24 Days Uganda Safari Highlights

24 Days Uganda Safari Highlights

This 24 Days Uganda Safari Highlights is a special adventure holiday with Uganda’s primate, wildlife, cultural and birding experiences. It will take you all around Uganda with a lifetime opportunity to visit Uganda’s top destinations/attractions, immersed in rich cultural and wildlife experiences, starting from the Eastern to far northeastern to Western to far southwestern parts of Uganda, covering the whole country. You will start this long trip from Entebbe/Kampala and end back in Entebbe with a drive or domestic flight to reduce the long-distance drive.

Safari Highlights

Day 1: Drive to Sipi falls (Mount Elgon national park)

Day 2: Coffee and cultural tour – Sipi falls hike

Day 3: Day hike of Mount Elgon national park

Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley national park – Optional evening game drive

Day 5: Full-day game drive in Narus valley – Karamonja Community tour

Day 6: Explore Kidepo Valley

Day 7: Drive to Murchison Falls national park (7-8 hours’ drive)

Day 8: Morning Delta Boat trip and afternoon boat cruise to bottom of the falls—evening game drive

Day 9: Budongo Chimpanzee tracking experience—Top of the falls visit

Day 10: Morning game drive—transfer to Ziwa rhino sanctuary – Nature walk

Day 11: 2025: Rhino tracking—Transfer to Kibale Forest national park

Day 12: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp visit

Day 13: Mount Rwenzori day hike—transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

Day 14: Lion tracking and Morning game drive, afternoon Launch cruise on the Kazinga channel and crater exploration

Day 15: Kalinzu Chimpanzee trek – Ishasha game drive

Day 16: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—Visit Buhoma Hospital and take a community tour

Day 17: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park

Day 18: Transfer to relax at Lake Bunyonyi

Day 19: Transfer to Kisoro—Batwa community tour and Lake Mutanda canoe ride

Day 20: Golden Monkey tracking – Mgahinga national park

Day 21: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – Walking Safari and Night game drive

Day 22: Morning game drive and boat cruise on Lake Mburo

Day 23: Transfer to Entebbe – Visit Mabamba Swamp

Day 24: Departure

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Sipi falls (Mount Elgon national park)

Following your arrival at Entebbe airport, meet your safari guide and do your own shopping. Later embark on your journey to Mount Elgon national park (Mbale). It’s about a 6-hour drive with en-route sights of Tea, sugar plantations and other countryside and an en-route lunch. Upon arrival, check in at your booked accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay at Sipi Guesthouse for budget/Sipi Heritage lodge for mid-range

Day 2: Coffee and cultural tour – Sipi falls hike

After breakfast, connect for your coffee plantation experience, where you will have a wide experience of the Coffee tour from the plantation to the final product. You will also have a sebei cultural experience before you return for lunch at the lodge.

After lunch, take on a Sipi falls hike experience. This activity may take about 2-3 hours’; get a local guide who will guide you to the Sipi falls. There are 3 levels of Sipi falls, the highest fall being at 100 meters, the second at 85 meters and the third at 75 meters. Depending on the time, you may visit all of the falls or one or two of them before nightfall. Other experiences during the walk include a cave adventure and a sunset walk. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above

Day 3: Day hike of Mount Elgon national park

After breakfast, connect to the Mount Elgon offices to register for your day hiking experience. You will choose onethe short trails availableails for your hiking experience. Have a briefing with the rangers, then embark on your day hike. Carry your snacks and water along with you. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

• Chebonet Falls loop, which is 5 km and takes 3 hours
• Bamboo Forest Loop, which is 7 km long and takes 5 hours to hike through the Kaptum Cave and Chebonet waterfalls.
• Tutum cave hike which is 11km and takes 9 hours of hiking.

Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley national park – Optional evening game drive

As early as 6 am, have your breakfast and check out of the lodge to embark on an 8-9 hours’ drive to Kidepo valley national park. It’s a full day drive with en route breaks for lunch and stretching and sites of the eastern and far North Eastern region of Uganda with its beautiful people. Arrive in the park late afternoon and proceed to check in to your booked accommodation to refresh. Depending on the time of arrival, have an en-route game drive. Dinner and stay overnight at Kidepo Savannah lodge (Self-contained tents for mid-range) – (Non-self-contained for budget)

Day 5: Full-day game drive in Narus valley – Karamonja Community tour

After breakfast, drive to the wilderness for your morning game drive and explore the park in Narus valley. This area has most of the animals, including the zebras, buffaloes, elephants, and, on lucky days the lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas. Return for a hot lunch at the lodge, and later in the afternoon or evening, visit the Karamojong community for a cultural experience. Before nightfall, drive back to your lodge to rest and have dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 6: Explore Kidepo Valley

