21 days Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Safari rewards visitors with chances of seeing primates, undertaking comprehensive game drives, immersing in the rich cultures of Ugandan tribes including Batwa, Bakiga and Karamojong in addition to enjoying the jaw-dropping countryside scenery.
For this long 21 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Safari, expect activities such as game viewing on the far-reaching savannah plains of Murchison falls, Semliki, Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks, waterfalls hikes, tracking the fast moving chimpanzees in Kibale National Park and meeting face to face with the endangered Mountain Gorillas within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Detailed 21 Days Uganda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe, Uganda and transfer to your Hotel
Following the long-haul flight from your respective country of origin, land at Entebbe International Airport (the main gateway into Uganda) where you will find your private safari driver to offer you a courteous welcome. Later connect to the booked Hotel in Kampala for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Drive to Jinja via Sezibwa Falls and Mabira Forest
After breakfast at the Kampala Hotel, check-out and start the early morning drive to Jinja, through the Eastern route, with en-route stops. Our first visit is at the cultural Sezibwa Waterfalls for 1 hour. Be awed by its jaw-dropping scenery marked by lush vegetation and huge rocks as well as sweet hissing sound created by the falling water. This Cultural site has features several bird species.
Proceed to Mabira Forest where you will spend for 2 hours on a guided forest walk. This forest is home to over 300 bird species and a plethora of primate species. We go on with our journey to Jinja, home to the source of the River Nile.
Day 3: Continue to Sipi Falls, at the edge of Mount Elgon
Have breakfast and continue exploring the Eastern part of the country and your journey takes you to the magnificent Sipi Falls. As the Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, it forms a jaw-dropping series of waterfalls surrounded by village walking trails as well as verdant coffee plantations. Meals and overnight will be within one of the beautiful Safari Lodges with views over at least one of the waterfalls.
Day 4: Hike the spectacular Sipi Falls
After breakfast, head for the hike to Sipi falls, lasting between 3 and 7 hours (depending on the chosen trail) and a local guide will accompany you on your hike to identify and provide comprehensive information on the identified plants, wildlife, birds and most interestingly the thrilling Gishu and Sebei culture. Transverse numerous picturesque waterfalls, coffee and banana plantations and caves as well as locals greeting you with ‘Jambo!’ and broad smiles.
Day 5: Drive to Moroto Town
An early breakfast and proceed with your journey to the North-east of the country-Moroto town where you have an interactive cultural experience with the Karamojong tribesmen.
These people are pastoralists that live in Kraals (locally known as Manyatta) and is precisely homestead made out of huts surrounded by live fences with thorns to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rivaling tribes and wild animals.
To immerse in their culture, we spend overnight at the kraal to watch how local beer is brewed (which you can try as well), be part of the bloodletting ceremony, whereby they tap blood from a cow to drink and the traditional goat-roast for dinner for yourself. Your night under the star will be filled with their cultural dance. At sunrise watch the shepherds take their cattle from the kraal to look for fresh grass on the plains.
Day 6: Continue to Kidepo National Park, in the extreme North-eastern border of Uganda
Have breakfast and leave Moroto for Kidepo Valley National Park where we arrive in time for a hot meal followed by the afternoon or evening tourist activities, Drive time largely depends on the conditions of the roads In the afternoon either opt for a game drive around the lodge area or just relax at the poolside with a glass of wine or deep in the beautiful swimming pool, with dinner and overnight stay at the same Lodge.
Day 7: Safari Day in Kidepo
Embark on a morning game drive after breakfast through wildlife-rich places of Kidepo Valley National Park-Narus Valley and Kanangorok hot spring. A plethora of animals can be seen roaming around including Cape buffaloes, Somali Ostrich African bush elephants, bushbucks, hartebeests, warthogs and many others.
In the afternoon undertake an unforgettable cultural experience that will bring you closer to the lifestyle of the Karamojong people that was not affected by modernity. Interact with the village elders who have more information of the region’s past and also tour the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items that define them.
Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Have breakfast and exit Kidepo Valley for Murchison Falls National Park. Lunch will be along the way (either Gulu or Kitgum Towns) and be in your next destination in the evening for dinner and overnight stay. Known as the country’s popular destination, Murchison falls National Park is bisected by the Nile River which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the majestic Murchison Falls, the highlight of the Park’s tours.
There are numerous wildlife species to encounter on your way to the booked Lodge such as African bush elephants, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, Olive baboons, Cape buffaloes and many others.
Day 9: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise
Have a hefty breakfast and embark on an early morning game drive where you are likely to spot animals like spotted hyenas, Lions, Olive baboons, Cape buffaloes, Hippos, Defassa waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, serval cats, warthogs, Rothschild’s giraffe, leopards, Uganda Kobs, Oribis and many others. After hours of the game drive, return for lunch.
Your Lunch buffet is followed by a refreshing Launch cruise along the Victoria Nile for a chance to see Hippos, Nile crocodiles, Elephants, Uganda Kobs, Cape buffaloes and several water birds such as the shoebill stork-one of the most sought after bird species in Africa. Retreat to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your booked lodge.
Day 10: Transfer to Semliki National Park
Depart Murchison falls National Park and head to Budibugyo, then to Semliki National Park. Transverse through the spectacular views of Lake Albert and the legendary Mountain Rwenzori ranges. Semliki National Park lies along the western border of Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo, adjacent to Lake Albert.
Have Lunch en-route and in the night undertake a game drive within this Park. Expect to see white-tailed mongoose, leopards, night-jars, serval cats and lions.
