Kikooko Budget

Affordable Adventures into Uganda’s Natural Wonders

Destination

Uganda

Base Price

From $4381 Per person

Trip Duration

12 Days

Trip Overview

Adventure through Uganda, where you’ll witness nature’s raw beauty and experience the rich cultural heritage of this remarkable country. From the powerful Murchison Falls to the diverse wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park, this journey takes you through iconic landscapes and incredible experiences, including a boat tour to the bottom of Murchison Falls, thrilling game drives, and a life-changing gorilla tracking trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to the remote Kiyebe village, and unwind at the serene Lake Bunyonyi, known as the “Switzerland of Africa.” This tour combines adventure, wildlife, culture, and relaxation for the ultimate Ugandan safari experience.

Highlight Experiences

term-img
Authentic Village Life in Kiyebe
Experience rural Ugandan life through hands-on participation in beekeeping, gardening, and crafts-making workshops, while enjoying local meals and cultural entertainment that directly supports community development.
term-img
Lake Bunyonyi Paradise
Relax at one of Africa's deepest and most beautiful lakes, the "Switzerland of Africa," where you can paddle dugout canoes, swim in bilharzia-free waters, and enjoy stunning mountain scenery.
term-img
Murchison Falls Spectacle
Witness the world's most powerful waterfall where the mighty Nile forces through a 7-meter gap, combined with game drives and boat safaris to see hippos, crocodiles, and diverse wildlife along the Victoria Nile.
term-img
Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari
Explore Uganda's most popular national park with early morning game drives spotting lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, plus afternoon boat trips on the Kazinga Channel teeming with hippos and diverse birdlife.
term-img
Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
Witness one of nature's rarest phenomena as lions climb and lounge in fig trees—a behavior found in only a few places across Africa
term-img
White Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary
Get up close with highly endangered white rhinos and learn about conservation efforts at Uganda's premier rhino sanctuary.

Wildlife

term-img
Forest and Savanna Wildlife (Big Five)
term-img
Mountain Gorillas

Clients Testimonials

button-prev
button-next

What's Included

  • 4WD custom-built safari vehicle and fuel
  • Accommodation
  • Airport transfers
  • AMREF Flying Doctor Service
  • Meals as per your chosen plan
  • Park entrance fees
  • Professional, English-speaking guide
  • Bird watching
  • Boat tour to the bottom of Murchison Falls
  • Boat tour on Kazinga Channel
  • Rhino tracking
  • Game drives
  • Lake Bunyonyi boat tour and dugout canoe
  • Ugandan community day
  • Walk to the top of Murchison falls
  • Walking safari
  • Cultural entertainments
  • Drinking water during trip
  • Fruits along the road
  • Prepaid phone
  • Tree planting
  • Ugandan Rolex

What's Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Laundry services
  • Gratuities/tips
  • Optional activities not specified in the itinerary

Pricing

People USD Room
2People $6356 per person

1 Double

4 People $4875 per person

2 Double

6 People $4381 per person

3 Double

Location Map

Itinerary

Arrival at Entebbe airport and transfer to your accommodation nearby.

We are heading north. Our first stop will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will have an extraordinary experience observing and learning about the conservation of the highly endangered white rhinos. On the way 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.

Today we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way to Queen Elizabeth National Park, we cross the Equator.

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 enough to spot a leopard! Hippos, buffalo, crocodiles and many species of birds can be spotted during the afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.

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!

After proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for dinner and overnight.

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. Or Head out for a community walk.

As a remote, traditional village, Kiyebe is one of the most special places in our country. Since it is near the home of Kikooko’s founder, Kikooko travelers have the unique opportunity to be guided to this untouched land.
We’ll travel an adventurous mountainous road through a small trading center called Mukyogo, a name meaning the only community elephant pond in Uganda. There, you can plant your own tree, collect honey from beehives, and more. Then we’ll take time to enjoy local and national beers with the villagers.
That’s just the beginning of your Kiyebe visit. From a meal made with the freshest local, organic foods to the community’s singing, dancing, and celebrating, this is the day you’ll remember for the rest of your trip.

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 4-5 hours 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.

After breakfast you will go for the morning Game drive and afternoon Boat trip.

Day 12 :
Entebbe!

You can choose to do an optional morning walking safari to get closer to the animals, and it is the best way to spot the birds. When leaving the park, you get a final chance to view the animals, before heading back to Entebbe and your scheduled flight, with the hope we have whet your appetite for even more African safari adventures.

Accommodations

Take a look at some of the beautiful places you’ll be staying at during your trip.

term-img
Byoona Amagara Retreat
term-img
Gorilla Neighbour Guest House (Bed & Breakfast)
term-img
Leopard Rest Camp
term-img
Red Chili Rest Camp
term-img
Ruhija Community Camp
term-img
Simba safari Camp
button-prev
button-next

Frequently Asked Questions – Kikooko Budget

What are the main highlights of the Uganda Explorer Safari?

This 12-day itinerary takes you through Uganda’s most iconic national parks — including Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Lake Mburo. Along the way, you’ll experience thrilling game drives, gorilla tracking (optional), and cultural visits like the remote village of Kiyebe and the peaceful shores of Lake Bunyonyi.

Is gorilla trekking included in the tour?

Gorilla trekking is offered as an optional activity on Day 7 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Guests can decide whether to participate, depending on interest, fitness level, and budget (a separate permit is required).

What kind of wildlife can I expect to see?

You’ll encounter a wide variety of wildlife including lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, and leopards during game drives in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo. If you choose the gorilla trek, you'll also observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Are there cultural experiences included in this safari?

Yes. This tour offers meaningful cultural connections, including a day in Kiyebe village, one of Uganda’s most traditional rural communities, and time at Lake Bunyonyi, where local crafts and canoeing are part of the experience.

Who is the Uganda Explorer Safari best suited for?

This itinerary is perfect for first-time safari-goers, wildlife lovers, and curious travelers who want a well-balanced mix of safari adventure, optional primate experiences, and authentic cultural discovery — all in under two weeks.

Have questions about this itinerary? We’re here to help.

All of our itineraries can be adapted to suit your personal interests and preferences. Please feel free to discuss these with us so we can personalize your tour for your maximum enjoyment.

Kikooko Budget

Scroll to Top
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.