After breakfast, drive for a game drive in Kidepo valley in anticipation of seeing some more of the animals, like the Ostrich birds, cheetah and so many other animals. Return for hot lunch at the lodge. After lunch or so, you may stay relaxed at the lodge or choose to go on another evening game drive in Narus Valley for another opportunity to see more of the animals. Return to the lodge Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 7: Drive to Murchison Falls national park (7-8 hours’ drive)

Very early after breakfast, depart Kidepo national park to connect to Murchison falls national park via Gulu for lunch en route. Upon arrival in Murchison falls national park, connect to your booked lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight stay at Pakuba safari lodge or Murchison River Lodge for mid-range or Tilenga Safari Lodge or Red Chili Rest Camp for budget

Day 8: Morning Delta Boat trip and afternoon boat cruise to bottom of the falls—evening game drive

After your breakfast, connect for your morning boat trip to the delta, this boat is interesting in that it increases your chances to see the shoebill stork and animals, as most of them converge at the delta for water. It’s a 3-4 hour experience before your return to your lodge for lunch.

Later in the afternoon at 2 pm, go for a launch cruise along the Nile, which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls. Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the riverbanks like kingfishers, cormorants and bee-eaters. After the boat cruise, connect for an evening game drive to find some of the animals, if not all. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 9: Budongo Chimpanzee tracking experience—Top of the falls visit

On this day, after having an early morning breakfast, you go for Chimpanzee tracking in the Kaniyo ecotourism site in Budongo forest which is the biggest mahogany forest in East Africa and home to about 80 habituated chimpanzees. You will arrive very early so that you can start the forest walk in search of the chimpanzees; you will also enjoy the view and sound of birds and you will spend about 2-4 hours in search depending on their movement. Once you find them, you will stay with them for an hour, watching them eat, rest, and play.

After the adventure, drive to the top of the falls for a fascinating experience of the thunderous falls. Know the history and view the falls at different viewing points, getting closer to the falls and the crocodile bank. Thereafter, drive back to the ferry and cross back to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 10: Morning game drive—transfer to Ziwa rhino sanctuary – Nature walk

After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will go for a morning game drive in the northern part of the park, where we find most of the animals. The time spent on a game drive depends on the availability of the animals. Expect to find animals including the Elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, Lions, Leopards, Hartebeest, Uganda Kobs, Oribis, waterbuck, and warthogs, just to mention a few.

After the game drive, drive out of the park and connect to Ziwa rhino sanctuary. It’s about a 3-hour drive. Upon arrival, check in, have lunch, and then join an afternoon nature walk to observe animals, birds, and primates. Dinner and overnight stay at Amuka Lodge for mid-range/Ziwa Guesthouse for budget

Day 11: 2025: Rhino tracking—Transfer to Kibale Forest national park

Optional – Amabere caves and waterfalls visit

After breakfast, report to the starting area for your briefing about the rhinos. Then be escorted by a ranger on a 1- to 2-hour Rhino trek to see the white rhino. Have your cameras ready, as you’ll get as close as 10-15 meters to these magnificent animals. After spending time with the rhinos, embark on your journey to the next destination—Kibale national park (Fort portal). This is about a 5-6 hour drive with an en-route lunch. Upon arrival, have an optional en-route visit of the Amabere caves and waterfalls before you connect to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Isunga Lodge for budget/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge for mid-range

Day 12: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp visit

After breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters for your chimpanzee trekking experience. After briefing and getting allocated a group to trek, enter the Kibale Forest in search of the chimpanzees. This may take 2-5 hours, with also lots of primate species like monkeys  and other animals like the forest elephants, bush pigs and duikers, warthogs, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as a colorful variety of butterflies to see. After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch.

Later in the afternoon, connect for a nature walk in Bigodi swamp and the community. Bigodi swamp has lunch; go for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp area and look out for most of the water-loving bird species. The forest/park has almost 335 species of birds and is therefore a good place for birders. Return to the Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge as above.

Day 13: Mount Rwenzori day hike—transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park

After an early morning breakfast, meet your safari guide and transfer to Mount Rwenzori national park, which is about a 45 minutes’ drive. Upon arrival, report to the starting point for a briefing and ensure you have your hiking gear. The hike starts at 8 am and the first few kilometers are pretty steady as you hike through the montane forest with tall thick undergrowth trees, streams and rivers. You also have chances of spotting different bird species and primates. As you continue climbing, the mountain gets steeper as you climb the ridge to join the highest trail for the day of about 2,373 meters’ hike.

After descending from the hike, meet your guide and drive for about 30 minutes to Queen Elizabeth national park. Dinner and overnight stay at Bush Lodge or Kazinga Wilderness Camp for budget/Elephant Hub Lodge or Marafiki Lodge for mid-range

Day 14: Lion tracking and Morning game drive, afternoon Launch cruise on the Kazinga channel and crater exploration

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will set off for your lion tracking experience in the Kasenyi area for wider chances of spotting the lions up close. Then do your game drive for other animals. The park has a diverse ecosystem of grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, forests, swamps, and lakes. These are home to various types of wildlife, and a game drive in Queen Elizabeth will reward you with views of animals such as lions, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, and other types of antelopes.

