20 Days prime Uganda Safaris
The 20 Days prime Uganda Safaris is one of the best adventure experiences on a Uganda safari blended with a lot of adventure and relaxation. The 20 days covers all the five main regions of Uganda including the Western, Southern western, Northern, Eastern region and central regions. Within 20 day, you are able you know the whole of Uganda by simply visiting its main tourist attractions. The trip features Ssese Islands – Kampala best place for relaxation away from the noisy city. The islands are on Lake Victoria offering plenty of excursions for visitors and fun lovers. Lake Mburo national park which is the smallest savannah national park with less animals but worth to visit given its unique attraction of the Impala, horseback riding, walking safari and mountain biking compared to any other national park, Bwindi Impenetrable national park – home to half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world, Queen Elizabeth national park – home to the tree climbing lions, Kibale national park – home to the chimpanzees and other 12 primates, Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park and famous for the great Murchison falls the strongest falls in the world, Kidepo national park – Uganda’s renowned wildlife park for the big cats and where we can only find the Cheetah and the Ostriches, Sipi falls, and finally Jinja town which was the former industry town of Uganda, and still the home of the Source of River Nile with a variety of water activities to do. Other experiences to enjoy while on this trip are boat cruising giving you an endless encounter of birds and animals, nature walks, and community encounters.
Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe airport – Hotel
- Day 2: Transfer to Ssesse islands
- Day 3: Ssesse islands tour
- Day 4: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – Walking safari
- Day 5: Game drive and boat trip on Lake Mburo
- Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
- Day 7: Gorilla trekking
- Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Ishasha Game drive
- Day 9: Lion tracking and boat crusie
- Day 10: Transfer to Kibale national park – Chimpanzee trekking
- Day 11: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sancturay
- Day 12: Rhino tracking – Transfer to Murchison falls national park
- Day 13: Game drive and boat cruise on the Nile
- Day 14: Transfer to Kidepo Valley national park
- Day 15: Game drives, Hot springs and community tour
- Day 16: Transfer to Sipi falls
- Day 17: Hike Sipi falls and Transfer to Jinja town
- Day 18: White water rafting and source of the Nile
- Day 19: Drive back to Kampala
- Day 20: Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe airport – Hotel
On arriving at Entebbe International airport, you will meet our company representative who will also be your safari guide for the 20 days adventure. Meet and greet at the arrival area then move to the parking, enter the safari vehicle to drive to your booked hotel within Entebbe town. In Entebbe is where we find the only international airport of Uganda, the Statehouse for the president, the Zoo, the reptile village, the botanical gardens, and the beaches given that it’s partly covered by Lake Victoria. In case you arrive during the day, you may explore some of these places of your choice. From the airport to around the town is about 5 minutes’ drive. On locating your hotel, proceed to check-in for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Half board)
- Luxury option – Entebbe Protea Hotel
- Mid-range option – 2 Friends Guesthouse
- Budget option – Via Via Guesthouse
Day 2: Transfer to Ssesse Islands
After breakfast, stay at the hotel, have lunch before your safari guide comes to pick you up and drive to Nakiwogo where the ferry to the Ssese islands dock. The ferry has a specific time of departure which is 2 pm and takes 3- 4 hours to reach Lutoboka bay in Bugala Island. The Ssesse Islands are one of the most interesting places for relaxation. On the ferry, you will be able to take pictures of the lake, fishing activities, you get to see many islands as you get closer to Kalangala, you will also enjoy the breeze of the lake, see different bird species and so many other experiences. On landing, you will connect to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Half board)
- Luxury option – Brovad Hotel
- Mid-range option – Ssese Island Palm Beach Hotel
- Budget option – Hornbill Camp
Day 3: Ssesse islands tour
After a delicious breakfast, take a nature walk in the forest and later a boat trip and see some of the islands including the Bukasa, Buggala, Buvuma, and Banda which are popularly known for interesting excursions. Return to your hotel for a lunch and spend your afternoon at leisure while relaxing at the beach on a sunbath, or swimming, or mountain biking, to mention a few. Return to your hotel before nightfall for dinner and overnight stay at hotel as above
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – Walking safari
After breakfast, check-in out of your hotel very early to arrive on time for the return ferry at 7 am back to Nakiwogo landing site. Thereafter embark on your journey to Uganda’s smallest savannah national park where you can only find the Impalas that is Lake Mburo national park located in the western part of Uganda with driving time of about 5 hours’ with en-route stop at the Equator for the equator experience, proceed to reach the park with the 3 remaining hours. You will first drive to your accommodation for your lunch then for a walking safari. Walking safari is only done in Lake Mburo national park given that it does not have a lot of the most dangerous animals like the wild cats. Walking safari is basically walking within the park on foot while viewing the animals, not different from a game drive expect that you will be walking on foot along with two provided armed rangers to guide you. Spot animals like the Zebras, Oribi, Impalas, buffaloes, Giraffes to mention a few. Other activities only carried out in Lake Mburo national park that you can do at your own cost include; Horseback riding, and mountain biking.
