16 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari – SOA023

Uganda

Location

Duration

16 days
DESTINATION  UGANDA (Bwindi, Kibale, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park)
TRAVEL VALID  2026 – 2027
DURATION  15 NIGHTS / 16 DAYS
TRIP THEME  Nature & Outdoors
PROGRAM CODE  SOA023

This journey showcases Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife destinations, combining breathtaking landscapes, exceptional game viewing, unique cultural encounters, and unforgettable primate experiences. The adventure begins in the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park, famous for its vast savannahs, large buffalo herds, ostriches, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, before continuing to the mighty Murchison Falls National Park, where thrilling game drives and a boat cruise along the Nile reveal elephants, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and spectacular birdlife.

The safari then leads to the lush rainforests of Kibale National Park, home to one of Africa’s highest concentrations of primates, where chimpanzee trekking offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of our closest relatives. From there, travel south to Queen Elizabeth National Park for classic African safari experiences, including game drives across diverse ecosystems and a memorable cruise along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel. The journey continues through the famous Ishasha sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions, before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where the highlight of the safari awaits—a once-in-a-lifetime trek to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The final leg of the adventure takes you to Lake Mburo National Park, known for its large populations of zebras, impalas, elands, and giraffes, before returning to Entebbe via the iconic Uganda Equator. Blending luxury lodges, extraordinary wildlife encounters, cultural interactions, scenic landscapes, and two of Africa’s most sought-after primate experiences, this itinerary offers a comprehensive exploration of Uganda, aptly known as the Pearl of Africa.

 

Itinerary At a Glance

  • 1 Night – Kampala
  • 3 Nights – Kidepo Valley National Park
  • 2 Nights – Murchison Falls National Park
  • 2 Nights – Kibale National Park
  • 3 Nights – Queen Elizabeth National Park & Ishasha Sector
  • 2 Nights – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
  • 1 Night – Lake Mburo National Park
  • 1 Night – Entebbe

Upon arrival at the airport, Meet & Greet, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide who will then transfer you to your hotel for overnight stay at:-

Meals: N/A
Overnight: Kampala Serena Hotel

Transit Time: 1hr (Subject to Traffic)

Early morning at 6.00am, depart Kampala for Kidepo Valley National Park, breakfast will be en-route in Nakasongola, later proceed via Gulu for Lunch Break. Continue Via Kitgum after Lunch, arriving at the park in the evening. You will enjoy the evening game drive as you enter the park through to your overnight Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kidepo Apoka Lodge-Luxury Tents

Transit Time: 9 to 11 Hours subject to stops

 

There is an option of flying with scheduled flight but only operates with Minimum 7 Passengers & only operates on Wed, Fri & Sun

Early morning breakfast and after, take a game drive along the Valley in look out for buffalos (Kidepo has the largest herd of buffalos in the region), giraffes, zebras, elands, oribis and elephants, odd jackal. If you are lucky, you will see the Lions, Leopards and Cheaters (Kidepo is the only park in Uganda where you can find Cheaters).

You will later return to your Lodge for Lunch, relax and at around 4PM, transfer to another game drive in different sector of the park with more chances of seeing more game. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kidepo Apoka Lodge-Luxury Tents

Transit Time: N/A

Depart on early morning game drive with packed Breakfast to the hot springs via the palm tree lined Kidepo River. This will be more of a birding experience for bird lovers, expect to see birds such as ostriches (Only Park in Uganda where they are found), secretary birds, brown parrot etc. Later return to your Lodge for Lunch.

After lunch, Visit the Karamajong Community near the park and explore the fascinating, ancient culture of the Karamojong. Visit traditional homesteads of Lorukul Village and hear stories of the folklore of this remote tribe. They will also sing and dance for you.  Return to the Lodge for Dinner and Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kidepo Apoka Lodge-Luxury Tents

Transit Time: N/A

After breakfast at 7.30am, take another game drive as you drive out to Murchison Falls NP, via Gulu Town for Lunch. After lunch, proceed to Murchison Falls arriving early evening. Check in and around 4.30pm, you may opt for an evening game drive in the Park. Dinner and overnight stay at.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Nile Safari Lodge

Transit Time: 6 to 7 Hours subject to stops

After early cup of coffee at 6:30am, you will go for an early morning game drive to the rolling plains where you have chances of viewing Lions, Leopards, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalos and Elephants as well as many of the other mammals of the park. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles Carmine and Swallow-Tailed Bee-Eaters, to pick just a few. This is a beautiful drive across Borassus Palm Forest and grassland savannah down to Lake Albert where the Albert Nile heads north to the Sudan. Later, return to your Lodge for Lunch.

