16 Days Uganda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, Community Tours, Beautiful Scenery, Mountain Hiking
16 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Overview
16Days Uganda Safari is an all-inclusive 15nights/16 days Uganda tour offering you Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing in top Uganda safari parks, culture community tours, beautiful scenery seeing and mountain hiking.
This 16 Days Uganda safari tour features mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, wild game viewing in Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park including the Big five and the tree-climbing lions, the cultural encounters in Fort Portal area and the foothills of the legendary Mount Rwenzori National Park, adventure Volcano climbing in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and magical recreation on Lake Bunyonyi.
16 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive in Uganda through Entebbe International Airport
- Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
- Day 3: Do morning game drive, afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls
- Day 4: Transfer to Kibale. Whole day drive
- Day 5: Do morning chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon
- Day 6: Transfer to Semliki National Park and do the Sempaya nature walk to explore the hot springs. Visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves and Fort portal Crater Lake hike and optional Batooro naming ceremony in the evening
- Day 7: Transfer to Kasese on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori. Visit the Bunyangabu bee keepers, Ruboni community craft village and Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa
- Day 8: Do whole day Mount Rwenzori hiking exploring the legendary mountains of the moon
- Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon Kazinga Channel launch cruise
- Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions
- Day 11: Do mountain gorilla trekking and relax at the lodge
- Day 12: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park. Trek from Bwindi south to Kisoro via Lake Mutanda. Do a canoe paddle on Lake Mutanda
- Day 13: Do Volcano Climbing / Batwa heritage trail / Golden Monkey tracking and relax at the lodge
- Day 14: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and spend the whole day relaxing at the lake not forgetting a recreational boat cruise
- Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and do an evening game drive
- Day 16: Do a morning game walking safari and transfer back to Kampala
16 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda through Entebbe International Airport.
Arrive in Uganda at her main entry point at Entebbe International Airport where you will be picked by our company representative to transfer you to the lodge. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket / Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget / Basic).
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route.
After breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park in the north of Uganda at 311km about 5 hours’ drive.
You drive through the amazing flat landscapes of Nakasongora before branching off at Nakitoma for 7 km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is home to White Rhinos and thus offers impressive Rhino tracking. After this activity, continue on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).
Day 3: 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 4: Transfer to Kibale. Whole day drive.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park 441km about 9 hours’ drive passing through verdant countryside landscapes with rural homesteads and plantations.
You will arrive in Kibale in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guest house (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).
Day 5: Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon.
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 6: Transfer to Semliki National Park and Do The Sempaya Nature Walk to Explore The Hot Springs. Visit the Amabere Ga’ Nnyinamwiru Caves and Fort portal Crater Lake Hike and optional Batooro Naming Ceremony in The Evening.
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. As you transfer to Fort Portal, you will branch off near Nyakasura School following a downward slopping murram road to visit the Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves which are impressive breast like features to which the locals attach great tradition to.
You will also hike the Fort Portal Crater lake field and summit the famous Kyeganywa hill that has impressive views of the crater lakes and hollows below and the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.
Retreat from the activity and transfer to Fort Portal in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight. You can have an optional Batooro pet naming ceremony and have an opportunity to encounter the experience of pet name-giving.
Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mountains of the moon Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).
Day 7: Transfer to Kasese on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori. Visit The Bunyangabu Beekeepers, Ruboni Community Craft Village and Rwenzori Art Foundation – The Only Bronze Casting Centre in Africa.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kasese on the foothills of the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori range.
You will drive through impressive landscapes with impressive scenic views of the area before making a stop at Bunyangabu beekeepers to have an encounter with the local people demonstrating the bee king business and the products that get from it.
You will continue to visit the Ruboni Community craft village where a group of village women have dedicated themselves to demonstrate considerable dexterity and skill in the craft-making industry.
You will also visit the Rwenzori Art foundation which is apparently the only bronze casting centre in the whole of Africa.
There is a range of sculptures at the site and you can buy a souvenir. It also presents a participatory experience where you can engage yourself 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 8: Do a Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking Exploring The Legendary Mountains of The Moon.
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 retire relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch 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 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do Game Drive in Ishasha in Search of Tree Climbing Lions.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest of Uganda.
You have a game drive in the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions along with other wild game.
The tree climbing lions tend to lie on fig tree branches in the mid-morning sun. After this encounter, continue on the drive to Bwindi arriving 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 11: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking And Relax at The Lodge.
Wake up for a stimulating breakfast before gathering at the respective park headquarters at 8 am for a briefing about gorilla trekking and allocation of the respective gorilla family to track.
You head to the Bwindi forest with its remarkable mist in search of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
The trekking encounter takes you through impressive hikes exploring the rewarding forest landscapes that are marked with rugged terrain which is at times challenging to explore.
The duration of the activity is between 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one (1) hour direct encounter with these species as they forage, socialize and make their playful tactics with the frightening eyes of the Silverback.
You are free to take as many photos as you wish before you retreat from the activity to return to the starting point. After this encounter, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 12: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park. Trek From Bwindi South to Kisoro via Lake Mutanda. Do a Canoe Paddle on Lake Mutanda.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You will undertake a walk from the south of Bwindi traversing the rural landscapes of Kisoro with impressive scenic views of the Area and the Virunga Volcanoes before arriving on Lake Mutanda.
You embark on a canoe paddle exploring the lake’s Islands while aiming at crossing it. You proceed to Kisoro where you connect with the vehicle to drive to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Community Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 13: Do Volcano Climbing / Batwa Heritage Trail / Golden Monkey Tracking and Relax at The Lodge.
After breakfast, you embark on any of these activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
You can opt to undertake the golden monkey tracking where you have an opportunity to encounter the other critically endangered apes known to be living only in the Virunga massif on a world scale.
Alternatively, you can undertake Volcano climbing where you can opt to submit any of the three volcanoes namely; Gahinga, Muhabura or Sabyinyo.
Any of the three can be summited in one day. The last option would be undertaking the famous Batwa heritage trail which takes you to explore the ancient heritage of the Batwa that used to inhabit the forest. You retreat from any activity of your choice and relax at the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange / Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Community Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 14: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and Spend The Whole Day Relaxing At The Lake Not Forgetting a Recreational Boat Cruise.
After breakfast, connect to Lake Bunyonyi passing through the impressive highlands of Kigezi with the road meandering to form the way through.
It forms the most road scenic section in the whole of Uganda. Arrive on Lake Bunyonyi and embark on a recreational boat cruise that offers you a romantic touch of some of the 29 Islands of Lake Bunyonyi.
You can opt to take a walk on some of these islands and explore the life of the Islanders before returning to the lodge for relaxation. You will rest for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange / Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget / Basic).
Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Do an Evening Game Drive.
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 199km about 4 – 5 hours’ drive passing through impressive countryside landscapes of south western Uganda before approaching Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town for traditional lunch.
You will proceed for 33km to Lake Mburo National Park for an evening game drive activity exploring the park’s savannah landscapes with impressive fauna. Retie for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic).
Day 16: Do a Morning Game Walking Safari and Transfer Back 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 16 Days Uganda Uganda Safari Tour
Your Safari Route
Tourists Attractions in Uganda
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)
