Planning an amazing holiday in Uganda involves a mix of wildlife, culture, adventure, and stunning landscapes. Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” offers a variety of experiences, from gorilla trekking to exploring breathtaking national parks and vibrant cities.
To plan an amazing Uganda tour, focus on experiencing the incredible gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park combining it with wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a boat safari on the Nile River in Murchison Falls National Park and potentially adding chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, all while considering the best time to visit based on weather and wildlife activity.
While planning for your tour holiday to Uganda, you have to decide on where and when to go, book your tour activities and lodging, book your flights, buy travel insurance, check your visa requirements, organize travel medication, buy your travel equipment, know your travel budget and read about your travel destinations.
In case you are planning to have gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, you have to book your permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority through a trusted tour operator (Nature Adventure Africa Safaris). Gorilla permits are at USD800 and chimpanzee at USD250. You have to know that some of the park entrances are paid at Uganda Wildlife Authority and therefore, you have to give it to your tour operator in time in order to have easy planning. A planned travel 14-day itinerary of one of our clients;
On arrival, he will meet our company representative at Entebbe International airport who will brief him about the tour later transfer him to Entebbe Forest Lodge to retire for the night.
On the second day, he will have a delicious breakfast early in the morning before setting off to his first destination (Murchison Falls National Park). Murchison Falls National Park is found in the north-western side of Uganda and hosts a wide range of wildlife from the big game to small mammals and bird species.
He will leave Entebbe city connecting via Kampala then through Luwero – Gulu highway. Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda. Driving to this park is amazing as you enjoy the scenic beauty of the countryside with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking. It is only at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you can get an opportunity of spotting rhinos in Uganda. After trekking, he will continue to Masindi for lunch and then later continue with his journey to Murchison Falls. On arrival, he will check-in at Nile Safari Lodge for dinner and sleepover.
On the 3rd day, he will have breakfast, meet the driver and get ready for the early morning game drive through the northern game tracks of the park. A range of wildlife will be spotted such as giraffes, warthogs, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes and a variety of bird species. After exploring the distinct ecosystems and sceneries characterized by dense woodland, savanna plains and vast grassland dotted with palm trees, return to lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, embark on a boat excursion on Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls taking you to the base of the falls while spotting a range of aquatic at display along the banks including basking crocodiles, hippos, plus birds. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the falls before trekking to the top. Return to the lodge for dinner and sleepover.
4th day is for transferring to Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park is located in Kabarole district in western Uganda. Your journey to Kibale takes you via Hoima city to Fort portal lunch break with enroute rift valley escarpment which will treat you with breathtaking view. On arrival, drive to Kyaninga Safari lodge to settle for a relaxed dinner and overnight stay.
The 5th day will be special for chimpanzee trekking experience and Bigodi swamp walk in Kibale. A day starts with briefing about chimpanzee trekking rules after you have enjoyed your breakfast. Trekking chimpanzees in Kibale begins in the morning at around 8am with a guide on lead taking you in a group of 6 people to see chimpanzees in the wild (in their natural habitat).
The length of time to spend on trekking, depends on the movement of these creatures and once they are located, you are allowed 1 hour to stay with them in their natural habitat while taking pictures and also understand the behaviors of massive apes. Many other primates can be sighted such as colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Vernet monkeys among others plus bird species. After trekking return to the park headquarters for certificates before heading to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, transfer to Bigodi wetland for a guided nature walk. Bigodi swamp is endowed with 8 primate species, about 138 bird species and other mammals. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
On the 6th day, our client will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park via fort portal. Will have lunch on arrival at Kyambura gorge lodge and have ample time to chill. Then in the evening set off for a game drive to see diversity of wildlife. Expect to see wildlife such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, a variety of bird species among others and then return to the lodge for dinner.
On the 7th day, rise up early to have your breakfast and after meet with your driver to set off for the morning game drive via the Kasenyi plains. Explore the savannah plains for some good hours with expectation of spotting a variety of wildlife such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, a variety of bird species, vegetation, plants among others.
Will return to the lodge for lunch and later in the afternoon go for a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel is one of the most popular and exciting activities in Uganda particularly within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kazinga Channel is a natural waterway that connects Lake George to Lake Edward and it’s renowned for its rich wildlife and scenic beauty.
During the cruise, visitors are treated to a wonderful combination of landscapes, wildlife and birdlife. The Kazinga Channel is a home to one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. The boat cruises offer a chance to see these majestic creatures lounging in the water or basking along the shores.
Along with hippos, you can spot Nile crocodiles sunbathing along the banks. Herds of buffalo and sometimes elephants come down to drink from the channel, creating an exciting viewing experience. You might also see various antelope species like waterbucks, Uganda Kobs among others. Upon completing the boat experience, return to the lodge for dinner and sleepovers.
