16-Day Uganda Safari Vacation: Overview
The 16-Day Uganda Safari is a good safari in Uganda vacation tour package that features cultural sites within Kampala, adventurous activities in Jinja & the source of the River Nile, Sipi Falls on the foothills of Mount Elgon, wildlife in Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth Parks, Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi, Chimpanzees in Kibale, & Rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary.
The 16-day Uganda safari will also connect you to Uganda’s most splendid national parks: Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park in the north-west of Uganda with its world’s most powerful water fall and counts of giraffe, elephants, lions, buffaloes, and leopards, among others, Kibale National Park, dubbed the primate capital of the world with largest counts of habituated chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth national park with its rare tree-climbing lions; the adventurous Kazinga Channel; and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which has almost half of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
The 16-day Uganda safari vacation will offer you unique cultural experiences and a taste of world-class services from some of the finest lodges in Uganda.
You will have time to meet local Karamojong community, situated in the North-eastern part of Uganda and famous Batwa community in south-western part of Uganda.
16-Day Uganda Vacation: Highlights
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe International Air Port
Day 2: Transfer drive from Kampala to Jinja and do boat cruise, City tour,
Day 3: Transfer from Jinja to Sipi Falls and Do an Evening Cultural Encounter
Day 4: Hike to Sipi falls and transfer to Kitgum town.
Day 5: Transfer from Kitgum to Kidepo National Park and Have an evening game drive.
Day 6: Do an Early Morning Game Drive and an evening cultural encounter.
Day 7: Do early morning hikingScenery viewing and an Nature walk
Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 9: Do early morning Game drive and afternoon Lunch cruise; hike to the top of the falls.
Day 10: Do Rhino trekking in Ziwa Sanctuary and transfer to Hoima.
Day 11: Transfer to Kibale National Park, lunch in Fort Portal town, afternoon Fort Portal Crater Lake hike and visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves
Day 12: Do Chimpanzee trekking and afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Tour
Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation, the only bronze casting center in Africa, the Ruboni Community craft & wax center en route, & do the crater area drive upon arrival
Day 14: Do morning game drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest with en-route lunch at Ishasha sector
Day 15: Do Gorilla trekking and afternoon Cultural encounter with the Local Batwa
Day 16: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe, Traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Center and En-route Stop over at the Equator.
16-Day Uganda Safari Vacation: Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe International Airport
On your arrival in Entebbe international airport, you will be met by our professional driver guide, who will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your booked Kampala Lodge or hotel to have rest and lunch before you embark on an afternoon city tour.
The driver guide, who will be your immediate contact person for the rest of your 16-day Uganda Safari Vacation, will brief you on what the tour will be like.
After the briefing and lunch, you will start your tour by visiting the prominent sites such as Kasubi tombs, Rubbaga Cathedral, Uganda Museum, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, and Bahai Temple (the only one in Africa), and late in the evening you will head to Ndere troupe Center to enjoy cultural performances, dances, and check out on the crafts.
After having your wonderful time in Ndere, you will retire back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kampala Sheraton hotel (Luxury Lodges), Humura Resort (Standard/Mid-Range), Buziga Country Resort (Budget).
Day 2: Transfer From Kampala to Jinja
After your early morning cup of coffee in your place of stay in Kampala, the driver guide will pick you up and embark on a transfer to Jinja in the eastern part of Uganda, 80 km away, about 1-2 hours’ drive, excluding stopovers on the way.
The drive to Jinja will take you through the small townships of Mukono, where you can also find Ssezibwa Falls, one of the famous Buganda Heritage Sites, where many natives flock for blessings, wealth, and fortunes.
You will have a stopover at Mabira Forest to explore the only forest reserve in Uganda with over 300 bird species as well as some endangered species of over 218 butterflies, monkeys, plants, and 312 tree species.
Thereafter, continue with the drive to Jinja and have your lunch at the Sunset Hotel, which is a fantastic place located on the riverside.
The hotel serves a variety of dishes ranging from local Ugandan dishes to Chinese, Indian, and Italian dishes.
After lunch, take a boat ride to the mighty source of the Nile, which is a tranquil place dotted with beautiful tropical pants, palm trees, and the magnificent white roaring water of the mighty Nile.
Not only does the boat ride reward you with the views of the fishermen throwing their fishing nets, but it also draws you to the point where the mighty Nile starts its wonderful long journey to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.
Upon reaching the point where the source of the Nile originates, embark on taking wonderful photos for future memories; stand in the Nile while enjoying the views of different bird species, including the King Fisher.
After that memorable experience, drive to Jinja town to explore Jinja Town. The tour will enable you to view the different Indian-styled structures which were used by many Indians before they were evicted by President Idi Amin Dada.