Later evening, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Mihingo lodge
- Mid-range option – Arcadia Cottages Lake Mburo
- Budget option – Eagles Nest lodge
Day 5: Game drive and boat trip on Lake Mburo
Early morning after breakfast, head out for your game drive in search for the early risers and if you are lucky, you may spot the leopard and lions which are not guaranteed to see Commonly seen animals include the Zebras, waterbucks, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, Impalas, and many others. This will take about 2 hours depending on the availability of the animals.
After the game drive, drive back to your lodge for lunch as you also prepare for the afternoon boat trip on Lake Mburo. Do not forget to carry your camera in order to keep all your memories forever intact and also to ensure not to miss out a detail on your amazing experience. Lake Mburo is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda and on this boat trip, you will encounter a number of different bird species and both water and land animals that stay around the water in the afternoons. After the boat experience, drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Wake up to a delicious breakfast before you depart from Lake Mburo national park. Check-out after breakfast to embark to your next destination in the far south western part of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable national park which is the home of the endangered wild mountain gorillas in the world. It takes about 5 hours to connect to Bwindi however, it depends on which gorilla trekking sector you will be heading to. You will have an en-route lunch in Kabale town before you proceed to your booked lodge close to the park when you arrive late afternoon. Check-in your and wait for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Mahogany Springs lodge
- Mid-range option – Buhoma Haven lodge
- Budget option – Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 7: Gorilla trekking – Buhoma sector
After early morning breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing about the endangered mountain gorillas from the park warden at 7 am before you start trekking at 8 am along with your trekking gear, drinking water and packed lunch, the driver will drop you off at the starting point to trek the gorillas together with the ranger guides. This activity may take between 1-8 hours searching for the gorillas depending on their movement. However meeting them is so rewarding and you will spend maximally 1 hour with them as you take time studying them and taking pictures and videos
After the gorilla trekking experience, the driver will meet you at the starting point to drive you back to the lodge to relax with great memories of lifetime. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Ishasha game drive
After your breakfast, your luggage will be moved to the van as you check-out of the lodge to continue to your next destination that is Queen Elizabeth national park. It is about 5 hours’ drive from Bwindi forest via the bumpy road to enter the park through Ishasha gate. En-route to your lodge, enjoy a game drive in Ishasha sector where we for the tree climbing lions. The lions and leopards climb the trees for shed and also to avoid the insect bites on the ground. However, seeing them is not guaranteed as it all depends on the season and time. You will also encounter other savannah animals like the elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, the kobs and others. You will enjoy an en-route lunch before you proceed to your lodge.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Mweya Safari lodge/Kyambura Gorge lodge
- Mid-range option – Parkview Safari lodge
- Budget option – Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 9: Lion tracking and boat cruise
After breakfast, drive to the Kasenyi area for a lion experience that will last for about 2 hours. Lion experience is a guaranteed experience for visitors to see the lions in Queen Elizabeth national park given the difficulties met during game drives. This activity is only available in Queen Elizabeth national park, you will also enjoy and en-route game drive for animals like the elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, Uganda Kobs, leopards on a lucky day among others as you drive back for lunch at your lodge. Later in the afternoon, go for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel where you will spot various water animals like Hippos and crocodiles, the cruise will also enrich you with various water birds. After the boat experience, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above
Day 10: Transfer to Kibale national park – Chimpanzee trekking
Wake up quite early, have breakfast before you embark to your next destination that is Kibale national park – home for the chimpanzees and other 12 species of primates and it is the best place to see the chimpanzees in Africa. It is about 3 hours’ drive from Queen Elizabeth national park with en-route early since you will be doing the afternoon chimpanzees trekking experience. Report to the park headquarters Kanyanchu by 2 pm for briefing before you set off for the trekking experience guided by the park armed ranger guides. Trekking may take 2 to 5 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Kibale Forest National Park also has a number of forest wildlife that you may find like the forest elephants, buffaloes and different birds species. On finding the chimpanzees, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence before you return to meet your safari guide who will be waiting to take you to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Kyaninga lodge/Ndali lodge
- Mid-range option – Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Budget option – Isunga lodge
Day 11: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sancturay
After breakfast, meet your guide to continue on your safari driving to southern part of Uganda. It is about 7 hours’ drive from Fort portal to Nakasongola district where we find the home of the only existing rhinos in Uganda. Uganda lost all her rhinos to poaching activities during president Amin’s and Obote reigns and the need to reintroduce rhinos in Uganda was started by a non-government organisation in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority and today visitors can access rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. It’s a full day drive with en-route lunch and stops for refreshments. Arrive at the Sanctuary late afternoon. Check-in your accommodation for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Amuka lodge
- Mid-range option – Amuka lodge
- Budget option – Ziwa Rhino Guesthouse
Day 12: Rhino tracking – Transfer to Murchison falls national park (Top of the falls visit)
After breakfast, connect to the sanctuary office for briefing about the rhino trekking before you connect to the starting point. Trekking rhinos is one of the easiest trekking experiences done by even children since its basically walking. After finding and spending time with the rhinos, return for lunch before you embark on your journey to Murchison falls national park which is the largest national park rich in most of the animals.
