Best of Uganda Safari Highlights – 19 Days
Our 19 Days Best of Uganda Safari is perfect for those seeking a comprehensive exploration of Uganda, also known as “The Pearl of Africa.” This safari covers four major savannah parks: Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast, Murchison Falls National Park in the north, Queen Elizabeth National Park in the southwest, and Lake Mburo National Park in the southwest. Along the way, you’ll enjoy game drives and boat cruises, including a boat ride to the base of the iconic Murchison Falls, a cruise on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale District.
The safari’s wildlife experiences are complemented by opportunities to trek chimpanzees in Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kibale Forest National Park, with the grand finale of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You’ll also interact with local communities during village walks and learn about their cultures.
What You Need to Know About Our 19 Days Best of Uganda Safari:
- Flexible start dates: The safari can start at any time.
- Inclusive package: All activities, meals, chimp and gorilla permits, park fees, lodges, car hire, and guides are included with no hidden costs.
- Group size: Minimum two participants, maximum six.
- Age suitability: Recommended for children aged 15 and above.
- Safari route: Starts and ends in Uganda.
- Chimp trekking locations: Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kibale Forest National Park.
- Game drive highlights: Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Park.
- Boat cruises: Includes four boat cruises – River Nile in Murchison, Lake Bunyonyi, Kazinga Channel, and Lake Mburo.
- Cultural experiences: Village walks to engage with local communities and learn their traditions.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: To Gulu Town
After breakfast, your guide will meet you for a tour briefing. Then, begin your 19 Days Best of Uganda Safari, driving to Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda.
Before reaching Gulu, you will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a rhino tracking activity. This will be an exciting start to your safari. Afterward, continue your journey to Gulu town for an overnight stay. We always stop in Gulu to break up the long journey before continuing to Kidepo National Park.
Drive time: Approximately 7-9 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: African Roots Gulu
Day 2: To Kidepo National Park
Enjoy breakfast before heading to Kidepo Valley National Park. Located in northeastern Uganda, the park is known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and relax.
In the afternoon, prepare for a late game drive. Kidepo Valley National Park, recently voted by CNN as one of Africa’s best parks, offers an exceptional safari experience. You will have the chance to spot Cheetahs, herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and prides of lions. The park is famous for its lion sightings, which are easier compared to other national parks.
Drive time: Approximately 4 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Apoka Bandas
Day 3: Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
After breakfast, head out for morning and afternoon game drives through the Savannah plains of Kidepo Valley National Park. The park is home to an impressive variety of wildlife, far more than any other park in Uganda.
In 1971, 80 species of animals were recorded in the park, including 28 species found nowhere else in Uganda. Carnivores like lions, leopards, black-backed jackals, and spotted hyenas roam freely. The park is also home to more unique carnivores such as the hunting dog, bat-eared fox, cheetah, and striped hyena.
Among the park’s most uncommon ungulates are the greater and lesser kudu, roan antelope, and beisa oryx. While poaching has reduced numbers over the years, many other large mammals, like elephants, zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes, are still abundant. You may also spot primates such as the Kavirondo bush baby, one of the park’s most endemic species.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Apoka Bandas
Day 4: Karamajongo Villages and Cultural Visits
After breakfast, visit the Karamajongo homesteads, known as Manyatta. Here, you will engage with the local elders to learn about their culture and way of life. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the community’s daily activities, like grazing and milking cows.
As part of our sustainability efforts, Iconic Africa Safaris supports these communities by encouraging contributions towards their social welfare. Alternatively, you can spend the day on more game drives, exploring the park further.
Drive time: NA
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Kidepo Savannah Lodge or Apoka Bandas
Day 5: To Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest conservation area. This park offers diverse landscapes, including riverine, forest, and savannah environments. Depending on your accommodation’s location within the park, you may enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Drive time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
Day 6: Morning Delta Cruise and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of Murchison Falls
Start the day with an early departure and picnic lunch as you head to the jetty point. Here, you will board the boat for a cruise along the River Nile. You will spot herds of buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, giraffes, elephants, and many other wild animals that come to drink from the river.
Keep an eye out for bird species, too, as the river is home to a large variety. In the afternoon, embark on another boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls. Watch as the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before cascading down in what is considered the strongest waterfall on Earth. Return to the lodge for overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
Day 7: Morning and Evening Game Drives
After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in the park. You will explore the Nile Delta area, where you may spot lions, leopards, jackals, elephants, giraffes, and various birds from the Albertine Rift.
After lunch at the lodge, you can relax or take a swim. Later, return for an evening game drive, where you may witness wildlife during their evening routines as they hunt or feed before nightfall.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
Day 8: To Kibale National Park
Next, continue your Best of Uganda Safari by driving to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through Fort Portal town. You will stop for lunch before checking in at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.
In the afternoon, head to Bigodi Village for a wetland walk. This walk is designed and managed by the local community, with fees directly benefiting the people living around Kibale Forest. Iconic Africa Safaris encourages clients to support these community initiatives, ensuring sustainable management of local resources.