In the afternoon at 2.00pm, go for a boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, as it goes down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river.  Overnight at:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Nile Safari Lodge

Transit Time: N/A

Early morning breakfast and later transfer to Kibale National Park via Hoima town and Fort Portal, Lunch will be en-route in Fort Portal City. Depending on the weather and visibility of the day, your will take you to a vintage point where you can have better photos and views of Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzori Mountain Ranges). Later proceed to Kibale and on arrival, check in your Lodge and relax from a long drive for the rest of the evening. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Chimpundu Lodge

Transit Time: 7-8 hrs

At 7.00am after breakfast, you will go for Chimpanzee trekking in the forest starting with briefing at 7.30am. This will also be a chance to see other species of primates and birds like the Grey-Throated Flycatcher, Masked & Black-Capped Apalis, Chestnut-Winged Starling, Orange-Tufted & Tiny Sunbirds among the many attractions recorded here.

Later, return for Lunch at the lodge, after Lunch, you will take a nature walk to Bigodi Swamp and communities around the park to see how they live and go about the day today activities. Bigodi Swamp walk is also famous for Birding with over 200 species of birds recorded in this area as well as other primates. Being a community project, the visit hear directly supports the various communities living around the park in various ways through the visitor fees paid and purchases on their craft items. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Chimpundu Lodge

Transit Time: N/A

After an early breakfast at 8.30am, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through the crater regions of Fort Portal and Kasese with several stops for scenic views and photography, Plus Coffee Experience stop in Kasese. Proceed to the park arriving in time for Lunch at your lodge. After lunch, you will relax by the lodge side and at 4.30pm, transfer for game drive in the park to look for more wildlife. Overnight at:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Transit Time: 3 to 4hrs

6.00 am: Take an early game drive in the park with high expectations of seeing Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants, Antelopes and the elusive Giant Forest Hog in this park. Return to your accommodation for breakfast and Lunch.

2.30pm: Transfer to take the boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, a channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. Believed to be the biggest Hippo concentration in Africa, this area is also great for bird viewing as well as viewing many other wildlife as they come to have a drink of water. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography.  Over 550 species have been spotted and recorded here that include Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers are. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Transit Time: N/A

After breakfast, have a Game drive in the morning as we drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha Sector which is famous for tree climbing Lions. It is somewhat uncommon for lions to climb trees. There are no more than 2 populations in whole world of such lions that do actually climb trees as one of their daily behaviors. One of these populations is found here within the Ishasha area. The other population is found in Lake Manyara National Park in the Southern part of Tanzania. Ishasha sector also is habitant for other wildlife like Elephants, variety of antelopes, Leopards among others. Later head to your lodge for Lunch.

You may opt for the evening game drive to see more wildlife or relax for the rest of the evening. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Transit Time: 1 to 2hrs

Early morning Game drive in search of more tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Later transfer to Bwindi for your overnight stay arriving early afternoon for Lunch.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is where you have the best chance of spotting a mountain gorilla family going about their business. Once you have your permit, you are led across the rugged terrain and through the awe-inspiring jungle to where the gorillas were seen yesterday and then you track them and follow them.

Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are numerous forest walks and over 346 species of birds to track down, many of which are amazingly colorful. Today, you will relax at the lodge to prepare for tomorrow’s tracking.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp

Transit Time: 1 to 2hrs

After an early breakfast, depart to the park headquarters and proceed for a briefing from park ranger guides at 7.30 before starting your Gorilla trek at 8.00am through steeply forested and beautiful landscape along several animal trails. Some of the terrain is steep and strenuous, but the reward of watching gorillas undisturbed in their natural habitat is unmatched.

Waterproof ankle shoes are recommended or good athletic shoes. Wear thick long pants (not light weight khakis) to protect your legs from the underbrush. Bring heavy, long socks that can be pulled up over the pants to prevent any problems with stinging nettles and ants. Bring a pair of sturdy garden gloves and protect your camera with a rain cover (a plastic bag or shower cap can work!).

 

No more than eight people may visit any gorilla family on any given day so you can be assured of an intimate experience with these with these impressive animals. Once you reach the gorillas you have an unforgettable hour to spend with them.

 

After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch. This afternoon, you will be taken on a village walk to Buhoma Village subject to time and interest. This is a great opportunity to meet the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It also is a unique way to support the local community. Or Enjoy the evening to relax at the camp and trade stories with fellow adventurers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp

Transit Time: 1 to 2hrs

After breakfast, depart for Lake Mburo National Park, having a game drive while entering the park arriving in the early afternoon. Lake Mburo is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains with big herds of zebra, impala, eland and other savannah species plus the recently introduced Giraffes. For birders, this is one of the best places to find African Fin foot, Papyrus, Bush Shrike, etc.

