19-Day Explore Uganda-Culture and Pearl of Africa Wonders

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Safari Tent)

Mid-range tented camp bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Kidepo walking safari, Ik cultural experience and scenic transfer to Murchison falls park adventure

After breakfast, you will enjoy a guided walking safari in Kidepo Valley Park, one of Africa’s most remote and untouched wilderness areas. Accompanied by a ranger guide, you will explore the vast savannah landscapes on foot, offering a close and immersive experience with nature. This walking safari allows you to appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem, including animal tracks, unique plant species, and the birdlife that thrives in the park.
You will also engage in a cultural visit to the Ik people, one of Uganda’s smallest and most ethnic groups living in the mountainous areas near Kidepo. This experience offers deep insight into their traditional lifestyle, unique customs, homestead structures, and survival practices that have been preserved despite isolation. It is a rare opportunity to learn about one of East Africa’s most unique communities. You will begin your transfer towards Murchison Falls Park. Upon arrival in Murchison Falls, you will check in at your lodge for stay.

Main Destination:

Karamoja Region

Accommodation:

Murchison Giraffe Camp

Budget bush camp located just outside Murchison Falls NP

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Game drive and boat trip in Murchison falls national park-wildlife viewing and Nile safari adventure

You will depart for an exciting morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park in search of the park’s incredible wildlife. The highlight of the drive is spotting predators such as lions, leopards, hyenas, foxes, and other wildlife roaming freely across the savannah. You will also encounter large herds of buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and several species of antelopes in their natural habitat. The early morning hours provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography as animals become active across the plains.
After the game drive, return for lunch and some relaxation before preparing for an afternoon boat cruise along the River Nile. The boat safari takes approximately two hours and leads you to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls. Along the way, you will see numerous hippos resting in the water, giant Nile crocodiles along the riverbanks, elephants bathing, and a variety of beautiful bird species. Best wildlife experience although.

Main Destination:

Murchison Falls National Park

Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Bamboo Village Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Murchison Falls NP

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+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

It continues to be home to Chimpanzees and other primates - supporting rich biodiversity in Uganda

Today you will depart Murchison Falls and head to Kibale Forest National Park, driving through a scenic landscape of lush green countryside, rolling hills, and rural villages that showcase Uganda’s natural beauty. Upon arrival in Kibale, you will enter a completely different world filled with dense tropical rainforest and rich biodiversity
Although the main highlight is chimpanzee tracking-Kibale Forest is home to at least 12 primate species, making it one of the best primate destinations in Africa. These include the red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, black-and-white colobus monkey, and blue monkey, all commonly seen during forest walks
The birdlife in Kibale is equally impressive, with species such as the magnificent Great Blue Turaco adding color and life to the forest canopy. With a bit of luck, you may also encounter the elusive forest elephants as they move quietly through the dense vegetation
This experience offers an incredible opportunity to explore one of Uganda’s most vibrant.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Chimp trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather January to February and June to July (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LionVery Rare

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Accommodation:

Isunga Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

+9 Photos

+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

High DNA similarity with Humans - Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest park and Bigodi wetland visit

In the morning, you will embark on a refreshing nature excursion through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a guided swamp walk lasting 1–2 hours. The trail passes through grasslands, papyrus swamps, and scenic landscapes rich in biodiversity. During the walk, it is common to spot 3 to 4 different primate species, such as monkeys moving through the forest edges. The main highlight of this experience is the chance to observe the spectacular Great Blue Turaco, one of the most beautiful birds in the region.
At 2:00 PM, your chimpanzee tracking excursion will begin in Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale is renowned for having the highest number of primate species in the world, including our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. As you trek through the forest with an experienced ranger, you will learn about chimp behavior and communication.
Along the way, your guide will also help you identify other forest inhabitants, including various bird species, butterflies, plants, and unique flora and fauna.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Isunga Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 12

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park- The medley of wonders, Cultural visits and wildlife views

After breakfast, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. After check-in and lunch, you will relax and settle into the peaceful surroundings of the park. In the afternoon, you will proceed for a cultural visit to nearby fishing and mining communities around the Lake George basin and Kasese region. Here, you will experience the daily lives of local people, learn about traditional fishing methods, fish trading activities, and small-scale mining practices that support community livelihoods. This visit offers a meaningful cultural connection and insight into how communities live alongside the wildlife conservation areas.
Queen Elizabeth Park is one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife destinations, known for its rich concentration of wildlife species. It is home to African buffalo, Uganda kob, hippopotamus, giant forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. The evening is spent at leisure at your lodge.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP

+8 Photos

+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 13

Game drives and Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth national park - wildlife safari and kazinga channel

