20 Days Best of Uganda Long Safari

Discover Uganda’s most beautiful national parks on this 20-day BEST OF UGANDA LONG SAFARI long Uganda safari.

Spend 20 Days on a safari in Uganda and get an opportunity to visit all the different sites and places that make Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

This long tour takes you to all the most exciting safari destinations in Uganda including Kidepo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Sipi Falls, Lake Mburo National Park, and Ssese Islands for a memorable Uganda holiday experience.

Day 1: Arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel

Upon arrival at the airport, you meet and greet with our company representative together with the driver/ guide, and depending on the time of arrival, we can do a city tour of Kampala including the Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs, and African Craft Village.

Or transfer to the hotel (in Kampala) where you will rest, have refreshments, and recover from the jet lag as we prepare for our exciting long safari in the wild the following day.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

ACCOMMODATION – LODGE/HOTEL

Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel
Mid Luxury: Forest Cottages
Standard: Airport Guest House

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Jinja

You will enjoy an early breakfast and start on the eventful journey to Jinja-Uganda’s former industrial town during the colonial times found in Eastern Uganda. Then en route, the drive takes you across several small towns with local food vendors hoping on people in vehicles to buy from them.

Ahead we shall see huge sugarcane and tea plantations in the Lugazi area. Passing through Mabira forest, we shall proceed and reach Jinja town where we shall visit the source of the Nile.

At the source of the Nile, we shall also get a chance to see the mighty River Nile (the longest river in Africa) start its journey all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Later we have lunch and enjoy Half day white water rafting in the afternoon. After we shall drive to the lodge (in Jinja) to check in, have dinner, and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Nile River Lodge
Mid Luxury: 2 friends Hotel Jinja
Standard: Paradise Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Sipi Falls

Rise early in the morning have breakfast, and check out of the hotel with a packed lunch to Sipi Falls for a nature walk, you will undergo a nature walk to the spectacular Sipi Falls which has its origins in Mountain Elgon and you may have a chance to see the caves, plantations of coffee, matooke along the way.

Later we shall check in at the hotel (Mbale) where we will have dinner and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury  
Mid-luxury: Sipi Heritage Lodge
Standard: Sipi Falls Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Moroto through the Karamajong wilderness area

Rise and shine, breakfast is served early before we leave the stunning views of Sipi Falls and start our journey to Moroto town, off the beaten track by going through the tribes, hoping for a market day to visit the tribes; fairly bumpy roads with a scenic reserve area and a total village set up are the highlights here.

On reaching Moroto, we shall immediately check in to the hotel, have a rest, and watch the sunset in the evening. Dinner and overnight

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Mountain Moroto
Mid Luxury: Shalosha Hotel
Standard: Hotel Leslona

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park

On the fifth day, we shall make our trip to Kidepo Valley National Park. Wake up to a hot cup of Coffee / Tea and embark on a 3 hours and a half drive to Kidepo National Park where you will embark on a game drive in Kidepo Valley in anticipation of seeing herds of buffalos, zebras, elephants, Rothschild giraffes, hyenas, and cheetahs.

You will enjoy a slow drive and you can be sure to seize picture moments while on your game drive and you can have stops at any moment.

Then we shall drive to the lodge check in and spend the evening at leisure admiring the wilderness. Dinner and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid Luxury: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Standard: Uwa Bandas

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Full-day Kidepo Valley National Park

Today, we shall do a Game Drive and a cultural walk. You will enjoy breakfast as you admire the true wilderness and an out-of-the-world experience! When breakfast is done, you will set out for another rewarding game drive through the open savannah, rocky outcrops, forests, and rings of mountains. Drive extensively up to Kanangorok Hot Springs and brace yourself for photo opportunities and chances of catching sight of more wildlife especially lions sitting on the rocks as they scan the park for possible prey. Drive back to the lodge to relax and have lunch.

In the afternoon, head out for a cultural tour of the Karamajong people for a truly unique experience. The Karamajong culture is still pure and totally unique from most other tribes in Uganda; they have rejected civilization and still live like in ancient times. The Karamajong are predominantly pastoralists and live purposely to fight for their cattle as it is in their belief that every cattle in the world belongs to them. Being face to face with them on this 20-day Best of Uganda long safari is a magical experience.

As such, fierce cattle raids still occur in the region and at times stretch to neighboring Kenya! They are a very interesting group of people with a unique culture visible in their way of dressing, cooking, dancing, and other daily life activities. A visit to the Karamajong is a truly rewarding experience you should look forward to.

Later transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Mid Luxury: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Standard: Uwa Bandas

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Still on this 21 Days best of Uganda long safari, Wake up Early for breakfast then leave the park in the morning with a packed lunch and transfer through Gulu Uganda’s biggest town in the North. Continue through the flat scenic landscapes with local villages and enjoy the Ugandan countryside.

We arrive at the park in the afternoon where we shall check in the lodge immediately to relax and enjoy the park views. Dinner and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge
Mid Luxury: Pakuba Lodge
Standard: Fort Murchison Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Full-day Murchison Falls – Game drives and Boat trip

Early breakfast and go for the morning game drive in the Northern sector of the park, on a good day, you may have a chance to see animals like buffaloes, antelopes, lions, elephants, and many more. Bird species may include the Black chest snake Eagle, blue-napped mousebirds, the secretary bird, and many more.

