19-Days Safari to Uganda Tour: Overview

The 19 days safari to Uganda tour is a comprehensive Uganda safari vacation holiday package that explores the best of Uganda’s national parks in detail, offering gorillas, chimpanzees, wildlife, birds, communities, beautiful scenery, and much more.

Stretching from Mount Elgon National Park to Kidepo National Park in the north-east to Murchison Falls National Park in the north-west to Kibale, Semuliki, Rwenzori & Queen Elizabeth National Park in the west to Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla and Lake Mburo National Parks in the south-west, this safari is worth undertaking.

These parks have impressive natural landscapes and amazing flora and fauna, some of which is endemic to each of these parks.

Every National Park has a unique selling proposition of its own, such as the largest mountain caldera on Mont Elgon, Cheetahs & ostriches in Kidepo, the world’s most powerful waterfall in Murchison, Chimpanzees & other 12 primate species in Kibale, Sempaya hot springs in Semuliki, the tallest mountain range in Africa in Rwenzori Mountains, the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP, Mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Golden Monkeys & Mountain gorillas in Mgahinga and the Impala in Lake Mburo NP.

19 Days Adventure Safari Uganda National Parks: Highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Mbale. Visit Sipi Falls

Day 2: Whole-day hike of Mount Elgon

Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo National Park

Day 4: Do morning game drive & afternoon Karimojong Community tour

Day 5: Hike to Morungole Mountains & visit the indigenous Karimojong

Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 7 of the 19-Day Adventure Safari Uganda National Parks: Do morning game drive, afternoon launch cruise, & hike to the top of the falls

Day 8: Transfer to Hoima. Make a stop at Kibiro Salt Gardens and Hot Springs en route

Day 9: Transfer to Fort Portal Area, do Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike, & visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves

Day 10: Do Chimpanzee trekking in the morning and Bigodi wetland walking in the afternoon

Day 11: Transfer to Semuliki National Park, visit Sempaya hot springs, Bambuti of Ntandi & transfer to Kasese

Day 12: Do whole-day Mount Rwenzori hike

Day 13: Do morning game drive & Kazinga Channel Launch cruise

Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & do a game drive through Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions

Day 15: Do gorilla trekking & relax at the lodge

Day 16: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & do Batwa Heritage trail

Day 17: Do golden Monkey tracking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat cruise and relaxation

Day 18: Do a sun rise bat cruise, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, & do an evening game drive

Day 19: Do a morning game walking safari & transfer to Kampala

19-Day Safari Uganda Tour: Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive From Kampala to Mbale. Visit Sipi Falls Upon Arrival

After your early breakfast at your place of abode in Kampala, you will embark on the transfer to Mbale. You will drive through Mabira Forest, Jinja town, and the rice fields of eastern Uganda before approaching Mbale and Kapchorwa.

The journey takes 3 – 4 hours’ drive. Upon arrival, you will relax a little and have lunch, after which you will embark on a visit to the Sipi Falls.

The splendid natural feature is very romantic to look at and drawing closer to it exposes you to its roaring sound.

The altitude at the falls offers you impressive views of Elgon Mountain, the Karamoja plains and the swamps of Eastern Uganda. Retreat to Mbale for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mbale Resort (Luxury/Upmarket), Mount Elgon Hotel (Mid-range/Standard) or Kapkwai Forest Cottages (Budget/Basic)

Day 2: Do Whole-day Mount Elgon Hiking

After breakfast, embark on the hike of Mount Elgon. You gather at the park headquarters, where they will allocate you the respective ranger and you can also get a porter from there if so wish.

The hike to the mountain is very rewarding as it offers you impressive scenic views of the mountain and the adjacent areas, lush mountain flora and remarkable fauna, including hyrax, bushbuck, and wild cats, among others.

You can undertake the 7km mountain bamboo trail to Kapkwai cave, passing through bamboo and tropical forest or the 5km walk to Chebonet Falls.

A range of other trails are available to enable you to explore the mountain in as short a time as possible. Retire in the evening for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Mbale Resort (Upmarket/Luxury) Mount Elgon Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Kapkwai Forest Cottages (Budget)

Day 3 : Transfer to Kidepo National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. The drive will take you through Pian Upe Game Reserve.

