Journey to Jinja for a Sunset Boat Safari on the Nile, Exploring the Source of the Nile via Sezibwa Falls & Mabira Forest Reserve

Jinja - Begin the day with breakfast before driving through Kampala, heading east along the Kampala-Jinja highway to Jinja, the home of the Source of the Nile. The journey will take you past coffee, tea, and sugar plantations, as well as vibrant roadside fruit and vegetable markets.

Your first stop will be at Sezibwa Falls, a cultural heritage site of Buganda, featuring stunning waterfalls and a refreshing atmosphere. Spend an hour hiking the rocks, birdwatching, and learning about the myths of the falls and the ancient traditional worship still practiced here.

Mabira Central Forest Reserve - Continue your journey with a stop at Mabira Rainforest, the largest forest in Central Uganda. Embark on a 2-hour trek to track the habituated Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, observe numerous birds, monkeys, and squirrels, or try zip-lining while enjoying the aroma of the African jungle.

Source of the Nile - Speke Monument - After activities at Mabira Forest Reserve, return to the main road and drive to Jinja for lunch. Enjoy a sunset boat safari to the spot where John Speke discovered the source of the Nile, and view the Source of the Nile - Speke Monument.

Journey to Gulu with a Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Track White Rhinos

Rhino Fund Uganda - Start the day with breakfast before transferring to Gulu, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track White Rhinos.

Arrive at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary around 10:00 am and enter the southern white rhinos’ territory on foot, guided by well-trained rangers. Witness these magnificent, endangered creatures in their natural habitat before continuing to Gulu City.

Journey to Kidepo Valley National Park for an Afternoon (Sunset) Game Drive

Kidepo Valley National Park - Begin the day with breakfast before transferring to Kidepo Valley National Park.

The drive will take you through Karamojong Villages, offering splendid views of the countryside. Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s most isolated national park, yet those who make the journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamojong agree it is among Africa’s most magnificent wildernesses.

Arrive at Kidepo Valley National Park in the afternoon, have lunch, and embark on an afternoon/evening (sunset) game drive to see various animals such as Zebras, Elephants, Buffaloes, Giraffes, and Lions.

Morning (Sunrise) Game Drive & Afternoon Karamojong/IK Cultural Experience

Kidepo Valley National Park - During the morning (sunrise) game drive, a knowledgeable ranger will join you in your vehicle. The park is renowned for its large elephant population, diverse bird species, and big herds of buffalo. Giraffes, lions, antelope, and waterbucks can also be spotted, and with careful observation, you may even see elusive leopards.

In the afternoon, after lunch, visit the Karamojong/IK Community. Spend time in a Karamojong/IK village learning about their traditional way of life, including traditional kraals, dance, manyattas, and colorful blankets. Enjoy a wonderful evening with the Karamojong & IK people, gaining insight into their way of life and beliefs. By the end of the tour, you will understand why their pride makes them slow to adapt to globalization.

Journey to Murchison Falls National Park for an Afternoon (Sunset) Game Drive

Murchison Falls National Park - Start the day with breakfast before driving southwest to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. The drive will take you through Karamojong villages, offering splendid views of the countryside with several stopovers for landscape and scenic viewing. Stop in Gulu town for lunch and to purchase items before proceeding to the national park.

Arrive at Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon, have lunch, and embark on an afternoon (sunset) game drive to see elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and giraffes, with hopes of spotting lions and leopards. The game track network converges at Delta Point, where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert, a convenient spot for refreshments and viewing water birds and distant hippos.

Morning (Sunrise) Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Safari on Victoria/Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park - Enjoy a safari breakfast before dawn to start the morning game drive as the sun rises. Sunrise is ideal for wildlife spotting, as animals are most active during the “golden hours” when the first rays of sunshine illuminate the savannah. Elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species may be seen, and with luck, a lion or leopard might appear.

Return for lunch in the afternoon, then embark on a 3-hour boat safari upstream on the Victoria Nile to the falls, passing breathtaking scenery, crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys, and other animals that come to the Nile. The boat will drop you near the waterfall for an optional hike (1-1.5 hours) to the top of the falls (additional cost of $15 per person).