After the game drive, we shall drive back to the lodge and relax, then have lunch. After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the placid Victoria Nile to the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls where the Nile plunges through a narrow crevice and over a 40-meter drop. En route, you may be able to see the Nile crocodile, pools of hippos, waterbucks, and a variety of bird species then drive back to the lodge, on our way, we shall still enjoy a game drive. Dinner and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge
Mid Luxury: Pakuba Lodge
Standard: Fort Murchison Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale National Park

Early morning after breakfast we continue driving through the undulating highlands of southwestern Uganda on our way to the greener and beautiful Fort Portal area. Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you pass through traditional Ugandan Villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of maize sorghum and beans. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good photo opportunities.

As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda’s famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.

After dinner, you might be interested in the optional forest walk in the evening to see the nocturnal primates such as the bush baby which has a surprising night cry, and potato.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Primate Lodge
Mid Luxury: Chimpanzee Guest House
Standard: Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking

Our day starts with an early breakfast before meeting our tour guide for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale forest. We then head off on foot to track the chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, home of an impressive 500 chimpanzees. The dense jungles are considered the best place to view chimpanzees in Africa.

The chimpanzees are commonly found feeding on fig tree fruits in the game park and have been habituated to humans since 1992. The guided walk offers a great opportunity to learn more about chimpanzees and other primates along with the various creatures of the jungle.

Kibale National Park covers 795km square mostly equatorial rainforest terrain. This national park is home to numerous forest wildlife species, boasting one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world. The 13 primate species include black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, Uganda red colobus monkeys, and bush babies.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Primate Lodge
Mid Luxury: Chimpanzee Guest House
Standard: Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today, you will wake up to ready breakfast and check out of your lodge. You will then embark on a journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive ready for lunch and later in the evening, pay a visit to the salt lakes of Katwe and also tour the local community. You will head to the lodge, have dinner, and overnight.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Lodge
Mid Luxury: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Standard: Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Full-day Queen Elizabeth National Park– Game drives and boat cruise

After coffee, we set off on an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park exploring the area along Kasenyi and Queens’s Mile.

Wildlife sightings include elephants, lions, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and various bird species.

In the evening we embark on a two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga channel, getting up close to hippos, buffalos, and other wildlife. The boat trip offers excellent bird-watching opportunities as well as the chance to see elephants, warthogs, and jobs.

The banks of the channel are home to a rich variety of wildlife. This ride will leave you with an amazing experience on the water. When back on the shores, you will ride back to the lodge for dinner and night.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Lodge
Mid Luxury: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Standard: Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This morning, you will depart the lodge with all your belongings and set out for a game drive in the Ishasha area bracing yourself for a chance to see the rare tree climbing lions. The climbing lions can be seen lounging in the fig trees during mid-morning as they rest from the previous night’s strenuous hunt!

However, it’s not a guarantee that the lions will be seen. Sometimes it depends on the luck and time of reaching the area. You will have lunch in the Ishasha sector and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in preparation for your next day’s Gorilla trek.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Gorilla Forest Lodge
Mid Luxury: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge
Standard: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Gorilla trekking Experience

After an early morning breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters for briefing with your packed lunch and later go for gorilla trekking, this could take 4-8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. After trekking, meet your driver and transfer back to the hotel where you will unwind as you reflect on the memorable gorilla trek.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Gorilla Forest Lodge
Mid Luxury: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge
Standard: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, you will start on a journey of about 4-5 hours to Lake Mburo National Park. As we drive straight to our resting and chilling zone, we shall have a game drive through the park having a chance to see a number of zebras since Lake Mburo is the home for zebras.

On reaching the lodge, we shall have lunch and then check in at your lodge, we can have the whole afternoon for resting, swimming, and personal interests as well as enjoying the scenic views of Lake Mburo National Park.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Rwakobo rock
Mid Luxury: Arcadia cottages
Standard: Eagles’ Nest camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Full-day Lake Mburo National Park – Game drives – night game drives

On this day, you will wake up to ready breakfast at your lodge and get ready for a game drive in Lake Mburo national park where you might see some of these various mammals like buffaloes, topi, impalas, zebra, jackals, leopards, warthog, bushbucks among others plus primates like the vervet monkeys, olive baboons with numerous bird species like the black-billed barbet, white-winged warblers and crested francolins.

After this game drive, you will have lunch and then a boat cruise on Lake Mburo were you will see water animals like the hippos, reptiles like the crocodiles, and birds like the shoebill. When this heartwarming cruise is done, you will head back to the lodge for dinner and also spend the night.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Rwakobo rock
Mid Luxury: Arcadia cottages
Standard: Eagles’ Nest camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Hyena/nature walk and transfer to Entebbe

Wake up early enough and go for the morning nature walk in the park. We expect to see hyenas and other wildlife animals. Have lunch en route and drive to Entebbe for your next adventure.

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Hotel no.5
Mid Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe
Standard: Airport Guest House

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18, 19 and 20: Ssese Islands of Lake Victoria

On this  20 Days best of Uganda long safari, you will visit Ssese islands for yet another holiday after the wilderness. Reach in the evening and relax  around the pool area of the hotel. Retire for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 19 : Full day Ssese Islands

Day 20: Transfer back to Entebbe and departure

ACCOMMODATION: LODGE/ HOTEL

Luxury: Brovard

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

INCLUSIONS

• • Vehicle, Safari Van + Fuel
  • Transport in 4X4 Vehicle/Landcruiser with pop roof
  • English speaking Guide/ driver
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary
  • Park Entrance fees
  • Bottled water while on the safari
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee permits