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From trekking through lush rainforests in search of wild chimpanzees and endangered mountain gorillas to spending the night in a Karamojong kraal and hiking in the Bwindi Forest with a Batwa (Pygmy) guide, this is the ultimate Ugandan itinerary. It offers a perfect combination of exciting adventure activities, incredible wildlife encounters and fascinating cultural interactions.
DAY 1 –Arrival in Entebbe
Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be picked up by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Kampala.
Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to explore Kampala and the surrounding area this afternoon. We recommend visiting the Royal Mile (Lubiri Palace and Bulange Parliament), Ndere Cultural Centre, Kasubi Royal Tombs, and Kampala Central Mosque where you can take in panoramic views of the city from the Minaret
DAY 2 –Entebbe to Jinja
After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Jinja, the source of the River Nile. The drive takes approximately two and a half hours.
This afternoon, you can discover the nearby islands in a traditional African canoe, rent a mountain bike and explore the surrounding area, visit local villages and engage with the local people who live a traditional and simple life. Alternatively, you can just enjoy a sunset cruise on the River Nile.
DAY 3 –Jinja to Sipi Falls
Today you will be driven through spectacular scenery to Sipi Falls, one of Uganda’s hidden gems. From your lodge, you’ll have breathtaking views of the falls as the Sipi River flows down from Mount Elgon.
This afternoon, there are numerous excursions you can join or adventure activities that you can participate in. You may wish to join a guided nature walk, hike to one of the nearby waterfalls, visit the coffee plantations or local villages, or abseil from the top of Chebonet Falls. Join a guided bird-watching excursion or discover the Nyero rock paintings in the Kumi district.
DAY 4 – Activities Around Sipi Falls
Today you’ll have a full day to explore Sipi Falls and the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for an adventurous challenge you can climb Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano located within Mount Elgon National Park on the Kenya-Uganda border. The caldera caused by the collapse of the volcanic cone is considered to be the world’s largest and it creates an impressive feature which can be seen from the summit of Wagagi, the highest peak in the park at 4321m. The most popular climbing route from the Ugandan side is via the Sasa trail from Budadiri. It’s a spectacular trek through farmland, forest, and heather country, before emerging onto the edge of the caldera itself and following the rim to the summit.
The climb takes 4 days. If you’re interested in trekking to the summit of Mount Elgon please speak to a Wayfairer Fair Travel Specialist who can create a tailor-made Uganda itinerary for you for an extra cost.
DAY 5 – Sipi Falls to Moroto Town
Today you’ll drive for approximately six hours to Moroto Town in the northeast region of Uganda where you’ll meet the Karamojong tribe people.
We highly recommend that you spend the night in a Karamojong kraal as this is a truly authentic cultural experience which offers an opportunity to interact with Karamojong people and get an insight into their way of life. You’ll be able to help collect vegetables, herd the cattle, prepare dairy products, play local games and listen to the Karamojong warriors tell stories as you sit around a campfire. We’re sure that it will be one of the highlights of your Ugandan adventure!
DAY 6 – Moroto to Kidepo Valley National Park
Today you’ll continue your journey well off the beaten track as you drive to Uganda’s most remote national park, Kidepo Valley.
Kidepo Valley National Park is situated between the borders of Kenya and Sudan, in the Karamoja province, in northeast Uganda. With vast savannahs stretching as far as the eye can see, the landscape here is very different to the lush bamboo and swamp forests of Bwindi in southwest Uganda.
This park is a fantastic place to enjoy game viewing and you can expect to see buffalo, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, hyena and jackal.
DAY 7 – On Safari in Kidepo Valley National Park
Today you’ll have a full day to explore Kidepo Valley National Park. You’ll start your day with an early morning game drive to watch the sunrise over the plains and if you’re lucky, you’ll see big cats!
Other activities here include exploring the hiking trails around Morungole Mountain, visits to the Kanangorok Hot Springs and guided nature and bird walks.
DAY 8 – Kidepo to Murchison Falls National Park
This morning, you’ll leave Kidepo Valley National Park and make your way towards Murchison Falls National Park in northwest Uganda. This is an 8-hour drive, however, you’ll have the opportunity for plenty of stops along the way, both for rest stops and scenic viewpoints.
Meals :
DAY 9-10 – On Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
You’ll have two full days to explore Lake Murchison National Park.
