20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
20 Days Epic Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari: This 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari includes all of Uganda’s distinctive attractions, with much to see and see in the gem of Africa, whether it’s wildlife watching, birding, a city tour, culture, or primate trekking. In the east, you’ll see the source of the Nile (the world’s longest river), the magnificent Sipi Falls, and the ancient Nyero rock drawings. The northern region is home to the Karamojong culture and the Kidepo Valley National Park, Africa’s real wildness.
The southern and western regions welcome you to Murchison Falls National Park (home to the world’s most powerful waterfall), Queen Elizabeth National Park; the medley of wonders, Semuliki National Park with its breathtaking hot springs, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorillas, Mgahinga National Park for golden monkey trekking, and Lake Bunyonyi, which is surrounded by 29 islands. Visit Lake Mburo National Park for a game drive and boat ride. From beginning to conclusion, the tour is well-planned.
Highlights for 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari.
Day 1: Arrival and hotel drop off
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – source of the Nile tour – evening sunset boat cruise
Day 3: Transfer to Sipi falls
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo national park
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, Game Drive
Day 6: Morning game drive and Hot springs visit in Kidepo Valley
Day 7: Drive to Murchison Falls national park (Full day drive)
Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 9: Top of the falls visit and rhino tracking in Ziwa rhino sanctuary
Day 10: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
Day 12: Hot Springs visit – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Day 13: Lion tracking/Game drive and Launch cruise
Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 15: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park
Day 16: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 19: Walking safari and Boat ride on Lake Mburo
Day 20: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe/Departure
Detailed Itinerary 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari.
Day 1: Arrival and hotel drop off
Following your arrival at Entebbe airport, our business representative and guide will greet you and transport you to Kampala, where you will spend the night. Dinner and an overnight stay at the Fairway Hotel and Spa for a mid-range option, the Sheraton for a luxury option, or the Forest Cottages for a low-cost option.
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – source of the Nile tour – evening sunset boat cruise
After breakfast, you will be greeted by your Uganda safari guide at 8 a.m. to transfer to Jinja, the location of the Nile’s origins. Drive through the Lugazi sugar farms and the Mabira forest (Uganda’s biggest rainforest), with photo stops along the way. When you get in Jinja, go to Itanda Falls and other wonderful sights. Then travel to Jinja for lunch before visiting the town. Later in the afternoon, explore the Nile’s source and have an evening sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria.
Return to your reserved hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Nile Front Cottages for budget option/Gately on the Nile Hotel for mid-range option/Jinja Nile Resort for luxury.
Day 3: Transfer to Sipi falls
On the 3rd day of your 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari, after breakfast at your Jinja hotel, leave as soon as possible to go to Sipi Falls in time for the climb. It’s a 4-5 hour journey with a lunch break along the way. Sipi Falls is located in the slopes of Mount Elgon, close the Kenyan border in the Kapchorwa area, and comprises of three waterfalls, the largest of which drops 100 meters. Depending on your skill, you can walk two of the waterfalls or all three. After hiking, meet your guide and transfer to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay Sipi River lodge for Luxury/Sipi Valley Hotel for mid-range/Lacam lodge for budget option
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo national park
Have breakfast at 6 a.m. and check out of the resort to begin the 8-9 hour trip to Kidepo Valley National Park. It’s a full-day trip with stops for lunch and stretching along the way, as well as sights of Uganda’s eastern and far north-eastern regions and its wonderful people. Arrive in the park late afternoon and proceed to check-in your booked accommodation to refresh, wait for dinner and stay overnight at Apoka Safari lodge/Adere Safari lodge for luxury option/Kidepo Savannah lodge for mid-range option/Apoka Rest Camp for budget option
Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, Game Drive
After waking up to a hot cup of coffee/tea, travel 3 hours to Kidepo National Park, where you will go on a game drive in Kidepo valley in hopes of sighting herds of buffalo, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and cheetahs. You will enjoy a slow drive and will be able to capture picture moments while on your gaming drive and you will be able to stop whenever you want. Return to the lodge and spend the evening at leisure admiring the wilderness. Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah lodge for mid-range/budget/Apoka lodge for luxury.
Day 6: Morning game drive and Hot springs visit in Kidepo Valley
Prepare for another spectacular game drive over the huge savannah of Kidepo Valley, punctuated by clumps of Borassus palm and the rising picturesque hills. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the early light beaming over the hills of Lomej, the Lotukei Mountains to the north near the Sudan border, and the Morungole range to the south, before the rays strike down to the infinite valleys of Kidepo and Narus valley.
Return to the lodge for lunch and some downtime before driving to Kidepo Valley near the South Sudan border to explore the hot springs. Ostriches may be seen in the area, however their numbers are severely threatened by poaching by South Sudanese. Dinner and overnight at lodge as above.
Day 7: Drive to Murchison Falls national park (Full day drive)
Very early after breakfast, depart Kidepo via Gulu district for lunch then proceed with your transfer to Murchison falls national park, Uganda’s leading wildlife savannah national park. This is a full-day drive entering the park through one of the gates. Drive to connect to your lodge for a night rest at Pakuba safari lodge for mid-range/Heritage Safari lodge for budget/Paraa Safari Lodge for luxury
Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise
Connect to the top of the falls after breakfast for a magnificent view of the falls. You will cross the boat at 9 a.m. and link to the falls. Explore the top of the falls, where you’ll get magnificent views of the majestic Murchison Falls from several vantage points. You will meet your driver and return for lunch after spending some time at the top of the falls.
