Round Uganda Safari 18 Days 17 Nights
Overview
This tour will take you to the best places of a wonderful country Uganda. You will visit and experience the very best tour Karangura Adventures has to offer! Travel from East to West and North to South and see the diversity of Uganda’s flora and fauna. The mountains of Sipi Falls, one of the best parks in the world; Kidepo valley, meet the Karamojong, explore the River Nile, the savannas of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls and the rain forests of Kibale and Bwindi.
This tour through Uganda is the perfect combination of nature, culture & animals and you will spend your nights in the best budget-range accommodations or camps in Uganda.
Highlights
- Kampala City
- Sipi Falls
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Murchison Falls
- Queen Elizabeth
- Kibale National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi
Day to Day Program
Day 1: Arrival & visit the Botanical Gardens
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by Akiiki Tours Uganda guide/drive who will welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will be transferred to your booked accommodation. In case you have had an early landing in Uganda, you may opt to go out and tour the botanical gardens. You will stay in a nice lodge with beautiful views on Lake Victoria. The hotel has cozy safari style furnished rooms, equipped with satellite TV, fridge bar, telephone, fan, balcony with lake-view and a comfortable bathroom.
Accommodation:Cassia Lodge
Mid-range Hotel located just near Kampala City.
Includes: All Meals and drinking water
Day 2:Transfer to Jinja.white water rafting day.
You will be picked up very early in the morning and start you journey to Jinja. Along the way you will see Mabira Forest, Sugar plantations in Lugazi and finally the World’s longest river Nile. Jinja lies on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 3 hours East from Kampala. This town is famous as the historic source of the river Nile and at the same time the adrenaline capital of East Africa. Besides enjoying peaceful sunsets, birdlife and tranquility, this is also where visitors get their adventurous fix. Enjoy white-water rafting. Jinja has a gorgeous natural setting with crumbling colonial architecture. It also has a vibrant downtown and broad leafy residential
Accommodation:2 Friends Lodge .
Includes: All meals and drinking water.
Day 3:transfer to sipi falls
You will start your journey to Kumi District to the sipi falls on this day. A drive through the north-eastern part of Uganda, to the foothills of Mt Elgon you reach a plateau 1800m above sea level where the beautiful Sipi Falls are located. These green area has a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. There are three falls separated by steep hillsides. It is quite cool here compared to the other parts of Uganda with temperate weather conditions. You will relax and enjoy the fresh air and the calm environment away from city hustles and traffic. Later in the day, a coffee tour and community visits are some of the activities you can enjoy besides the hikes.
Accommodation: Sipi heritage Lodge
Includes:All meals ,Drinking water
Day 4: cultural interactions in karamoja
Karangura Adventures strives to be innovative and takes its responsibility by bringing you to places where no one else will go. One of these examples is Karamoja; an area in North-Eastern Uganda where you can learn about traditional life of the Karamojong, the most traditional tribe still living in Uganda. After the early morning breakfast, you will leave for Moroto the area occupied by the Karamajongs. On reaching, you will have a scenic nature walk through the highest mountain of Karamoja. During the walk we will set camp at a traditional village of the So called Tepeth mountain people.
After this, you’ll meet the Karamajong living in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns. These are put up to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rival tribes and wild animals. Some of the Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily.
Accommodation:Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Safari Camp
Includes:All meals and Drinking water
Day 5: morning karamajong experience.Transfer to KIdepo Valley National park
Wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of pastoral life and after breakfast we will continue our journey north through the rugged Karamoja scenery towards Kidepo Valley. In the morning you can still enjoy this unique opportunity to spend more time with the Karamojong tribe. After this thrilling experience it is time to travel to the most remote and pristine national park in the country: Kidepo Valley National Park.
In the rugged semi-arid valleys in the extreme northeast of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park lies hidden away in a lost and not frequently visited corner between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. It is a long but very rewarding journey to get to this area with some of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda. You’ll experience an afternoon game drive in the wild Narus valley where herds of elephants & buffalos as well as beautiful sights of lions and leopards sitting on various valley rocks can be spotted.
Accommodation
Kidepo Savannah Lodge Inside Kidepo Valley National Park
Includes:All meals and Drinking water
Day 6: Game Drive in kidepo
Kidepo Valley national park is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can do a walking safari. An armed ranger is joining you for your safety and you will explore the wilderness on foot. During this activity you get the chance to experience the wildlife up-close, a totally different experience than game-viewing by car. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck and of course the naughty baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. The guide stops regularly, not merely searching for game, but telling you about birds, insects, trees, animal droppings, the medicinal use of plants and which animals eat which plants.
