The 15 Days Best of Uganda safari highlights: Jinja city tour, boat ride to the Source of the Nile, full-day white-water rafting, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary game drives, boat rides, hike to the top of the falls, chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi swamp walk, gorilla trekking, and nature walk.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will clear immigration and proceed to the arrivals, where you will meet your driver-guide who will brief you on the 15-day best of Uganda Safari. They willl transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay in Entebbe.
Day 2: Entebbe- Jinja City Drive
You will start your drive towards the Eastern part of the country to Jinja. Established in 1907, this town is the second largest and busiest in the country. Along the journey, you will have a stopover at Mabira Forest where you will enjoy a brief nature walk. After lunch, you will have a boat ride to the Source of the Nile and a brief tour of Jinja market. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge.
Day 3: White-water Rafting
After breakfast on this day, you will enjoy a full day’s rafting experience. Conquer the most challenging rapids on this course. A worthwhile adrenaline rushing experience. You will then head back to your accommodation Source of the Nile Jinja for overnight stays.
Day 4: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park/ Stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, a drive to the beautiful Murchison Falls National Park having a stopover at the Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary where you will have a walking safari in search of the White Rhinos.
Murchison Falls National Park formerly known as Kabalega National Park derives its name from the Murchison Falls which is a 7 meter canyon where the might River Nile forces itself from a narrow gorge pouring down with a thunderous roar. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 5: Game Drive, Boat Ride to the Bottom of the Falls and Hike to the Top of the Falls
You’ll enjoy a morning game drive through the savannah where you will see herds of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, Kobs, Oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, and various bird species that include the forest and water birds and the Albertine Rift endemics. Thereafter, you’ll return to the lodge for breakfast.
In the afternoon, after lunch, you will have a boat ride to the bottom of the falls, whence the park derives its name. You will see groups of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of animals that come to drink water at the river banks, and a variety of bird species too. You will then hike from the bottom to the top of the falls.
Day 6: Drive to Fort Portal Tourism City
Fort Portal was founded as a garrison for British soldiers by Gerald Portal, from whom the town derives its name. It is the only town with an English name in Uganda. Here you will see many tea plantations producing high-quality tea for local and export markets, and views of the mighty misty Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzori mountains.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
On this day, you will have a morning Chimpanzee trekking experience in the company of an experienced ranger guide, you will search for Kibale Forest’s resident Chimpanzees, and also have a chance to see other primates such as Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Red Colobus, Red-tailed, and Blue monkeys. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a walk through the papyrus swamps of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 8: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, you will be assisted with checking out and after settling the bill for extras, if any, start your drive to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second most visited Park and the most popular savannah reserve. This park has the highest variety of habitats and wildlife in Uganda. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 9: Game Drive and Boat Ride along the Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast, you will proceed for a game drive through the Kasenyi and North Kazinga plains, where you will see herds of Elephants, Buffalos, Antelopes, etc.
In the afternoon, you will have a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel. En route, you will see groups of hippos and buffalo a few metres away. You will see some animals coming to drink water at the banks and various bird species.
Day 10: Game Drive on the Ishasha Sector
You’ll have an early breakfast and start your drive to the Ishasha sector, famously known for Tree-climbing Lions. Ishasha sector is located in the south-western rim of Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. Ishasha has a magnificent landscape dominated by savannah woodland tree species like the huge fig trees, Cactus Trees, and acacia trees, among the rest. You’ll enjoy morning and evening game drives. Lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 11: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the great apes, the mountain gorillas, and 20 other mammals, like the Chimpanzees, Elephants, Baboons etc… This forest also hosts approximately 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. En route, you will have a game drive in the Ishasha sector, famously known for the Tree Climbing Lions. Thereafter, you will retire early to prepare for the next day.
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, you will proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing. Thereafter, you’ll go to the start points and enjoy the highlight of the safari. Trekking with the gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes between 2 to 6 hours. Lunch and dinner will be at the lodge.
Day 13: Bwindi – Lake Mburo National Park
You’ll depart Bwindi for Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest National Park and has a variety of animals like zebras, Defassa waterbuck, impala, eland, oribi, and many others, plus over 300 bird species. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 14: Nature Walks and Boat Ride on Lake Mburo National Park
You will enjoy a morning nature walk where you may encounter animals returning to their dens and others retreating to the lake, thereafter you will return to the lodge to freshen up, have breakfast having a brief game drive en route. You’ll spend the rest of the morning at leisure.
After lunch at the lodge, in the afternoon, you will enjoy a breathtaking boat ride on Lake Mburo, from which the park derives its name. You will see various bird species and animals drinking water at the banks of the Lake. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 15: Departure
You will drive to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.
