THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
Experience the best of Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa” with our comprehensive 3-week safari. This 21 days Uganda Safari allows you to spend quality time in the wilderness of Murchison falls, Lake Mburo, and Kidepo Valley National Park, the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale Forest, and Mount Elgon National Parks for a number of activities that include gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, community/village walks, boat cruises, bird watching tours, mountain hiking, guided forest/bush walks, to mention but a few. End this adventure-packed trip in Jinja, immersing yourself in the adrenaline-rush activities of the area before returning back to Entebbe.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in beautiful Uganda, the Pearl of Africa
Karibu! Welcome to Entebbe, the gateway into Uganda found along the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater Lake in Uganda. You will be transferred to the Hotel/lodge in Entebbe to relax and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Depending on the time you arrive and how energetic you feel, you might go on a tour around Entebbe to some touristic sites such as Mabamba swamp, the equator, botanical gardens etc.
Accommodation options;
∙ K hotel (Luxury).
∙ Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (moderate).
∙ Via via guest house (basic).
Meals: own account
Day 2: Journey to Lake Mburo National Park
Start your day early enough by having breakfast before embarking on a 3-4-hour journey to western Uganda. You will have a number of stopovers along the way for photography and sightseeing and one of these places is the Equator crossing at Kayabwe, coffee tea and a chance to experiment with some of the Equator demonstrations that prove how the Earth is divided into Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Afterward, continue with the journey until Lake Mburo National Park. Check-in at the Lodge, settle in, and enjoy lunch before heading for the evening game drive. Lake Mburo National Park has over 70 mammal species that include Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, impalas, Zebras, Defassa waterbucks, common elands, giant elands, Oribis, warthogs, Topis, Olive baboons and vervet monkeys among others. There are also about 350 bird species here.
Accommodation;
∙ Mihingo Lodge (Upmarket).
∙ Kigambira Safari Lodge (Moderate).
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
∙ Rwakobo Rock Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 3: Lake Mburo; Game drive and Boat ride
Today, you will explore the beauty of Lake Mburo National Park through game drives and a boat ride. During the game drive, you will get the chance to discover the outstanding flora and fauna in this savannah-dominated Protected Area dotted with woodland tree species, rolling hills, Kopje rocks, and ancient Precambrian rocks. Expect to see giraffes, Defassa waterbucks, Topis, Burchell’s Zebra, Impalas, common elands, Olive baboons, warthogs, Cape buffaloes, Oribis, Reedbucks, vervet monkeys, and many others. Stop for a relaxed lunch at the Lodge and in the afternoon undertake a boat ride on Lake Mburo to see lots of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and wetland/aquatic bird species that include grey-crowned cranes, shoebill storks, African fish eagles, Black Crakes, African skimmers, pelicans, Kingfishers, and Cormorants among other. Drive back to the Lodge for a relaxed night, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation;
∙ Mihingo Lodge (Upmarket).
∙ Kigambira Safari Lodge (Moderate).
∙ Rwakobo Rock Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 4: To Lake Bunyonyi, 4-5-hour journey
This beautiful morning, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa. This extraordinary Lake is only 4-5 hours’ drive away with stunning views of the countryside, banana plantations, rolling terraced hills, and others.
Upon arrival at the Lodge, you will settle for a hot lunch and enjoy an afternoon of relaxation or head out to explore the surroundings via a boat ride to explore the lake’s beautiful Islands, and guided community walks.
Accommodation options;
∙ Arcadia Cottages (Luxury).
∙ Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (moderate).
∙ Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 5: Full-day Lake Bunyonyi tour
On this day, you will explore Lake Bunyonyi through a number of activities that include zip-lining, a canoe ride, and a community tour. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading for the adventurous zip-line Cable crossing through the beautiful waters of Africa’s second-deepest Lake.
Later stop for a quick lunch and enjoy a canoe ride to some of the beautiful and renowned Islands like the “Akampene” Island that tells the ancient culture of the
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
area. Also, you will have a guided community walk to learn about the traditions, cultures, and day-to-day lives of the people. Return for dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Accommodation options;
∙ Arcadia Cottages (Luxury).
∙ Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (moderate).
∙ Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 6: To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
After a phenomenal sunrise and hearty breakfast at the Lodge, pack your bags and leave for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, your next home for 2 nights and known for offering “ultimate gorilla trekking experiences”. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery while driving to Bwindi and arrive in time for a hot lunch.
Accommodation;
∙ Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Lodge (upmarket).
∙ Engagi Lodge or Silverback Lodge (moderate).
∙ Ride 4 a woman cottages (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Bwindi National Park; Gorilla trekking and community/Village tour
Start this eventful day with breakfast, then walk/drive to the Park Headquarters for a briefing on the guidelines to be followed during trekking and watching the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Later, venture deep into the Impenetrable forest with
an armed Ranger and guide in search of the mountain gorillas. This will take anywhere between 2 and 6 hours, including the one hour of watching and photographing them as they play, grumble to each other, rest, groom, feed, and nurse their babies. One hour is all you have in their presence and it is really a breathtaking moment. Have lunch at the Lodge, then head to the nearby local community for a chance to immerse yourself in their unique traditions and cultures.