After lunch, you’ll board a boat for an afternoon ride down the Nile, with an exhilarating panoramic view at the base of the majestic Murchison Falls. Along the way, you’ll see crocodiles, hippos, and river birds including kingfishers, cormorants, and bee-eaters. Return to the lodge after an evening wildlife drive. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above
Day 9: Top of the falls visit and rhino tracking in Ziwa rhino sanctuary
On the 9th day of your 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari, Check out of the lodge after breakfast and connect with your safari guide to the top of the falls for a fantastic experience of the falls. Explore the top of the falls, where you’ll get magnificent views of the majestic Murchison Falls from several vantage points. After enjoying your time at the top of the falls, you will meet your driver and return to Masindi for lunch. Connect for a 2-3 hour rhino tracking tour on foot in the afternoon. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Ziwa Rhino lodge for budget/Amuka Safari lodge for mid-range/Luxury
Day 10: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Depart the lodge after breakfast in the morning. Continue your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. This park is home to over 13 different primate species. These include the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey, among others. Lunch will be served at Kagadi. Continue your trek to the Kibale forest. Dinner and overnight stay at Isunga lodge for budget/Chimpanzee forest guest house for mid-range/Kyaninga lodge for luxury
Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
After breakfast, you’ll go monkey tracking in the Kibale Forest. Expect to spot chimps, monkeys, and other creatures such as forest elephants, bush pigs and duiker, warthogs, reptiles and amphibians, and a beautiful assortment of butterflies throughout your quest. Lunch will be served at the Lodge.
After lunch, take a nature walk in the Bigodi wetland region to spot the majority of the water-loving bird species. The forest/park includes about 335 bird species and is thus a good site for birders. Return to the Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, as previous night.
Day 12: Hot Springs visit – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After breakfast at your accommodation, drive through the eastern Albertine region to Semuliki National Park. Semuliki National Park, located in the basin of the western rift valley, is one of the parks with a diverse range of ecosystems, including rain forests, riparian forests, and short and tall grass. Savannah, enter the park and see the hot springs before driving to your Semliki reserve lodge.
Return to Fort Portal town for lunch before continuing on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is home to tree-climbing lions. It takes 3-4 hours to get there from Fort Portal town.
Upon arrival at the park, proceed to check-in at your reserved lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range/Pumba Safari lodge for budget/Kyambura Gorge lodge for luxury
Day 13: Lion tracking/Game drive and Launch cruise
After breakfast, you will depart for the lion tracking adventure and wildlife drive in the Kasenyi region in search of early risers. The park’s eco-system is diversified, including grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, woods, wetlands, and lakes. These are home to a variety of species, and a game drive in Queen Elizabeth will reward you with sightings of lions, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda Kob, and other antelopes.
Return to your lodge for lunch before embarking on a three-hour launch cruise via the Kazinga Channel and onto Lake Edward. This cruise will take you to an area with the largest number of hippos, as well as many animals drinking at the water’s edge. The voyage also provides an excellent opportunity for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Day 14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will go on a wildlife drive in the Ishasha region, where you might expect to witness rare tree-climbing lions. The lions may be seen perched atop the fig trees. However, there is no certainty that the lions will be spotted. It sometimes relies on your luck and the time you arrive at the location. After lunch in the Ishasha sector, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to prepare for your following day’s gorilla trek. Dinner and overnight stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range/Rushaga Gorilla Camp for budget/
Day 15: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park
On the 15th day of your 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari, Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a once lifetime experience and unforgettable adventure. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered mountain gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1hour.
The activity can take 2 -7 hours since the gorillas move up and down. This is an awesome and exciting moment. En-route, there are other types of the primates such as monkeys, birds, and more. Return for dinner and overnight stay as above.
Day 16: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Mgahinga National Park for a briefing on Golden monkeys, along with your packed food and water. Later, go into the jungle to look for the monkeys. When you discover them, spend an hour looking at them and taking photographs and videos.
Later visit the Batwa Pygmies and Participate in the cultural performances and so on. Return for dinner and overnight at Mulehe lodge for mid-range/Travellers’ Rest hotel for budget/Gahinga lodge for luxury
Day 17: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi which is one of the deepest lakes is Africa. The Lake has almost 32 Islands. The Lake is a good stopover for relaxation for people from trekking Mountain Gorillas. Upon arrival, you will go on a boat ride. This will enable you to visit most of the islands on the Lake.
Each Island is named according to the bird species found on the Island and some were named because of their purposes for example the Punishment Island which is the smallest and was used by the Bakiga people to drop their girls who got pregnant before marriage. After the boat ride, return back to the Lodge for relaxation while you watch the beautiful sunset. Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Resort/Bunyonyi Birdnest Lodge – Luxury/Bunyonyi Arcadia lodge for mid-range
Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Start your day with an early morning breakfast and after you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. You will reach Mbarara town in time for lunch after which you will enter the Park with a game drive en-route which will give you clear views of animals such as Zebras, Buffaloes, and elands. Upon reaching the park headquarters, Register and later go for the evening nature walk along the Kigambara loop. This loop offers interesting guided walks alongside the Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at Mihingo Lodge for luxury/Arcadia Lodge Lake Mburo for mid-range/Eagles Nest lodge for budget
Day 19: Walking safari and Boat ride on Lake Mburo
On the 19th day of your 20 Days Epic Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari, meet your ranger guides early in the morning, after breakfast, for your walking safari. This trip is similar to a game drive, except that you will wander on foot to discover the animals. Return to the lodge for refreshments and lunch, and then take a boat trip on Lake Mburo, where you will get up close and personal with crocodiles and hippos. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Day 20: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe/Departure
Breakfast will be served early in the morning, followed by an en-route game drive for the early risers and other animals missed on the previous game drive before embarking on a journey back to Kampala with en-route lunch and stops at the Equator for water experiments and photographs, and the Royal Drum Village at Mpambire for souvenirs. Continue to Kampala, where you will be dropped off at Entebbe Airport for your departure back home.
