African Safari Uganda

24 Days Best Of Uganda

Home>> Gorillas and Wildlife

African Safari Uganda Overview

This fancy African safari Uganda trip starts and finishes in Entebbe, Uganda. It begins by going to Jinja, where the Nile River starts, for water rafting. Then we go to Kidepo through Sipi Falls with a great guide from Tubale Safaris. After that, we visit Murchison Falls National Park and the other national parks in Uganda that are mentioned in the schedule below.

African Safari Uganda Highlights

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport - African Safari Uganda

When you get here, you will be taken to your Lodge where you can have breakfast. Once you finish eating breakfast, a driver from Tubale Safaris will come to get you and you can begin your tour of Kampala city. You are going to see the Kasubi Tombs. The Kasubi Tombs are a special place that is important and recognized by UNESCO, a global organization that protects important places around the world. They are a place where some kings of Buganda are buried. After that, you will go to the Gadhafi Mosque.

You can go to the Uganda Museum, Baha’i Temple on Kikaya Hill in Kampala, and the Uganda Martyrs Shrine, where Ugandans who died for their faith are honored. Go to the Craft markets, and of course later in the day go to Ndere Centre. Ndere Centre is situated in Kisasi, which is a part of Kampala. The Centre provides cooking lessons for typical Ugandan dishes, dance classes for traditional dances, and fantastic performances to wrap up your trip in Kampala city.

Day 2: Transfer to Jinja - African Safari Uganda

You will be picked up early in the morning and begin your journey to Jinja. During your journey, you will come across Mabira Forest, Sugar plantations in Lugazi, and ultimately the World’s longest river, Nile. Jinja is located on the edge of Lake Victoria, approximately 3 hours to the East of Kampala. This town is well-known because it is where the river Nile starts and also known for being the exciting capital of East Africa.

In addition to enjoying beautiful sunsets, birds, and calmness, this is also a place where visitors can satisfy their sense of adventure. Have fun doing things like rafting in fast rivers, paddling in a small boat, riding a bike in the mountains, and riding a horse. Jinja has beautiful nature and old buildings that are falling apart. The city also has a lively downtown area and wide residential streets with lots of trees next to the Nile River that you will like.

Day 3: Sipi Falls - African Safari Uganda

Today, you will begin your trip to Kumi District where you will visit the beautiful sipi falls. When you go on a car ride through the north-eastern part of Uganda, towards the base of Mt Elgon, you will come across a flat land that is 1800m higher than the level of the sea. This is where you can find the stunning Sipi Falls. These green areas have really amazing waterfalls (some almost 100 meters tall), and there are also walking trails in nearby villages and beautiful coffee hills.

There are three waterfalls that are surrounded by steep hillsides. Here in this place of Uganda, the weather is cooler than in other areas. You can rest and have a good time breathing in the clean air and peaceful setting, far from the busy city and traffic. Later in the day, you can have a coffee tour and visit the local community. These are some things you can do after the hikes.

Day 4: Nature Walk and Visit Traditional Kraal - African Safari Uganda

Tubale safaris wants to be creative and takes its duty by taking you to places that no one else will go. One place where you can learn about the traditional way of life of the Karamojong tribe is Karamoja, which is located in the northeastern part of Uganda. The Karamojong tribe is known for being the most traditional tribe still residing in Uganda. In the morning, after breakfast, you will go to Moroto where the Karamajongs live. When you arrive, you can take a beautiful nature walk through the tallest mountain in Karamoja.

While we are walking, we will stay overnight at a village in the mountains belonging to the So Tepeth tribe. Afterwards, you will encounter the Karamajong people who live in a special type of village called the Kraal. This village is also known as Manyatta or Boma in the Swahili language. A kraal is like a village with houses made of huts, and the village is protected by fences made of wood and thorns. These fences are for keeping the cows inside and protecting them from other tribes and wild animals. Some of the Kraals are always there and others are only there for a little while.