Lunch will be at the lodge and in the evening, you will take another Game drive to different sections of the park in look out for more wildlife. Overnight at:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kigambira Safari Lodge-Deluxe Banda

Transit Time: 5 to 6hrs

6.30 am: Enjoy an early morning game drive before dawn to see the animals, namely the Zebras, antelope, topi, buffalos and impala. Return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch en-route. Proceed to Entebbe, Via the Uganda Equator for a short stop to take pictures and shop for crafts from several shops in this area. Overnight at:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa

Transit Time: 4 to 5hrs

Relaxed breakfast, later check out and depending on your departure time, you will transfer to Entebbe airport, to check in for your outbound flight out of Entebbe.

Trip Inclusions

  • All Services as specified in the itinerary
  • Accommodation and meals as detailed in the itinerary
  • Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser Vehicle with popup roof for Game Viewing
  • Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
  • Fuel For the whole trip
  • Gorilla permit per person for Bwindi
  • 1 Chimpanzee Tracking permit per person at Kibale
  • All park entry fees for all the parks
  • Entrance to all sites indicated
  • All Game drives in Kidepo NP, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha & Lake Mburo
  • Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls
  • Karamajong Community Tours in Kidepo
  • Community Tours in Bwindi
  • Bigodi Swamp Tour
  • Tour of Craters
  • Drinking Water per day
  • All local taxes and levies
  • Amref Medical Insurance Cover

Trip Exclusions

  • Personal expenses & Tips
  • Meals and drinks where they are not indicated
  • Air ticket
  • Visas
  • Personal Insurance
  • Covid Tests
  • Domestic and international flights
  • Alcoholic beverages and others not mentioned above
  • Optional Activities
NOTE: Chimpanzee Permits and Accommodation are subject to availability at time of booking and confirmation and require advance booking

Booking Form

Shades Of Africa Safaris – Terms & Conditions

1. Bookings /reservations policy
All bookings/reservations are made through Email for the purposes of referencing.
All booking vouchers are sent via email tour client for their reference
All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 3-4 business days.
All confirmed bookings should be confirmed with a 50% deposit to secure reservations.
The balance is paid 7 days before travel to allow us to clear with our suppliers on time.
Late reservations and modifications will attract a fee to secure reservations imposed on us by our suppliers.

2. Travelers name
All travelers/visitors are responsible to ensure their names match their passport/Id card names.

3. Inclusions/Exclusions
All inclusions on the tour package cover’s hotel service charges, Meal plan, transport(air/rail), entry & park fees, sightseeing, game drives as shown on each of the itinerary.
The Shades of Africa Travel ltd reserves the right to modify the tour arrangements for smooth operation of the tour.
The tour package doesn’t include items of personal nature, tips, gratuities.

4. Ticketing policy
All airfares or Train tickets are offered as a portion of our tour prices. These fares are subject to change without notice and on certain peak periods may not be available.
Air ticket cancellation subject airlines/Trian penalties and handing fee
All tickets for children are subject to Airline/train rules and regulations.

5. Child policy
Child above 12yrs of age sharing with 2 adults will be charged 50% of adult rate.
Children on own room sharing pay 75% of adult rate.
The company provides child seats on our fleet of vehicles on request.

6. Transport Policy
All our tour packages have included transport which is done by our fleet of vehicles
All our fleets have professional drivers/tour guides
All our fleets are fully insured incase any misfortunes
All our fleets are fully registered with the regulatory bodies.

7. Cost/Price
All our tour packages are customized as per the client request and are packaged in regards to seasons/destinations.
Price may vary with regards to the seasons/destination
All Prices are subject to 16% VAT.

8. Payment
Payment is required by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or by cash transfer to the Shades of Africa Travel Ltd Bank Account, cheques, and pre-paid credit cards. Third parties may pre pay/credit or debit card presented at the start of the engagement must always be in the name of the traveler booking the tour package. Vouchers cannot be transferred, ie the person named on the voucher as the traveler must be the person reserves the booking.

9. Cancellation Policy:
Notice of cancellation must be made in writing to Shades of Africa Travel Ltd and the following scale of cancellation fees will be applied.

NOTE: Shades of Africa travel reserves the right to accept or decline any passenger or any trip should that person physical or mental condition impede the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other tour.

Kindly fill below form for us to know you travel needs

UI/UX Fundamentals
25% OFF