Today you will to get up close to wild African fauna on this is rewarding adventure - Lion Tracking. This unique experience allows visitors to actively participate in monitoring some of the lions in the park, using locator devices you will learn habituation calls.
The results are added to researchers’ databases, contributing valuable information to the overall understanding of wildlife ecology - and helping to conserve this wonderful ecosystem. This will as well give you a 95% chance to see the lions! The number of people on each outing is limited in order to reduce stress on the animals and to increase the quality of the experience for visitors.
Other experiential tourism activities currently available are; Mongoose Tracking, Hippo Census, and Bird Counts. Such nature excursions can be done in the early morning or evening, or occasionally at night. In the afternoon, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel - a natural channel which connects Lake Edward to Lake George.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Enjojo Lodge (Cottage)

Mid-range lodge bordering Queen Elizabeth NP without fences

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+20 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 14

Transfer to Ishasha sector - home of tree climbing lions, scenic drive and best wildlife experience

After breakfast, you will transfer to Ishasha sector, famously known as the home of the tree-climbing lions in the whole of East Africa. This remote and beautiful southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best places in the world to observe this rare lion behavior, where lions are often seen resting on large fig tree branches.
The Ishasha sector forms part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is widely recognized by wildlife experts and travelers as one of the top destinations for viewing these unique predators in trees. It offers an incredible safari experience, especially for photography enthusiasts, as the scenery and wildlife interactions create unforgettable “wildlife moments” in their habitat.
Game drives in this area provide opportunities to spot elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, and other wildlife species as you search for the famous tree-climbing lions. The open savannah landscape combined with fig tree forests makes it a perfect backdrop for capturing.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Enjojo Lodge (Camping)

bordering Queen Elizabeth NP without fences

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 15

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park-home of the mountain gorillas, scenic forest journey

Today you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the famous home of the endangered mountain gorillas. The journey takes you through breathtaking, evergreen mountainous countryside in the south-western part of Uganda, close to the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Along the way, you will enjoy scenic views of rolling hills, terraced farmlands, and lush bamboo forests that create one of the most beautiful landscapes in East Africa.
As you approach Bwindi, the scenery becomes more dramatic and misty, reflecting the true meaning of an impenetrable forest. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its rich biodiversity and dense tropical vegetation, offering a unique and unforgettable travel experience.
Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge for relaxation and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the forest. We recommend an early night’s rest to prepare for the highlight of your safari adventure the following day: the unforgettable gorilla trekking.

Main Destination:

Kisoro (Town)

Accommodation:

Mucha Riverside Lodge

Budget hotel located in Kisoro (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 16

Gorilla sight ecounter in Bwindi park, mountains gorillas in their natural forest habitat experience

Today is the big day…. Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will be required to wake up early in the morning then be led to the visitor’s reception center for a briefing about the park. You are allocated guides before heading into the forest in search.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest boasts around half of Mountain Gorillas, There are also some Communities of Chimpanzees which are living in park making it the only forest in Africa named World heritage site named by UNESCO. It also hosts five other species of primate, 113 species of mammal, over 200 butterflies and 360 birds. Gorillas which you track belong to one of the habituated family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day.
Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the Gorillas’ habitat.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

LionNone

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Mucha Riverside Lodge

Budget hotel located 1-2hr drive from Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 17

Transfer to Echuya forest for Batwa cultural experience-nature forest walk and local community visit

Today morning, you will drive to the Batwa Cultural Trail in Kisoro for a unique cultural experience. This trail offers an opportunity to interact with and learn about the traditional lifestyle of the original Batwa people, also known as the pygmies, who were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi forest park. Their lives were closely connected to the natural environment, relying on hunting, gathering, and deep knowledge of the forest for survival.
The experience showcases their authentic culture, history, and traditions, giving you insight into how they once lived in harmony with the forest ecosystem before conservation efforts led to their relocation.
After this cultural encounter, you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest yet most charming parks. Despite its size, it is rich in wildlife and offers a different safari experience. Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda, apart from Kidepo Valley National Park, where you can find zebra, eland, and impala.

Main Destination:

Mbarara (Town)

Accommodation:

Kigarama Wilderness Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP

+10 Photos

+9 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 18

Walking safari and night game drive in Lake Mburo national park wildlife, zebras and cultural visits

In the morning, you will indulge in a nature walk in Lake Mburo Park, one of the few parks in Uganda where walking safaris are permitted with an ranger guide. This is an opportunity not to be missed, as the ranger interprets animal footprints, droppings, and tracks, explaining which animals passed by and how recently, making the experience both educational and exciting as you move close to wildlife in their habitat.
You may also choose to enjoy an optional mountain bike safari or horseback safari, offering adventurous ways to explore the park’s savannah landscapes. Later in the afternoon, you will visit nearby cattle farming communities around Lake Mburo, where you will learn about the traditional Ankole long-horned cattle, local herding practices, and how livestock plays an important role in the cultural and economic life of the region.
As the sun goes down, you will embark on an exciting night game drive. This experience reveals a difference, where nocturnal wildlife becomes active.

Main Destination:

Lake Mburo National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to August (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to August and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

ElephantNone

LionNone

CheetahNone