Essential Uganda

Arrival at Entebbe airport and transfer to your accommodation nearby.

Today we leave the hustle and bustle of Kampala behind us and drive to distinctly colonial Jinja, where you can visit the source of the Nile. Feeling adventurous? White water rafting is an option here!

We leave Jinja and drive 3 – 4 hours north and east to Sipi Falls. Enjoy a hike to the top of the falls and, if you’re adventurous, you can go over the edge and abseil down again. If time allows, explore the communities of Sipi Falls where you can take a coffee tour and enjoy a traditional dance later in the evening.

On the way to Murchison Falls National Park you will be treated to one of the loudest sights in Uganda at the top of Murchison Falls, where the powerful river Nile forces its way through a gap only 7 metres wide.

Today we will have an early morning game drive and a relaxing afternoon boat ride along the Victoria Nile River where you will encounter animals gathering on the riverbanks, and an abundance of crocodiles and hippos. You’ll get to see the thundering falls from the bottom as the boat turns for the return journey.

We start the day with another boat trip, this time heading the other way to explore the Nile delta. Keep your eyes peeled for the prehistoric-looking Shoebill stork. An afternoon game drive follows.

Make sure you have a good breakfast, then sit back and enjoy the beautiful Ugandan countryside on our 6 hour drive to Kibale National Park.

In the morning you will be hiking off the beaten track, through the jungle in search of chimpanzees. Once you find them, it will be a fascinating experience as you watch them play, feed and swing through the trees, which is highly entertaining. Primate and bird watching will be the highlights of the afternoon walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Enjoy an early breakfast and transfer to Semuliki National Park, where you will visit Semuliki’s most outstanding attraction—Sempaya Hot Springs. Later transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time for a relaxed overnight.

We will start the day with an early morning game drive while many animals are still on the move during the cool part of the day. Stay alert and you could see lions, buffalo, elephants, antelopes, the elusive bush pig and you might even be lucky to spot a leopard! Hippos, buffalo, crocodiles and many species of birds can be spotted during the afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.

Today, you can choose your morning activity. One of the following options is included: you could go chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, enjoy a nature walk or hike in Maramagambo Forest, or you can visit the salt pan at Lake Katwe. You should not miss the afternoon game drive.

A leisurely drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park brings us to Ishasha, one of the few regions in Africa where lions can be spotted climbing trees and lounging on branches. Therefore, make sure that during the game drive you are not only looking out over the savannah, but also have your eyes focused up in the trees!

The search for the tree climbing lions continues on the morning game drive, after which we head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The drive can take from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the condition of the road.

Put your boots on and grab a sturdy walking stick, today is a once in a lifetime experience: Gorilla tracking! It is one of the best Ugandan travel experiences you can have. You will be hiking up in the mountains which can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on how far the Gorillas are.

Today you will visit Kiyebe, the complete wonder village. This is perhaps one of the most remote, and traditional village in Uganda. It is the only village with no access through by road as its main rough mountainous road only stops at the small trading centre called mukyogo a name originating from the only community elephant pond in Uganda. You can plant your own tree, collect honey from the beehive and then if you want, enjoy local and national beers with the villagers.You will also have great local food that is fresh and organic and the dancing and singing of this community is nothing you can even imagine. It’s impossible to miss a visit to this village. Later transfer to Kisoro.

A choice of activities today. You could opt for a nature walk in the forest, go birdwatching or primate-watching, pay a visit to the Golden Monkeys or climb a volcano!

Our next stop will be Lake Bunyonyi, one of the deepest and most beautiful lakes in Africa. You will have time to relax, take a nature walk or go bird watching. You could try your hand at paddling a dugout canoe or go swimming in the hippo, croc and bilharzia-free waters. You can also visit the local community.

Enjoy a day in the “Switzerland of Africa”. Relax, take a nature walk or enjoy bird watching – Bunyonyi does mean “place of many little birds”, after all! Swim, see if you can master paddling a dugout canoe.

After breakfast we will drive to Lake Mburo National Park. The park has a variety of animals such as leopard, zebra, impala, buffalo and over 300 bird species, many of which you will see on the afternoon game drive. Horseback safaris and boat trips on the lake are also available.

You can choose to do an optional morning walking safari to get closer to the animals, and it is the best way to spot birds. When leaving the park, you get a final chance to view the animals.

Enjoy the last day of your Ugandan tour in Entebbe and the surrounding area.You can head into the Mabamba Swamp in search of the shy shoebill. After a farewell dinner and drinks, we will drop you at the airport for your flight home.As your plane takes off, we hope you are already starting to plan your next African safari adventure!