Accommodation;
∙ Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Lodge (upmarket).
∙ Engagi Lodge or Silverback Lodge (moderate).
∙ Ride 4 a woman cottages (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner.
Day 8: Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National via the Ishasha sector
After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi behind and head to your next safari destination, Drive through the Ishasha sector whereby if you are lucky, you might see the
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
magical tree-climbing lions as they laze on the fig trees or tree branches. The Cape buffaloes, elephants, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, and others are common during your game drive. Later rest for the day.
Accommodation options;
∙ Elephant Plains Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury).
∙ Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (midrange).
∙ Bush Lodge Tents or Kazinga Channel View Resort.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park; Game drive and boat cruise.
Start your morning with a hot cup of tea or coffee then head for the game drive, starting at 6:00 am to catch up with early risers like lions, leopards, serval cats, spotted hyenas, jackals, leopards, as well as the African bush elephants, Hippos, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks, Cape buffaloes, Topis, bushbucks, and others. Have a proper breakfast at the Lodge and a siesta while waiting for lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to the Kazinga channel for the 2-3-hour boat ride that will bring you up close to the Nile crocodiles, hippos, and lots of birds especially African skimmers, the great white and pink-backed pelicans, giant and malachite Kingfishers, African fish eagles, shoebill storks, the saddle-billed stork, to mention but a few.
Accommodation options;
∙ Elephant Plains Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury).
∙ Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (midrange).
∙ Bush Lodge Tents or Kazinga Channel View Resort.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 10: More of Queen Elizabeth National Park; Full-day game viewing experience.
You have another day to explore more of Queen Elizabeth National Park through a full-day game drive. Expect to see more lions, leopards, Uganda Kobs, Topis, bushbucks, elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, and many others that were missed during the previous days.
Accommodation options;
∙ Elephant Plains Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury).
∙ Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (midrange).
∙ Bush Lodge Tents or Kazinga Channel View Resort.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 11: Journey to the jungles of Kibale National Park
In the morning, have breakfast and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park via Kasese Town while taking in magnificent views of the snow-capped Rwenzori
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
Mountains (on a clear day) this journey will last 2-3 hours only depending on the condition of the road. This journey will be marked by en-route stops for Crater Lake tours before arriving at your accommodation for the next two nights. Lunch at the Lodge and the afternoon will be spent at leisure- relaxing or community visit.
Accommodation options;
∙ Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge (luxury).
∙ Crater Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops (midrange).
∙ Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Kibale Forest; Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi wetland walk
This day’s adventure will begin at Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing about chimpanzee tracking, then at 8:00 am enter the forest to search for the Great Apes that are considered our closest relatives in the animal Kingdom.
The amount of time taken in Tracking is quite unpredictable but expect anything from 2 to 5 hours, and this includes the one hour you will spend in their midst.
After one hour of watching and photographing chimpanzees, return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon siesta. From here, you will head for a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for more surprises that include over 8 primate species and about 200 bird species. After your eventful day, head back to the Lodge for some rest and dinner.
Accommodation options;
∙ Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge (luxury).
∙ Crater Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops (midrange).
∙ Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13: Depart for Murchison falls via Fort Portal and Hoima Town
You will leave Kibale Forest National Park early in the morning, after breakfast, and drive to Murchison falls National Park found on the Northwestern side of the country. Go through Fort Portal and Hoima while taking in views of the Rwenzori Mountains, countryside homesteads, forests, and others.
Proceed until Murchison Falls National Park on a journey that lasts 7-8 hours for
lunch.
Accommodation options;
∙ Nile Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge (Upmarket).
∙ Twiga Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge (moderate).
∙ Red Chilli Rest Camp or Sambiya River Lodge (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
Day 14: Murchison; Game drives and afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls
Grab a cup of tea/coffee with some pastries before heading out for the game drive. While the animals you see are unpredictable, there are great chances of spotting lions, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, leopards, Oribis, spotted hyenas, Cape buffaloes, bushbucks, Rothschild’s giraffes, common warthogs, Olive baboons, and lots of grassland and woodland bird species.
A proper breakfast followed by lunch awaits you at the Lodge. Afterward, head for the boat cruise on the Nile River up to the bottom of the falls. This is a wonderful opportunity to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and elephants as well as numerous aquatic and wetland bird species.
Accommodation options;
∙ Nile Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge (Upmarket).
∙ Twiga Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge (moderate).
∙ Red Chilli Rest Camp or Sambiya River Lodge (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 15: Head to the incredible Kidepo Valley National Park
Early in the morning you will have breakfast and take a ride from Murchison falls National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park, the remotest yet most beautiful National Park in Uganda hidden in the extreme Northeastern corner of the country.
