The 16 Days Uganda safari takes you through myriad of experiences from wildlife, primate to cultural encounters. Discover the best of Uganda –the Pearl of Africa on this special two weeks plus expedition, visit the country’s outstanding destinations and also interact, and explore the unique cultures and traditions of locals.
The major destinations to be visited on this long trip include Budongo Forest, Kibale National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bigodi Wetland, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On this safari, you will be accompanied by an experienced local expert with the best knowledge about what Uganda has to offer the world.

Day 1: From Kampala, transfer to Budongo Forest

After breakfast, you will leave your hotel in Kampala for Budongo Forest, about 4 to 5 hours’ drive. Take the Kampala-Gulu highway, and you will have an en-route stop visit at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will engage in a 2-hour’s trek with rhinos in their natural habitat.
You will have lunch at the nearby restaurant or hotel in Masindi, and then continue to Bomu. Meet with the Bomu Women’s Group, interact with locals, explore more about their community project and also learn more about the unique cultures, traditions and lifestyles. After, you will have a delicious traditional meal & overnight stay at Boomu Bandas.

Day 2: Boomu to Budongo Forest

Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, you will be transferred to Budongo Forest for an exciting birding experience. Over 360 species of birds live in Budongo Forest and include the Guinea-Congo forest species, and today’s expedition allows you look out for birds such as the Puvel’s illadopsis, yellow-footed flycatchers, blue breasted kingfishers, African dwarf kingfishers, grey headed sunbird, Cassin’s spinetail, brown twin spot, olive breasted greenbul, crowned eagle, chocolate backed kingfishers, plain greenbul, and Ituri batis. After the morning birding session, depart Budongo for top of the falls and later, you will have a relaxed evening at the safari lodge.

Day 3: Game drive and launch cruise to the base of Murchison Falls

With an experienced guide, start your morning game drive through the Northern game tracks. You will be looking out for diversity of animals including the cape buffaloes, giraffes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda Kobs, lions, and on a lucky day –leopards, and bird species.
Drive back and have lunch, refreshment and you will be transferred to Paraa Jetty begin your boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. The Victoria Nile launch cruise will include spotting hippos, crocodiles and water birds.

Overnight stay options
Basic –Red Chili Camp/Heritage Lodge
Moderate –Pakuba Safari Lodge & Murchison River Lodge
Luxury –Bakers Lodge & Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 4: Cultural trip to Hoima(16 Days Uganda safari)

Depart Murchison Falls National Park for Hoima the beautiful oil city and driving there takes 3 hours. If you take Lake Albert route, you will be amazed by breathtaking rift valley escarpment views. Arrive at Hoima early, check in at the hotel and you will have a long day cultural tour, interact with locals –Banyoro and their unique cultures, traditions and cultural entertainment.

Overnight stay option
Hoima Cultural Lodge/Kontik Hotel

Day 5: Hoima-Fort Portal-Kibale Forest

Set off from Hoima to Kibale via Fort Portal city. At Fort Portal, you will be provided lunch and then continue to your lodge at Kibale National Park.

Overnight stay options
Basic –Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Isunga Lodge
Moderate –Primate Lodge & Treetop turaco
Luxury –Kyaninga Lodge & Ndali Lodge

Day 6: Track Kibale chimpanzees and visit Bigodi wetland

You will spend the better part of your day trekking with chimpanzees in the wild, and Kibale Forest National Park alone contains 1500 chimpanzees. Get a chance to explore one of the habituated chimpanzee communities in the park starting your trek from Kanyanchu visitor center. Today’s trek will go for 2-4 hours and includes one hour of up close with chimpanzees.
Several of other primates in Kibale N/Park will be encountered including l’hoest, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons and more. Walk back and you will be transferred to the Tinka’s Homestead for unforgettable lunch meal with locals.
Afternoon tour includes Bigodi walk and you will be spotting a variety of primates, birds and diversity of other mammals. The Bigodi walk may also include visit to the community initiatives with an experienced local expert.