Return to your Lodge for lunch and after, go for a 3-hour launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This cruise will let you pass through a place of the highest concentration of hippos and you may also see many animals drinking at the water’s edge. The cruise also offers a good platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. Connect for crater lake exploration before you return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight as above.

Day 15: Kalinzu Chimpanzee trek – Ishasha game drive

After breakfast, you will depart for Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest with your tracking gear. The walk in the forest in search of the chimpanzee generally takes around 2‐5 hours. spend an hour with the chimpanzees.

Thereafter, drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park with lunch en route. Connect for your game drive in Ishasha for chances of spotting the tree-climbing lions and other animals. Dinner and overnight stay at Enjojo Game lodge for budget/Ishasha Jungle Lodge for mid-range

Day 16: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—Visit Buhoma Hospital and take a community tour

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. It’s about a 4-hour drive with an en-route lunch to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi forest, connect to visit the Buhoma hospital and community tour. Later afternoon/evening, connect to your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range or Buhoma Community Rest Camp for budget

Day 17: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park

Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an unforgettable adventure. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour. The activity can take 2-7 hours since the gorillas move up and down. This is an awesome and exciting moment.  En route, there are other types of primates, such as monkeys, birds, and more. Return for dinner and overnight stay as above.

Day 18: Transfer to relax at Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, connect to Lake Bunyonyi, which is about 2-3 hours; drive from Buhoma Bwindi. Upon arrival, check in at the lodge and spend your day relaxing at the lodge. You may have an optional boat trip to visit some of the islands. Dinner and overnight stay at Bunyonyi overland resort (budget)/ Arcadia lodge (Mid-range)

Day 19: Transfer to Kisoro—Batwa community tour and Lake Mutanda canoe ride

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Mgahinga national park in Kisoro. This is about a 2-hour drive. Upon arrival, connect to the park for the Batwa trail experience. Here you will learn about the Batwa pygmies and their cultural practices before they were displaced from the park. Connect to the lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon/evening, take an optional boat trip on lake Mutanda. Dinner and overnight at Mulehe lodge for mid-range/Travelers’ Rest hotel for budget

Day 20: Golden Monkey tracking – Mgahinga national park

You will have breakfast and head to Mgahinga national park for your Golden monkey tracking experience. Upon arrival at the park headquarters at 7 am, you will receive a briefing from the park officials before entering the montane forest to search for the Golden monkeys. Trekking starts at 8 am, taking about 2-5 hours tracking and on finding them, spend an hour with them before you return to meet your driver and drive back to the lodge to relax, have dinner and overnight stay at lodge as above

Day 21: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – Walking Safari and Night game drive

Early morning, after your breakfast, transfer to Lake Mburo national park. It’s about a 4-5 hour drive. Upon arrival, have your lunch. Later in the afternoon/evening, connect for a walking safari. This tour is no different from a game drive except that here you will walk on foot to find the animals. Return to the Lodge for dinner; later in the night, connect for a night game drive for chances of spotting some nocturnal animals. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge for luxury/Rwakobo Rock Lodge for mid-range/Eagles’ Nest for budget

Day 22: Morning game drive and boat cruise on Lake Mburo

You will go for an early breakfast and then connect to Lake Mburo national park for an early morning game drive to find the early risers. It’s said there are lions and leopards in Lake Mburo national park but quite difficult to see, if you go for a morning game drive, you have a chance of seeing them. expect to see other animals such as the impala, Topi, Eland, and Klipspringer. Burchell’s zebras, Giraffes, buffalo also graze these areas.

Later in the afternoon, connect for an afternoon boat ride on Lake Mburo, which will get you quite close to Crocodiles and Hippos. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at lodge as above

Day 23: Transfer to Entebbe – Visit Mabamba Swamp

After breakfast, you embark on a journey back to Entebbe; it’s about a 4-5-hour drive with an en-route stop at the Uganda Equator. Check in at your booked hotel, have lunch and later in the evening, connect to Mabamba swamp for a birding experience. You will meet your local guide for your canoe ride to Mabamba swamp, take a boat to the swamp and get chances of meeting a number of birds, most especially the most sought bird, which is the Shoebill stock bird. This will take 1-2 hours depending on the availability of the birds. After birding, return to the landing area and meet your driver to drive you back to your own-booked hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Via Via Guesthouse for budget/Best Western Garden Hotel for mid-range

Day 24: Departure

After breakfast and depending on your departure flight schedule, the driver will drop you off at Entebbe international airport for your onward flight back home.

End of 24 Days Uganda Safari Highlights