17 Days Uganda Wildlife & Culture Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer To Hotel

Your 17-day Uganda wildlife and cultural safari begins at Entebbe International Airport, where you will meet your private safari driver-guide and transfer to your hotel in Entebbe.

Depending on your arrival time, you can relax and settle in at the hotel or begin your Uganda experience with an optional visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, or selected cultural attractions in Kampala.

Day 2: Jinja & Source of the Nile, Journey to Sipi Falls

After breakfast, travel east from Entebbe owards Jinja, Uganda's adventure capital. The journey passes through lush countryside, Mabira Forest and extensive sugar plantations.

In Jinja, take a boat trip to the Source of the River Nile, where the Nile begins its long journey northwards from Lake Victoria. Look out for African fish eagles, kingfishers and monitor lizards along the riverbanks.

After lunch, continue towards Mbale and the foothills of Mount Elgon, arriving at the spectacular Sipi Falls in the late afternoon. Enjoy views across the surrounding highlands and Karamoja plains.

Day 3: Sipi Falls Hiking & Bugisu Coffee Experience – Moroto

Start the morning with a guided Sipi Falls hike, exploring the three dramatic waterfalls and surrounding countryside. The trails pass through farms and communities of the Bagisu people.

Experience the famous Bugisu Arabica coffee tradition by visiting a local coffee garden, picking ripe coffee cherries and learning how the beans are processed, roasted and brewed.

After lunch, continue northeast towards Moroto, travelling through the changing landscapes of eastern Uganda and into the semi-arid Karamoja region.

Day 4: Karamojong Cultural Experience & Transfer To Kidepo Valley National Park

Spend the morning experiencing traditional Karamojong culture in a local Manyatta. Meet community members, learn about pastoralist traditions and discover the architecture, crafts, dances and way of life of the Karamojong people.

Continue north through the remote landscapes of Karamoja towards Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda's remote wilderness destination near the borders of South Sudan and Kenya.

Enter the park for an afternoon or sunset game drive, with opportunities to see wildlife against the dramatic backdrop of the Narus and Morungole landscapes.

Day 5: Full-Day Kidepo Valley Wildlife Safari

Spend a full day exploring Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda's most remote and distinctive safari destinations.

Begin with an early morning game drive through the Narus Valley, where wildlife gathers around permanent water sources. Search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hartebeests, kudus and other northern Uganda wildlife.

In the afternoon, explore the Kidepo River Valley and continue towards Kanangorok Hot Springs near the South Sudan border, depending on park and road conditions.

Kidepo is particularly valuable for travellers seeking wildlife species and landscapes less commonly encountered in southern Uganda, making this a key highlight of a Uganda Kidepo safari.

Day 6: Kidepo Valley to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, leave the remote wilderness of Kidepo and travel southwest through northern Uganda towards Murchison Falls National Park.

The journey passes through rural communities, agricultural landscapes and traditional Acholi settlements before crossing the Victoria Nile at Karuma.

Enter Uganda's largest national park and continue towards your safari lodge. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening overlooking the Nile or savannah plains.

Day 7: Murchison Falls Game Drive, Nile Boat Safari & Top of the Falls

Begin the day with an early morning Murchison Falls game drive across the northern savannah plains. Search for elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, hartebeests, lions and, with luck, leopards.

After lunch, board a Nile boat safari to the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks provide excellent opportunities to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and a wide variety of waterbirds.

After the boat cruise, hike towards the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile is forced through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging into the gorge below.

This combination of wildlife, river scenery and one of Uganda's most spectacular natural landmarks makes Murchison Falls a major highlight of the safari.

Day 8: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, drive southwest towards Kibale Forest National Park, travelling through the scenic Albertine Rift landscapes.

The route passes through Hoima and Fort Portal, with views of countryside, tea plantations, crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains.

