20 DAYS LUXURY UGANDA SAFARI HOLIDAY
Itinerary Overview
Experience the best of Uganda with this 20 Days Luxury Uganda Safari as it takes you to the western part of the country, south west with adrenaline activities in Jinja; Uganda’s industrial city, Lake Mburo which is also Uganda’s zebra planet and hikes in the volcanic mountains of Virunga and also home to the mountain gorillas and other primates which will be highlights for this safari.
The safari also offers Uganda’s culture, boat cruises and Rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. If you wish to be stunned by the hidden gems in the pearl of Africa, this trip is made for you as you explore Kampala city life.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival At Entebbe Airport, Transfer to A Hotel In Entebbe
When you reach Entebbe, you will be welcomed and picked by your guide who will transfer you to a hotel in Entebbe. In the evening we can go for a walk in Botanical gardens for some nature viewing.
Overnight:
Hotel No. 5
Day 2 Transfer To Lake Mburo National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
After a hot cup of tea or coffee, we start our journey towards Lake Mburo National Park which is famous for the highest population of zebras. We shall have a stopover at the Equator for some photo and video moment and proceed with our journey, reach the lodge in time for lunch, check in and prepare to go for an afternoon game drive in the vast savanna dotted with acacia and shrubs for a chance to view Zebras, topis, Warthogs, cape buffaloes and Impalas. Return to the lodge for a relaxed evening.
Overnight:
Mihingo Lodge
Day 3 Morning Game drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise On Lake Mburo NP
After breakfast, we drive for a game drive in search for wildlife that reside in this park like zebras, impalas, topis, buffalos, elands among others for example bird species including the rare shoebill stork, White-winged Warbler, Crested Francolin among others. After the game drive, we will return to the lodge for lunch before heading out for a boat cruise with an opportunity to view aquatic animals like Crocodiles, Hippos and water birds, i.e. the Fish Eagles, Pelicans, Black crake, Heron, Cormorant, and the rare shoebill stork. We shall later drive back to the lodge for a relaxed evening, dinner and overnight.
Overnight:
Mihingo Lodge
Day 4 Transfer To Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After a relaxed breakfast, we shall prepare for our journey to Mgahinga Gorilla NP. The park is famous for its 3 distinct volcanoes that are usually hiked as well as the rare mountain gorillas & golden monkeys. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the rolling hills of south western Uganda before proceeding to Kisoro town and you can choose to relax for the rest of the day or better still you can visit Lake Mutanda or the Batwa depending on time.
Overnight:
Mgahinga Lodge
Day 5: Volcano Hike
After breakfast, we drive to the park headquarters for a volcano hike of your choice; Mt Gahinga (has a swamp), Mt Muhabura (the tallest with a crater lake) or Sabinyo ( most challenging). We shall have a short briefing about what to expect during the hike and then proceed with a hike to the top of the volcano and down which will take approximately 8 hours. You will see beautiful scenery, stunning views as well as giant lobelia and bamboo forest. After the hike your guide will be waiting for you to take you back to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.
Overnight:
Mgahinga Lodge
Day 6: Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kabale district; Lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest in Africa. Enjoy some relaxation at the lake after your hike. You can also engage in some optional activities at the lake like swimming, canoeing, zip lining or a boat cruise to some of the 29 islands located on Lake Bunyonyi each with its different history.
Overnight:
Arcadia Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Wake up to a relaxed breakfast ahead of your journey to Bwindi Forest NP which is, home to the magnificent mountain gorillas. The journey is a beautiful drive through the scenic cultivated hills. When we reach the lodge, we shall check in and enjoy an evening, dinner and an overnight ahead of our activity for the next day.
Overnight:
Mahogany Springs Lodge
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Community Experience
Enjoy an early breakfast and get ready to explore the highlight of this 20 Days Uganda Safari. Drive towards the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking, get allocated a gorilla trekking family as well and a ranger guide for your trek into the jungle. Apart from the mountain gorillas the forest is also home to birds, butterfly and plant species plus forest hog; forest Elephants, Statungas and Duikers which you meet during your trek. When you meet the gorilla family, you are allowed one hour to spend in the presence of the gorillas as you learn about them and capture photos. After the trek your guide will pick you and transfer you to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, we shall go for a cultural experience in the Batwa community who are also known as the forest people who survived by hunting, gathering plants and fruits in the forest. These people lived in harmony with the forest and its creatures. Enjoy their ancient stories and traditions as well as their music, dance and drama.
Overnight:
Mahogany Springs Lodge
Day 9: Transfer To Ishasha Sector Of Queen Elizabeth N P, Evening Game Drive
After breakfast, we shall embark on our journey to Ishasha sector; the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through cultivated hills, villages. We shall arrive in the afternoon, check in and enjoy a simple relaxation by the lodge ahead of our evening game drive. Drive out for our game drive with a chance to meet topis, buffaloes, elephants and hopefully a good sighting of tree climbing lions.
Overnight:
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Day 10: Morning Ishasha Game Drive, Transfer To North Of Queen Elizabeth NP
Wake up early, have breakfast and start driving for another highlight in the pearl of Africa on an adventurous safari in search for the tree climbing lions which are usually spotted lazily relaxing in the fig trees. During the game drive, you have an opportunity to see Topis, buffaloes, elephants among others.
We shall then transfer to the North of Queen Elizabeth NP, along the road trip; we have a chance to site elephants, monkeys and even big cats. We shall arrive at the lodge on time for lunch. In the evening, we shall go for a village walk in the community and enjoy a sundown at the twin lakes; one of the crater lakes in this area.
