21 Days Uganda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, Community Tours, Beautiful Scenery, Mountain Hiking
21 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Overview
21Days Uganda Safari Trip is an all-inclusive 20nights/21 days Uganda tour taking you Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, wildlife viewing in top Uganda safari parks, culture community tours, beautiful scenery seeing and mountain hiking.
This 21 days safari Uganda tour is a lifetime Africa safari adventure that is suitable for travellers with long holidays & wants to explore as much as they can.
This Uganda Grand Safari Tour is a lifetime adventure that is suitable for travellers with long holidays and those that have retired from active service.
The 21 days Uganda safari tour is the best all-around Uganda trip that offers the best wildlife viewing, culture and heritage not forgetting the amazing sceneries of Uganda that made it dubbed the Pearl of Africa, from Kisoro to Karamoja and from Elgon to the Rwenzori Mountains.
21 days Uganda trip involves trekking gorillas, habituating chimpanzees, hiking the Rwenzoris in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Virunga Volcanoes, Morungole Mountains and Sipi fall, white water rafting adventure in Jinja, boat cruise on River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park, Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Bunyonyi is also incorporated to derive a recreational experience.
The cultural encounters amongst the southwestern tribes of Ankole with their long-horned cattle and the northeastern groups of the Karimojong still thriving in their authentic environment make this safari go beyond the classic wildlife.
21 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & transfer to the lodge
- Day 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP. Make an en route stop at Uganda Equator & afternoon boat cruise upon arrival
- Day 3: Do morning game walking safari & evening Banyankole Community tour
- Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and relax the lodge. Undertake an evening canoe paddle
- Day 5: Do a sun rise boat cruise and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Day 6: Do Volcano climbing / Golden monkey tracking or Batwa heritage trail and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 7: Do Gorilla trekking & relax at the lodge
- Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & do a game drive in Ishasha sector en route in search of tree climbing lions
- Day 9:Do morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos – the 45kmlong Kazinga Channel
- Day 10: Do Morning Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo forest walk in the afternoon and transfer to Kasese
- Day 11: Do a Whole day Mount Rwenzori Hiking. Explore the legendary mountains of the moon with snowcapped peaks & transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 12: Undertake whole day chimpanzee habituation experience
- Day 13: Transfer to Hoima & visit the Bunyoro Kitara Heritage Trail
- Day 14: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens en route
- Day 15: Do morning game drive & afternoon Nile Launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls
- Day 16: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Drive through northern Uganda encountering the remains of the Kony war
- Day 17: Do morning game drive and afternoon pastoralist Karimojong community tour
- Day 18: Hike to Morungole Mountains to the indigenous Karimojong
- Day 19: Transfer to Sipi Area. Do game drive in Pian Upe Game Reserve en route
- Day 20: Hike Sipi falls and transfers to Jinja
- Day 21: Do half day white water rafting, afternoon boat cruise to the source of the Nile and transfer to Kampala
21 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Uganda (Entebbe International Airport) & Transfer to The Lodge
Arrive in Uganda at her main entry point 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 Lake Mburo NP. Make an En-route Stop at Uganda Equator & Afternoon Boat Cruise Upon Arrival
After breakfast at your lodge, you embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 240km about 3 – 4 hours’ drive.
You will make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots and water experiments that justify the point of divide between the north and south spheres.
Continued on the drive arriving in the park in time for lunch after which you assemble at Lake Mburo jetty for a memorable evening boat cruise exploring this lake that is full with in the park boundaries.
The lake features an impressive papyrus swamp on one side and clear waters on one side where counts of Hippos thrive.
The views of the African fish eagle and another wild game drinking on the shores may not be missed. The Nile crocodiles also exist in the lake.
Retreat from the activity and return to the lodge or relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic).
Day 3: Do Morning Game Walking Safari & Evening Banyankole Community Tour
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, water bucks, warthogs, among other wildlife.
Retreat from the 3 – 4 hour activity and embark on the transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Enyemebwa centre to encounter the heritage of the local people including their traditional Ankole long-horned cattle, their impressive arts and crafts, traditional homestead and remarkable dances and performances. Retreat from the encounter and retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages Mburo (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic).
Day 4 : Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and Relax at The Lodge. Undertake an Evening Canoe Paddle
After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in the southwest of Uganda 199km about 4 hours drive passing through verdant country side landscapes of south western Uganda and the past the town of Mbarara which is the largest in the sub-region.
You will arrive in Bunyonyi in the early afternoon for relaxation. You can undertake a canoe paddle on the lake exploring the means of transportation used by the Islanders who have inhabited this place for centuries. Retire 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 5 : Do a Sunrise Boat Cruise and Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
After a relaxed breakfast, embark on a sunrise boat encounter to explore the beauty of Lake Bunyonyi.
This is a wooden engine boat that takes you to different corners of the lake allowing you to explore some of these Islands.
You can take a walk on some of these islands encountering the local people and their way of life.
Retreat from this 5 – 6 hour activity to have lunch at the lodge after which you will transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco – resort (Midrange / Standard) or Amajambere iwacu Community Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 6 : Do Volcano Climbing / Golden Monkey Tracking or Batwa Heritage Trail and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
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: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic).
