16 DAYS UGANDA ADVENTURE SAFARI TOUR, BEST OF UGANDA SAFARI ADVENTURE, HIKING, WILDLIFE, GORILLAS &CHIMPANZEES
SAFARI OVERVIEW
This 16 days Uganda adventure safari Tour will take you on an adventure, Wildlife, Hiking, Gorillas and Chimpanzees taking you to the Eastern and Western Parts of Uganda. Enjoy Hiking to the three waterfalls while in Sipi, Climbing Mount Elgon an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya for 4 Nights, a visit to Lake Mburo which is one of Uganda’s smallest National Park and yet nearest to Kampala and Entebbe where you will enjoy game drives and nature walks. Take an excursion to the source of the Nile in Jinja, Gorilla tracking, Cultural encounters with the Batwa, Canoe rides on Lake Bunyonyi island, encounter the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha Sector, Game drive and Launch trips on Kazinga Channel, Chimpanzee trekking in one of Uganda’s Primate Capital Kibale Forest, Bigodi swamp Walk, Fort portal crater lakes visit, Amabere ganyinamwiru Caves. This adventure is a great way to explore Uganda and visit destinations like Sipi Falls, Mt. Elgon National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Lake Bunyonyi Island, Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park. This 16 days Uganda adventure safari is the best-combined safari experience of a lifetime taking you through Uganda’s Tourist destinations for the Best Adventure.
16 Days Uganda Adventure Safari Tour
DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival and drive to the Hotel in Kampala / Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be picked up by a Safari guide from MuAfrika Adventures who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Based on the time of arrival, enjoy a short tour of Kampala city to know its main places of interest like Religious sites, Cultural Sites, local and Craft Markets, Museum, Martyrs Shrine, and later drive you to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel, Latitude 0 degrees, Hotel No.5 Boutique Hotel.
Midrange Accommodation: Cassia Lodge, Lebougainviller Hotel, Kampala Forest Resort, Lake Victoria View Guest House, Humura Resort, Le Petit Village Hotel.
Budget Accommodation: ICU Guest House / Bush pig / Redchili Hideaway
Meal Plan: BB
Driving Distance from Entebbe – Kampala: 45Km / 1 Hour and 30minutes drive
Day 2: Drive from Kampala to Sipi falls
An early pick up by our Safari guide from your hotel at 7:00 am, we embark on an exciting journey heading East to Sipi Falls passing through Jinja and Mbale towns. Sipi falls is a series of three waterfalls located far North East of Sironko and Mbale in Kapchorwa district. These waterfalls lie on the edge of Mountain Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border. Mount Elgon covers the biggest surface area of all the extinct volcanoes in the whole world. Mt Elgon National Park is gifted with the most magnificent waterfalls, eye-catching caves, cliffs and gorges in the entire country. You will enjoy your Lunch at the Hotel or in Mbale Town. Later you will proceed to Sipi Falls for a guided tour with a briefing on a variety of activities to choose from; hike to the Sipi waterfalls or take a guided walk around the Sipi village and learn about the culture of the people. The people in this area are the Bagisu who speak a dialect of the Lumasaba language called Lugisu, which is fully understandable by other dialects and is also understood by the Bukusu. The Bagisu or Bamasaba undergo a circumcision ritual called the Imbalu. The ritual is held every two years during August.
