16 Days Uganda Wildlife and Cultural Safari
16 Days Uganda Wildlife and Cultural Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe airport and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our representative, who will also serve as your safari guide, will meet you. After a brief orientation about the safari, you’ll embark on a journey to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive from Entebbe takes approximately 5 hours, with a stop at the Equator for the equator experiment and lunch. Upon reaching the park in the late afternoon, you’ll enter for an evening game drive before proceeding to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Boat trip and game drive – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start your day with an early breakfast before heading out for an early morning game drive to spot some of the animals you may have missed the previous day. Lake Mburo is home to a variety of wildlife, including impalas, zebras, giraffes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and waterbucks. After the game drive, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Mburo to observe water animals such as hippos and water birds. Lake Mburo is renowned as one of Uganda’s best birding sites. Following the boat trip, return to the lodge, check out, and transfer to Mbarara town for lunch. Later, continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 3: Lion Tracking/Game Drive and Boat Cruise – Exploration Crater Trail
Start your day with an early breakfast before meeting your guide for an exciting adventure in the Kasenyi area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you’ll join a research team for a unique lion tracking experience, exclusive to this park. Prepare to get up close to a pride of lions as you venture through the park’s diverse habitats, where you may also spot buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kob, and various antelope species during a game drive.
Return to your lodge for a delicious lunch before embarking on a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This picturesque waterway boasts the highest concentration of hippos in Uganda, along with other animals frequenting the shoreline. Keep your camera ready for excellent photo opportunities, birdwatching, and wildlife sightings during the cruise. Depending on timing, you may visit the Katwe Exploration Crater Trail either before or after the boat cruise, as advised by your safari guide. Enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at your lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Semuliki National Park – Hot Springs and Batwa Community Visit/Evening Game Drive
After an early breakfast, depart for Semuliki National Park via Fort Portal town, approximately a 4-hour drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, marvel at the scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges and enjoy a lunch stop in Fort Portal town. Upon reaching Semuliki National Park, visit the Sempaya Hot Springs, renowned for their natural thermal waters, and explore a nearby Batwa community village to learn about their traditional way of life.
Continue to Semuliki Safari Lodge, where you’ll have the opportunity for an evening game drive to spot some of the park’s resident wildlife. Enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at the lodge.
Day 5: Visit Amabera Caves and Crater Lakes – Bigodi Swamp
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and return to Fort Portal town for a day of exploration. Visit the Amabera Ganya Mwiru caves, known for their cultural and historical significance, before proceeding to view the stunning crater lakes in the area. Enjoy lunch in Fort Portal town before embarking on a guided nature walk through Bigodi Swamp in Kibale Forest. This biodiverse wetland is a haven for birdwatchers and primate enthusiasts, offering the chance to spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and a variety of bird species in their natural habitat.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 6: Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Set out after breakfast for the northwestern part of Uganda, specifically Nakasongola district, home to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be found. The journey takes approximately 6-7 hours via the Kyenjojo-Hoima road, with a stop for lunch en route. Upon arrival, embark on a thrilling rhino tracking experience, where you’ll have the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.
Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at the sanctuary.
Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Top of the Falls Visit and Evening Game Drive
Enjoy breakfast at the sanctuary before checking out and departing for Murchison Falls National Park, a journey of about 3-4 hours. Upon arrival at the Kichwabanyobo gate, proceed through Budongo Forest to reach the top of Murchison Falls, where you can marvel at the impressive sight of the falls up close. Named after the majestic waterfall within the park, Murchison Falls National Park offers breathtaking views of the powerful cascade, creating a natural spectacle that is not to be missed.
After exploring the falls, continue to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, embark on an evening game drive to discover the park’s diverse wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, lions, and more. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be provided at your lodge.
Day 8: Game Drive and River Nile Boat Cruise
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before embarking on an exciting game drive in the delta area of Murchison Falls National Park. This region is teeming with wildlife, offering excellent opportunities to spot various animals, including elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, hartebeests, Uganda kobs, oribis, and waterbucks. Your game drive will last approximately 2-3 hours, depending on animal sightings.
Return to the lodge for a delicious lunch and some relaxation time. In the afternoon, at 2 pm, set off for a memorable boat cruise along the Nile River. This scenic cruise will take you along the majestic river, offering panoramic views of the mighty Murchison Falls. Keep your camera ready to capture sightings of crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of bird species along the riverbanks, including kingfishers, cormorants, and bee-eaters. After the cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Transfer to Kidepo National Park
Enjoy an early breakfast before embarking on a long journey to Kidepo Valley National Park, located in the far northeastern part of Uganda within the semi-arid region of the Karamojong. The drive will take approximately 7-8 hours, passing through the picturesque landscapes of northern Uganda. Enjoy en-route lunch in Gulu town before continuing to Kidepo National Park. Upon arrival in the late afternoon, check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Morning and Afternoon/Evening Game Drive in Narus Valley
Rise early for a morning game drive in Narus Valley, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy bush breakfast amidst the stunning savannah plains. Narus Valley is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including the iconic big four game—lions, elephants, leopards, and buffaloes. Keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife species such as kobs, oribis, zebras, and giraffes. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, embark on a cultural tour of a nearby community to learn about the fascinating Karamojong culture and traditions. Then, head out for another evening game drive to seek out any animals you may have missed earlier in the day. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Game Drive in Kidepo Valley – Hot Springs Visit
After breakfast, embark on another thrilling game drive, this time exploring the Kidepo Valley area. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to spot unique wildlife, including ostriches and other animals. The Kidepo Valley is situated near the border with South Sudan, offering spectacular vistas of the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya and southern Sudan. Later, visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Climb Mount Morungole to Visit the IK Tribe
Enjoy breakfast before driving to the starting point of Mount Morungole, located in the northern hills of Karamoja. Mount Morungole is home to the IK tribe, one of the smallest tribes in Uganda. Visit the IK community to learn about their unique culture and way of life, as well as to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya. Dinner and overnight stay at Kaabong Resort Hotel.
Day 13: Visit the Dodoth Community and Transfer to Kotido to Visit the Jie Community
After breakfast, visit the Dodoth community to learn about their culture and traditions. Then, continue to Kotido, a journey of approximately 3-4 hours, for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Jie community, known for their warrior culture and traditions. Check-in at La Maison Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Transfer to Moroto – Visit the Bokora Community
After breakfast, depart for Moroto town, a journey of about 4-5 hours, with a stop for lunch en route. Visit the Bokora community to experience their traditional way of life, including participating in traditional games, daily activities, dance, and more. Return to Mount Moroto Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 15: Transfer to Nyero Rock Paintings
After breakfast, depart for Nyero Rock Paintings via Soroti road, with a stop for lunch along the way. Explore the ancient rock paintings, believed to have been created by the Batwa people. Capture stunning photographs and learn about the history and significance of these rock art sites. Return to Kumi town for overnight stay.
Day 16: Transfer to Entebbe Airport for Departure
Enjoy breakfast before embarking on your journey back to Kampala. Stop for lunch in Jinja town, home to the source of the Nile River. Continue to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your memorable safari experience in Uganda.