Day 5: Transfer to Kidepo -African Safari Uganda

Wake up and experience the peacefulness of country life. After breakfast, we will keep going towards Kidepo Valley through the rough and wild Karamoja landscape. In the morning, you have a special chance to spend more time with the Karamojong tribe. Now it’s time to go to the farthest and most beautiful national park in the country: Kidepo Valley National Park. In the dry and rocky valleys in the very far northeast of Uganda, there is a park called Kidepo Valley.

It is not well-known and not many people go there, and it is located in a corner between the borders of Uganda, Sudan, and Kenya. This place in Uganda has stunning views, and although the journey is long, it is worth it. You will go on a drive in the afternoon in the Narus valley. There, you can see groups of elephants and buffalos, as well as lions and leopards sitting on rocks in the valley.

Day 6: Game Drive throgh Kidepo - African Safari Uganda

Kidepo Valley national park in Uganda is one of the only parks in the country where you can go on a walking safari. A person who is carrying a weapon will come with you to keep you safe. You will walk through the wilderness together. In this activity, you have the opportunity to see wildlife very closely. It is different from watching wildlife from a car. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck, and baboons can be seen all year. Many types of birds can also be seen. The guide takes frequent breaks to explain about birds, insects, trees, animal droppings, the healing properties of plants, and which animals eat certain plants.

This game park has a lot of large animals and is home to 475 types of birds and over 80 types of mammals. Out of the 80 mammal species, 28 can only be found in this park or are rarely seen in other parks in Uganda. For instance, there are animals like ostriches, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, caracals, cheetahs, and greater and lesser kudus

Day 7: Murchison Falls National Park - African Safari Uganda

After we eat breakfast, we will leave the camp and have one final opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Kidepo and possibly see any animals we didn’t see before. It takes two hours to drive from the park gates through the tough terrain and roads of northern Uganda to Kitgum. Then, it is an additional hour to Gulu where we will have lunch.

From Gulu, we will go south on well-maintained roads to reach the entrance of Murchison Falls NP, which is Uganda’s largest and most popular nature reserve. This place in the Pearl of Africa is a must-visit because it has a stunning waterfall called Murchison and lots of amazing animals. We can go for a leisurely drive in the park in the evening and then set up camp in the delta area of the park.

Day 8: Game Drive and Boat Cruise - African Safari Uganda

After eating breakfast, it’s time to go check out the park. During the Game drive, you will see as many animals as you can. While you are driving in the park, you can see the African animals up close. I hope you can see all of them: big elephants, tall giraffes, strong buffaloes, fierce lions, spotted leopards, different kinds of antelope, and lots of colorful tropical birds. Everyone is present. An expert park ranger who knows a lot about the park and its creatures will come with you in your car.

The park is famous for having a lot of elephants, many different kinds of birds, and large groups of buffalo. The afternoon boat ride to the Murchison Falls is a really special thing to do. It takes about 3 hours and you get to see the Victoria Nile river and go all the way to the bottom of the falls. If you enjoy hiking, the boat can take you close to the waterfalls and you can walk up to the highest point (this usually takes about 1 to 1. 5 hours) The scenery is outstanding.

Day 9: Hike to the top of the falls and Head to Semuliki

After eating breakfast at your place, you will leave immediately for Semuliki National Park. It will take about 7 to 8 hours to get there from Murchison Falls National Park. Stop and eat lunch while you are traveling; after that, go to the park and register at the lodge.

Day 10: Kibale Forest National Park

After you finish eating your yummy breakfast, go explore and visit the Sempaya hot springs. They are the most interesting things to see in Semuliki. These springs have a hole that shoots up a geyser. The hole is 8 meters deep, and the water that comes out is very hot. The springs are very cool because you can cook matooke and eggs in them, and they will be ready to eat in just a few minutes.

This is actually the biggest hot water source in Uganda. If you continue on the trail where the hot springs are, you will have the chance to see different kinds of birds, like the Blue breasted Kingfisher, and different types of primates, like the red tailed monkeys and the grey cheeked mangabey. You will go to the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves and the three nearby Explosion Crater Lakes. During this time, you will hike, discover the local culture, and hear stories about the legends. Afterwards, you will go to Kibale National Park.