Top of the Falls Walk & Transfer to Kibale National Park for a Guided Crater Lakes & Plantations Walk

Kibale National Park - Enjoy your last sunrise and breakfast in this beautiful national park in Uganda with a walk to the top of Murchison Falls, lasting about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Witness the beauty of the Nile, where the 50m-wide river is funneled into a 7-meter cleft in the rocks, dropping 40 meters with a thunderous roar, creating a beautiful rainbow and impressive spray.

Begin your journey from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park through Fort Portal town. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon. Enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and tea fields along the way, with several stopovers for scenic viewing before reaching Fort Portal for lunch at Fort Portal Garden Restaurant.

Fort Portal - In the afternoon, after lunch, embark on a guided Crater Lakes & Plantation Walk. The landscape south of Fort Portal is dotted with picturesque crater lakes, some over 400m deep. These lakes are breathtakingly beautiful and offer excellent hiking opportunities. The hikes lead through several crater lakes, villages, tea plantations, and waterfalls.

Visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary OR Optional Chimps Tracking at Kibale & Transfer to Semuliki for Sempaya Hot-Springs

Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary - Start the day early with breakfast, then choose between a community walk or a deeper forest Swamp Walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to 8 primate species, over 200 bird species, butterflies, and various reptiles.

Kibale National Park - Alternatively, opt for an optional Chimpanzees Tracking experience at Kibale National Park (additional fee of $200 per person), where an experienced guide will lead you into the forest to observe these fascinating creatures up close. Watching them interact, groom, play, and forage is an incredible experience. While chances of encountering chimpanzees are high, it is never 100% guaranteed, as they are wild animals with their own wills. The park is also home to 10 other primates, including l’hoestes, red colobus, blues, red-tailed, and gray-cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations on primates and all forest fauna and flora, ensuring an informative and enjoyable walk.

Guided Walk in Nature at Amabere Caves & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an Afternoon (Sunset) Game Drive

Amabere Caves - Begin the day early with breakfast, then enjoy a guided walk in nature at Amabere Caves, where you can view stalagmites, crater lakes, birds, and hill climbing. Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves is a historic site believed to be the birthplace of the founding King of the Bachwezi. The caves are named after the stalactites that resemble a woman’s breasts or a cow’s udder.

Queen Elizabeth National Park - In the afternoon, after lunch, embark on an exciting drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey.

Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon and embark on an afternoon (sunset) game drive to see animals like elephants, buffaloes, lions, bush pigs, and various antelope families.

Morning (Sunrise) Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Early in the morning, set out for a game drive in the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse ecosystem of grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzori Mountains as a backdrop, provide excellent opportunities to see lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, Cape buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi, and bushbuck.

Return for lunch, and later in the day, when the sun is high and animals head to the river for a drink, visit Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat safari. Spot more hippos than you can imagine, and see herds of elephants and buffaloes wandering to the shoreline to bathe in the cooling waters. It will be a wonderful experience.

Chimps Tracking at Kalinzu Forest Reserve & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga NP via Ishasha Sector

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - After breakfast, drive to the “Switzerland of Africa” area known as the Kigezi Highlands, with its terraced hillsides and winding roads. Enjoy spectacular views of the mountainous countryside, offering incredible photography opportunities. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley. This “impenetrable forest” protects over 400 mountain gorillas, approximately half of the world’s population, including some habituated groups that visitors can track.

OR

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s smallest parks, where the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas are found. It is part of the Virunga massif, home to over 480 mountain gorillas.

Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve - Stop for Chimps tracking at Kalinzu Forest Reserve and go for a game drive at Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park, if time allows. Ishasha is famous for tree-climbing lions. Enjoy an extended game drive searching for these lions.

Mountain Gorillas Tracking & Batwa Community Visit

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - After breakfast, hike to the park headquarters, just meters from the lodge, for a briefing by UWA guides before transferring to the starting point for gorilla tracking. Enjoy Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP. Bwindi has the highest concentration of Gorillas, given its small size. The search for Gorillas goes through the thick, untamed rainforest, scrambling over mossy rocks and through deep undergrowth. It is a challenging activity, but the encounter is worth the effort. Watching Gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience that will last a lifetime. Experienced ranger guides will share information about the history and lifestyle of these Gorillas. The tracking experience is an exciting, yet challenging, journey along forested slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation, and bamboo forests before reaching the territory of these gentle giants.

