20 Days Magical Uganda
20 Days Magical Uganda safari highlights: Kampala city tour, Jinja market visit, boat ride to the Source of the Nile, hike to Sipi falls, game drives, nature walk in the Narus Valley, Karamojong community visit, boat rides, Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi swamp walk, Gorilla trekking and Equator experiment Book Now
Day 1: ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, clear with immigration and proceed to the arrivals where you will meet your guide who will transfer you to your hotel for overnight.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (High-end Accommodation), No.5 Boutique Hotel Entebbe (Medium Accommodation) or Sophie’s Motel Entebbe (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,-,-
Day 2: KAMPALA CITY TOUR
You will proceed for a full day’s guided tour of Kampala city. You will visit some of the historical landmarks like the Kabaka’s palace where you will learn about the rich history and culture of the Kingdom. You will also visit the Museum, Gaddafi mosque, Rubaga and Namirembe Cathedrals. You will also a hot lunch at a local restaurant and enjoy a local delicacy.
Accommodation: Kampala Serena Hotel (High-end Accommodation), Golden Tulip Hotel (Medium Accommodation) or Cassia Lodge (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,-
Day 3: KAMPALA – JINJA
You will start your drive towards the Eastern part of the country to Jinja. Established in 1907, this town is the second largest and busiest in the country. Along the journey you will have a stopover at Mabira Forest where you will enjoy a brief nature walk. After lunch you will have a boat ride to the Source of the Nile and a brief tour of Jinja market. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation: Wildwaters Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Jinja Nile Resort (Medium Accommodation) or 2 Friends Hotel (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 4: JINJA – MBALE – KAPCHORWA
After breakfast depart Jinja for Mbale town having a brief tour of Jinja market en-route. Proceed to Kapchorwa town and enjoy a nature walk to the Sipi falls; a series of 3 waterfalls. Walk to the base of the falls and relax while taking a dip in the cool water of the falls, located at the base of Mt Elgon. The Sipi Falls area, found at the base of Mount Elgon is particularly famous for Bugisu Arabica Coffee produced and grown by the local farmers. Bugisu Arabica only grows at an altitude of between 1,600 and 1,900 metres, it is the main cash crop in the area and genuinely one of the finest coffee’s in the World. You will also visit coffee farmers and learn how they plant and harvest their coffee.
Accommodation: Mbale Resort (High-end Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 5: MBALE – KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, you will start your drive to Kidepo Valley National Park having picnic lunch en-route. The beautiful Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the rugged semi-arid valleys between Uganda borders with Kenya and Sudan. It is the rarely visited park, yet it’s one Africa’s finest Wildernesses. This park has the highest population of game over 77 mammals and about 500 bird species. Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (High-end accommodation), Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Medium accommodation) or UWA Bandas (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 6: MORNING GAME DRIVE AND NATURE WALK
After an early breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive during which you might have an opportunity to see the inhabitants for this park like; Zebras, Elephants, Giraffes, Duikers, Jackson’s hartebeest, Lions among others as they leave their hives to go hunting. The game drive will lead you to the Narus Valley where you will have a nature walk to the Hot springs. Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (High-end accommodation), Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Medium accommodation) or UWA Bandas (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 7: GAME DRIVE AND CULTURAL TOUR
You will enjoy another game drive on this day too. After lunch you will go for a cultural tour and visit the Karamojong community where you will have an insight into their way of life.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (High-end accommodation), Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Medium accommodation) or UWA Bandas (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 8: DRIVE TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast and checking out, you will embark on your drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Gulu having lunch en-route. Murchison Falls National Park formerly known as Kabalega National Park derives its name from the Murchison Falls which is a 7 meter canyon where the might River Nile forces itself from a narrow gorge pouring down with a thunderous roar. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Bakers Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Murchison River Lodge (Medium Accommodation) or Red Chilli Rest Camp (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 9: GAME DRIVE AND BOAT RIDE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FALLS
Enjoy a morning game drive through the Savanna where you will see herds of Elephants, Buffalos, Giraffes, Kobs, Oribi, Jackson’s Hartebeest and various bird species that include the forest and water birds and the Albertine Rift endemics thereafter return to the lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon you will have a boat ride to the bottom of the falls whence the park derives its name. You will see groups of Hippos, Crocodiles, ad a variety of animals that come to drink water at the river banks and a variety of bird species too.
Accommodation: Bakers Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Murchison River Lodge (Medium Accommodation) or Red Chilli Rest Camp (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 10: DRIVE TO FORT PORTAL
Drive to Fort Portal Town / Kibale National Park. Fort Portal was founded as a garrison for British soldiers by Gerald Portal from whom the town derives its name. And is the only town with an English name in Uganda. Here you will see many tea plantations producing high quality tea for local and export market and views of the mighty misty Mountains of the Moon; the Rwenzori mountains.
Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (High-end Accommodation, Kibale Forest Camp (Medium Accommodation) or Chimpanzee Guest House (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 11: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING AND BIGODI SWAMP WALK
On this day, you will have a morning Chimpanzee trekking experience in the company of an experienced ranger guide, you will search for Kibale Forest’s resident Chimpanzees and also have a chance to see other primates such as Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Red Colobus, Red-tailed and Blue monkeys. In the afternoon you will enjoy a walk through the papyrus swamps of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (High-end Accommodation, Kibale Forest Camp (Medium Accommodation) or Chimpanzee Guest House (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 12: FORT PORTAL – QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
After relaxed breakfast at the lodge, you will be assisted with checking out and after settling the bill for extras if any start your drive to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is Uganda’s second most visited Park and the most popular savannah reserve. This Park has the highest variety of habitats and wildlife in Uganda. Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Enganzi Lodge (Medium Accommodation) or Simba Safari Camp (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 13: GAME DRIVE AND BOAT RIDE ALONG THE KAZINGA CHANNEL
After an early breakfast, you will proceed for a game drive; through the Kasenyi and North Kazinga plains where you will see herds of Elephants, Buffalos, Antelopes, etc…
In the afternoon you will have a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel en-route you will see groups of Hippos and Buffalos a few metres away. You will see some animals coming to drink water at the banks and a various bird species.
Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Enganzi Lodge (Medium Accommodation) or Simba Safari Camp (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 14: QUEEN ELIZABETH – ISHASHA SECTOR
Early breakfast and start drive to Ishasha sector famously known for Tree climbing Lions. Enjoy morning and evening game drives. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (High-end Accommodation), Enjojo Lodge (Medium Accommodation) or Savanah Resort (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 15: DRIVE TO BWINDI
After a relaxed breakfast, you will be assisted with checking out. You will then start your drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home to the great apes the Mountain Gorillas.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (High-end accommodation), Mantana Engagi Lodge (Medium accommodation) or Buhoma Community Bandas (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 16: GORILLA TREKKING
After an early breakfast; you will proceed to the park headquarters for briefing and thereafter go to the start points and enjoy the highlight of the safari. Trekking the Gorillas is a once in a lifetime experience which takes between 2–6 hours. Lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (High-end accommodation), Mantana Engagi Lodge (Medium accommodation) or Buhoma Community Bandas (Budget accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 17: BWINDI – LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Depart Bwindi for Lake Mburo National Park having. Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest National Park and has a variety of animals like Zebras, Defassa waterbuck, Impala, Eland, Oribi and many others plus over 300 bird species. Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Rwakobo Rock – Cottages (Medium Accommodation) or Rwakobo Rock – Hornbill House (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 18: GAME DRIVE AND BOAT RIDE ON LAKE MBURO
Morning game drive during which you will see animals returning to their dens and others retreating to the lake, thereafter you will return to the lodge to freshen up, have breakfast. Spend the rest of the morning at leisure.
After lunch at the Lodge, in the afternoon you will enjoy a breathtaking boat ride on Lake Mburo whence the park derives its name. You will see various bird species and animals drinking water at the banks of the Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (High-end Accommodation), Rwakobo Rock – Cottages (Medium Accommodation) or Rwakobo Rock – Hornbill House (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,D
Day 19: LAKE MBURO – ENTEBBE
Depart Lake Mburo National Park to Entebbe passing via the Equator having a brief stop having a stopover at the Equator; the imaginary line that divides the earth into two halves. You will take part in the experiment at the Equator and have lunch en-route. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (High-end Accommodation), No.5 Boutique Hotel Entebbe (Medium Accommodation) or Sophie’s Motel Entebbe (Budget Accommodation)
Meal plan: B,L,-
Day 20: DEPARTURE
Drive to Entebbe International Airport to catch your departure flight.
Meal plan: B,-,-
20 Days Magical Uganda safari Includes:
- 19 nights’ accommodation with meals as indicated in the itinerary above
- Activities shown in the itinerary
- Kampala city tour
- Jinja Market tour
- Hike to sipi falls
- Park fees
- Game drives
- Boat rides
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Boat rides
- Nature walk in Mabira Forest and Narus valley
- Mabira entrance fees
- Entrance fees at the Source of the Nile
- Karamojong community visit
- Equator experiment
- Services of an experienced English speaking driver guide
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Government taxes
20 Days Magical Uganda safari Excludes:
- Uganda Gorilla permits $700 per person
- International flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Optional activities
- Tips
- Drinks
- Items of personal nature