Luxury Accommodation: Mbale Resort Hotel, Sipi River lodge, Casa Lodge
Midrange Accommodation: Rafiki Lodge, Lacam Lodge, Sipi Falls Resort
Budget Accommodation: Sipi travellers Lodge, Crown’s Nest Camp
Meal Plan: FB
Driving Distance Kla –Sipi Falls: 280Km / 5 Hours
Day 3: Transfer from Budadiri to Sasa Camp;
After breakfast, we drive you to the trailhead at Budadiri Park headquarters for a briefing about the Hike and what to expect. Along with your Porters, cooks, and Park Rangers start your trek at 1,250m above sea level. This is the easiest trail through the Sasa Trail as you hike to one of the largest Caldera to Wagagai Peak. The first stretch on the trailhead snakes up through the hillside communities above Budadiri. Ascending further up the trail and enter the National Park and straight away climb the scary ‘Wall of Death’! that is named so because one had to use Ropes to climb up as it is a steep section. However, Uganda Wildlife Authority has constructed a series of ladders, ramps and boardwalks that take you through the Rain forest and Bamboo zone before retiring a strenuous first day to sasa Camp (2900m)
Meal Plan: FB
Budadiri to Sasa Camp: 5-7 Hours Hike
Day 4: Sasa Camp to Mude Camp (3500m)
After breakfast at the Campsite, proceed through the Forest to the Summit base Camp at Mude Cave. This is an elevation of 600m and usually, it is best to rest here for a night as you wait for the best views of the summit in the morning. Dinner and Overnight at the Mude Camp
Meal Plan: FB
Sasa to Mude Camp: 4 / 5Hours Hike
Day 5: Wagagai Peak (4321m)
In the morning after breakfast, we will leave Mude camp and trek through the Moorland zone and head straight for the summit at Wagagai and later head back to the Mude camp. (3500m – 4321m – 3500m). The walk downhill back to Mude caves camp is fairly short and relaxing allowing the opportunity to soak up the peaceful atmosphere and explore lake pools dotted around the hill. The Wagagai peak is the unobvious high point of the Caldera, the edge of the crater rim and requires walking a few km around the rim with spectacular views out towards Kenya and across the expansive, echoed plains of the Caldera. Dinner and Overnight at Mude Camp
Meal Plan: FB
Day 6: Drive to Jinja – Afternoon Boat ride on the source of the Nile.
After breakfast, we descend back to the Park head at Budadiri and begin our Journey to Jinja. Enjoy your lunch in Jinja town. In the afternoon take a Boat Ride to the Source of the River Nile at the now submerged Rippon Falls where the Nile starts its 4000-mile journey to the Mediterranean Sea traversing various countries along the way. Listen to your local site guide tell you stories of the ‘source of the Nile’ as believed by the locals. Jinja is also known as ‘the adventure capital of East Africa because of the many adventure activities carried out on the Nile and along the Nile which include water rafting, kayaking, jet boating, bungee jumping, Tubing, quad biking and horse riding along the Nile. Later drive to the lodge for overnight
Luxury Accommodation: Surgio’s Guest House, Signature Hotel, 2 Friends Guest House, Jinja Nile Resort, Paradise on the Nile
Midrange Accommodation: The Mansion, Source of the Smile, The Haven, Kingfisher Safari Resort
Budget Accommodation: Pearl on the Nile, Pacific Cottages & Guest House, Brisk Hotel Triangle, Bilkon Hotel
Meal Plan: FB
Driving Distance from Sipi – Jinja: 195 KM / 3Hours 30Minutes
Day 7: Drive from Jinja to Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast, we drive from Jinja heading west to Lake Mburo National park via the Kampala- Masaka- Mbarara highway including an enroute stopover at the equator for some brief informational explanation about the equator, photos when posing at the equator, take a cup of coffee and snacks. Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park with a game drive that will expose you to different Wildlife Species habited within this Park including Elephants, Antelopes, Topi, Oribi, Buffaloes, Lions, Zebras, Warthogs, Bush pigs, reedbucks and more. Later arrive in the park on time for your lunch or enjoy your lunch enroute. After your Lunch Enjoy a short Game drive as you head to your lodge for Dinner and Overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Kimbla Mantana Tented Camp
Midrange Accommodation: Rwakobo rock Resort , Arcadia Cottages, Mburo Safari Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Eagles’ Nest, Leopard Rest Camp, Rwonyo Rest Camp
Meal Plan: FB
Driving Distance from Jinja – Lake Mburo: 315 KM / 6Hours 50Minutes
Day 8: Game drive –Nature Walk to the salt lick Area – Afternoon Boat Ride
Take a morning game drive and encounter different Wildlife Species Particularly zebras, buffalo, elands and impalas and many more along with a great variety of birds. After this 3-4 Hour Game experience, You will be accompanied by a ranger guide to enjoy a guided walk to the wooden observation platforms of the salt lick area, where wildlife gathers to lick the salty Rocks. Later enjoy lunch at the lakeside restaurant, In the afternoon take a boat ride along Lake Mburo exposing you to different aquatic species. Later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Meal Plan: FB.