Arrive in the park early afternoon and connect to the top of the falls. The park derived its name from the mighty falls that exist inside the park and are extremely interesting to see. The narrow gorge forces water through creating a strong force of water flow and sound forming a rainbow. This is a must visit area in Murchison falls national park. After exploring the top of the falls, drive to the landing site to connect to the northern bank of River Nile where your accommodation is located for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Paraa Safari lodge
- Mid-range option – Pakuba Safari lodge
- Budget option – Heritage Safari lodge/Red Chilly Rest Camp
Day 13: Game drive and boat cruise on the Nile
After breakfast, embark on a game drive at the delta area where you will find most of the animals. Murchison falls National Park is the only park where you will be able to see most of the animals in the park. This will take about 2-3 hours depending on availability of the animals including Elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Buffaloes, Lions, Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and waterbucks.
Thereafter return to the lodge for lunch and later at 2 pm, you will set off for the boat cruise on the along the Nile which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the river banks like kingfisher, cormorants and bee-eater. You will then connect for the hike up to the falls through Bakers trail and also be able to learn more about the falls and their formation. This hike is a bit difficult so you need to be physically fit to hike through. The top of the falls has the best and close view of the falls. It’s at the top that your driver will meet you and drive back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 14: Transfer to Kidepo Valley national park
After breakfast, depart your lodge to embark on your journey to Kidepo national park which is located in the far North Eastern part of Uganda where we find the Karamojong people who are said to be similar to the Masai people of Kenya. Start your drive early as it is quite a long drive taking about 7-8 hours’ drive with en-route lunch in Gulu town. Upon arrival at Kidepo national park, proceed to check-in your accommodation with en-route evening game drive in Narus valley of Kidepo national park for dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Apoka Safari lodge
- Mid-range option – Kidepo Savannah lodge
- Budget option – Apoka Rest Camp
Day 15: Morning game drive, Hot springs and community tour
After breakfast, meet your guide and connect to the Kidepo valley on a game drive where you will find the rare Ostrich bird, and also the secretary bird can easily be spotted. Animals like the elephants, buffaloes, Giraffes, Zebras, the Cheetahs, lions, leopards can be seen on a very lucky day, elands although these are best spotted in the Narus valley as compared to the Kidepo valley. You will also connect to visit the Kanangorok hot springs before you drive back to the lodge for lunch.
Later afternoon, after relaxing for a while, visit one of the Karamojo communities like the Karenna or Kadepo community for a cultural experience where you will learn more about the Karamojong culture and traditional. Before night fall, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above
Day 16: Transfer to Sipi falls
After breakfast, continue to the Eastern part of Uganda to Kapchowra district where we find the Sipi falls on the slopes of Mount Elgon. It’s a quite a long drive and there is need to start early to reach before night fall. It takes about 8 to 9 hours’ from Kidepo valley national park to reach Sipi falls with en-route lunch. Arrive at your accommodation with great views of Mount Elgon and the hilly nature of the areas with zigzag roads. Check-in for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Sipi River lodge
- Mid-range option – Noah’s Ark lodge
- Budget option – Lacum lodge
Day 17: Hike Sipi falls – Transfer to Jinja town
After breakfast, connect to the starting point of Sipi falls with your hiking gears where you will meet your local guide who will guide you through the hike. This activity may take about 2-3 hours’ depending on your ability. There are 3 levels of Sipi falls, the highest fall being at 100 meters, second at 85 meters and the third falls at 75 meters, you may visit all of the falls or one or two of them. After the hike, drive for lunch in Mbale town before you embark to Jinja town which is about 4 hours’ drive from Mbale town. Jinja is the home of the Source of River Nile, the longest River in Africa pouring its waters at the Mediterranean Sea. Connect to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Jinja Nile Resort
- Mid-range option – 2 Friends Guesthouse Jinja
- Budget option – Source of the Smile Guesthouse
Day 18: White water rafting and evening boat cruise
After breakfast, drive to Nalubale rafting office to report for your water rafting briefing before you connect to the rafting point. You will be provided with the rafting gears for safety measures. Rafting is a full day water experience. After rafting, return to your lodge, change and connect to relax on an evening sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria. Return to your hotel before night fall for dinner and overnight stay at hotel as above
Day 19: Drive to Kampala City
After breakfast, explore a bit more of Jinja town, visiting the craft shops, and other nice places in Jinja before you embark on your journey to Kampala city located in the central region of Uganda and is the capital city of Uganda. It’s about 3 hours’ drive from Jinja town to Kampala with an incredible countryside of people, sugar and tea plantations, passing through Mabira forest which is the largest forest in Uganda. Enter Kampala with traffic and shortly drive through the city for lunch before you connect to your hotel to rest.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option – Sheraton Kampala Hotel
- Mid-range option – Cassia lodge
- Budget option – Forest Cottages
Day 20: Departure
On this last day of your 20 days all region Uganda Safari, you will have breakfast and depending on your flight departure schedule, you will meet your safari guide at an agreed time to drive to Entebbe airport for your onward flight back home. It’s a 45 minutes’ drive from Kampala city to Entebbe International airport. End of Safari