Drive time: Approximately 4 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House or Isunga Lodge
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking
After breakfast, you will head to Kibale National Park headquarters at Kanyanchu. Upon arrival, join fellow trekkers for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee trekking adventure. You will be accompanied by an experienced ranger/guide who will lead you through the forest. Kibale Forest is home to several habituated chimpanzee communities, and you’ll have the chance to observe their behaviors. You can take photographs, so keep your camera ready. Apart from chimpanzees, Kibale is home to 13 other primate species, which you may encounter during your trek. Additionally, the park boasts numerous bird species, making it a haven for bird watchers.
After your chimpanzee trek, return to your lodge for an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House or Isunga Lodge
Day 10: Drive to Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will begin your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which takes approximately 3-4 hours. Along the way, you will pass through several small towns and enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains. You will cross the Equator at Kikorongo, where you can stop for photos. You’ll also see rivers that originate from the Rwenzori mountain ranges. Upon arrival, you may choose to have lunch or head straight to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The two-hour boat cruise is one of the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering views of over 300 bird species. Additionally, you may spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, hippos, and antelopes.
Drive time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge or Pumba Safari Lodge
Day 11: Morning and Evening Game Drives
Start your day with an early morning coffee, followed by a drive to Kasenyi plains for a game viewing. Early mornings are the best time to spot big cats hunting, with chances to see lions or leopards on a hunt. You will also encounter buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, and more wildlife. After lunch and some relaxation at your lodge, you’ll head out for an evening game drive. In the evening, the wildlife activity increases again, providing a chance to see more animals in the park. Return to the lodge for overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Elephant Hab Lodge or Pumba Safari Lodge
Day 12: Transfer to Southern Queen Elizabeth in Ishasha Sector
On this day, you will enjoy a leisurely morning game drive as you head towards the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known as the Ishasha sector. After lunch, you will drive through the park in search of the famous tree-climbing lions. While Ishasha is well-known for these lions, sightings are not guaranteed. You will also find other wildlife here, including buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, and various bird species. You can visit the Ishasha River to see the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Later, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Enjojo Lodge
Day 13: Game Drives and Evening Community Experience in Ishasha Sector
Start your day with a short drive to a beautiful bush breakfast spot. Enjoy breakfast surrounded by the wilderness of Ishasha. Afterward, embark on another game drive in the Ishasha area, where you may encounter wildlife such as warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, Uganda kob, and elephants. You will still have the chance to spot the tree-climbing lions, famous for resting in the fig trees. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ishasha community projects. This is an opportunity to learn about local conservation efforts and support the community if you wish.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Enjojo Lodge
Day 14: To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. The journey takes you through rolling hills with terraced gardens, mainly growing Irish potatoes and sometimes tea. You will arrive in the afternoon and check in to your lodge for an overnight stay. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world’s endangered Mountain Gorillas. It is also the only park in Uganda where wild chimpanzees coexist with Mountain Gorillas. Your guide will help you understand the differences between these Great Apes.
Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Trekkers Tervan Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Day 15: Gorilla Trekking and Village Walk
After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters to meet other trekkers. You will be allocated a gorilla family for trekking. Before you begin, the park staff will give a detailed briefing on the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. You will then be driven to the starting point for your trek. The trek may take between 30 minutes to several hours, depending on where the gorillas are located. Gorilla trekking can be challenging, so a good level of fitness is required. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one hour observing them and taking photos. Although one hour may seem short, the experience is unforgettable.
After the trek, you will return to the park headquarters to receive a certificate for your contribution to gorilla conservation. Later, you can enjoy a relaxing village walk in the evening, where you’ll learn about the local community’s efforts in protecting the forest and gorillas. You may choose to make a voluntary donation to support these efforts.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Trekkers Tervan Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Day 16: To Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, located in Kabale District. Lake Bunyonyi is one of Uganda’s three lava-dammed lakes, formed when lava from a volcano blocked a river channel. The lake was named “Bunyonyi,” meaning “small birds,” because of the abundance of birdlife in the area. The lake is the deepest in Uganda and the second deepest in East Africa. You will enjoy the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal place to relax after your gorilla trekking experience.
Drive time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Bird Nest Resort
Day 17: Canoeing or Hiking
After breakfast, you will have the choice to either go canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi or take a hike around the surrounding hills. During a canoe ride, you’ll explore various islands, including Punishment Island, where girls who became pregnant out of wedlock were left to die. This is an intriguing historical site. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic hike on one of the hills surrounding the lake. Both activities offer unique experiences, and you will surely enjoy the beauty and history of the area. If you are interested, Iconic Africa Safaris also supports community projects in this region, and you may want to participate in volunteer work. Return to the lodge for overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Bird Nest Resort
Day 18: To Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, with a stop at the Great Lakes Museum or Igongo Cultural Center to learn about the cultures of western Uganda’s ethnic groups. You will arrive at Lake Mburo National Park in time for an evening game drive. The park is known for its populations of impalas, giraffes, zebras, and other animals. Return to the lodge for overnight.
Drive time: Approximately 6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Lodging: Rwakobo Rock or Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
Day 19: Drive to Entebbe International Airport
On your final day, you will either take a morning walking safari or head straight to Entebbe International Airport, depending on your flight time. Along the way, you can stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos.
Drive time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