Day 9: Drive from Lake Mburo National Park to Lake Bunyonyi Island
Take breakfast and proceed through Kabale town to Lake Bunyonyi Island. Lake Bunyonyi Island is found in the South-Western part of Uganda lying between Kisoro and Kabale and is close to the Rwandan border. It is Uganda’s deepest lake with a varying depth between 44m and 900m, a width of 7km and 25km long. This Lake, Bunyonyi is also said to be the second deepest lake in Africa lying on an altitude of about 1962meters above sea level. Accommodation and overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Bird’s nest Bunyonyi Resort / Arcadia Cottages
Midrange Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort / Bunyonyi Eco Resort / Bunyonyi Rock Resort / Bushara Island Camp
Budget Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland camp / Edirisa Hostel / Byona Amagara Island Retreat / Kansiime Backpackers.
Meal Plan: FB
Driving Distance from Lake Mburo – Lake Bunyonyi Island: 230Km / 4 Hours
Day 10: Tour of Lake Bunyonyi Island, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast go for an exciting boat ride / Canoe ride along the waters of Lake Bunyonyi visiting its major islands getting to know the story behind each one of them, you can also have a hike to the viewpoint of the hills exposing you to different exciting views. Or visit the Abaheesi and Batwa communities, interact with them; it is surely a good time spent here to experience the cultures of the Bakiga and Batwa. Later in the afternoon after Lunch transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Arrive in the Park for your dinner and overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Silverback Lodge / Gorilla Resort
Midrange Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Camp / Ruhija Gorilla Lodge / Nkuringo Gorilla Camp / Gorilla Mist Camp.
Budget Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Broadbill Forest Camp / Bwindi View Bandas / Buhoma Haven.
Note: Accommodation Area is determined by the Gorilla Group you will be allocated to.
Meal Plan: FB
Driving Distance Lake Bunyonyi Island – Bwindi Forest: 75KM / 2 Hours
Day 11: Gorilla Tracking – Community Walk
In the morning you will have breakfast and with packed lunch, transfer to the briefing point at 7 am before you start your gorilla trek at 8:00 am. On arrival at the briefing place, you will be briefed as your driver-guide registers you with the ranger on duty to be allocated a gorilla family. You will eventually meet your ranger guide and start your gorilla trek in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We advise you to hire a porter to carry your day pack because sometimes the gorillas could be located a distance far from the start of your trek, they can also help push or pull you along the steep slippery paths in the forest. Setting off along the tracks to penetrate the impenetrable forest in search of these great apes. Depending on the movement of these humble giants the walk might take between 2-9 hours before you encounter the Gorillas. The walk is tiresome. However, meeting these great apes and spending some time with them while looking deep into their expressive brown eyes, is an exhilarating and breathtaking experience. Later depending on the time of completion of the Gorilla trek, enjoy your Lunch and in the Evening take a Community Tour to visit the Batwa communities which will expose you to their culture based on how they live, dance, and also hear stories concerning their culture. Return to the Lodge / Camp for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: FB
Day 12: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lunch will be enroute and Proceed through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National park to sight the famous tree-climbing lions. Arrive at your lodge in the evening for Dinner and overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge / Hippo Safari Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp / Ishasha Wilderness Camp / Mazike Valley Lodge.
Midrange Accommodation:Marafiki Lodge / Kingfisher Lodge / Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge / Queen’s Bush Lodge.
Budget Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp / Mweya Hostels / Kazinga Channel view resort
Meal Plan: FB.