Day 7: Do Gorilla Trekking & 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 8 : Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Do a Game Drive in Ishasha Sector En-route in Search of Tree Climbing Lions
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You have a game drive in 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 Queen Elizabeth (northern section) arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).
Day 9 : Do Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise Along The Paradise of Hippos – The 45km Long Kazinga Channel
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, water bucks, 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, di 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 : Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge, Maramagambo Forest Walk in The Afternoon and Transfer to Kasese
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kyambura gorge for a thrilling chimpanzee trekking encounter.
The 2 – 5 hour activity takes you through the steep forested gorge slopes which have a lush mature tropical forest that amazingly thrives below sea level.
The gorge is 100m deep and has a river flowing on its bed. It’s an impressive encounter of its own.
The one hour of direct encounter with chimps is very memorable as they gaze at you, make pant hooting calls, socialize, munch fruit and make all the playful tactics that lure you into a state of uncontrolled photo taking.
Retreat from the activity and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you will transfer to Maramagambo forest for an afternoon nature walk.
The nature walk in Maramagambo is very rewarding. This verdant forest cover is a habitat to counts of birds and other flora.
It also has crater hollows and the impressive bat cave where counts of bats thrive along with the python. Retire from the activity ad transfer to Kasese on the foothills of the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris 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 Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking. Explore The Legendary Mountains of The Moon With Snowcapped Peaks & Transfer to Kibale National Park
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 to Kibale National Park via Rwimi for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).
Day 12 : Undertake Whole Day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
Wake up as early as possible to catch up with the chimpanzee habituation encounter starting at 6 am in the morning.
You traverse the moist of Kibale Forest to catch up with the chimpanzees as they get out of their nests to head to the forest to forage, patrol, mate, socialize, make pant hooting calls, copulate, hunt until they retire to make new nests in the evening for overnight at 7 pm.
Unlike Chimpanzee trekking which involves one hour of direct encounter with these closest relatives of ours, chimpanzee habituation allows you to spend the whole day with these apes thus exploring them in detail. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).
Day 13: Transfer to Hoima & Visit The Bunyoro Kitara Heritage Trail
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Hoima passing through the impressive countryside landscape of Fort Portal and the town its self.
You will arrive in Hoima for lunch after which you drive to the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to encounter the heritage of the Banyoro.
You will explore the Royal tombs where the Kings of Bunyoro lay in rest including King Kabalega who is famously known to have resisted the British rule.
You can also do the Hoima town walk before you retreat for relaxation and overnight.
Accommodation: Kontiki Hotel
Day 14: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens En-route
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park passing through impressive scenic landscapes of the Albertine rift with the views of Lake Albert and the Blue Mountains of Congo.
You will make a stop at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs en route to explore the traditional means of salt extraction and how the local people especially women apply their indigenous knowledge to derive one of the fine salts you can ever have.
The hike to the gardens is very challenging making it an experience in its self. Continue on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park entering through Bugungu gate to check-in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).
Day 15 : 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 16: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Drive Through Northern Uganda Encountering The Remains of the Kony war
After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park which is the largest National Park in Uganda perched in a natural rolling dry savannah combretum overlooking the border of South Sudan and Kenya.
You will drive through areas of Gulu and Kitgum 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 Kidepo Valley National Park 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 17: Do Morning Game Drive And Afternoon Pastoralist Karimojong 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 18: Hike to Morungole Mountains To The Indigenous Karimojong
After breakfast, embark on the hike to the Morungole Mountains where the indigenous Karimojong are known to be thriving.
The indigenous Karimojong are noted to be the initial inhabitants of the area before they were pushed to the mountains by the coming of the pastoralist groups.
The hike to these mountains is very rewarding enabling you to gain impressive views of the Karamoja plains and south Sudan Mountains. Retire for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)
Day 19 : Transfer to Sipi Area. Do Game Drive in Pian Upe Game Reserve en route
After breakfast, embark on the drive to the Sipi Area in the east of Uganda.
You will drive through impressive landscapes of 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 Sipi Area for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Lacam Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Crown’s nest camp site (Budget / Basic).
Day 20 : Hike Sipi Falls and Transfer to Jinja
After breakfast, embark on the hike to 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 from the activity and embark on the transfer to Jinja 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 Jinja in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Jinja Nile Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), King Fisher Resort (Midrange / Standard) or Source of the Smile Guesthouse (Budget / Basic).
Day 21 : Do Half-day White Water Rafting, Afternoon Boat Cruise to The Source of The Nile and Transfer to Kampala
Connect to the Nile River in the morning to catch up with half-day white water rafting exploring the Nile cascades as the legendary Nile River flows past these impermeable rocks that have stood in their way for centuries past.
You get to your rafts and manoeuvre with the waters under the guidance of the experienced rafting team. You enjoy the amazing adventure amidst the cheers of the locals as they spectate on the river side.
You retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to the source of the Nile for an impressive Nile boat cruise to explore the source of this legendary river.
The boat exposes you to counts of birds perching on the overhanging trees and the river banks. Retire from the activity and embark on the transfer to Kampala to mark the end of your safari. You can catch your night flight if you have.
End of the 21 Days 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)
