YOUR 22 DAY SAFARI
A 22-day safari in Uganda promises an unforgettable adventure through diverse landscapes and rich wildlife with gorillas, teh Big Five and chimpanzees.
DAY 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
You will be warmly welcomed by the GTD Afrika Tours Limited friendly tourist guide who will explain about Uganda as the Pearl of Africa and later transfer you to the nearest lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lake Heights Hotel
DAY 2
Today morning, after breakfast, you shall transfer to Entebbe Airport for a connecting flight to Kidepo National Park airstrip in the north-east corner of Uganda. You shall be met by your drivers with jeeps to transfer you to your lodge with an enroute game drive. The flight takes approximately two hours.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
DAY 3
On this third day, after an early breakfast and packed lunch at the lodge, we will embark on morning and evening game drives in the Narus Valley. These plains are teeming with spectacular wildlife including some of the Big Five: elephants, lions, antelopes, leopards, and more.
Enjoy amazing views from your lodge balcony. Kidepo is known as the second-best national park by African Geographic Channel. Experience a wilderness sundowner while watching the sun set over the savannah horizons.
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
DAY 4
On this day, we will visit the Manyata Karamojong village to learn about their unique and ancient culture. This unique tribe is believed to have migrated from North West Africa. Later, return to the lodge for an overnight stay.
DAY 5: Transfer to Chobe
After a relaxed breakfast in the morning, we will transfer to Karuma Reserve in Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way in Gulu town, we will stop for lunch and visit the local market.
Discover fascinating encounters about Uganda and Africa in general. Later, drive to Chobe Safari Lodge, one of the best safari lodges in Uganda.
Arrive in time for a swim in Chobe’s magical pool with wonderful views over the Nile and enjoy a rewarding evening campfire with hippos and elephants in view.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
DAY 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Today, enjoy Chobe Lodge until the afternoon. Have lunch here and later start a 2-hour drive to Wankwar Gate and proceed to Paraa.
Along the way, we will encounter a lot of wildlife, taking advantage of the game drive opportunity. Chances are we will have a short game drive on the Delta Track before proceeding to our lodge.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
DAY 7: Murchison Falls National Park – Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise, and Hiking to Top of Falls
On this morning, we will start our day with an early game drive on the northern banks where vibrant wildlife roams the savannah plains. We expect to see spectacular wildlife including elephants, giraffe herds, oribis, buffalos, lions, leopards, hartebeests, and more.
Our game drive will lead us to the jetty for the afternoon boat cruise. After the two-hour boat cruise at the bottom of the Nile, you shall disembark and hike or walk to the top of the falls.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
DAY 8: Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Today we will transfer to Kibale National Park. This long but interesting drive will take us through the Lake Albert escarpment with superb views, rural areas of Uganda, and lush green vegetation with tea plantations. We will have a lunch picnic break along the way.
Accommodation: Crater Safari Lodge
DAY 9: Bigodi Swamp Walk and Chimpanzee Trekking
Today we will embark on an early walk into the Bigodi Swamp after a relaxed breakfast. The swamp walk will start at 8:00 am and last about 3 hours. We will see different kinds of active primates, endemic birds, and plants.
The morning nature walk with a site guide is amazing and rewarding. Later, have lunch at the lodge and then head to the park for an afternoon chimpanzee trekking activity. Meet our closest relatives in the forest and stay with them for an hour.
Accommodation: Crater Safari Lodge
DAY 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park
After your morning breakfast, go for a Crater Lakes hike. These Crater Lakes were formed by ancient volcanic activity and are located near Fort Portal.
Typical hikes take you through local villages and tea plantations to these incredibly serene and beautiful lakes.
With the Rwenzori Mountains in the background, this is one of Uganda’s most peaceful and extraordinary sights. Later, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the second-largest national park in Uganda.
This park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world, from open savannah, rain forest, dense papyrus swamps, and Crater Lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward.
Almost 100 mammal species include lions, hippos, leopards, buffalos, spotted hyenas, elephants, and the elusive giant forest hog. Remarkably, there are about 606 bird species, including the black-chested eagle.
The primates include chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons.
Reptiles include huge rock pythons, puff adders, spitting cobras, Gaboon vipers, green mambas, turtles, and more.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
DAY 11: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activities of the Day: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
In the morning, have a game drive along the shores in the Kisenyi area to look out for lions, elephants, buffalos, and other wildlife like the Uganda kob. Return to the lodge for breakfast.
Later, go for an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Hippos huff and spray water near the boat, buffalos linger in the shallows, and a tremendous variety of birds grace the shores.
Great white and pink-backed pelicans, great and long-tailed cormorants, open-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, African jacanas, and pied kingfishers are common sights.
Optional Activities available in the evening:
Queen’s Pavilion:
Just 800 meters from the equator monument, and overlooking a thrilling landscape of crater lakes, is the Queen’s Pavilion, a community-run internet cafe.