Batwa Trail - After Mountain Gorillas tracking, visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditions, including traditional dance, beer making, and fire setting.

Golden Monkeys Tracking & Canoe Ride on Lake Bunyonyi

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park - Similar to gorilla tracking, embark on Golden Monkey tracking, starting with a pre-tracking briefing at the park headquarters. Hiking through the forests to see the golden monkeys is less strenuous than gorilla trekking, as golden monkeys live in lower areas, so tracking takes less than 3 hours. Spend one hour with the golden monkey family, taking photographs and observing their behavior. There is no minimum number of visitors, and the age limit is 12 years.

Lake Bunyonyi - In the afternoon, after lunch, enjoy a Canoe/Boat ride on scenic Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is the only one where you can ride a canoe to visit all 29 islands, including the floating Island and the punishment Island, where young girls who became pregnant before marriage were left to die.

Journey to Lake Mburo National Park for an Afternoon (Sunset) Game Drive

Lake Mburo National Park - After an early breakfast, leave Lake Bunyonyi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale Town. Be welcomed into the park by herds of zebra, buffalo, eland, and antelope grazing in the savannah grass.

Arrive in the afternoon, have lunch, and embark on an afternoon game drive, spotting Zebras, Buffalos, Impalas, Warthogs, and Waterbucks. Birdwatchers will enjoy seeing malachite kingfishers, African Fish eagles, blue-headed weavers, Rufous-tailed starlings, herons, pelicans, the rare shoebill, and cormorants.

Morning (Sunrise) Walking Safari, Equator Experience & Departure

Lake Mburo National Park - Enjoy your last sunrise in this beautiful part of Uganda with a guided nature walk (walking safari with a guide) to spot Zebras, Giraffes, Eland, Topi, Antelope, and Cape buffaloes up close. Take the trail to the top of the hills to see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, enjoy a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park.

Equator Entebbe - After the walking safari, your guide will drive you across beautiful sceneries back to Kampala or Entebbe, or drop you off at Entebbe International Airport 3 hours before your departure time, with a stop at the equator for an equator experience and photo opportunities.

Did this safari cover all the items on your travel bucket list? If not, don’t worry. Specializing in tailor-made tours, we can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch to create your personalized program.

Only breakfast, lunch, and drinking water are provided on this day.

• Ground transportation by 4×4 safari van or Land Cruiser
• Airport transfer
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Kanarok Hot-Springs Experience at Kidepo Valley National Park
• Game safaris
• Mountain Gorillas Tracking permits at Bwindi Impenetrable (USD 700 per person)
• Guided walk in nature at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (KAFRED)
• Drinking water on all days
• All park entrance fees
• Canoe/Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi
• Equator Experience & photo moments
• Karamojong or IK Community Visit or Cultural Visit at Kidepo Valley National Park
• Top of Murchison Falls walk at Murchison Falls National Park
• Full-time English-speaking driver/guide
• Golden Monkeys at Mgahinga National Park (USD 60 per person)
• Boat safaris
• Full board accommodation and en-route meals
• Batwa/Pygmies Community Visit
• Chimps Tracking permits at Kalinzu Forest Reserve (USD 50 per person)
• Guided walk in nature at Amabere Caves or Crater Lakes & Plantations Walk
• Ostriches Experiences at Kidepo Valley National Park
• All relevant government taxes
• Vehicle park entry fees
• Guided walk-in nature & Hot-Springs Experience at Semuliki National Park
• Park ranger

• Airfares (International Air tickets and airport taxes)
• Visa Fees
• Personal Insurance
• Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, tips & meals not indicated etc
• Chimps Tracking at Kibale National Park is optional at additional fee of USD 200 per person
• Chimpanzees habituation at Kibale National Park is optional at additional fee of USD 250 per person
• Any other items which are not included in the above itinerary
• Accommodation on your first & last night in Uganda

Experience Uganda from North to South: Kidepo Valley National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Start by heading to the untouched wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park. From there continue the journey to the south with highlights of Boat-safaris, Game-drives and Chimps trekking on the way. In the south you will meet the gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Mountain Gorillas & Golden Monkeys. Along the way you discover Uganda’s varied nature and friendly people.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.