Day 11: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Walk

Today, you will follow the most well-known animals in Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives because they have 98% of the same genes as humans. They live in 21 countries in Africa, but are seen more often in Uganda because there are many of them there. In simple words: There are many different kinds of primates in this forest, more than any other forest in East Africa.

In addition to our fun cousins, the chimpanzees, there are other types of monkeys such as the red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. Also, you can see olive baboons, bush babies, and night pottos. In the afternoon, you will go for a walk in Bigodi swamp.

Day 12: Mahoma Trail

The three-day hike will take you through the untouched rainforest of Kyambogho Ridge. You will get to see the Mubuku Valley, and then climb up the heavily forested ridge where many primates live, including black and white Colobus monkey, blue monkey, and sometimes the L’hoest monkey. The hike will take you to the Omu’ka Kizza Rest Camp, which is located at an elevation of 2,977 meters. Here, you can see the beautiful sights of the Rwenzori foothills and Kasese town, which are 2,160 meters lower than where you are standing.

Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elisabeth National Park

After you finish eating breakfast, you will be taken to the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is found in the southwest part of Uganda. It is a popular place for tourists to visit. This park is the second biggest in the country and can be found near the beautiful Rwenzori Mountain range.

It is situated next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are connected by the Kazinga channel. There are not many places in the world that have a lot of different types of plants and animals. This place has lots of different landscapes like wide open grasslands, areas with small trees and plants, wet areas, and thick forests.

When you get there, you will go to your room at the lodge. Then, you can spend the evening relaxing there.

Day 14: Morning Game Drive and Explosion Crater Drive

Wake up early and eat your breakfast. Go on a morning ride in the park, in the area called Kasenyi plains and try to find Lions, Elephants, Leopards (although they are difficult to see), Bushbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda kob and other animals. Go back to where you are staying to relax and have lunch. In the evening, you will take a ride to see a big hole in the ground caused by an explosion.

The evening game drive is like going on a sightseeing adventure where you can see incredibly beautiful views of the scenery in and around Queen. You can also see lots of animals during the drive, but the most common ones are Cape Buffaloes and Elephants. Go back to the place where you are staying to relax, have dinner, and spend the night.

Day 15 Transfer to Queen Elisabeth National Park

After you finish eating breakfast, start driving to Queen Elizabeth, a National Park in Uganda. This park is known for its diverse wildlife, including over 600 species of birds and animals like elephants and buffaloes. The drive will take about 4 hours. On the trip, you will see beautiful sights like the Rwenzori mountains. When you get to the park, go for a drive in the evening to see lots of animals. Eat and rest at the lodge.

Day 16: Ishasha Sector

Eat breakfast and then go on a fun safari to see the amazing tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The possibility of seeing these lions is around 70%, but sometimes they are difficult to find, especially when they are searching for prey in the grassland. I hope you have the opportunity to see them because it will be an amazing sight. You can also see other animals like the Uganda kob, Cape buffalos, elephants, and warthogs along with the lions that climb trees. After that, go to the place where you will be staying to rest, have dinner, and spend the night.

Day 17: Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi

Get out of bed and eat your breakfast. Go see lions climbing trees and then go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a large place in Uganda where many mountain gorillas live. There are about 400 gorillas there, which is around half of all the gorillas in the world. Some groups of gorillas in Bwindi have gotten used to people and can be followed and observed. If you have a tiring day ahead, when you arrive you will only have to go to your accommodation and relax. This will help you get ready for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the next day.

Day 18: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Mgahinga

Many visitors are excited to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because it is the home of gentle giants. The park is located in the southwest part of Uganda, near the Rift Valley. The oldest and most diverse rainforests in Uganda are located on the hillsides covered in mist. This amazing forest is more than 25,000 years old. It even survived the last Ice Age when most other forests vanished.