Driving Distance from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park: 160KM / 4Hours
Day 13: Game drive – Boat ride on Kazinga Channel
Wake up before sunrise to a cup of tea or a glass of water and then set off to the park tracks for a game drive to be able to see predators as they return to their hideouts and the early risers. During the drive watch out for game like the Leopards, Lions, giant forest hogs, hyenas, Uganda Kobs, warthogs and others. After the game drive you will drive back to the lodge for heavy breakfast later have lunch and in the Afternoon take a unique 2 Hour Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The launch Cruise takes you along the Kazinga channel that connects Lakes George and Edward will reward you with the highest game Concentration of Hippos, elephants and buffaloes at the shores not forgetting plenty of birds. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for Photography, Bird watching and Game viewing. Dinner and overnight as above
Meal Plan: FB
Day 14: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park / Fort portal Tourism City
After breakfast, begin your journey to Fort portal town as you get a chance to enjoy an impressive sight of the magnificent mountains of the Moon clearly enroute. Fort Portal is a beautiful city with a number of tourist attractions. It was the base for early British colonialists in Uganda including Gerald Portal the then British Consul in Zanzibar. Fort Gerry was built in this place to protect this region from external invaders at the time. The town was later renamed “Fort Portal”.
After your lunch, begin your city tour of Fort Portal by driving through the town; visit the King’s palace, Karambi tombs, the Tooro Botanical Gardens, and drive to the historical Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru and get to hike up to a viewpoint to get the best views of the different crater lakes as well as the beautiful views of the Magical Rwenzori Mountains from afar. Later in the evening drive to Kibale national park to your accommodation for dinner and overnight at
Meal Plan: FB
Luxury Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge / Crater Safari Lodge / Ndali Lodge / Mountains of the Moon
Midrange Accommodation: Turaco treetops / Isunga Lodge / The Dutchess / Kibale Safari Lodge / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse / Fort Motel
Budget Accommodation: Rweteera Safari Park / Hotel Cornerstone / Rwenzori travellers inn / Reinah Tourist Hotel
Driving Distance from Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kibale National Park: 110Km / 2Hours and 30Minutes
Day 15: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park – Bigodi Swamp & Village Walk
Your driver-guide will transfer you to the briefing point after breakfast, He will hand in your details and permits for registration and allocation of chimpanzee community to trek. You will be joined by a ranger guide who will lead you on the trek in search of these great apes. Watch the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor, feed, play and rest.
Enjoy your Lunch and later in the afternoon, explore the Bigodi village. You have an opportunity to visit a swamp with abundant butterflies, plants, animals and spectacular birds like the Great Blue Turaco and this will be of great interest to birders. After this experience, you will take a village walk that will lead you to a community for a Coffee experience, banana beer making, basket making and a traditional healer. Later return to the Lodge for dinner and Overnight as above.
Meal plan: FB
Day 16: Drive back to Kampala and transfer to the Airport for a flight back Home.
Driving Distance from Kibale National Park to Entebbe Airport: 350Km / 6 Hours
The above 16 Days Uganda adventure Safari Tour is inclusive of
- Ground transportation and Fuel in a 4×4 Wheel drive.
- Full time experienced English speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance fees.
- Sipi falls Tour
- Source of Nile River visit
- Mountain Elgon hiking fees
- Ranger guides, porters, cooking fees on Mt. Elgon
- Full board accommodations at mentioned hotels / Lodges / camp.
- Enroute lunches.
- Community Visits
- Game drives
- Boat rides
- Gorilla tracking permit at $700 per person
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
The 16 Days Uganda adventure Safari Tour excludes:
- Expenses of personal nature like; laundry, beers, tips, telephone and more.
- Personal insurance,
- Flight tickets,
- Visas
Time & Dates of Travel:
This is a private tour, departure can be organised for any time throughout the year subject to availability of accommodation and transport.
Accommodation Booking: The Accommodations Mentioned in the Program depend on availability and Reservations are only made after your booking Confirmation. In case the mentioned accommodations are not available during the requested period, we will always do our best to book one for you in the same Class. This is done only after consulting you. While on a Safari always be sure to have all your belongings before checking out of the Accommodations to avoid losing things that may be important to you.
