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Home » Uganda Safaris & Tours, Best Safari in Uganda Safari Vacation Places » 16 Days Uganda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Viewing Trip

16 Days Uganda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Viewing Trip

The 16 days Uganda safari tour is an amazing personalized special 15 nights/16 days Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing safari based on your desires and budget.

This 16 days safari in Uganda trip takes you to see the best African wildlife viewing, gorillas, and chimpanzee trekking, deep community village tours, and viewing the magnificent scenery of Uganda dubbed the pearl of Africa.

16 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour – Overview.

The 16 days Uganda safari is a detailed package that offers you the best adventure safari in Uganda, community and culture tours, wildlife viewing, amazing scenery seeing, Gorilla trekking, and Chimpanzee tracking.

During this 16 days Uganda tour takes you through the cosmopolitan city of Kampala for a tour, the adventure center of Jinja to see the source of the River Nile, Sempaya hot springs of Semuliki, scenic views of Amabere caves and crater lake area, habituated chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, wild game of Queen Elizabeth National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Volcanoes National Park, following the Batwa people trail of Mgahinga National Park, the relaxing boat of Lake Bunyonyi, cultural food offers of Igongo cultural center, wild game and scenic views of Lake Mburo National Park. This is all designed to optimize your experience on an all-inclusive 16 days Uganda safari trip.

15 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights.

  • Day 1: Kampala city tour
  • Day 2: Jinja Nile adventure
  • Day 3: Transfer to Semuliki National Park & a night game drive
  • Day 4: Undertake Sempaya Nature walk & evening game drive
  • Day 5: Visit the Amabere caves & Crater Lake hike
  • Day 6: Do chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland walk
  • Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & visit the salt lake
  • Day 8: Do game drive & boat cruise
  • Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Day 10: Do gorilla trekking & transfer to Mgahinga
  • Day 11: Volcano climbing
  • Day 12: Do Batwa heritage trail & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
  • Day 13: Full day relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi.
  • Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo & visit Igongo cultural center &1520 AD monument en route.
  • Day 15: Do game drive & boat cruise
  • Day 16: Do a nature walk & transfer to Kampala.

16 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary.

Day 1: Kampala City Tour

 

Kampala city is a destination of its self and thus worth to encounter on Uganda safari.

The city is a hub of various attractions ranging from historical to cultural and religious attractions.

On this 11 days safari in Uganda, you will wake for breakfast after which you will set off with the company guide to encounter the city.

You will visit religious attractions like Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedrals, Baha’i temple, Gadhafi Mosque, Cultural attractions like Kasubi tombs, Kabaka’s palace, and Kabaka’s Lake, historical monuments and museums like the Uganda National Museum, National buildings like the parliament, educational Institutions like Makerere University, Traditional hospitals like Mulago hospital, Mengo and Nsambya hospitals. However, since all these cannot be seen on a single day, you will thus select from this list the possible attractions that you can visit on this day.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/standard) or the lodge (Budget/Basic)

Day 2: Jinja Nile Adventure

 

You will wake up early for breakfast at your place of stay after which you will be transferred by your guide to Jinja 80km about 1-2 hours’ drive from Kampala.

Upon reaching Jinja – the adventure town of Uganda, you will enroll yourself for the white water rafting experience that will see you contain the strength of waters of the Nile as they splash through the rapids.

You will also participate in the bungee jumping that will see you fall from the cliff to touch on the waters of the Nile 140ft below – one of the active adventures you will ever have.

The relaxing boat cruise to the source of the Nile will take you to the point where John Speke, the first European to see the source of the world’s longest river stood.

You will see the Nile starting it 90 days journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Retreat to Kampala overnight.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/standard) or the lodge (Budget/basic).

Day 3: Transfer to Semuliki National Park & a Night Game Drive

After breakfast, you will transfer to Semuliki National Park 352km about a 7 – 8 hours’ drive from Kampala.

The journey will take you through the green landscapes of the countryside passing through Mpigi, Mityana, Mubende, and Fort Portal towns.

The Mubende inselbergs will give you great scenic company while the unclear views of Lake Wamala can be enjoyed by the most interested Uganda safari undertaker.

You will stop in Mubende for lunch before continuing to Semuliki through the organized and clean Fort portal town.

Arrive in Semuliki in the late afternoon where you will relax till 7 pm. Then you will embark on the night game drive accompanied by the armed park ranger to enjoy the sights of nocturnal animals like white-tailed mongoose and other day grazers having their overnight rest.

Accommodation: Semuliki safari lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Kirumia guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Undertake Sempaya Nature walk & Evening Game Drive

 

After breakfast, embark on the nature walk for 2 – 4 hours passing through the forest of Semuliki which shares much of the characteristics with West African forests.

