Take the Highlights of Uganda Safari – 16 days tour and visit all highlights of Uganda! From the Murchison Falls, you will track the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and continue to the gorillas in Bwindi. End your safari with a spectacular rafting adventure on the Nile!

Safari Itinerary

Day One: Arrival

Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by a Great Lakes Safaris representative and transferred to your accommodation in Entebbe. Overnight at Airport Guesthouse.

Day Two: Entebbe – Murchison Falls National Park

Today we will depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park. En route we will make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The reserve was created to reintroduce rhinos to the country which have been extinct since 1982.

Together with a guide you will track the rhinos and observe them in their habitat at a very close and safe distance. After this activity, you continue to Murchison Falls. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day Three: Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, we start the day with a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest and different species of birds. In the afternoon the safari will be continued with a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing at close quarters.

Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfalls we will depart the boat and climb our way up to the Top of the Falls where you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Nile. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day Four: Murchison Falls National Park – Kibale Forest National Park

We depart Murchison Falls and head towards Fort Portal. This long journey will be rewarded with stunning views as you pass small villages and local markets.

Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for the many tea plantations. From this lovely town, we will continue to the dense forest of Kibale National Park. Dinner and overnight at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Day Five: Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Swamp

Kibale Forest is known for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and more.

After a hearty lunch, we head to the Bigodi Swamp for another, totally different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Dinner and overnight at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Day Six: Crater Lakes

On this day, we will begin by enjoying a delicious and calm breakfast before we head off for exploration of the crater lakes. Enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike at Lake Nkuruba to encounter different species of primates and birds, and visit the Mahoma Falls.

Meet the local people as you walk through their villages, learn about the customs of the Batoro tribe and enjoy the panoramic views. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Day Seven: Kibale Forest National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you can enjoy the majestic Rwenzori Mountains in its full glory! Have a guided walk in the foothills of the mountains and learn about the local culture firsthand. After this hike, we calmly transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Dinner and overnight at Simba Safari Camp.

Day Eight: Queen Elizabeth National Park

The day begins early when we start with a morning game drive and head to the mating ground of the Uganda Kobs. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and other wild animals in their natural habitat before returning for lunch. In the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George.

Thanks to the abundant bird-life that is sighted, and the elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari. Dinner and overnight at Simba Safari Camp.

Day Nine: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Forest National Park

After breakfast you will have the possibility to go in search of the chimpanzees in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, a beautiful gorge completely covered with tropical rain-forest (optional, not included in the price). In the afternoon departure to Bwindi National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Bandas.

Day Ten: Gorilla Tracking

The highlight of your safari: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Especially hikers will love the tracking in the beautiful ecosystem of the park.

Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But it will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest. A unique and unforgettable experience!

Those who prefer not to participate in the gorilla tracking can go for a guided forest walk or explore the surroundings with the Buhoma Village Walk. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Bandas.

Day Eleven: The Batwa Experience

Although Bwindi is mainly known for the gorillas it has a lot more to offer. Today you will enjoy the Batwa Experience, a firsthand introduction to one of the most unique cultures worldwide. The Batwa pygmies are a forest people displaced from the rainforest they shared with mountain gorillas.

This experience will give you the opportunity to learn more about their age-old culture while you enjoy a hike with the Batwa guides, see how they lived and hunted, hear ancient legends and learn about medicinal plants. The revenue generated from these activities directly benefits the Batwa to strengthen their community. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Bandas.

Day Twelve: Bwindi National Park – Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, we depart to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa. Relax, take a swim or go for a canoe trip while you watch the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Camp.

Day Thirteen: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala

After breakfast, we depart from the lake and head back to Kampala. En route we will pass the Equator and make a stop for photos and souvenir shopping. Late in the afternoon – arrival in Kampala. Overnight at Hotel International.

Day Fourteen: Kampala – Jinja

After breakfast, we leave the busy city and head towards the east. Jinja is situated directly at Lake Victoria, where the Nile finds its origin. On our way, we will make a stop at Mabira Forest, one of the largest and most beautiful tropical forests in Uganda.

A hike will enable you to stretch your legs with chances of seeing different species of primates, birds and colorful butterflies. Continue to Jinja for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Adrift Nile High Camp.

Day Fifteen: Jinja

Ready for a full day of adventure? Then start rafting at the Source of the Nile! After receiving some instructions, you will start peddling and enjoy the beautiful scenery and thundering rapids at its fullest! And don’t forget to watch the incredible bird-life as you drift quietly between the rapids of the river.

Those who do not wish to go for rafting can choose for a calm boat ride at the Source of the Nile and watch the rafters going down at the spectacular Bujagali Falls. Dinner and overnight at Adrift Nile High Camp.

Day Sixteen: Departure

Time to say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa! Enjoy the beauty of the Nile a bit more before we transfer back to Entebbe. In time you will be dropped at Entebbe International Airport for your flight home.