You can enjoy game drives on the plains of the national park where you’ll have a chance to spot giraffe, spotted hyena, lion, leopard, buffalo, kob and hartebeest. Plus you can take a boat tour on the river towards the base of the waterfalls where it meets the Nile. On the banks of the river, you’ll see hippo, Nile crocodile, elephant, and if you’re lucky, the elusive leopard. There is prolific birdlife within the area too, including the extraordinary-looking shoebill stork.
You’ll also have an opportunity to explore the mighty Murchison Falls either on a boat trip or on foot.
DAY 11 –Murchison Falls to Kibale National Park
Today you’ll have another long drive through the plantations and mountains that are synonymous with the Ugandan countryside. This afternoon you’ll arrive at your lovely lodge in Fort Portal, at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains and the base of the Kibale Forest.
DAY 12 – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
You’ll have an early start this morning as you’ll be required to meet park rangers at 8:00 am for a briefing about your chimp trekking adventure. After the briefing, you’ll head deep into the Kibale Forest to track the troops of chimpanzees that live there. As you trek through the dense forest in search of the chimpanzees, you’ll hear them screech and hoot around you and it will feel as if the jungle has come alive. Once you’ve found a family of chimpanzees, you can spend one hour watching them swing through the trees, play on the forest floor and build nests for their afternoon naps. It is a truly magical experience!
The forest is also home to other primates, including Colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys, plus colourful giant butterflies.
We also recommend the ‘swamp walk’ which is a 2-hour trek through the swamps to meet a local community living in this hostile environment. There is stunning scenery and some incredibly rare wildlife to spot en route.
DAY 13 –Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast at your lodge in Kibale, you’ll travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park at the base of the Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. This spectacular national park is full of game and it is known for its large elephant population.
After checking into your lodge, you’ll head out for an afternoon game drive and a sundowner before dinner.
DAY 14 –Boat Trip into the Kazinga Channel
Today you’ll have a full day to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park. You’ll have morning and afternoon game drives, plus you can also enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (look out for hippos and Nile crocodiles). You can also have a guided nature walk in the Maramagambo Forest or you can take an early morning hot air balloon over the savannahs of the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
DAY 15 –Queen Elizabeth National Park to Ishasha
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a drive to Kyambura Gorge in the far eastern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kyambura Gorge is often referred to as the “Valley of Apes” and during your guided walk, you can expect to see chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and black and white Colobus monkeys.
You’ll then drive on to Ishasha, where you can look out for the famous tree-climbing lions.
DAY 16 –Ishasha to Lake Mutanda.
Today you’ll drive to Lake Matunda in southwest Uganda. This region is known as ”Little Switzerland” due to its lush mountains and freshwater lakes. It is the ideal base for a number of activities beyond gorilla tracking, including hiking, mountain biking, cultural village tours, bird watching or boat cruises on the lakes.
DAY 17 –Gorrila Trekking
After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park HQ where you’ll begin your gorilla trek. You will be allocated to one of nine habituated groups and your experienced guide and park ranger will lead you deep into the forest in search of your allocated family. Your trek could last from a few minutes to a full day, depending on the exact location of the specific gorilla family which you’re tracking.
When you meet the gorillas, you’ll have the chance to spend up to one magical hour quietly observing them. The gorillas are likely to be just a few metres away from you and they will continue to go about their daily lives—feeding and interacting with each other, under the watchful gaze of the silverback.
In the late afternoon, you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation where you can spend the evening reflecting on your incredible encounter with the wild mountain gorillas of Uganda.
DAY 18 –Visiting the Batwa Tribe
Today you’ll have a full day to explore Lake Mutanda, plus the nearby lakes and Virunga Volcanoes.
We highly recommend that you participate in the Batwa cultural experience. This fascinating full-day excursion offers an opportunity to hike in the forest with a Batwa guide and learn about the history, culture and traditions of the Batwa pygmies who inhabited the Bwindi forest for centuries.
DAY 19 –Lake Mutanda to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive for around 6 hours to Lake Mburo National Park. This is a small but spectacular national park with plenty of African wildlife, including buffalos, leopards, lions, hyenas, warthogs, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles, plus over 350 bird species.
On arrival at the park, you’ll enjoy a game drive, plus you may also have the opportunity for a bush walk or a mountain bike or horse riding safari.
DAY 20 –End of Tour
Today your Discover Uganda tour will come to a perfect end. Following breakfast at the lodge, you will be transferred by our representative to Entebbe International Airport to board your international flight back home.
– Accommodation and meals
– Transfer to and from the airport
– All Park entrance fees
– Vehicle fuel and guide
– Boat trips