It is a continuation of the Congo Ituri forest. The walk will expose to various birds like Rwenzori Turaco and primates including the rare deBrazza’s monkey before reaching the famous Sempaya hot springs.

You will visit the female hot spring known as Nyasimbi and the male hot spring known as Bitente where you will boil your plantains in this natural steam and they are ready in a couple of minutes – something to wonder of while on safari in Uganda.

Retire to the lodge for lunch after which you will have an evening game drive in the reserve to have chances of encountering wildlife species like; Savannah and forest elephants, water-buck, buffalo, Uganda kob, and warthog.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge

Day 5: Visit the Amabere Caves & Crater Lake Hike

 

After breakfast, drive for 52 km about 1 – 2 hours to Fort Portal town after which you will continue to visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves and undertaking the crater lake hike.

The breast-like features that stand beneath the seasonal flowing Nyakasura falls has a lot of traditional attachment that date back to the Chwezi era.

You will be mesmerized by the local stories behind these geographical stalagmites and stalactites. Hiking the Kyeganywa hill is a move through multitudes of crater hollows some of which are filled with water to form a circle of crater lakes.

The summit of Kyeganywa hill offers all-round sights of the area and the distant Ruwenzori Mountains. Retreat to spend an overnight in Kibale National Park.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket /luxury), Chimpanzee guest house (Midrange/standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/basic).

Day 6: Do Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

 

Wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at Kanyanchu tourism center at 08:00 am for a short briefing after which you will head to the forest in quest of Chimpanzees – man’s closest relative.

The trek involves passing through the jungle of Kibale dubbed the primate capital of the world with over 13 species of primates some of which you will luckily come across during your Chimpanzee trekking including colobus monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboon, Red-tailed monkey among others.

The enchanting songs of Birds will keep you entertained in this 2 – 5 hour trek. One full hour is at your disposal to explore the Chimpanzees in detail and ascertain the external considerations as to why they are dubbed man’s close relative.

Watch them as they eat fruits, play, socialize, and swing in tree branches as you take as many photos as you can.

Return to the center after having had your picnic lunch. Encounter Bigodi wetland sanctuary in the afternoon to take the rewarding swamp walk with amazing bird sights including the Rwenzori Turaco and swamp animals like Sitatunga. The communities around Bigodi offer a close touch of tourist – host interaction.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Visit The Salt Lake

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 144km about 4 hours’ drive from Kibale.

The journey offers the scenic views of the magical Mountains of the moon that stand high up in the clouds at an elevation of 5,109m above sea level towards the west.

You will arrive in Queen Elizabeth National park early for lunch after which you will embark on the visit to Salt Lake in the afternoon.

You will enjoy the process of salt extraction and see how the communities around have developed a livelihood centered on salt mining.

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi lodge (Midrange/standard) or Simba safari camp (Budget/basic).

Day 8: Do Game Drive & Boat Cruise

 

Wake up very for a cup of coffee before setting off for the game drive activity in the Savannah game park of Queen Elizabeth.

The early departure at 06:00 gives you an opportunity to see night hunters like hyenas getting back to their hiding places and early risers setting off to look for what to eat.

The drive through the Kasenyi tracks gives a probable opportunity to see a range of games including; Lions, buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard (if too lucky), antelopes among other wildlife.

Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive and relax till lunchtime. After lunch, you will gather at Mweya for a recreational afternoon launch cruise leaving at 03:00 pm taking 2 hours to explore the magical offerings of Kazinga Channel including the sights of water birds and wild game drinking on the channel side, the Nile crocodile and the Hippos.

The 45m channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward has tranquil waters that always give pleasure and psychological satisfaction to any traveler on Uganda safaris. Retire from the boat at 5 pm for overnight.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Spot Tree Climbing Lions En Route.

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi (Rushaga) 309km about 7 – 8 hours’ drive from Mweya.

You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you have chances of spotting tree climbing lions lying on tree branches in the midmorning warm sunshine.

You will have lunch en route and proceed to Bwindi south (Rushaga) where you will arrive in the evening for overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon hill (Upmarket/luxury), Gorilla Valley Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Wagtail Eco safari Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 10: Do Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Mgahinga

 

It is this long waited for a date when you will come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas that only exist in Bwindi and Virunga Volcanoes.

You will wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at the Park headquarters Buhoma for briefing at 08:00 about the conduct of gorilla trekking.

You will head to the forest after briefing in search of these apes and though the trek is a bit challenging, it is one of those activities that you will never forget to have done in Uganda.

The 2 – 8 hours activity involves hiking up the hills, descending down the valleys, walking through swamps, and maneuvering the way through thickets that have formed the background of this Impenetrable forest before coming in direct contact with gorillas.