Overnight:
Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 11: Morning Game drive, Afternoon Boat Trip on the Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast, we shall drive to the park to enjoy Queen Elizabeth National Park at sunrise with more chances to encounter the Big 5 like Elephants, Buffalos, big cats; Lions, Leopards, warthogs, carnivals like Hyenas and many more species that resident in this park not forgetting the abundant bird species in the wetland spots as we reach the flamingoes in the salt lakes. After the drive we shall return to the lodge for lunch, relax and prepare for an exciting afternoon as you cruise on the famous Kazinga Channel which links Lake George to Lake Edward.
During the boat cruise, you have a chance to spot both land and water adapted Hippopotamuses yawning with some slashing canines to each other, the Nile Crocodiles along the banks, Warthog. Along the peninsula you have a stunning view of birds and animals that come to swim, sunbathe and quench their thirst.
Overnight:
Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 12: Transfer To Kibale Forest NP, Tooro Kingdom Palace Visit
After breakfast, we shall transfer to Kibale Forest National Park which is also nicknamed the primate city. In Fort Portal, we shall make a short visit to Tooro Kingdom Palace; one of the youngest kings (he inherited the throne at 3yrs) in the world and Karambi Tombs for a cultural and historical tour. Have lunch and proceed with a journey to the crater lakes; Top of the World and then continue to the lodge where we shall retire for an overnight.
Overnight:
Primate Lodge
Day 13: Chimpanzee Trekking, Bigodi Swamp walk
After our breakfast, we shall drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of Chimpanzee trekking. We shall be allocated a trekking group and a ranger then starts our trek into the forest to search for human closest cousins. While in the jungle you have a chance to spot butterflies and bird species such as the native Great blue Turaco, joyful greenbul, olive long tailed cuckoo and the superb black bee eater.
After the trek, we shall have lunch and in the afternoon, go for a Bigodi swamp walk for yet more primates and bird watching with an optional opportunity to meet and interact with the local community.
Overnight:
Primate Lodge
Day 14: Transfer To Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the primate city and embark on our journey to Murchison Falls National Park. It is a long day’s drive and we aim to have lunch in Hoima town. The journey takes us through villages as people go about their life, we can stop by a market to buy some fruits and stretching at beautiful tea plantations. If time allows, we shall visit the top of the falls before we proceed to check in at the lodge.
Overnight:
Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 15: Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise
Wake up to an early cup of tea or coffee and prepare to drive out for a game drive at the Northern bank with a chance to encounter wildlife like lions, leopards, giraffes, oribis, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, buffaloes among other animal and bird species. After the game drive, return to the lodge in time for lunch and relax preparing for yet another exciting activity in the afternoon.
Drive out for a 3 hours’ boat cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of falls where you will have a chance to view animals like; crocodiles, hippos, in the water and some on the river banks, while; buffaloes, waterbucks, and elephants are often seen on the river bank grazing, swimming, sunbathing and drinking water. (You have an option to hike to top of the falls. The guide will meet you at the top and return you to the lodge for a relaxed evening, dinner and overnight.
Overnight:
Paara Safari Lodge
Day 16: Nile Delta Boat Trip, Afternoon Game Drive
Have a morning breakfast, you will head for a 4 to 5 hours’ boat trip to the Delta area famed for its high populations of game and sightings for the Shoebill. You have views of Elephants, Buffaloes, Bushbucks, Lions, and a variety of bird species by the banks of the Nile River.
You may decide to relax at the poolside at your lodge or just rest in your room for the afternoon. After some bit of relaxation, we shall drive out for an evening game drive and a sundowner.
Overnight:
Paara Safari Lodge
Day 17: Transfer To Kampala Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After a delicious breakfast we check out of the lodge and embark on our journey to Ziwa rhino sanctuary where they are working on reintroducing rhinos to Uganda. Go trekking the rhinos with a specialized guide on a walking track and after rhino tracking, we shall go for a lunch break before we continue with our journey to Kampala.
Overnight:
Protea Hotel
Day 18: Transfer To Jinja, Enroute Sezibwa Falls Visit
In the morning, we shall start another journey to Jinja town and visit the Source of the Nile. We shall also visit Mabira forest with an opportunity to see the spectacular Sezibwa falls; a spiritual and cultural centre where many locals are believed to flock for blessings, wealth, and fortunes.
Sezibwa falls is endowed with sharp edged rocks, magnificent sound of soothing waters flowing down the steep ridged stones, medicinal trees and a sizable number of bird species recorded. After we proceed with our journey to Jinja town where we shall have lunch and in the afternoon take a boat trip to the source of the Nile. Drive to the hotel where we shall retire for an overnight.
Overnight:
Lemala Wild Waters Hotel
Day 19: White Water Rafting, Transfer To Kampala City Tour
Wake up in the morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and drive out for amazing adrenaline water rafting on Lake Victoria. After the experience, we will embark on our journey to explore Kampala City. When we get to Kampala, you will check in your hotel, enjoy an evening relaxation by the lodge, alternatively, in the night, you can opt to go out in Kampala for a test of the night life in Kampala.
Overnight:
Protea Hotel
Day 20: Kampala City Tour, Transfer To Entebbe
Wake up to an early city breakfast and after, we drive out into the city and its outskirts to explore some of the notable attractions such as Old Kampala Mosque, Cathedrals, locals markets, Namugongo Martyrs shrine as well as the museum. You will also visit the East African craft village for crafts and souvenirs. After the city tour, we shall drive to Entebbe airport for your flight back home. This day marks the end of our adventure for the 20 Days Uganda Safari.
(In case you have an afternoon departure flight it is possible to arrange some activities in Entebbe.)