The Pian Upe Game Reserve is mostly made up of mixed acacia and commiphora savanna. It is the Ugandan part of an eastern savanna belt that includes most of northern Kenya and the Amboseli-Tsavo-Mkomazi complex of reserves on the border between Tanzania and Kenya.

The impressive Mount Kadam rises to an altitude of 3,068m on the eastern boundary of the reserve, with impressive tortured turrets and bleak volcanic plugs.

The reserve has cheetah, leopard, spotted hyena, a small population of lions, along with buffalo, Burchell’s Zebra, eland, Jackson Hartebeest, greater Kudu, topi, oribi, dik-dik, and the only surviving population of Roan Antelope in Uganda.

The possible sights of patas monkey, vervet monkey and the olive baboon also exist. Continue on the drive through Moroto, Kotido, and eventually Kaboong district, where Kidepo National Park is located. You will arrive in the evening for relaxation and to stay overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Nga’ Moru Wilderness (Mid-range/Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Hike to Morungole Mountains & Visit The Indigenous Karimojong

Embark on the hike to the Morungole Mountains in the southern parts of Kidepo National Park, where the indigenous Karimojng are known to be thriving.

The Morungole Mountains have impressive scenery and remarkable mountain landscapes that are ideal for sight-seeing.

The traditions of the indigenous Karimojong, who have thrived in the area for millions of years, are worth encountering.

Retreat from this in the afternoon to get back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Nga’ Moru Wilderness (Mid-range/Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: 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 6-7 p.m.

On arrival at 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 7: Do the Game Drive, the Launch Cruise 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 a 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 a 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 riverside, but it will also take you to an area where you can have a 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 a 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 8: Transfer to Hoima. Make a stop at Kibiro Salt Gardens & Hot Springs En route

Take relaxed breakfast and embark on the transfer to Hoima. The interesting drive will take you along the Albertine escarpment, with prominent scenes 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 Blue Mountains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are very rewarding. From here, you will embark on the drive to Hoima for relaxation, diner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel

Day 9: Transfer to Fort Portal Area, do Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike, & Visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves

After your jolly breakfast, embark on a 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: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 10: Do Chimpanzee Trekking in The Morning, Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon

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 its 13 primate species, including the newly discovered Chimpanzee species, which is now open for tourist visits.

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 encounters 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 Sitatnga may not be missed. Retreat from the activity and transfer to the lodge for dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 11: Transfer to Semuliki National Park, Visit Sempaya Hot Springs, Bambuti of Ntandi & Transfer to Kasese

After breakfast, drive for 78km from Kibale National Park to Semuliki National Park, passing through Fort Portal town.

The scenery in Bundibugyo and the views of the Rwenzori Mountain will welcome you. Upon reaching the headquarters at Sempaya, you will undertake a nature walk down to the hot springs, both female and male, with boiling geysers that rise up to 2 meters high with temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius.

You would have carried your plantains or eggs to boil in the natural geyser, which gets ready in a few minutes, allowing you to have picnic bites.

From this activity, you will drive to Ntandi to visit the Bambuti of Ntandi, who have similar features to the Batwa of south-western Uganda.

Their heritage is also impressive to encounter, as is their body height. Retreat from the Semuliki to connect to Fort Portal for lunch, after which you will transfer to Kasese.

Upon reaching Kasese, you will visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation, the only bronze casting center in Africa. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) / Ruboni Community Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 12: Do Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hike

Take a full-day hike to the Rwenzori Mountains, also referred to as the mythical mountains of the moon and first mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150 AD.

The Rwenzori Mountains tower up to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks. The whole day hike exposes you to the lower ridges of this mountain, exploring the flowing glaciers and mountain flora that have earned Rwenzoris world heritage site status.

The hike exposes you to the impressive views of the low-lying Albertine Flats and the towering peaks at a distance.

You will have lunch on the mountain and retreat in the evening around 5:30 p.m. to transfer to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 13: Do Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling game drive across the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park that stretch across the Albertine flats.

The game drive, which starts as early as 6am offers you the possibility of encountering a range of wild game, including four of the Big five Land animals, including lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes.

