17 Days Uganda Safari – Ultimate Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Adventure 2026
Discover the 17 days Uganda safari that redefines African wilderness adventures.
This immersive Uganda gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park combines gorilla trekking Uganda, chimpanzee tracking, epic game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park and Murchison Falls, plus thrilling boat cruises on the Nile and Kazinga Channel.
Spot the Big Five Uganda (lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos), giraffes, zebras, Uganda kobs, and over 1,000 bird species across unspoiled gems like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, and Mount Elgon.
Perfect for 2026 travelers seeking best Uganda safaris with adrenaline rushes like white-water rafting at the Source of the Nile and Sipi Falls hiking.
Why choose this 17 days Uganda gorilla tour? Expert guides, luxury-to-budget lodges, all permits included—delivering lifetime memories while supporting conservation.
Book now for Uganda safari packages starting at competitive rates!
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.
chimpanzee trekking in Uganda
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.
Land at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), Uganda’s gateway with direct flights from Europe/US. Met by your guide, transfer 45 minutes to Kampala.
Morning arrivals? Dive into Kampala highlights: Kasubi Royal Tombs (UNESCO Buganda kings), Baha’i Temple (seven-sided lotus), Uganda Museum (prehistory artifacts), Nakasero Market (fresh fruits, crafts). Lunch at a rooftop café overlooking Lake Victoria.
Check into Kampala Forest Cottages (cozy, garden views).
- Dinner: Local matooke (banana stew), tilapia.
- Overnight prepares you for wilderness immersion.
- Pro tip: Exchange USD for UGX; SIM cards at airport.
Day 2: Drive to Jinja (source of the Nile).
Post-breakfast, 2-hour drive to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure hub at the Nile River source (Lake Victoria outlet).
White water rafting on Grade 5 rapids (hair-raising drops, world-class), or milder bungee jumping (44m), quad biking, mountain biking, or Nile boat rides.
Lunch at Jinja Nile Resort. Afternoon: Relax by rapids or visit Sezibwa Falls. Dinner/overnight: Haven Eco River Lodge (riverside luxury) or equivalents. This day kickstarts Uganda adventure safaris with heart-pounding thrills.
Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Mount Elgon National Park.
Early breakfast, pack lunch, 4-5 hour scenic drive to Mbale foothills of Mount Elgon National Park (Uganda’s oldest extinct volcano, 4,321m).
Hike Sipi Falls trail: Three cascading waterfalls (100m+ drops) amid coffee plantations, caves, Karamoja views. Spot Sipi Falls birds (lammergeiers, sunbirds). Moderate 3-5km trek; optional abseiling.
Mount Elgon hiking previews rugged terrain. Dinner/overnight: Sipi River Lodge (panoramic luxury), Lacam Lodge (midrange), or Crow’s Nest (budget).
Day 4: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Long-haul (8-10 hours via Karamoja plains): Breakfast, head north through Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido—dusty roads, Ik Karamojong cattle herders in manyattas.
Arrive evening at remote Kidepo Valley National Park (1,442km², “pure Africa”). Relax with savanna sunsets. Dinner/overnight: Apoka Safari Lodge (upmarket), Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp (tented midrange), Apoka Bandas (budget).
Day 5: Game drive and relaxation.
Dawn breakfast launches full-day Kidepo Valley game drives: Spot Big Five (lions pride-hunting), cheetahs, leopards, striped hyenas, bat-eared foxes, ostrich, giraffes, lesser kudu, zebra. 500+ birds (ostrich, kori bustards).
Afternoon: Karamojong cultural visit (beadwork, warrior dances).
- Kidepo wildlife rivals Serengeti remoteness.
- Same lodge.
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
6-8 hour transfer south to Murchison Falls NP (3,840km², Uganda’s largest). En route: Rift Valley vistas.
- Late lunch, relax.
- Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge (Nile views luxury), Heritage Lodge (midrange), Red Chilli (budget).
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise.
Early game drive (Delta sector): Lions, elephants, giraffes, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest. Lunch, then iconic boat cruise to Murchison Falls base—hippos (pods of 100+), crocs, buffaloes, birds (shoebills).
Feel the Nile’s roar! Same lodge. Murchison Falls safaris deliver drama.
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
6-8 hours via Hoima (Rift escarpment). Evening arrival at primate paradise Kibale Forest NP (“Primate Capital,” 795km²).
Overnight: Kyaninga Lodge (crater lake luxury), Chimps Nest (midrange), Chimp Guesthouse (budget).
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking and tour of Bigodi wetland sanctuary.
Early briefing at Kanyanchu: Chimpanzee tracking (habituated troops, 1-hour view; spot colobus, red-tails). Afternoon: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (mangabeys, 200+ birds). Kibale chimp trekking success: 95%. Same lodge.
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruise.
2-3 hours to Queen Elizabeth NP (2,056km²). Afternoon Kazinga Channel cruise: 100s hippos, elephants bathing, crocs, waterbirds.
Queen Elizabeth game viewing peaks here.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Enganzi (midrange), Kazinga View (budget).
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.
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.