Enjoy evening walks within Jinja town with visits to different bus parks, business centers, and craft shops located along the streets of Jinja Town.
After exploring Jinja town, you will retire to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight.
Accommodation: Jinja Nile Resort (Luxury), Sunset Hotel Jinja (Mid-Range) or Timton Hotel (Budget)
Day 3: Transfer From Jinja to Sipi Falls and Do an Evening Cultural Encounter
After an early morning breakfast, embark on transfer to Sipi Falls. The drive to Sipi Falls will take you through Iganga and Busembatia towns.
Arrive in Mbale town for Lunch and continue to Sipi falls. On arrival to Sipi falls, you will drive to your lodge to check-in and spend one hour relaxing before driving to the nearby Sabiny and Bagisu community for marvelous cultural encounter.
The encounter comes with the pride of meeting the Sipi Widows’ Group, that can take you on guided walk passing through the plantations of coffee as they illustrate how coffee is planted, picked, grinded and finally washed, making it ready for sale.
Meet the Bugisu farmers, who are famous for producing the best washed Arabica Coffee in Uganda and Kenya. Thereafter, retreat back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Sipi Falls Lodge (Up-Market), Lacarm Lodge (Mid-range), Crow’s Nest (Budget)
Day 4: Hike to Sipi Falls And Transfer to Kitgum Town
You will wake-up very early in the morning, take your breakfast, and embark on a lovely hike to Sipi falls. The hike is too magnificent as you move to the bottom of the splendid three waterfalls.
You will proceed with a quick, steep climb to a series of stunning caves. As you proceed to the perplexing trail to the other waterfalls, you will pass through banana plantations.
After exploring the falls, retire to the starting point and thereafter embark on transfer drive to Kitgum town.
The long-distance drive which takes you through different types of landscapes and traditional villages is very rewarding. You will arrive to Kitgum town and advance with the drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Bomah Hotel (Luxury/Mid-Range), Jaflo Gardens Guest House (Budget)
Day 5: Transfer from Kitgum to Kidepo National Park and Have an Evening Game Drive
After your early morning breakfast, you will continue with your drive journey from Kitgum town to Kidepo Valley national Park, which is Uganda’s magnificent and Africa’s finest wildernesses Park .
The drive will take you through the remote villages of Acholi, to the local Karamonjos homesteads and finally into the valleys of Kidepo national Park, the most beautiful protected area in Uganda.
On arrival at the park, you will drive directly to your lodge to check-in, have lunch and after lunch, you will drive to the park for an evening game drive into the open Savannah grasslands of the beautiful Kidepo valley national Park, where you will have chance to enjoy the sights and views some of the park’s wildlife like lions, elephants, leopards, bushbucks and much more.
After the interesting game drive, you will retire to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Apoka safari lodge (Luxury/Upmarket), Ng’ Moru Wilderness camp (Mid-range), Apoka Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 6: Do an Early Morning Game Drive and Evening Cultural Encounter
Wake-up early for cup of coffee and embark on an early morning game drive along the designated Kidepo trails to Kanangorok hot spring.
The park harbors a greater diversity of wildlife species than other parks in Uganda. Of the 80 species of mammals recorded in the park, 28 are not known to occur in any other Ugandan parks.
The game drive will give you the possibility of confronting carnivore species such as bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, and cheetah, hunting dog.
The game drive will enable you to have closer account to other wildlife species like Elephant, burchell’s zebra, bush pig, warthog, Rothschild giraffe, cape buffalo, eland, bush buck, bush duskier, defassa water buck, bohor reed buck, Jackson’s hartebeest and oribi.
After the early morning game drive, you will retire to your lodge for lunch and relaxation as you wait for an evening cultural encounter.
Embark on an evening cultural encounter with the Karamajongos locals living in the nearby areas of Kidepo Valley National Park.
Cultural encounter will expose you to unique traditional dances such as the Emuya of the Naporre and Nyangia, ethnic groups and Larakaraka and Apiti dances of the Acholi.
After the activity, retreat back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodations: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury), Nga’ Mou Wilderness Camp (Midrange) and UWA bandas (Budget) Full Board
Day 7: Do Early Morning hikingScenery Viewing and an Nature walk
After cup of coffee in the morning, embark on the transfer to Lamoji Mountains, where hiking and Scenery viewing are carried out.
The activity will take you through the mountains and Savannah landscape of the park and the Narus Valley, famous for housing different wildlife species and bird species in the park.
You will explore the splendid Kidepo River Valley, covered by Borassus palm forest, the Kanangorok hot springs and the Lotukei Mountains in the southern boundary of the park.
