15 Days Best Uganda Safari Tour
15 Days Best Uganda Safari Tour takes you to Uganda best sightseeing destination including Murchison falls national park, Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, and Mgahinga national park. You will also visit the most Ngamba Island, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda and Community tour. You will start and end this trip in Kampala as the closest city to connect to Entebbe airport. Book this safari and enjoy a lifetime wildlife experience. Murchison falls national park is located in the north-western of Uganda offering the best experience of the big five game, even though the Rhinos cannot be found in any of the savannah national parks, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was put in place to reintroduce the experience of rhinos in Uganda after they were all killed during the reign of President Amin Dada. Murchison falls national park is divided by the River Nile which flowing through a narrow gorge causing a lot of force as the waters flow through a narrow gorge thus the most powerful falls in Africa – the Murchison falls. Kibale national park is Africa’s best chimpanzee trekking destination with guaranteed best views of the chimpanzees and other 12 existing primates in the park. It is also a home to 138 species of birds, 250 tree species and 60 species of forest wildlife including forest elephants, bushbucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs and buffaloes. Queen Elizabeth national park is located in the western part of Uganda offering the great experience of different Antelope species. Queen Elizabeth national park is home to the tree climbing lions in Uganda. The park is occupied by 2 great lakes – Lake Edward and Lake George which meet at a channel commonly known as the Kazinga channel. Queen Elizabeth national park has plenty of animals and other experiences to be enjoy while on your stay in Uganda ranging from wildlife, culture, boat cruise to nature walks for bird watching and chimpanzee trekking. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of Uganda’s oldest national park with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park inhabits half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world and it is divided into 4 sectors including; Buhoma sector which is the oldest trekking sector, Rushaga sector which has the largest number of gorilla families, Ruhija sector and finally Nkuringo sector. Your 12 Days safari will end with a place to relax and chill after gorilla trekking before going back home, Lake Bunyonyi is the best place because of its cool weather and freshness of the breeze.
Highlights of the Safari
- Day 1: Arrival – Hotel (1-hour drive)
- Day 2: Visit Ngamba Island – Kampala city
- Day 3: Transfer to Murchison falls national park – Top of the falls visit
- Day 4: Morning game drive and boat cruise
- Day 5: Transfer to Kibale national park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking – Bigodi swamp
- Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Coffee plantation tour
- Day 8: Lion tracking/Game drive and boat cruise
- Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
- Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience
- Day 11: Lake Mutanda visit and Batwa community tour
- Day 12: Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 13: Explore Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Lake Mburo national park
- Day 14: walking safari/Horseback safari and boat trip
- Day 15: Return to Kampala and departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival – Hotel (1-hour drive)
Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will meet our company representative/guide who will be waiting to receive you and transfer you to your booked Hotel in around Entebbe town for dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Protea Entebbe Hotel
- Mid-range option: 2 Friends Guesthouse Entebbe
- Budget option: Via Via Guesthouse
Day 2: Visit Ngamba Island – Kampala city
After early morning breakfast, you will transfer you to waterfront resort Entebbe for a boat cruise to Ngamba Island. During the boat cruise, you may encounter different water birds such as the pink backed pelicans, some water animals like the spotted necked otters as well as the local fishermen carrying out their activities.
You will arrive at the island in time to catch up with the chimpanzee in their feeding time; you will have an encounter with these apes as they enjoy their meal. You may also participate in other activities such as forest walks and birding. Late afternoon, drive to Kampala city and take the pleasure of exploring the city’s beauty as you connect to your booked hotel for dinner and overnight at
- Luxury option: Kampala Sheraton Hotel
- Mid-range option: Fairway Hotel and Spa
- Budget option: Forest Cottages
Day 3: Transfer to Murchison falls national park – Top of the falls visit
After very early morning breakfast, transfer to Murchison falls national park – Uganda’s largest savannah national park and home to the most powerful falls in Africa. It is a 3 hours’ drive from Nakasongola where you will stop for about 2 hours to track rhinos in their habitat. Proceed to enter the park via Kichwabanyobo gate through Budongo forest and connect to the top of the Murchison falls. It a refreshing moment to explore the Murchison falls as they are incredible to view as the water escapes via a narrow gorge creating a white form and strong sound. Sometimes a rainbow is seen deep inside the gorge.
Proceed to check-in your booked accommodation for lunch, check-in and relax for some time. Later evening connect for an evening game drive to find some of the famous animals found in the park such as the lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes to mention a few. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
- Luxury accommodation option: Paraa Safari lodge/Nile Safari lodge
- Mid-range option: Pakuba Safari lodge/Murchison River lodge
- Budget option: Heritage Safari lodge/Red Chilly Rest Camp
Day 4: Morning game drive and boat cruise
After breakfast, connect to the delta area for your early morning game drive for chances of seeing the early risers and other animals. This will take 2-3 hours depending on the availability of the animals.
Return for lunch at your lodge then connect for your afternoon boat cruise on the Nile. This is yet another exciting activity to enjoy while in Murchison falls national park. There are both land and water animals to encounter on this boat cruise that ends with view of the falls at the bottom. Encounter animals like the hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and also different bird species. This boat trip takes about 2-3 hours. Return to relax at your lodge as above
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale national park
After early morning breakfast, you will be picked up by your safari guide to start your safari with a transfer to Kibale national park– the best safari destinations in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Arrive in Fort portal late afternoon, have your lunch before you proceed to Bigodi wetland for a nature walk experience of primates and birds. It takes about 2-3 hours walking in a wetland full of different bird species and if you are birder, this is the best place to be. Encounter other primates like the Colobus monkeys, Red vervet monkeys and many more. Thereafter, connect to your booked accommodation where you will refresh, relax, have dinner and overnight stay.