This is the perfect spot to revive yourself after an early morning safari with a cup of Ugandan tea or coffee. Listen to the elephants trumpeting on the dry plains below and enjoy the savannah views.
Katwe Salt Walk:
This tour offers a unique insight into the fascinating process of salt mining, providing an alternative income for Katwe.
During the tour, you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways, and enter one of the traditional grass huts used to shelter and store tools. The nearby bird sanctuary lake offers a chance to see flamingos from October.
Kikorongo African Art Workshop:
Traditional crafts hold a special significance in Ugandan villages. Small baskets signify friendship, a calabash on top of a house wards off evil spirits, or a traditional healer’s woven purse filled with natural remedies.
Kikorongo Women Community invites you to learn their traditional skills during this fascinating workshop.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
DAY 12: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
On this day, start the journey to the home of the gentle giants of Bwindi. This fulfilling journey will take you through the Kigezi Highlands, known as ‘the Switzerland of Africa,’ with amazing green terraced hills.
Lunch will be on the way at a hotel depending on the time of arrival. Relax at the lodge as you prepare for the next day’s trek.
Destination: Bwindi National Park
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
DAY 13: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
On this day, you will meet the gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: “The Ultimate Gorilla Experience.” Enjoy the impenetrable forest with several species of singing birds, butterflies, mammals, and primates.
With the help of your guide, who is a park ranger, you will find yourself face to face with the rare lovely mountain gorillas. The trekking experience will give you everlasting memories.
You can spend only one hour with the gorillas to capture your finest pictures. Those not interested in gorilla tracking can visit the community village walk or take a short guided forest walk.
Destination: Bwindi National Park
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
DAY 14: Lake Bunyonyi
On this day, have breakfast and later drive to Lake Bunyonyi, the place of little birds and the deepest lake in Africa, featuring around 29 islands. The drive takes about 3 hours. Check into the lodge and prepare for an afternoon Lake Bunyonyi tour. Later in the evening, relax at the lodge and enjoy an evening campfire.
Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
DAY 15: Lake Mburo National Park
Today we will set off for Lake Mburo National Park, a whisper of the wild with beautiful landscapes, plantations, farms, and animals.
Visit the culture of the Bahima people who graze the Ankole long-horned cattle. Experience milking and enjoy milk products made locally.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
DAY 16: Whisper of the Wild in Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast, take a game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. You will see giraffes, elands, beautiful birds, and much more.
Later, proceed to Jinja with a stopover at the famous Equator line. Have lunch at the Equator depending on your arrival time and proceed to Jinja, the source of the River Nile.
Accommodation: Haven Lodge Jinja
DAY 17: Jinja
After a late breakfast at the lodge, take a boat ride through the source of the Nile. After a memorable boat ride, return to relax and spend the night at the lodge in Jinja.
Accommodation: Haven Lodge Jinja
DAY 18: White Water Rafting
Have breakfast and then enjoy a half-day white water rafting experience through the source of the Nile. Other amazing activities to enjoy (optional) while on tour in Jinja include quad biking, horseback riding, jet boating, kayaking, bungee jumping, and more.
Accommodation: Haven Lodge Jinja
DAY 19: Kampala City Tour
After an early breakfast, drive from Jinja to Kampala. Along the way, stop to visit Ssezibwa Falls to learn about its cultural significance, and Mabira Forest for a short nature walk to enjoy bird sightings, primates, and butterflies.
Proceed to a Kampala city tour, which will take you to different interesting places, including the Uganda Museum, Bahai Temple—the only Bahai Temple in Africa, and Lubiri. Afterward, have lunch.
Drive to the craft market and then connect to Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine for a faith tourism experience. If time allows, visit the Kabaka’s Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in Africa, known for its cultural significance and bird watching. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Kampala.
Accommodation: Serena Hotel
Entebbe Botanical Gardens
DAY 20: Entebbe City Tour
Wake up early to have breakfast and transfer to Entebbe for your city expedition. Entebbe is one of the oldest towns in Uganda.
This was Uganda’s first capital city, and your day will involve visiting Entebbe Botanical Gardens for bird watching and exploring several tree and plant species of medicinal importance.
You will also visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, where you can enjoy views of diverse wildlife kept at the zoo, including elephants, lions, giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, zebras, and birds, including the shoebill stork.
End your day with a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria and visit the Equator monument. After the long day of touring Entebbe, drive back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel
DAY 21
On this day, have a late breakfast, then transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight.
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of Tour)
Cost Inclusions:
- All meals and accommodation as per itinerary.
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle.
- Park entrance fees.
- Services of a full-time English-speaking or your choice language-speaking driver/guide.
- Drinking water on safari.
- All boat trips as per itinerary.
- Bigodi Swamp walk.
- All airport pickups and drops.
- All activities as stipulated in the itinerary.
- All government taxes.
- Full board accommodation as per itinerary.
Excluded are:
- All optional activities or forest walks.
- Bar bills and phone calls.
- Personal insurance.
- Laundry.
- Airfare.
- All other services of a personal nature.