The Protected Area is 1442 square kilometers in size and sits in the semi-arid Karamajong sub-region overlooking the border of South Sudan and Kenya. This 5- hour journey involves passing through Gulu and Kitgum Towns and arriving at the Lodge in time for Lunch. The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure.
Accommodation options;
∙ Adere Safari Lodge or Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury).
∙ Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp or Kidepo Savannah Lodge (moderate). ∙ Apoka Rest Camp (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 16: Kidepo Valley National Park; Game drives and afternoon village visit
Arise on time for a cup of coffee or tea and at 6:00 am start the game drive through Kidepo Valley National Park’s top game viewing areas that include the vast Narus valley (the oasis of the Park). Here you can expect to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, side-striped jackals, spotted hyenas, Klipspringers, bushbucks, Caracals, Oribis, Uganda Kobs, African bush elephants, lots of Cape buffaloes, Oryx, Defassa waterbucks, warthogs, Rothschild giraffes, Kirk’s Dik-diks, common elands, serval cats, Topis, Greater kudu, Jackson’s hartebeests, as well as Somali Ostriches. Lots of other iconic birds such as the helmeted guinea fowls and Abyssinian ground
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
hornbills and cultures will be expected. Have a proper and more relaxed lunch after this amazing game drive.
In the afternoon, you will have a guided walk in one of the Karamojong pastoralist villages where you will be mesmerized by their homesteads (known as Manyatta), cattle Kraals, traditional dressing, foods, and traditional dance. Settle for a warm/cold bathe, dinner, and overnight at the Lodge.
Accommodation options;
∙ Adere Safari Lodge or Apoka Safari Lodge (Luxury).
∙ Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp or Kidepo Savannah Lodge (moderate).
∙ Apoka Rest Camp (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 17: The phenomenal Mount Morungole hiking and community tour
You should be prepared to hike the 2750-meter-tall Mount Morungole, and home to the endangered IK tribe. With a population of about 1000-2000 people only, the IK people are believed to be the original inhabitants of the Karamojong area but were forced to the mountains after the arrival of the pastoralist groups to the area. You will learn about their culture and custom which include paying the bride price with beehives and honey, food, and unique housing styles.
Accommodation options;
∙ Adere Safari Lodge (Luxury).
∙ Kidepo Savannah Lodge (moderate).
∙ Apoka Rest Camp (basic).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 18: To the Sipi falls area via Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Leave for Sipi falls via Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve where you will take a short game drive to see more buffaloes, cheetahs, elands, spotted hyenas, elephants, Patas monkeys, Ostriches, Serval cats, waterbucks, Jackals, African Wildcats, black and white colobus monkeys, Olive baboons, Uganda Kobs, Impalas, Topi, and many others. Arrive at your final destination in the afternoon for lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation options;
∙ Sipi Falls Resort or Lacam Lodge (midrange).
∙ Crowns Nest Rest Camp (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 19: Sipi falls hike and journey to Jinja, the adventure Capital of East Africa
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
Have a hearty breakfast and start the hike to the beautiful Sipi falls going through the lush coffee and banana plantations, farms, and homesteads. Enjoy views of the waterfalls then have lunch before leaving for Jinja.
Accommodation;
∙ Jinja Nile Resort or Impala Suite (midrange).
∙ The Haven Eco River Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 20: Jinja Adventures; Bungee jumping or Whitewater rafting and boat ride to the source of the Nile.
Enjoy tours of Jinja, the Adventure Capital of East Africa through Bungee jumping or Whitewater rafting, then a boat ride to the source of the Nile in the afternoon. This day is about exploring the Nile (the second-longest River in the World).
In the afternoon, continue your adventure with a relaxing boat ride to the source of the Nile discovered by Explorer John Hanning Speke.
Accommodation;
∙ Jinja Nile Resort or Impala Suite (midrange).
∙ The Haven Eco River Lodge (budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 21: Departing Jinja
They say every good thing has an end and sadly, it is time to bid Uganda farewell on this day. Pack your bags and check out of the Hotel before taking a 2-3-hour ride to Entebbe. You will be dropped at the Airport for your connecting flight to the next destination.
Meal Plan: Breakfast.
Inclusions;
∙ Gorilla permit.
∙ Entry fees to the National Parks.
∙ Chimpanzee permit.
∙ 20 nights’ accommodation.
∙ Relevant Government taxes and levies.
∙ Bottled water.
∙ Road transfers by customized 4WD.
∙ A Private safari driver.
∙ Adventures in Jinja and Lake Bunyonyi.
∙ Cultural/community tours.
∙ Game drives,
THE 21 DAYS UGANDA EXPEDITION BY CONSIDER SAFARIS.
∙ Boat rides.
Exclusions;
∙ Airfares.
∙ Visa fees, if required.
∙ Travel insurance.
∙ Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
∙ Souvenir shopping.
∙ Meals not included on the itinerary.
∙ Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
∙ Cigarettes.
∙ Tips.