Ultimate Uganda 18 days

Ultimate Uganda 18 days

SINGLE OCCUPANCY AND GROUP TOURS

This Ultimate Uganda tour starts in one of Uganda's most romantic towns; Entebbe and ends in the bustling capital Kampala. The tour takes you around Uganda in 20 days giving you a refreshing mix of adventure, eccentric sights and sounds of local cultures and wildlife, and the charming scenes of Uganda's natural beauty that inspired Winston Churchill to call it the Pearl of Africa. You'll get to visit historical landmarks, marvel at Uganda's ancient cultures, food, music and folklore, see Africa's most sought after wildlife on game drives, enjoy the cool forest breeze on nature walks, bask in the tropical sun on the Nile and walk with the gentle giants - the Mountain gorillas.

Tour Includes

• Driver Guide
• Accommodation
• Transport
• Park entrance
• Meals

Highlights of the 20-day Ultimate Tour of Uganda

• Kampala, Fort Portal and Jinja
• Game viewing in L. Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park , Kidepo NP, and Murchison Falls NP
• Primate and gorilla tracking in Kibale forest and Bwindi Impenetrable forest
• Cultural interactions in the cities and communities surrounding the parks

Day 1: Arrival And Transfer To Hotel

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will meet your tour guide who will give you a warm welcome to the Pearl of Africa and transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. You may relax and settle in at your hotel to ready yourself for your 20-day adventure. If your flight arrives in the morning hours, you may indulge in an optional city tour of Kampala upon request. The optional city tour can be a walking tour to immerse yourself into the life of a ugandan and culture, enjoy a tour of a few of the Ugandan markets, a bit of the Ugandan monuments that tell the history of Uganda and other attractions along the way or you may indulge in a tour of Kampala's most iconic cultural centres; the Lubiri Palace famous for the Idi Amini torture chambers, , the Namirembe Cathedral, the Rubaga Cathedral, the only Baha’i temple Africa, the GadaffiMosque, the Namugongo Uganda Martyrs shrines and Uganda Museum. These would give you insight into the cultural, religious and turbulent history of Kampala before embarking on your journey across the country.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Arcadia Suites Kamwokya, Cassia Lodge
Luxury: Speke Resort Munyonyo, Latitude O Degrees, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Hotel

Day 2: Transfer To L. Mburo

On Day 2, you will get to leave the noise of the city when your guide takes you for a 4-5 hour drive via the Equator in Masaka to L. Mburo National Park, just about 230 km from Kampala. L. Mburo National Park is a savannah park with unique wildlife being the only park in Uganda with the impala. The park is also one of East Africa's prime birding spots where one can see birds unique to it such as the Red-faced Barbet, the Crested Barbet, the elusive African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek and many more. Once settled in at your lodge/hotel, you may indulge in cycling in and around the park, horse riding or a community tour to visit local farms to marvel at the Ankole longhorn cattle and immerse yourself in local cultures .
Accommodation: Mid-range: Arcadia Cottages, Mburo Safari Lodge
Luxury: : Kigambira lodge, Mihingo Lodge.

Day 3: A Day In L. Mburo National Park

You will start Day 3 with a game drive on the Zebra track of the park before going to the Eland track for some neat game viewing, expecting impala, zebras, buffalo and giraffe among others. You will then transfer to the lake for lunch and a launch cruise on L. Mburo where you have the chance to see the African Finfoot, crocodiles, hippos and many more.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Arcadia Cottages, Mburo Safari Lodge
Luxury: Kigambira Safari lodge, Mihingo Lodge

Day 4: Transfer To Kabale

In the early morning of Day 4, you will have a warm breakfast before heading to Igongo Cultural museum for a tour and a hike to the 1520 Eclipse monument to go back in time and have a glimpse into life in Ankole going back in the times of Abagabe (Kings) a century ago. After this cultural immersion, you will have lunch before you proceed on a 3-hour drive to Kabale via Mbarara city through the Ntungamo countryside. Upon arrival in Kabale, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, just over 50km from Kabale town, for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Bird Nest
Luxury: Bird nest

Day 5: L. Bunyonyi And Transfer To Bwindi

Lake Bunyonyi is one of Uganda's most hidden gems given its 29 verdant islands, an amazing scenic set which you will get to enjoy gliding along the lake.. After a blissful night, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast at your lodge before heading for a sunrise boat cruise to explore L. Bunyonyi's islands. You will return to your lodge/hotel for lunch before your guide transfers you to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park, just about 60 km from Lake Bunyonyi for a 3 hours drive. You will reach Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park just in time to settle in your lodge and prepare for dinner.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Buhoma, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ruhijja Gorilla camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi gorilla lodge - Rushaga
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp - Buhoma, Rushaga Gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge - Nkuringo, Mahogany Springs