By late afternoon, arrive at Kibale Forest, internationally renowned as Uganda's Primate Capital of the World. Settle into your forest lodge and prepare for the following day's chimpanzee tracking experience.

Day 9: Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, report to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your Kibale chimpanzee tracking briefing.

Enter the rainforest with experienced trackers and search for habituated chimpanzees while learning about the forest's diverse primate population. Once the chimpanzee community is located, spend your permitted observation time watching their natural behaviour in the forest canopy.

The forest is also home to red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L'Hoest's monkeys and other wildlife.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-based ecotourism destination renowned for birdwatching and primate encounters. Walk through the wetland with a local guide and experience village life, traditional knowledge and local cultural practices.

Day 10: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Leave Kibale after breakfast and travel south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's famous "Medley of Wonders."

The journey takes you through crater-lake country and towards the Albertine Rift, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Search for elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs, hyenas and other savannah wildlife.

Day 11: Kasenyi Plains Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Rise early for a Kasenyi Plains game drive, one of the best-known wildlife areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The open savannah provides opportunities to see Uganda kobs, lions, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and other wildlife.

After lunch, take a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, one of Uganda's most rewarding wildlife boat safaris. The channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and attracts large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and waterbirds.

Day 12: Ishasha Sector Search for Tree-Climbing Lions

Travel south into the less-visited Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions.

Explore the Ishasha plains on a game drive, searching for lions resting in the branches of large fig and acacia trees. The sector also supports elephants, buffaloes, topis, waterbucks, antelopes and other wildlife.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive before settling into your lodge in the Ishasha area.

Day 13: Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Begin with an early morning game drive in Ishasha before travelling towards the highlands of southwestern Uganda.

The landscape gradually changes from savannah to the steep cultivated hills of Kigezi as you approach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's most important mountain gorilla habitats.

Arrive at your lodge, relax and prepare for the following day's Bwindi mountain gorilla trekking experience.

Day 14: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the main wildlife highlight of your Uganda safari: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi.

After an early breakfast, report to the relevant Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point. You will receive instructions before entering the rainforest with your ranger and trackers.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family. Once you find the habituated family, spend your permitted observation time watching these remarkable primates in their natural rainforest environment.

The trek takes you through steep hills, dense vegetation, forest trails and ancient rainforest habitat, making the journey itself an important part of the experience.

Return to your lodge after the trek for relaxation and a well-earned evening.

Day 15: Batwa Cultural Experience or Golden Monkey Trekking, Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, choose between two experiences.

Batwa Cultural Heritage Trail: Learn about the traditions and forest knowledge of the indigenous Batwa people through a guided cultural experience involving traditional hunting techniques, medicinal plants, forest skills, music and storytelling.

Golden Monkey Trekking: Alternatively, travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a trek through the bamboo forest in search of endangered golden monkeys.

After the morning activity, continue to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda's most scenic highland lakes. Surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with islands, the lake provides a peaceful contrast to the preceding days of trekking and wildlife viewing.

Day 16: Lake Bunyonyi Boat Cruise & Transfer To Lake Mburo National Park

Enjoy a relaxed morning at Lake Bunyonyi before taking a boat or traditional canoe trip across the lake.

Explore the islands and learn about local history and traditions before departing for Lake Mburo National Park.

Travel through the Kigezi highlands towards Mbarara and continue to Lake Mburo National Park, a compact savannah park known for zebras, impalas, topis, elands, giraffes, buffaloes and other wildlife.

Enjoy an afternoon or sunset game drive before checking into your lodge.

Day 17: Lake Mburo Walking Safari & Transfer To Entebbe

Start your final safari morning with a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Accompanied by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, explore the savannah on foot and learn to identify animal tracks, signs and wildlife behaviour.

After breakfast, begin the journey towards Entebbe. Stop at the Uganda Equator at Kayabwe, where you can stand in both hemispheres, take photographs and explore local craft shops.

Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your 17-day Uganda wildlife, gorilla and cultural safari.