13 Days Safari Uganda Tour – Overview
13Days Safari Uganda Tour is an amazing 12 nights/13 days wildlife safari in Uganda trip that offers you an opportunity to see the best African game in its wilderness.
This 13 days safari Uganda tour starts with a game viewing adventure in the virgin wilderness landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park where animals like Cheetah, Roan Antelope, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, lions, Burchell’s Zebra and Eland are still thriving harmoniously.
The other wild game in Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Parks including the aquatics of Nile crocodiles and Hippos derive remarkable memories.
On this 13 days Uganda safari you will undertake an adventure hike to the Rwenzori Mountains, enjoy cycling in the tea estates and the hot spring walk in Semliki National Park that will add spice to your Uganda safari experience.
13 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights.
Day 1: Transfer to Sipi Area. Visit Sipi falls
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Visit Pian Upe Game Reserve en route
Day 3: Do morning game drive and afternoon Karamojong community tour
Day 4: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP. Drive through the northern Uganda landscapes – the former war grounds of Kony LRA.
Day 5: Do morning game drive, afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls
Day 6: Transfer to Hoima and Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens en route
Day 7: Transfer to Fort Portal. Do Mpanga Tea estate cycling
Day 8: Do morning chimpanzee trekking and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
Day 9: Transfer to Semliki National Park, visit Sempaya hot springs and transfer to Kasese. Visit Rwenzori art foundation en route
Day 10: Do whole day Mount Rwenzori hiking
Day 11: Do morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP. Have traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Center en route and evening game drive on arrival
Day 13: Do a morning game walking safari and transfer to Kampala
13 Days Safari Uganda Tour – Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Sipi Area. Visit Sipi falls
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Sipi Falls driving through impressive landscapes of eastern Uganda marked by extensive rice fields and sugar cane plantations not forgetting the natural swamps that mark the flat stretches in the area.
Arrive in Sipi for lunch and after embark on the hike to the Sipi falls. The hike to this amazing feature is very impressive offering the views of the soothing waters and the landscapes beyond not forgetting farmlands of the Bagisu. Retreat for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Lacam Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Crown’s nest camp site (Budget / Basic).
Day 2: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Visit Pian Upe Game Reserve en route
After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast of Uganda.
You will drive through impressive landscapes overlooking the Karamoja Plains and make a game drive in the famous Pian Upe Game Reserve where counts of wildlife such as Jackals, Civets, Spotted hyenas, Servals, Leopards, Wildcats, Vervet monkeys, Patas monkeys, Olive baboons, vervet monkeys, Topi, Cape buffalo, Common eland, blue and common duiker Günther’s dik-dik, Klipspringer, Waterbuck, Ugandan Kob and Bohor and mountain reedbuck among others.
Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)
Day 3: Do Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Karamojong Community Tour
After breakfast, embark on the game drive encounter in the impressive dry savannah landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park.
The park is one of the beautiful parks that Africa has ever had and is dotted with counts of wild game including lions, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, cheetah among other wildlife.
You drive through the Narus Valley where animals tend to congregate as there are many water points there. The stretch to Kidepo Valley offers you chances of encountering Ostrich.
Retreat from the 3 – 4 activity and relax at the lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, you embark on the exploration of the Karimojng pastoralist communities with their impressive heritage that surrounds these authentic people.
They take you around their homesteads, cattle Kraals, their cultural Manyattas and can attend to their musical performances. Retreat in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)
Day 4 : Transfer to Murchison Falls NP. Drive Through The Northern Uganda Landscapes – The Former War Grounds of Kony LRA.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park which is the largest National Park in Uganda perched in a natural rolling savannah combretum crossed by the might Nile River leaving a permanent natural landmark – Murchison Falls which is the most powerful in the world and noted to be the greatest natural feature to ever happen on the Nile River.
You will drive through areas of Kitgum and Gulu which are noted to be former dwelling grounds of the Lord’s Resistance Army headed by Joseph Kony.
The area is now war free and you only encounter the remains of the war and some people that are still undergoing war trauma. Arrive in Murchison Falls National Park in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).
Day 5: Do Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise and Hike to The Top of The Falls
After an early morning cup of tea at the lodge, head to the park for a morning game drive which tends to last 3 – 4 hours exploring the park’s wilderness in detail.
The activity is conducted in the northern section of the park which is a common dwelling ground for counts of wildlife including lions, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, Kobs among others.
Retreat from the activity back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Paraa Jetty for an afternoon Nile launch cruise departing at 2 pm to the bottom of the falls.
The boat offers you opportunities of encountering Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and the vulnerable shoebill stork not forgetting other wild game drinking water on the river banks.
The stretch to the bottom of the falls and the eventual hike to the top of the falls exposes to the thunderous roar of the Nile River which is the longest in the world as it squeezes its self to pass through a less than 8m ravine forming a plume of spray marked by a trademark rainbow as it falls 43m below to what has been termed as the Devil’s Cauldron. Retire from the 3-hour activity for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).