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking

On Day 6, you will start your day with a heavy breakfast to get you ready for a walk with the gorillas, your guide will transfer you to the briefing point to begin your gorilla trekking experience. The activity can last 1 to 8 hours depending on how fast the group finds the gentle giants. As you search for the magnificent mountain gorillas, you'll enjoy the thrilling songs of Albertine endemic birds in Bwindi impenetrable forest and bask in the fresh breeze from the world's rarest trees, and marvel at a variety of butterflies that flutter the air like gold lace. After your experience, you will be led back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation as you reminisce about the captivating moments with the gorillas. It is an exhilarating and everlasting memory.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Buhoma, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ruhijja Gorilla camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi gorilla lodge - Rushaga
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp - Buhoma, Rushaga Gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge - Nkuringo, Mahogany Springs

Day 7: Transfer To Queen Elizabeth Np

After a good night's rest, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park early morning to reach your lodge just in time to settle in and have lunch. You will have time to relax at your lodge as you brace for a night game drive in the Ishasha sector later. The night game drive can be a rewarding experience expecting some carnivore activity from lions, hyenas and the elusive leopards among other nocturnal wildlife.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Enjojo lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 8: Ishasha And Kazinga Channel

On Day 8, you will get to visit Ishasha sector to see the famous tree-climbing lions. Ishasha lions are renowned for developing a unique behavior of climbing trees more regularly than any other lion prides elsewhere. While visiting Ishasha, you'll get to see these climbing Kings and Queens among other species of mammals including elephants, buffalo, hyenas and many more. After the delightful game drive, you will transfer to Mweya and arrive just in time for lunch and settle in for the launch cruise on the Kazinga channel - with high concentration of hippos, Crocodiles, mammals taking a drink such as elephants, antelopes and a variety of water birds including the African skimmer, Long-tailed Cormorant, African Jacana and many more.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Buffalo Safari lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Bush Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyangabi Crater Resort, Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 9: Transfer To Kibale Np

On the morning of Day 9, you will have your breakfast and in the mid-morning, your guide will pick you up to be on your way to Kibale Forest National Park. On your way, you'll enjoy the sights of savannah plains, wildlife and a variety of birds filling the air with aesthetic grandeur. You will have a stop in Fort Portal for lunch before proceeding to your lodging in Kibale National Park. Upon arrival at your lodge, you'll settle in, enjoy breathtaking views of the forest at your lodge and rest yourself for the evening.
Accommodation: Mid-range: : Turaco Treetops Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Isunga Lodge, Mountains of the Moon
Luxury: Primate Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge

Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking

Early in the morning of Day 10, your guide will pick you up from your lodge/hotel for briefing before heading off for a breathtaking trek of chimpanzee tracking in lush green Kibale forest. On the chimpanzee track, you will revel in typical tropical sights and sounds of the forest including several monkey species such as the L'Hoest's monkey, the Red colobus, Grey-cheeked mangabey and an amazing checklist of birds including various Albertine endemics such as the Collared Apalis, Black-caped Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing and many more. You will return, have lunch and go for a nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary - a hotspot for primates and birds alike. Bigodi wetland sanctuary is a community biodiversity conservation project and proceeds from tours here support the project.
Accommodation: Mid-ra
Accommodation: Mid-range: : Turaco Treetops Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Isunga Lodge, Mountains of the Moon
Luxury: Primate Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Ndali Lodge

Day 11: Transfer To Murchison Falls Np

On Day 11, after the action-packed chimpanzee tracking has sunk in, you will enjoy your after your breakfast, thereafter your guide will pick you for a 5-6 hour drive to the indomitable Murchison Falls over 300km close to Lake Albert. Upon arrival, you'll settle into your lodge and relax for the evening as you prepare to be amazed by the world's most powerful waterfall.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Pakuba Safari lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge
Luxury: Paraa safari lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge

Day 12: The Magic Of The Falls

On the early morning of day 12, your guide will drive you to the pick up point for a morning game drive to the Heart of the Murchison Falls National Park and the Buligi peninsula where you will see hyenas, warthogs, bush buck, lions and if luck is on your side, the elusive leopard, breathtaking views of the picturesque Nile plains. After a rewarding game drive, you will have your lunch and then the launch cruise to the bottom of the Murchison falls to bask in the glory of the most powerful falls in the world where the Mighty Nile comes crashing through a narrow gap and open up into a beautiful pool to continue its journey to L. Albert. You may then hike to the top of the falls to gaze upon the mighty fall from above and have the most spectacular view of the park atop the falls. You will then return to your lodge for dinner and to rest up in preparation for the night game drive. Later in the day, your guide will pick you up for the night game drive.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Pakuba Safari lodge, Twiga Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge
Luxury: Paraa safari lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge

Day 13: Transfer To Karamoja

On the early morning of Day 13, you will embark on a 7-hour drive via Gulu-Kitgum to Kidepo Valley National Park in the untamed Karamoja region of North Eastern Uganda. Kidepo valley offers the most spectacular scenic views of flat plains and ranges of Mt. Moroto coupled with truly authentic cultural experiences in the virgin Karamoja region virtually uninfluenced by globalization. Majority of the Karamajong still live as they did centuries ago in a nomadic pastoral lifestyle. On your way to Kidepo, you'll have a lunch stop in Gulu city or Kitgum town. Upon arrival at your lodge in Kidepo, you will settle and recover from your journey on an evening relaxation.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah lodge, Adere Safari Lodge
Luxury: Apoka Safari lodge

Day 14: A Day In Kidepo Valley

On Day 14, after you've had an early breakfast your guide will take you on a morning game drive in Kidepo valley where you can expect the most picturesque views Uganda has to offer and a variety of wildlife such as cheetahs, lions, leopards, buffalo, giraffes among others. In the afternoon, after you have had your lunch at the lodge, your guide will take you on a cultural experience of the IK people. They are some of Uganda’s most authentic cultures that haven’t been influenced by modern interference. You will visit different local homesteads and participate in the Karamajong cultural dances and lifestyle of the IK people. Return back to your lodgings, dinner and overnight stay
Accommodation: Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah lodge, Adere Safari Lodge
Luxury: Apoka Safari lodge

Day 15: Transfer To Sipi Falls

After your undomesticated experience with Karamoja culture, where you likely won't get enough, you will have a heavy breakfast the next day, before you embark on a journey to Kapchorwa district to Sipi falls, nestled between mountains and waterfalls. After a 7.5 hour drive through the Eastern countryside, you will reach the quaint Sipi falls in the late afternoon, just in time to enjoy the scenery as the sun sets. You will check, relax with beautiful views, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge, Rafiki lodge, Sipi Valley Resort

Day 16: A Trip To Jinja

On Day 18, you will embark on a 4-hour drive to Jinja - East Africa's adventure capital. You will travel through the flat landscape of the East away from the Elgon ranges towards the rip-roaring white-water of the River Nile. Once you're in jinja, you may have a chance to experience the taste of the original Ugandan rolex and be introduced to what makes Jinja special. Foremost, you will transfer to your lodging and settle, enjoy the tranquility Jinja has to offer as you watch the Nile glide its way to Egypt. The evening will be yours to imagine. You may request your guide to take you to one of Jinja's finest night spots to spend an evening.
Accommodation: Mid-range: The Haven
Luxury: Wildwaters lodge

Day 17: A Day In The Playground Of East Africa

On this day, you will have the day to yourself to enjoy a relaxing massage or a hour in the spa to recover from your 20-day adventure thus far and reminisce on all the special encounters you've had across the country. In case you're feeling particularly adventurous in Jinja, you may partake in several activities at an extra cost such as white-water rafting on the Nile. White-water rafting on the Nile is a hair-raising option as you glide through calm pools, lively islands before stirring in dramatic drops and thunderous rapids all the while birdwatching, sunbathing and outrightly falling in love with Uganda all over again. This full day rafting experience will leave you yearning for more. You may go ziplining, horse riding or quad biking which can be arranged by your guide at your request.
Accommodation: Mid-range: The Haven
Luxury: Wildwaters lodge

Day 18: Transfer To The Capital Kampala

Your guide will pick you up in the mid-morning for a 2 hour drive to Kampala. Once in Kampala, accommodation may be arranged for you at an extra cost. If you're just in time to catch your flight, you may be transferred to the airport for your departure.

Tour Excludes

• Visas
• Tips
• Shopping bills
• Alcohol and other drinks
• Airfares
• Optional activities
• Personal insurance
• Laundry services