Day 11: Guided Nature walk to Sempaya Hot springs and evening community walk through the nearby Pygmy Community
Early in the morning set off for thrilling day within the Semliki Valley National Park. Opt for a guided walk to the Sempaya Hot Springs, blanketed by the rainforest, palm trees and veiled in a cloud of steam. The projecting water from the natural springs have temperatures of more than 100 ˚C. Enjoy a picnic Lunch and if time allows be driven to the local Pygmy community and learn about their ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Transfer back to the lodge arriving in time for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
In the morning leave Semliki Valley National Park for the verdant Kibale Forest National Park via the stunning Lake Albert escarpment. Break the journey at Hoima Town for lunch then drive along the shores of River Nkusi, draining from the southern end of Lake Albert, through the villages of Kagadi and joining the Victoria Nile.
Day 13: Exciting Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park & walk through Bigodi Wetland
Converge at Kanyanchu Visitor Center at 08h00 to take part in the most famous and outstanding tourist activity in the Park-chimpanzee tracking. These Great Apes are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species Worldwide.
Other primate species in this Park are grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Blue monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the Great blue Turaco, yellow spotted nicator, Papyrus gonolek, Rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, Green-breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, Papyrus Canary, black bee-eater and mammals like forest buffaloes and elephants can be spotted during the walk
Chimpanzee are located by listening for their pant-hooting calls and observation as they feed, groom, socialize and play with each other usually lasts one hour. Lunch at the Lodge and in the afternoon we visit the nearby swamp that is ideal for viewing primates and several wetland bird species.
Day 14: Amabere ga Nyinamwiru Caves Tour and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have Breakfast and continue to visit the Amabere caves within the Nyakasura area. This is believed to be the ancestral home of the Bachwezi (demi-gods) and still features the historical regalia of the Bachwezi that helps one in understanding the life they lived while still on earth before disappearing. Have Lunch at the Lodge before being transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 15: Game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
We depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park after breakfast, where we arrive in the afternoon. As we drive through the park, expect to encounter teeming herds of Uganda Kobs, elephants, Cape buffaloes, Topis, warthogs and bushbucks.
Have Lunch and head for the boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The afternoon activity offers wonderful opportunities of viewing wildlife up close-hippo’s huff and spray at very close range from the boat, Nile crocodiles basking nearby and the Cape buffalo lingering in the shallow shores. The shores of the channel are also haven to plethora of bird species including shoebill storks, pink-backed pelicans, and Saddle – billed storks, Pied and malachite kingfishers, African fish eagles and many others.
Day 16: Maramagambo Forest Walk and evening game drive
Another early start for a guided forest walk through the verdant Maramagambo. Maramagambo is one of the largest forests in Uganda and shelters a number of primate species and other forest-dwelling animals and bird species. The guided walk climaxes into a tour through the volcanic caves that are home to thousands of bats.
Pythons are often observed in the territories of the cave as they prey on bats. During this walk you will also see the breathtaking Blue known as “Lake Kimeranjojo” which derived its name after swallowing an elephant.
In the evening head for a game drive where you will see several herds of elephants, Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, isolated prides of lions, the elusive leopards, warthogs and Topis among others.
Day 17: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector
Early morning undertake a guided bush walk for a closer interaction with Mother Nature and later check-out for a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The mid-morning will find you in Ishasha sector where you will be on a game drive to search for the tree climbing lions as well as Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks and other wildlife species.
Your drive from Ishasha sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 3-4 hours and arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 18: Gorilla trekking in the lush jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Breakfast will be served early to allow you proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of your 21 days Uganda Safari. At 8am we start trekking through the dense rainforest, Bamboo covered and misty hillsides accompanied by an armed Ranger guide and trackers, in search of a habituated gorilla group. Please remember that the trek is sometimes long and tough requiring basic fitness but when you catch a glimpse of the giant silverback, females nursing young ones or infants exhibiting playful behavior, all the challenged encountered will be quickly forgotten.
When spotted, trekkers will be required to watch and take photograph while standing 7 meters away from the gorillas. Feel free to sit or stand quietly around them for a whole hour while gazing watching them go about their daily routine.
Day 19: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest freshwater Lake in Africa
Early in the morning after your breakfast transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Drive through the stunning terrain of the rolling hills with terraced landscape and in no time be at the shores of Lake Bunyonyi to unwind and have some reflection time. With its fresh water, bilharzias-free and beautiful landscapes, Lake Bunyonyi is a weekend getaway spot.
After Lunch and meeting with our local guide for the day, we head for a canoe ride as well as bird watching expedition on the spectacular Lake Bunyonyi to explore the different bird species that inhabit the Islands of this Lake.
Day 20: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will embark on the drive to Lake Mburo National Park. On arrival, you will head for the game drive that will reward you with wildlife views that include Cape buffaloes, impalas, Burchell’s zebras, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Rothschild giraffes, common elands, warthogs, and so many others.
Lunch on arrival and in the afternoon undertake a boat ride on Lake Mburo for an insight into the aquatic wildlife and bird species of the Park.
Day 21: Game Drive and drive back to Kampala
Enjoy breakfast before heading for the last game drive within the park to search for the early risers especially spotted hyenas and leopards as well as other animals missed out in the previous game drive.
Later have Lunch and drive back to Kampala with a brief stopover at the Equator for photographs; arrive Kampala in the evening. This marks the end of our 21 days Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Safari.
End of 21 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Safari.