Bwindi forest is a special place in Africa because it has many different types of plants and animals. It is the only forest in Africa where you can find both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Actually, half of the gorillas in the world live here. They are split into nine groups that have gotten used to interacting with humans. Bwindi is the home of 5 different types of monkeys, 120 different types of animals that give birth to their babies, more than 220 kinds of colorful flying insects, and 360 types of birds. This is the perfect place to get a close-up look at the mountain gorillas that are at serious risk of extinction. It’s like having your own special moment from the movie “Gorillas in the Mist. ” After you have finished tracking gorillas, you will go to Mgahinga National Park.

Day 19: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Today, after eating breakfast, you will leave the place you are staying. Your driver guide will take you to the place where they will give you information about the golden monkey trekking. A park ranger will greet you and give you a talk about what to expect while you look for the special golden monkeys in the park. After this quick explanation, you will begin your hike to find the golden monkeys, which can only be found in the Virunga Volcanoes.

It is suggested that you bring a helper to carry your things while hiking because some parts of the trail can be very steep, and they can be useful. Enforcement officers will accompany you to assist if you come across wild buffaloes and elephants, as they can be dangerous. You can only spend 1 hour with the golden monkey before you have to go back to where you started and go back to your room. They enjoy eating bamboo shoots, as well as other things like fruits, plants, and occasionally ants. After that, we will begin the Batwa experience which includes a walk in nature and then we will go to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 20: Explore Lake Bunyonyi

After you eat breakfast, you can choose to go see the Orugano rainforest, which has a lot of different plants and animals. Or, you can spend some time with the Batwa community, who live in the forest and the areas around it. Bird watchers will have the opportunity to see more than 300 different types of birds. Instead, you can choose to go on a canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi. This will show you the important islands and their interesting history. You will also have the opportunity to spend time in a traditional canoe made from a large tree trunk. Go back to where you are staying to have lunch and take it easy. Think about the things you have seen and done during your trip.

Day 21: Transfer to Lake Mburo

Eat breakfast and start the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Go by car through the steep and layered hills of Kigezi. Then, arrive in Mbarara town and continue to Lake Mburo National Park. Get to the park in the early afternoon and relax before going out to see animals in the late afternoon or evening. During the game drive, you will likely see very large eland antelopes, many zebras, topis, impalas, warthogs, Uganda kob, and Cape buffalos, among other animals. Afterward, take some time to unwind at the place where you will sleep for the night.

Day 22: Mburo Nature Walk and Boat Cruise

Have a nice breakfast and go for a walk in Mburo Park with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger/guide. During this walk in the morning, you often see hyenas going back to their homes after a night of hunting. Additionally, you will have the chance to see Zebras, Giraffes, Eland, Topi, and other antelopes, as well as Cape buffaloes and other animals up close. Go on the path to the highest point of the hills and look at Lake Mburo and everything beyond it. From where you stand, you can see 9 out of the 12 lakes around Lake Mburo National Park. After that, go back to your place to eat lunch and then drive back to the boat for an afternoon boat ride.

Day 23: Nature Walk and Transfer to Kampala

Go for a walk in Lake Mburo National Park and then travel to Kampala.

In the morning, go for a walk in the safari. Wake up early to visit where the hyenas live. There is a possibility of seeing Leopards, zebras, water-bucks, birds, and buffaloes in their natural habitat. Return for breakfast and then start the journey to Kampala. Have lunch early in Masaka and take a break at the Equator. We are going to Kampala and will stay there.

Day 24: Transfer to Entebbe and Fly Back Home

Today will be the final day of your safari. After you eat breakfast, you can relax and enjoy the surroundings with a nice breeze coming from Lake Victoria. Then, you will go to Entebbe International airport.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Great trip and experience with my kids. Loved the safari and falls and Tony was a great guide and driver! Highly recommend.

Rachael

Isaac's House

The communications and service rendered was top notch...the tour lived up to my expectations as the tour guide kept explaining to us every step of the way of the tour

Jonathan