The well-placed tracks in Kasenyi traverse a common dwelling for this wild game, with additions of side-stripped jackals, waterbucks, and Uganda Kobs, among others.

The activity tends to take 3–4 hours, after which you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch, after which you will drive to Mweya Jetty in the afternoon for a thrilling boat cruise along the paradise of Hippos, the 45-kilometer-long Kazinga Channel that adjoins Lake Edward and George and overlooks the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The range of birds, Nile crocodiles, Hippos and other wild game drinking on the channel side may not be missed.

Retreat from the 2-hour activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Do a Game Drive Through Ishasha Sector in Search of Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the Uganda gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi. You will drive through the Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the famous tree-climbing lions are known to thrive.

The drive offers you the possibility of encountering more game, adding to the sights of the upper parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Encountering the tree-climbing lions lying on the fig tree branches is very rewarding. You will have lunch en route and continue in the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 15: Do Gorilla Trekking & Relax at The Lodge

Gather at the respective park headquarters in the morning after an early, heavy breakfast for a briefing about the gorilla trekking encounter by the park rangers at 8am.

After briefing, you will head to the forest for the thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. The hike across the varied landscapes of Bwindi, marked with deep valleys, steep hills and dense vegetation cover, is very rewarding.

The moment you come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one those must-list moments that you can ever encounter in your life.

The gorilla trek lasts between 2 and 8 hours, and after one full hour of direct encounter with them, you will return to the starting point and transfer to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Mid-range/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).

Day 16: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & do Batwa Heritage Trail

After an early breakfast, embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park at the southwestern tip of Uganda.

The drive to the park offers you remarkable sights of the Kigezi Highlands and the Virunga Volcanoes. Embark on the trek following the Batwa Heritage Trail under the guidance of the Batwa guides, who will give you a themed interpretation of the forest and what it meant to them before they were evicted.

The stretch takes you up to the Garama Cave, which was the palace for their leader and a center for their festivities when they were still in the forest.

You will enjoy the musical performances of the Batwa women and the rich history behind this site. The activity takes 5–6 hours, after which you will retreat to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Amajambere Iwacu Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 17: Do Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi For an Evening Boat Cruise And Relaxation

After breakfast, gather at the Mgahinga Park Headquarters at Ntebeko at 8am to prepare for the golden Monkey tracking encounter.

The Virunga Massif, which Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo share, is the only place where golden monkey populations are thriving.

The trek to the golden monkeys that thrive in the Bamboo Zone of Mount Gahinga takes about 4 hours and involves other experiences, including bird sights, mountain scenery, amazing flora, and the golden monkeys themselves with their beautiful golden patch on their backs.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, driving along the scenic Kisoro-Kabale Road, arriving in the afternoon for a relaxing dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-Resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).

Day 18: Do a Sunrise Boat Cruise, Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, & Do an Evening Game Drive

After a relaxed breakfast, you will embark on the sun-rise boat cruise on the Lake of a thousand Islands—Lake Bunyonyi—exploring its main Islands while listening to the local stories about the Lake and its Islands from the local guide.

The sights of the birds, like cormorants, may not be missed, while the magical scenery of Kigezi Highlands will all be around you.

Retreat from the activity and return to lodge for lunch, after which you will embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, 199 km, about 4 hours’ drive from Lake Bunyonyi.

You will make a stop at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch, after which you will proceed to Lake Mburo National Park to do a mini-game drive before connecting to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Midrange/Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget/Basic).

Day 19: Do a Morning Game Walking Safari & Transfer to Kampala

After breakfast, embark on a game-walking safari, which allows you to explore the game on foot. The sun-rise views of the acacia savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park, dotted with counts of Impala, Topis, Zebras, buffaloes, water bucks, elands, and warthogs, among others, generate ultimate Africa safari memories.

Hiking up to Kazuma Hill to gain impressive views of the five lakes that have stretches in the park is also rewarding.

Retreat from the 3 – 4 activity to embark on the transfer to Kampala, 240 km, about 3 – 4 hours’ drive, excluding stops en route.

You will make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe to take amazing pictures and encounter the water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the north and southern hemispheres.

End of The 19 Days Adventure Safari Uganda National Parks