Transport: Our Safaris involve a lot of travelling on main Tarmac and Dirt Roads thus transport is provided in closed 4X4 Wheel drive Toyota Land Cruisers for all luxury Tours and the standard 4×4 Wheel drive Safari minivans for all Midrange Safaris. All Vehicles are provided with pop-top roofs for easy and excellent safari viewing. All passengers will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional English speaking and courteous driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.
For fly-in Tours/safaris / Private Charter flights: a combination of light aircraft and small plane Charters can fly you to all National Parks in Uganda Such as;
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Kisoro and Kihihi Airstrip) for your Gorilla Trekking Safari.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Mweya and Kasese Airstrip) to view the Park’s Big Five Game Safari.
- Murchison Falls National Park (Pakuba and Chobe Airstrip ) to view the Park’s Big Five Game Safari and the Murchison Falls.
- Lake Mburo National Park ( Mbarara Airstrip)
- Kibale Forest National Park ( Kasese Airstrip)
- Kidepo National Park. These Flights decrease the miles on the ground needed to reach remote destinations. This is also Combined with the use of closed 4×4 Wheel Drive Vehicles with pop-top roofs that pick you up from the Airfields since they are located far away from the National Parks and Lodges that are usually in remote areas and this may involve some travelling on the main tarmac or dirt roads to reach the final destinations.
Required equipment for your Mountain Elgon hike: rucksack, sleeping bag for low temperature and sleeping mat, one plate, cutlery, mug, knife, trekking shoes, poncho or raincoat, heavy warm jacket, hand gloves, scarf and hat, one jumper, a torch.
How the hike is organized: The group or the individual person is accompanied by a Guide and by one “porters”, who has the duty of transporting some of the luggage for up to 18kg per person (the rest is extra luggage and it will be chargeable at an extra cost).
Gorilla trekking points to Note: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) Trails are steeper and less accessible, hence high levels of Energy is needed. Treks are often 2 to 3 hours each way (but can be more Or Less) and involve hiking through dense forest and traversing steep ravines and mountainsides, often in damp conditions. However, all this adventure is worthwhile for a glimpse of one of nature’s finest spectacles. There is a minimum age of 15 years on gorilla treks.
What to wear and bring with you on your gorilla trek: With changeable weather conditions and dense forest vegetation, it is advisable to take layers of protective clothing. We recommend wearing the following:
- t-shirt
- long-sleeved top
- warm fleece/jumper
- thick trousers
- thick wool socks (and gaiters preferably)
- strong lightweight, waterproof walking boots
- hat with brim
- garden gloves to aid scrambling up banks
And carry a small rucksack with:
- water
- packed lunch and snacks
- binoculars
- camera/video camera with spare battery, memory cards or film
- light-weight rain Mac / poncho
Walking sticks are available at the Park headquarters and porters can be hired for approx. US$20. A sealed plastic bag around the camera/lenses will help keep them dry on the trek. Pockets are useful for valuables and spare camera batteries/lenses etc. as all other equipment must be left with porters approx. 200 meters away from the gorilla groups.
What to bring with you for a wildlife safari
- Rain Jacket is essential as it could unpredictably Rain
- Light Clothes as the sun does shine pretty bright in Murchison falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Torch is essential for safety purposes
- Sunglasses to protect you from direct sun rays
- A zoom lens Camera for photographs
- A good insect repellent to keep those persistent Insects and Mosquitoes away.
NB: It is not a Guarantee to see all the Various Animals in the Parks, especially Cats but there is a great chance that you might see them during an Evening or Early Morning Game drive because it is less hot around that time and therefore the animals are freely roaming around as opposed to typical afternoon hours when it gets too hot for the animals and they go undertaking cover from the sun.
For more information about our 16 Days Uganda Adventure Safari Tour;
BOOK TOUR Or Contact us by Email at: info@muafrikaadventures.com