Overnight stay options
Basic –Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Isunga Lodge
Moderate –Primate Lodge & Treetop turaco
Luxury –Kyaninga Lodge & Ndali Lodge

Day 7: Visit Queen Elizabeth (16 Days Uganda safari)

A delicious breakfast to be enjoyed early morning and after, begin the 3-4 hours’ drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). Enjoy scenic drive; view the Craters and extensive banana plantations. Arrive early, and you will proceed to explore more about Kasonga community experience and while here, you may opt for a canoe ride, fishing experience and so on.

Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise with park guide

Leave the lodge for an exciting game drive via Kasenyi plains and you will be searching for the park’s large and small mammals. Expected animal sights through Kasenyi include bush elephants, buffaloes, lions, and antelopes. Begin driving back to the lodge for a delicious meal offer and you will be transferred to engage in a boat/launch cruise on Kazinga channel.

Overnight stay options
Basic –Simba Camp/Bush Lodge
Midrange –Enganzi Game Lodge/Kyambura Gorge/Buffalo Lodge
Luxury –Elephant Plains/Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 9: To Rubirizi –full day in Kichwamba Orphanage Foundation

Leave your lodge for Rubirizi where you will have direct engagement with members of the Kichwamba Orphanage Foundation. This non-government organization was founded with aim of elevating orphans plus other vulnerable children, and elderly. The available experiences offered here include coffee experience, local food tasting, cultural dance experience and more. Later in the afternoon, you will also visit the Twin Lakes and later, return to the lodge.

Overnight stay options
Basic –Simba Camp/Bush Lodge
Midrange –Enganzi Game Lodge/Kyambura Gorge/Buffalo Lodge
Luxury –Elephant Plains/Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth Park –Bwindi Forest Park

Depart from Queen Elizabeth N/Park for Bwindi National Park in a 4×4 tourist vehicle and you will have some time at Ishasha for tree climbing lion watching. Enjoy a picnic lunch and later, you will proceed to check in at the lodge at Bwindi N/Park.

Overnight stay option
Basic –Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Moderate –Engagi Lodge/Haven Lodge
Luxury –Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill/Mahogany Springs

Day 11: Gorilla trekking(16 Days Uganda safari)

After breakfast, you will be accompanied by Bwindi Forest Park guide on 2-6 hours guided gorilla trekking adventure. First, the team from Bwindi National Park will brief you on the set guidelines for gorilla trekking and gorilla groups will be assigned to every group consisting of 8 tourists.
The Bwindi is situated around Kabale, southwestern Uganda and holds up to 20 habituated families of mountain gorillas. The park gorilla families are distributed in the four regions –Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo & Buhoma, and today, you will have one hour with these large apes. Return to the lodge to have a relaxed evening, leisurely dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight stay option
Basic –Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Moderate –Engagi Lodge/Haven Lodge
Luxury –Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill/Mahogany Springs

Day 12: Batwa cultural experience & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and after, you will start a community walk in the morning with local guide. The long day on community visit in the Batwa community includes exploring the unique traditions, cultures and practices of the Batwa pygmies. You will also have great entertainment from the Batwa and later, set off for Lake Bunyonyi –Uganda’s deepest freshwater Lake. Chill at the lodge or have some time swimming and a leisurely dinner at the nearby lodge/camp.
Birdnest Resort & Bunyonyi Safari Lodge

Day 13: Boat/canoe ride & Bakiga community visit

Have breakfast, and set off for the morning canoe ride with experienced local guides taking you to one of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi. As you head to your island, don’t miss to enjoy the spectacular view of terraced areas and other islands. After the visit at the island, get back and lunch will be provided. In the afternoon, visit the Bakiga community; learn the unique cultures and traditions of the Bakiga, local brew making and also have a taste of it.
Birdnest Resort & Bunyonyi Safari Lodge

Day 14: Drive to Igongo Cultural Center

You will be picked up at the lodge and begin your journey to Igongo cultural center where you will have deep understanding of Ankole cultures and their traditions. At Igongo, you will also enjoy traditional meal and retire for the night at the center.

Day 15: Departure(16 Days Uganda safari)

After breakfast, check out of Igongo cultural center and set off for Kampala. Driving through the Mbarara-Masaka-Kampala route and you will make a stopover at the Equator to take photos.

End of safari