Today in the afternoon you will go for another game drive in this amazing national park. The savannah is ringed by mountains and rocky ridges. It has a profusion of big game and hosts 475 bird species and over 80 mammal species, of which 28 were not known to occur (or very rarely) in any other Ugandan park. For example; ostriches, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, caracals, cheetahs, and greater and lesser kudus. Kidepo Valley National Park ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses and is ranked no. 3 on the list of CNN of best national parks in Africa. Let’s try to get that famous lion king picture of a lion on a rock before you’ll spend another night at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Murchision falls national Park
After an early breakfast we’ll leave the camp and have one last chance to enjoy the beauty of Kidepo and maybe get a sight of any animals we missed. From the park gates it is a two-hour drive through the rugged landscape (and roads!) of northern Uganda to Kitugum and then a further hour to Gulu where we will stop for lunch. From Gulu we’ll head south on good roads to the northern gates of Murchison Falls NP, Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa We’ll have the opportunity to take a slow drive in the late afternoon through the park before setting up camp in the delta area of the park.
Accommodation:Fort Murchison Lodge
Inside Murchison
Day 8: Game Drive and boat cruise on Victoria Nile
After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On the Game drive, you will spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the parks ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like.
The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity, it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board so when you get thirsty, go for a local beer or a soda y. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls.
Accommodation:Fort Murchison Lodge
Day 9: Top of the falls visit & transfer to kibale National park
Have breakfast in the morning visit the top of the falls and depart for Kibale forest National Park.Have Lunch at Fort Portal and proceed to kibale national park. Dinner and overnight stay at Bigodi.
Accommodation:Kibale Forest Camp Inside Kibale N/P
Day 10: Chimpanzee trekking & bigodi swamp walk
Today you will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The Chimpanzee Trekking experience here is done on several well maintained walking trails. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos. After tracking, you have the opportunity for a guided walk through the swamps of Bigodi. This activity will take you to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird; the Great Blue Turaco.
Accommodation:Kibale Forest Camp Inside Kibale N/P
Day 11:Head to Queen Elizabeth National park
Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in south western Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such a high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bushland, wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park with her 200 kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise for you to be alert and pro-active on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible. With an astonishing 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants and over 10,000 buffalo thriving in its grasslands and shorelines, this park guarantees sightings of some of Africa’s most iconic species. All being well you see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, different species of antelope and just maybe some of the exciting predators such as; lion, leopard, civet, genal and serval cats. Ten species of primates enjoy the park’s diverse habitats. Vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys are easily spotted in the trees, and of course the boldest species; baboons! They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car so you can ask your guide to search for specific birdlife or wildlife.
Accommodation:The Bush Lodge In Queen Elizabeth N/P
Day 12: Explore Queen Elizabeth national park
After you have enjoyed your breakfast you will be taken for a morning game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to be most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.
After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
Accommodation:The Bush Lodge
Day 13:Ishasha sector for tree climbing lions-Bwindi
Drive for 2, 5 hours to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha sector). This part is famous for its’ tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. However, these lionesses enjoy spending the hot afternoons snoozing in fig trees to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. This is the most memorable sight in the park as you have never seen such photogenic lions posing for your camera before. Meanwhile don’t miss the stunning scenery and superb birdlife in this southern remote section of the park either.Later head to Bwindi
Accommodation: Ride for a woman
Day 14: Gorilla trekking & Batwa cultural 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.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared). Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 bird’s species call Bwindi home. This is the place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment.
Gorilla tracking involves walking in the wilderness in search of these great apes. On occasions the Gorillas prove elusive but often can be found within an hour by the tracker guides. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in a delightfully playful display. This once-in-a-lifetimeexperience is NOT TO MISS!
Accommodation:Ride for a woman
Day 15,16& 17:Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
After breakfast, we shall start our journey to lake Bunyonyi in kabale District. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) with 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day. You shall have an exciting boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. In the afternoon you may have optional activities; a Canoe boat ride, a swim in the Bilharzia free lake, you may also explore a nearby village. Residents are happy for your visit and are open to explain their daily lives.
Accommodation: Heritage Lodge (Habuharo Island)
Day 18:Departure
After Breakfast, you will start your journey back to Entebbe. You will go cross the equator and experience being the Northern and Southern Hemisphere the same time an also have time to take photos. Buy a few souvenirs in the craft shops and have a quick picnic lunch. Later you depart for the Airport and take your flight back home.
Accommodation:No accommodation
Included
- Fees for the English professional safari driver guide
- 4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with functional A/C
- Park entry fees/ Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permit fees
- Fees for suggested enroute lunches where applicable.
- Full board accommodation at mentioned hotels / lodges
- Boat cruise fees where applicable
- Water in safari vehicle
- Activities mentioned
Excludes:
- International and domestic flight fees
- Porters for the trail and habituations
- Visa fees
- Laundry services
- Items of personal nature
- Gratuities and tips






