is spotted and once this happens, only one hour will be spent to study and take photos of these creatures playing, grooming and feeding. Besides Chimpanzees, other primates like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and vervet monkeys can be spotted.
The afternoon is the perfect time for bird enthusiasts because you will be taking a walk through Bigodi wetland Sanctuary to spot some of the wetland birds as well as primates like the grey cheeked mangabey. Return to the Lodge for dinner and relaxation
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruise.
After breakfast, begin the 2-3 hours’ drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and arrive in the afternoon for lunch (at Mweya Safari Lodge) and relaxation. Head for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel where large pods of hippos as well as basks of Nile crocodiles, small herds of elephants and buffaloes can be seen. – 17 days Uganda Safari
Relaxation, dinner and overnight is at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (midrange) or Kazinga Channel View Resort (budget) while the meal plan is full board.
Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge.
After breakfast, you will have a nature walk within Kyambura gorge to see the isolated Chimpanzee community as well as other animals like red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, the giant forest hogs and colobus monkeys. Return to the Lodge for relaxation while dinner and overnight is at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (midrange) or Kazinga Channel View Resort (budget).
Day 12: Game viewing and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Have breakfast and be driven slowly through the Park to have the last glance of the different wildlife species such as the Uganda Kobs, Topis, buffaloes, waterbucks, elephants and warthogs and continue until Ishasha sector (southern side of the Park) to see the mysterious tree climbing lions. Lunch will be en-route (Savannah Resort Hotel-Kihihi) before arriving Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector) in the evening. Dinner and overnight will be at Buhoma Lodge for luxury, Engagi Lodge for midrange or Buhoma Community Rest Camp for budget.
Day 13: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and cultural walk.
This is the day every gorilla trekker waits for and starts with a hefty breakfast before heading to the Park Headquarters for a pre-tracking briefing. Continue to the jungles of Bwindi characterized by thick forest covered by mist to search for the allocated gorilla family. After 2-6 hours of trekking, you will find the family and spend only one hour with them while studying their behavior and taking photos before returning to the Lodge.
If you feel exhausted, you can relax through the evening but if still energetic or when time allows, there will be a chance to experience the cultures and traditions of the nearby communities through cultural, songs, dances and tasting traditional foods. Dinner and overnight is at Buhoma Lodge for luxury, Engagi Lodge for midrange or Buhoma Community Rest Camp for budget while the meal plan is full board.
Day 14: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Your delicious breakfast will be followed by a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the place of many little birds and one of the Continent’s deepest freshwater Lakes. Explore the Lake and its surrounding through canoeing, birding and swimming (its bilharzia free). Dinner and overnight Is at Arcadia cottages with breathtaking views.
Day 15: Drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park.
Enjoy breakfast and be driven to Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda’s smallest savannah National Park) through the terraced and cultivated hills of Kigezi highlands (dubbed the Switzerland of Africa). Undertake an evening game drive to spot the zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, elands and Defassa waterbucks among others. Dinner and overnight will be at Mihingo Lodge (for luxury), Rwakobo Rock (for midrange) or Rwonyo Rest Camp (for budget).
Day 16: Morning boat cruise/Nature and transfer to Kampala.
Because Lake Mburo is just 3-4 hours’ drive from Kampala, you can have a morning activity (preferably nature walk or boat cruise) but before that, first have breakfast then explore the wildlife of the Park including impalas, zebras, buffaloes and giraffes among others. Continue to Kampala with a stopover at Masaka (for lunch) and the Equator for photos. Dinner and overnight will be at Yellow Haven Lodge.
Day 17: Departure.
Have breakfast and if your flight is for later in the day, you will first drive to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for the orphaned chimpanzee before continuing to the Airport for your return flight.
Inclusions
- Gorilla permit.
- Chimpanzee permits.
- Game drives.
- Ground transportation with 4WD Vehicle.
- Boat cruises.
- Nature walks.
- Bottled drinking water.
- Accommodation and meals including the en-route ones.
- Full time English speaking guide/driver.
- Airport transfer (if only the flight is on the same day the safari ends).
- Park ranger and entrance fees.
- Cultural walk (optional).
- Relevant Government Taxes
Exclusions
- Personal expenses such as cigarettes, drinks, laundry fees, tips, meals and accommodation not included in the itinerary and telephone fees.
- Visa fees.
- Personal insurance.