15-Day Wildlife Safari and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Arrive Entebbe Airport, and transfer to the hotel

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a Verdoro Safaris English-speaking Professional Tour Driver-guide will receive and welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will transfer to the booked accommodation (Kampala).

Nexus Resorts Hotel

Travel to Jinja and visit source of the Nile Thereafter, continue to Sipi

Have breakfast and then drive off to Jinja. En route, you will drive through Mabira Forest then head to Jinja where the Nile begins its flow to the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the Source of the Nile then proceed to Sipi where you will have an overnight stay. #Optional (extra cost $45pp): If interested, you may choose to go for white water rafting on the Nile. There is also the option for Kayaking on the Nile before departing Jinja.

Rafiki Lodge Sipi

Sipi Falls walk/hiking experience, Afternoon coffee tour plus community encounter

You will have breakfast and thereafter proceed out to explore the Sipi falls. The hiking (about 2½ - 3 hours) takes you to explore the nearby Sipi falls which is a set of 3 falls. The views are breathtaking and make for a great excursion while in Sipi. The (afternoon) coffee tour on the other hand will enable you to trace the story of coffee from seed to that in the cup and you don’t want to miss this informative experience. Later, just relax at the accommodation with some spectacular view of Sipi right in front of you.

Rafiki Lodge Sipi

Travel to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve Then, overnight stay in Moroto

Have your breakfast and then drive to the pristine Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. While there, you may decide to either; visit the Ngapedet Cave on a nature walk to gain some historical insights or go for game viewing in search of Pian Upe inhabitants such as; ostriches, common elands, plain zebras, the greater kudu, savanna monitor lizards and the only remaining numbers of roan antelope in the whole of Uganda. It is also only in Pian Upe that you may have the chance to see cheetahs while on a Uganda safari. From Pian Upe, head to Moroto where you will have your dinner and the overnight stay at the booked accommodation.

Kara-Tunga Safari Camp

Travel to Kidepo, Lunch and then afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari

Have breakfast and drive off to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving in time for some rest and lunch before going out for game viewing. You will proceed for game viewing in the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus is the sector of Kidepo that has savannah grasslands mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter, most of the animals are in this part of the park. Be on the look for large herds of Buffaloes, many Zebras, antelope species and the lions. You will return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Safari Tent)

Morning game drive/safari, Later, Karamojong community encounter

Enjoy your breakfast then embark on a sunrise game drive/safari where you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife including; lions, herds of buffalos, elephants, zebras, or the elusive leopard among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation. After a good rest, move out for the Karamojong community, cultural encounter where you will spend a wonderful afternoon (evening) with the Karamojong people and have an insight on their way of life and beliefs. Dinner and overnight at the booked accommodation.

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Safari Tent)

Travel to Murchison Falls NP, Late afternoon/evening game drive/safari

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts about 450 bird species including the grey parrot, dwarf king fisher and the Goliath heron among others. You will reach in time for lunch and some rest at the lodge. Later, move out for an afternoon-to-evening safari.

Hornbill Bush Lodge

Murchison game drive and afternoon boat trip to the base of the falls

Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your hotel and relax.

Hornbill Bush Lodge

Transfer from Murchison to Kibale Forest NP, Check in and have good rest

Today, you will have breakfast and then, depart right away for Kibale Forest National Park – popular for its primates like the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkey, Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae). The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and just relax.

Turaco Treetops

Chimp tracking Kibale Forest, Lunch and transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Have breakfast and head to the rangers’ post where you will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger-guide will take you chimp tracking (Kibale Forest) and you will be left amazed by the presence of primates here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence. You will return to the lodge for lunch and thereafter you will head out for Queen Elizabeth National Park. #Optional (no cost): If interested, you may consider a brief late afternoon/evening game drive/safari. Otherwise, just check in and relax at the lodge.

The Bush Lodge (Banda)

Queen’s Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. You will have dinner and overnight at your accommodation. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, you may go for twin lakes hike after the boat trip.

The Bush Lodge (Banda)

Travel to Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions, Connect to Bwindi NP

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, you will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Buhoma Community Haven Lodge

Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest, Move out for Community & cultural tour

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation and have some rest before moving out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This involves cultural dances from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, weaving etc. Return for dinner and overnight.

Buhoma Community Haven Lodge

Transfer to Lake Mburo NP and enjoy afternoon (evening) game drive

Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo NP via Mbarara City. #Optional (extra cost $45): If interested, you can visit Igongo Cultural Center/Museum while in Mbarara City before heading to Lake Mburo. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topi, impalas, Uganda kob and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. #Optional (extra cost $45): You consider the Mburo night game drive to sight nocturnal creatures including snakes, hyena, owls and the elusive leopard (on a lucky day) among others.

Eagle's Nest

Morning walking safari in the park Return to Entebbe to catch flight

Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelope, Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo NP. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport to catch flight (1800hrs or later).
Accommodation: Recommended on request | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Drive Time: Approx. 4 hours.