Thereafter, retire back to your lodge for relaxation and lunch as you wait for an afternoon Nature walk. After lunch, you will embark on nature walk, which will take you to the Karamajong homesteads, locally called manyattas and probably kraals to see traditional costumes, stools, spearheaddresses, knives, bows and arrows, and jewelry. Retire back to the lodge after the activity, have dinner and stay overnight.
Accommodations: Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury), Nga’ Mou Wilderness Camp (Midrange) and Apoka Rest Camp (Budget).
Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After an early morning breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison falls national park. The interesting scenic drive will take you through Savannah grasslands of Kitgum district to Gulu town .
You will have stopover for lunch in Gulu town and thereafter continue with the journey through Karuma, checking into Murchison late in the evening, like at 6-7pm.On arrival to the park, you will drive to your already-reserved lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).
Day 9: Do an Early Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise And Hike to The Top of The Falls
Wake-up very early in the morning and drive to the park headquarters for an early morning game drive at 6:30 through the park tracks in search of the elusive wild game.
The rolling Savannah combretum of Murchison Falls National Park supports a span of delightful wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, Jackson hartebeest, oribis, lions, and leopards, among others
The early morning game drive through the well-organized driving tracks of the delta area, Buligi tracks, Albert tracks, and Queen tracks provides golden chance for you to enjoy the views of elusive wild game.
After rewarding drive of 3 – 4 hours, you will retire back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch while waiting for an adventurous boat cruise in the afternoon.
After lunch and having rest, you drive to Paraa to catch-up with the afternoon adventurous Lunch Cruise that sets off at 2:30 and takes 3–4 hours of adventure.
Taking boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile will not only reward you with views of the wild game when they are drinking on the river side, but it will also take you to an area where you can have clear glimpse of wildlife species like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds, such as the endangered species of the Shoebill Stork.
After exploring the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, you will take a hike through narrow path to the top of one of the world’s most powerful falls.
Upon reaching the top, you will enjoy the roaring sounds of the Nile as it crumbles its head on the impermeable rocks that have narrowed its way to less than 8 meters for centuries.
After that lifelong experience, you will retire to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).
Day 10: Do Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary and Transfer to Hoima
After an early morning breakfast, embark on 70-kilometer drive from Murchison to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary .On arrival to the sanctuary , you will trek the only white Rhinos protected in Uganda.
Rhino trekking will give you chance to meet the endangered species of Rhinos in Uganda and this will provide you with a full account of all the big five wildlife species in Uganda.
After exploring Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, embark on the transfer to Hoima. The interesting drive will take you along the Albertine escarpment, with prominent scenery of the rift valley .
You will advance through Bulisa, which is in the oil region of Uganda. You will have a stop en route at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs and here you will be exposed to impressive local methods of fine salt extraction.
The views of the scenic Lake Albert and the views of the Blue Mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo are very rewarding. From here, you will embark on the drive to Hoima for relaxation, diner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kontik Hotel
Day 11: Transfer to Kibale National Park, Lunch in Fort Portal Town, Afternoon Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike And Visit The Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves
After your jolly breakfast, embark on transfer drive of about 5 hours to Fort Portal, one of the most beautiful towns in Uganda.
The drive will take you through the majestic country side landscapes dotted with rural setting and beautiful local populations.
Arrive in Fort Portal town for lunch, after which you will advance to do the Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike to gain magnificent views of the Fort Portal explosion crater.
You will also visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves, where a magical Nyakasura River falls over them, forming wonderful water fall.
The unique caves have breast-like features which the locals attach a great cultural connotation and are thought to date back to the Chwezi era. Retreat from the activity and get to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).
Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking and Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Tour
After an early morning breakfast, embark on the highly rewarding Chimpanzee trekking encounter in the primate Capital of the world, the Kibale Forest National Park.
The Park is proud of 13 primate species, including the world-emerging Chimpanzee species, which have been fully habituated and opened to be visited by tourists.
The chimpanzee trekking encounter in the primates Capital starts at Kanyanchu tourism center at 8:00 local time in the morning and the professional UWA Park ranger will lead you throughout the fascinating processes of trekking the chimpanzees in their natural Habitat.
The trek exposes you to stunning flora, other primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, and birds before meeting face-to-face with the chimpanzees.
The Chimpanzees will seduce you in a state of stupefaction as they swing through the branches, make pant-hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language, along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a life-time experience of its own.
Retreat from the activity, which tends to take 2 – 5 hours to embark on the transfer to Bigodi wetland. The Bigodi wetland lies in close proximity to the park, so connecting there is less hectic.