Day 8 is for transferring to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Wake up early for breakfast and meet up with your driver to embark on your journey to Bwindi. Drive through Ishasha’s wildlife, then ascend to Bwindi’s misty forest.
A journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector is an unforgettable adventure. As you leave the bustling wildlife of Queen Elizabeth behind, you will enter the peaceful, expansive landscapes of Ishasha famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. The drive through this sector offers breathtaking views of savannah, wetlands and scattered wildlife like elephants, buffaloes and various antelope species.
The road from Ishasha gradually climbs into the rugged terrain moving through rolling hills and lush forests as you approach Bwindi. The air becomes cooler and the environment shifts dramatically with dense, mist-covered forests awaiting you. The drive provides an amazing contrast between the open savannah and the dense, verdant rain forests that characterize Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a home to the famous mountain gorillas.
Along the way, you will witness not only diverse wildlife but also stunning scenery making the trip itself a captivating part of the journey to encounter one of the world’s most endangered species. You will have your lunch in the Ishasha sector and on arrival in Bwindi, you will just check-in at Gorilla Forest Camp for relaxation as you wait for dinner.
The following morning will be a special day to see the massive mountain gorillas in the wild (gorilla trekking experience). Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences you can have. The gorilla trekking itself is a guided hike through the dense misty forest. Depending on the location of the gorilla family you are trekking, the trek can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. The hike is physically demanding with steep, muddy terrain and thick vegetation, so it is better to be prepared with a good level of fitness.
Once you reach the gorilla family allocated to you in the group of 8 members, the experience is beyond words. You will be allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas, observing them in their natural habitat. Watching them interact, feed, play or simply relax in the forest is truly a magical and humbling experience. The gorillas are generally calm and even though they are powerful creatures, their gentle nature shines through.
The guides and trekkers will help you maintain a safe distance while ensuring that you can have a close-up encounter. After that tiresome experience, return to the lodge for lunch and then spend the rest of the hours at relaxation at the lodge. Aside from the gorillas, Bwindi and the surrounding region are rich in culture and natural beauty. Many trekking tours also offer cultural experiences like visits to nearby villages where you can interact with the Bakiga and Batwa communities and learn about their way of life, witness traditional dances and crafts.
On the 10th day, enjoy your breakfast and then head to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. Lake Bunyonyi is found in Kabale and is known to be the Uganda’s deepest lake and is famous for harboring a variety of bird species. Over 29 scenic islands exist on Lake Bunyonyi and you will visit one of them during the evening game drive. The most known island is Akampane island where young girls were drown to death as a punishment of getting pregnant before marriage. Your lunch, dinner and overnight stay will be at Bunyonyi Safari Resort.
In the morning after having your breakfast, you set off a scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park. You can have your first stopover in Kabale town to grab some snacks and later in Mbarara town for lunch before heading to the park. Once you reach Lake Mburo, you can enjoy a variety of activities like game drives, boat rides on the lake and walking safaris. The park is known for its abundant wildlife including impalas, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and a variety of bird species. Dinner and overnight stay at Kigambira Safari Lodge.
On the 12th day after breakfast, exit the lodge for an early guided game drive to see large herds of impalas, Topis, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, elands and bird species. Get back to the lodge for lunch and then transfer to Kampala for an overnight stay with an enroute stopover at Equator. Dinner at Serena Hotel Kampala.
On day 13, you will enjoy the Kampala city tour. Kampala, the vibrant capital city of Uganda is a bustling urban hub rich in history, culture and charm. Kampala offers an eclectic mix of traditional African heritage and modern urban life. Kampala is known for its seven hills and many of the best views of the city can be enjoyed from these elevated spots. A Kampala city tour can start with a visit to some of these hills where you will find breathtaking views of the cityscape. One of the most popular spots is Nakasero Hill which offers a panoramic view of the city.
Some of the tourist places in Kampala you can choose to visit depending on your interests on your city tour include; Uganda National Museum, Kasubi Tombs, Gaddafi National Mosque, Namirembe Cathedral, Craft Markets and Souvenir Shopping, Baha’i Temple among others. You can have your lunch in one of the good restaurants in Kampala such as JBK Hotel/restaurant, 2K restaurant, Mambo restaurant among others. Kampala’s city tour is an exciting blend of culture, history, modernity and beautiful landscapes. Whether you are exploring its historic sites or sampling local foods, there is always something new to discover in Uganda’s lively capital. Your dinner and sleepovers at Serena Hotel Kampala.
On the 14th day, you will check out of the hotel, meet up with the driver and head to Entebbe International Airport to catch up with your flight to the next destination.