- Budget option: Isunga Lodge
- Mid-range option: Chimpanzee Guest house main house
- Luxury option: Kyaninga lodge for luxury
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking – Bigodi swamp
After your breakfast, connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, in only a group of 12 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for Chimpanzee trekking. The search may take 2-5 hours depending on their location. The chimpanzees in Kibale are quite easier to find and you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them on finding them.
After your lunch, proceed to Bigodi wetland for a nature walk experience of primates and birds. It takes about 2-3 hours walking in a wetland full of different bird species and if you are birder, this is the best place to be. Encounter other primates like the Colobus monkeys, Red vervet monkeys and many more. Thereafter, connect to your booked accommodation where you will refresh, relax, have dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Coffee plantation tour
After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park named after the Queen Elizabeth of England after her visit of the park. Queen Elizabeth national park is home to the tree climbing lions only found here while in Uganda. It is a 3 hours’ drive from Fort Portal town. Upon arrival, proceed to have lunch at you accommodation after check-in. Later afternoon, connect to Kyambura gorge for a coffee plantation tour and also get a chance to taste and buy organically made Uganda Coffee
- Budget option: Pumba Safari Cottages
- Mid-range option: Parkview Safari lodge
- Luxury option: Kyambura Gorge lodge
Day 8: Lion tracking/Game drive and boat cruise
After breakfast, meet your guide for the lion tracking experience where you are guaranteed seeing the lions; you will also spot a good number of wildlife including Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes and all species of antelopes. You will enjoy a bush breakfast. Return to the lodge and have lunch.
After enjoying your lunch at the lodge, go for your boat trip along the Kazinga channel for yet another wildlife including the hippos and crocodiles/bird watching experience as you cruise on lake Edward/George. Dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
After breakfast early in the morning, you drive to Bwindi via the Ishasha sector for chances of spotting the tree climbing lions with en route lunch. It’s a 5-7 hours’ drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park. Upon arrival at the your trekking sector, connect to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Chamleon Hill Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge
- Mid-range option: Ichumbi Gorilla lodge/Lake Mulehe Safari lodge
- Budget option: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 10: Gorilla trekking experience
Have an early morning breakfast and head to the park headquarters for briefing by the ranger guides before embarking on your gorilla trek. Head into the forest and trek until you find the gorillas. Gorilla trekking can take 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. After finding the gorillas in Bwindi, you will be allowed only 1 hour and then return. Thereafter, your driver / guide will drive you back to your lodge and you will be allowed to spend your afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 11: Lake Mutanda visit and Batwa community tour
After breakfast, visit Lake Mutanda situated at the foothills of the Virunga mountain ranges. The lake offers exciting of some of the Virunga mountains such as Mount Muhavura, and Sabinyo. Take canoe ride on the lake and visit some of the islands on the lake on a wooden dugout canoe. Have your lunch then connect to visit Batwa people. These are people who lived in now Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks before they were gazetted as protected areas. These people survived on hurting and gathering of fruits while living on canopies and caves in the forest. You will learn more about their way of life and also be entertained by their interesting songs and dance. Dinner and overnight stay at
- Luxury option: Gahinga lodge/Lake Mutanda Safari Resort
- Mid-range option: Lake Mulehe Safari lodge
- Budget option: Travellers’ Rest Hotel/Muchi lodge
Day 12: Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park for briefing about the Golden monkeys with your packed food and water. Later enter the forest to search for the monkeys. On finding them, spend an hour viewing them while taking pictures and videos.
After trekking drive to lake Bunyonyi which is the second deepest lake in Africa with over 20 islands on this lake and it is one of the most beautiful and relaxation site in the south western part of Uganda. It is also considered safe to swim since it is Bilharzia free. It takes about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kisoro town to Lake Bunyonyi with beautiful sites of the Kigezi hilly region. Connect to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight
- Luxury lodge option: Bunyonyi BirdNest lodge
- Mid-range lodge option: Bunyonyi Eco-Resort/Bunyonyi Rock Resort
- Budget lodge option: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 13: Explore Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Lake Mburo national park
After breakfast, drive to lake Bunyonyi which is the second deepest lake in Africa with over 20 islands on this lake and it is one of the most beautiful and relaxation site in the south western part of Uganda. It is also considered safe to swim since it is Bilharzia free. It takes about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kisoro town to Lake Bunyonyi with beautiful sites of the Kigezi hilly region. After exploring Lake Bunyonyi, transfer to Lake Mburo national park which is the smallest savannah national park where you will find the Impalas, Zebras and many more rare antelopes. Connect to your booked accommodation for dinner and overnight
- Luxury option: Mihing Lodge
- Mid-range option: Rwakobo Rock Lodge/Mpogo Lodge
- Budget option: Eagles’ Nest Lodge
Day 14: Walking safari/Horseback safari and boat trip
After breakfast, connect on your morning walking safari for game viewing, find animals like the Giraffes, Buffaloes, Zebras, waterbucks, to mention a few. You will also do a horseback safari where you will view animals while riding horses. Return to the lodge for lunch.
After your lunch, connect for a boat trip on Lake Mburo. It’s a 2 hours boat trip viewing different bird species and animals. After the boat, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 15: Return to Kampala and departure
Enjoy your breakfast. Later meet with the guide/driver to transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe. This is s 4-5 hours’ drive with en-route visit of the Equator and lunch.. Arrive in Entebbe and proceed to the airport for your return flight back home. End of 15 Days safari.