The Bigodi wetland walk exposes you to typical Eco-tourism encounter in Uganda. The impressive flora and fauna existing along with the local community is indeed rewarding to encounter.
The sights of great blue turaco and the Sitatunga may not be missed. Retreat from the activity back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).
Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Visit The Rwenzori Art Foundation, Ruboni Community Craft, Wax Center En-route & Do The Crater Area Drive Upon Arrival
Transfer from Kibale after your breakfast to Queen Elizabeth National Park .The drive distance of 157 km (about 3 hours’) on rough road is very interesting.
You will have your first stop at Rwenzori Art Foundation, which is the only bronze casting center in the whole of African Continent and is located in the shadows of Rwenzori Mountains.
You may participate in the wonderful process of sculpture making, which is a common activity done in the Center. Sparing time to tour the Ruboni community wax and craft center exposes you to the local traditions and the usage of local knowledge to modern development.
Thereafter, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through the crater, which offers you views of different wildlife such as olive baboons and elephants and not forgetting the magical scenery before connecting to Mweya for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise, which will reward you with the possibilities of confronting the Hippos, Nile crocodiles, other wild game drinking on the channel side and counts of water birds. Retire back to your lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Katara Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).
Day 14 : Do Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest With En-route Lunch at Ishasha Sector
Wake up very early in the morning, like at 6:00am, take your breakfast and embark on an early morning game drive at 6:30am in the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The drive will take you through Kasenyi tracks with the chances of meeting the nocturnal wildlife species when they are retreating back to their hiding grounds and also confronting the early morning risers when they are starting their daily activities of looking for food.
The different species of wild game which may be seen during the game drive include the elusive leopard, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, side-stripped Jackal; Oribis elephants, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes, among others.
The tracks are well designed to increase your chances of encountering wild game in their natural habitat, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After a 3- to 4-hour game drive covering about 200 kilometers, you embark on transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The drive will take you through the Ishasha sector, where you will have the possibility of confronting the tree-climbing lions that tend to lie on the branches of fig trees during day.
You will have stopover for lunch in Ishasha and thereafter, continue with the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Engagi lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Day 15: Gorilla Trekking And Afternoon Cultural Encounter With The Local Batwa
Wake -up early in the morning, like at 6:00 and take your hefty breakfast, that will give you the energy to hike the hills and slope the valleys when looking for the unique species of mountain gorillas.
After taking breakfast, driver guide will transfer you with your packed lunch and bottled water to the Park headquarters in your respective gorilla trekking region for an early morning briefing at about 70:30am to 8:00am about etiquette of Uganda gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
While at the park headquarters, you will meet other trekkers, and you will be divided into groups of eight individuals who are only allowed to trek with one specific habituated gorilla family.
After a briefing, an experienced UWA ranger guide will lead you to the trailhead, where thrilling gorilla trekking starts.
You will enter an ancient, thick, dark impenetrable forest to begin hiking the hills and sloping the valleys when looking for the unique species of mountain gorillas inhabited in the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The trek can take you between 2 and 8 hours to confront the mountain gorillas, and once up close, you will be allowed to spend one magical hour with these stunning apes.
During this time, you can decide to sit down, listen to gorilla crumble, study how these apes go about their daily activities, and take as many photos as possible.
When the one hour is done, you will walk back to the park headquarters and retire back to your lodge for a late lunch and relaxation.
After relaxation, you will be driven to the nearby Batwa community for a memorable, refreshing cultural encounter.
Here, you will be guided by a local guide who will take you to the different communities to see how people have managed to survive through farming.
You will see how local brew is processed from fresh Bananas and forest remedies to get beer and Waragi and you will also enjoy the performances done by the local Batwa women groups.
After that interesting cultural encounter, you will drive back to your respective lodge for dinner and overnight.
After the activity, you will retreat back to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Engagi lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).
Day 16: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe, Traditional Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center and En-route Stop-over at The Equator
After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on a drive transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable forest park to Kampala, a distance of 527 kilometers.
The drive will take you through impressive country side landscapes with rural setting and local populations.
Upon your arrival at Igongo Cultural Center, you will have your lunch and take 30-minute tour of the Cultural Museum found in the Center.
Thereafter, continue with the drive to Kampala. On your way, you will by-pass Mpigi village, famous for the Royal Drums Makers and have a stopover at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe, where you will enjoy delightful water experiment, take photos and shop for a souvenir.
You will arrive to Kampala late in the evening, approximately at 7-8 and the driver guide will drive you back to your Kampala/Entebbe hotel for dinner and overnight.
End of The 16 Days Uganda Vacation Safari

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