Day 6: Transfer to Hoima and Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens En-route
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Hoima. You will drive through the impressive scenic landscapes of the Albertine rift before making a stop at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs en route on the shores of Lake Albert.
You explore the traditional means of salt extraction and how local people have made a fortune out of this natural feature.
The hike to the salt gardens is also an experience of its own. Retreat from the activity and continue to Hoima for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Kontiki Hotel
Day 7 : Transfer to Fort Portal. Do Mpanga Tea estate cycling
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Fort Portal Area about 5 hours’ drive passing through rural landscapes of Kagadi district before approaching Kyenjojo and eventually Fort Portal town.
You settle for lunch and then drive back to Mpanga tea estates for a thrilling bicycle cycling encounter. Cycling through the undulating tea landscapes with impressive scenery and chatting with the estate staff as the picking tea where you can also participate in the experience.
Retreat from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Luxury / Upmarket), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guest house (Budget / Basic).
Day 8: Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking And Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center at 8 am to catch up with the briefing session about the chimpanzee trekking experience.
After the briefing, you head to the forest of Kibale in search of common Chimpanzees.
Hiking through amazing forest landscapes marked with lush flora which is inhabited by a range of bird species, and wildlife including other 12 primate species such as Black and white colobus monkeys.
The chimp trek takes 2 – 5 hours and involves one full hour of direct encounter with chimps as they forage, play, make pant hooting calls and socialize.
Retreat from the activity and return to the starting point. You enjoy your packed lunch and then embark on the transfer to Bigodi Wetland for an afternoon walk.
The 2 hours guided walk exposes to a range of bird species as the wetland has 138 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco.
The wetland also has impressive swamp animals like Sitatunga Antelope. Retreat from the activity and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Luxury / Upmarket), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guest house (Budget / Basic).
Day 9: Transfer to Semliki National Park, Visit Sempaya Hot Springs and Transfer to Kasese. Visit Rwenzori Art Foundation Upon Arrival
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Semliki National Park driving through Fort Portal town and eventually continuing to Semliki.
Upon arrival, you undertake the Sempaya Nature Walk exploring the hot springs at Sempaya both male and female.
The walk does not exceed 4 hours and then you transfer back to Fort Portal. You settle for lunch after which you transfer to Kasese.
Upon approaching Kasese, you visit the Rwenzori Art foundation which is the only bronze casting centre in the whole of Africa aligned with impressive sculptures with the opportunity to participate in the casting process. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 10: Do Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking
After breakfast, embark on the whole day exploration of the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori Mountains towering to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks.
The day’s adventure is a thrilling encounter of the mountain foothills exploring its lush flora that have earned it a status as a world heritage site.
Mount Rwenzori stands as the tallest mountain range in Africa since Kilimanjaro and Kenya are free-standing. Retreat from the activity and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 11: Do Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After an early morning cup of coffee, embark on the game drive in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park extending to the Kasenyi tracks exploring the park’s unique landscape dotted with counts of wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, jackals among others.
The activity lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you transfer to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos.
The Kazinga Channel which stretches to 45km in length at one time had great concentrations of Hippopotamus in the region which prompted the management to carry out the great Hippo culling of the 1960s.
You enjoy the view of the Nile crocodiles not forgetting another wild game drinking on the channel shores.
Retreat from the 2-hour activity, do a game along the channel track as you head to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP. Have Traditional Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center En-route and Evening Game Drive on Arrival
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park driving through the impressive scenic views of Bunyaruguru Crater field and the lush green of Kalinzu forest reserve.
You will settle for a trilling traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town after which you will proceed for 33km further to Lake Mburo National Park for an evening game drive after which you will connect to the lodge.
Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic).
Day 13: Do Morning Game Walking Safari and Transfer to Kampala
After breakfast, embark on a thrilling game walking safari after the sunrise to explore the impressive savannah acacia landscapes with rolling hills marked with protruding Kopje rocks and ancient Precambrian rocks that have existed in the area for over 500 million years past.
The animals that can be encountered include; Impala antelope which only exist in Lake Mburo NP, Burchell’s Zebra, Rothschild Giraffes, Topis, waterbucks, warthogs, among other wildlife.
Retreat from the 3 – 4 hour activity and embark on the transfer back to Kampala 240km about 4 hours’ drive. You will make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photoshoots.
End of the 13 Days Safari Uganda Tour
Your Safari Route
Safari Inclusions
- Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
- Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
- Full Board Accommodation on Safari
- Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
- Fuel
- Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
- Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
- Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
- Bottled water while on safari
- Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)
Safari Exclusions
- General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
- Laundry Services
- Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
- International Flights (Arranged on request)
- Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
- Visas
- Optional Activity fees
- Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
- Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
- Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)
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