The one full hour is at your disposal to maximize your experience with gorillas as you they forage, play, socialize, and also gaze at you in a sign of welcoming and saying goodbye.

The experience is a rewarding and worthy undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the lodge for short relaxation after which you will embark on 53km transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park passing by Mutanda Lake for rewarding scenic views of this lava dammed lake. You will arrive in the evening for overnight.

Accommodation: Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Mgahinga safari lodge (Mid-range/standard) or Amajambere iwacu camp (Budget/basic).

Day 11: Volcano Climbing.

By this time, you will have made up your mind about which volcano to climb. Options range from 3,474m Mt. Gahinga taking 6 hours, 3,669m Mt. Sabyinyo taking 8 hours and 4,127m Mt. Muhavura going beyond 8 hours.

Climbing any of these is possible and they can be summited including the round trip. The highest Muhavura gives great views of Virunga volcanoes, Lake Edward, Rwenzori peaks, and the rooftop views of the impenetrable forest of Bwindi.

While climbing Mt. Gahinga offers chances of citing golden monkeys in the Bamboo zone of this highland.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 12: Do Batwa Heritage Trail & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

 

After breakfast, set off for the Batwa heritage trail a half-day activity that takes you through the forests of Mgahinga in the company of the indigenous Batwa guides as they interpret every forest landscape and what it means in their traditional life.

The hike stretches up to the Garama cave the ancient dwelling of the Batwa – one can call it their capital in the forest of Mgahinga volcanoes.

The cave is a natural shelter that always provided a refugee for the Batwa in times of danger. You will listen to the sorrowful songs being sung by the Batwa women taking you through the course of their tradition; it is a rich taste of the fading typical African culture.

Return from this activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Bird nest @Lake Bunyonyi resort (Upmarket/luxury), Arcadia cottages (Mid-range/standard) or Byoona Amagara (Budget/basic).

Day 13: Full Day Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi.

Dubbed the lake of a thousand islands, Lake Bunyonyi has a range of islands stretching up to 29 in number and can all be explored on a 5 – 6 hours boat ride while on this safari in Uganda.

The Lake Bunyonyi encounter is designed to maximize your relaxation and is entirely recreational. The tranquil waters of the lake and the surrounding views of Kigezi highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa combine to make this day a total complete experience.

Options after the boat include; swimming, mountain biking, community tours, and hiking. Retire for your overnight.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo & Visit Igongo Cultural Center &1520 AD Monument En Route.

 

After breakfast embark on a 199km journey to Lake Mburo National Park passing through the farmed hill sides of south western Uganda before making a stop at Igongo cultural center 12km past Mbarara town.

You will have lunch at Igongo after which you will tour the Erijukiro cultural museum featuring the collections of all cultures of the southwestern region.

The amazing sculptures of Muguta Y’ Butaho a re-known ancient warrior and Mayenje g’ ishinjo an ancient troubled cow that caused turmoil between the Kingdom of Ankole and Buhweju will leave with a true taste of African tradition.

The 1520 AD eclipse monument lies in close proximity and lives to testify the total solar eclipse that happened at that place of which by paying a visit to it, you would definitely deem to have been in existence when such wonder took place.

Continue for 33km to have an overnight in Lake Mburo National Park.

Accommodation: Mihingo safari lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Arcadia cottages (Mid-range/standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget/basic).

Day 15: Do Game Drive & Boat Cruise

After an early morning cup of coffee, embark on the game drive through the park tracks of Zebra, Ruroko, and Lake Side among others to gain sights of a range of wildlife including enormous numbers of Impala and zebra.

Others that may be seen include; buffalo, eland, bush-buck, warthog, Topi alongside birds, and amazing Savannah landscapes.

Return to the lodge for relaxation till lunch time after which you will embark on a two-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo where you will have chances to see birds like African fish eagle, wild game drinking on the Lakeside including buffaloes, zebras, and antelopes, aquatic animals like Hippos. Return to the lodge for your overnight.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 16: Do a Nature Walk & Transfer to Kampala.

After breakfast, take a walk in the company of the park ranger through amazing Savannah landscapes.

You will get closer to wildlife as they graze while the hike to the summit of Kazuma hill gives you rewarding views of the park, Lakes Kachera, and Mburo and acacia woodland that define the ecological setting of the whole Nshaara area where Lake Mburo National Park is a component.

Return to the lodge for short relaxation after which you will embark on the transfer journey to Kampala 240km about 3 – 4 hours with a stop at the equator to perform water experiments that show the divide between the north and south hemispheres if time permits.

End of the 16 Days Uganda Safari Tour.

Getting There

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