Detailed Itinerary of the 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda

Day 1 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Explore Jinja – the source of the longest River Nile.

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 for overnight.

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

Day 2 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Transfer from Kampala to Kitgum

After breakfast, embark on the journey to the north accompanied by your guide. You will drive through the flat rangelands of Nakasongora and continue to cross the mighty Karuma falls on River Nile. The journey takes you through Gulu and then rest for overnight in Kitgum.

Accommodation: Fuglys guesthouse Kitgum

Day 3 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Transfer to Kidepo National Park & do evening game drive

Continue on the journey to Kidepo after breakfast. You will arrive early for lunch after which you will embark on the game drive in the evening in the Narus valley. The sights of wildlife grazing in the valley are very interesting and buffaloes, zebras, antelopes might not be missed.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Ng’moru Wilderness (Midrange/standard) or Apoka rest Camp (Budget/basic)

Day 4 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Do game drive & a community tour

Wake for an early morning breakfast, and then set off for a game drive to encounter early risers and predators before they disappear from sight. Have opportunity to view real African game including; lion, elephants, giraffe, eland, oribi, Zebra, cheetah among others though not wholesomely guaranteed as they are wild animals alongside a number of bird species like Ostrich and other endemics. Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. Take a community walk through the Karamajong villages in the afternoon

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

Day 5 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park

After breakfast, transfer on the surface drive to Murchison falls National Park passing through the flat open grasslands of northern Uganda as you wonder over the traditional home steads and their architecture that lie scattered in a vast landscape. The remains of the LRA rebel activities still stand as you will see the once flourishing trading centers now standing in ruins. Arrive in Murchison falls in the afternoon for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) Murchison River Lodge (Midrange/Budget) or Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 6 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Do game drive and boat cruise

Wake up very early for a cup of coffee and then head to Paraa ferry crossing at 7:00am to the northern sector of the Park where game drives are carried out. The possible sights of various wildlife including; elephants, buffalo, Jackson hartebeest, Kobs, lion, leopard, giraffe among other wildlife will leave you with a taste of African savannah wilderness. The activity takes 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the Paraa ferry crossing at 11:00am to go back to your lodge for relaxation and memory sharing. After your stimulating lunch, gather at the Paraa for an after boat cruise on the Nile at 02:00pm. This boat trip has got captains and guides who have cruised on this waters for years and will be glad to share with every piece of information that you would wish to gather on this trip including any bird species and wildlife both aquatic and land that might present its self. The shoebill stork can be luckily seen on this boat while the great sights of Nile crocodiles – the second largest reptile in the world and the Hippos would make up your trip up to the base of the falls. The boat takes 3 hours after which you will have marked the end of your day’s adventures.

Day 7 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Hike the top of the falls & transfer to Hoima

After a relaxed breakfast, hike the top of the falls for amazing scenic views of the falls. The Nile River squeezes itself the 8m ravine before falling the 43m below the devils cauldron. It is regarded as one of the unique features to ever happen on the Nile. It is an amazing encounter to enrich your memories and take countless photos. You can opt to have picnic lunch at this site after which you will transfer to Hoima for overnight.

Accommodation: Hoima Resort Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Tresek Hotel (Budget/Basic).

Day 8 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Transfer to Kibale National Park & hike the top of the world

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park where you will pass through the amazing landscapes of Ruwenzori Mountains and the western rift valley. You will arrive in Kibale National Park in the afternoon. After a short relaxation, you can embark on the hike to the top of the world to gain the amazing scenic views of Ndali – Kasenda crater area.

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

Day 9 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Do chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland encounter

Wake up early for a heavy breakfast before gathering at Kanyanchu tourism center at 08:00am 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 the 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 have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 10 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & do crater area drive

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km 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 crater drive in the afternoon for amazing scenic viewing. The range of explosion craters lay in a sequence justifying the work of the earth processes that characterized the area. Crater lakes like Lake Nyamunuka, Lake Murumuli and Lake Kitagata can be seen on this drive.

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

Day 11 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Do game drive & boat cruise

Wake up very for a cup of coffee before setting of 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 hynas 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 game 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 lunch time. After lunch, you will gather at Mweya for a recreational afternoon launch cruise leaving at 03:00pm taking 2 hours exploring 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 traveller on Uganda safaris. Retire from the boat at 5 pm for overnight.

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

Day 12 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Undertake the maramagambo forest walk, the bat cave & visit the salt lake in the evening.

After breakfast, transfer to maramagambo forest one of the mature tropical forests in Uganda for a rewarding nature walk. You will be mesmerized by various tree species and their sizes not forgetting the canopy that provides a natural shade. The sights of birds, monkeys may not be missed. Additionally, you will encounter the bat cave where thousands of bats have dwelled for years past co – existing alongside python – one of the famous reptiles. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation after which you undertake the salt lake walk in the evening. You will enjoy the process of salt extraction and the setting of the enclave communities that have derived their livelihoods for years past.

Day 13 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha – the tree climbing lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi 160km about 5 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. Proceed to Bwindi in the afternoon and check to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket/Luxury), Engagi lodge (Midrange/standard) or Bwindi View Bandas (Budget/Basic)

Day 14 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Do the thrilling gorilla trekking.

It is this long waited 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 which 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 them forage, play, socialize and also gaze at you in a sign of welcoming and saying good bye. The experience is rewarding and worthy undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can attend the local performances to see the amazing cultural performances of the Bakiga and the Batwa.

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

Day 15 of 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda: Transfer back to Kampala.

After breakfast, embark on 527km about 10 hours’ drive to Kampala. Have en route stops at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past for Lunch at the famous Kahwa Kanuzire restaurant where you can even take a tour of the museum or the 1520 AD eclipse monument and at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe 77km to Kampala to have amazing photo poses and participate in water experiments that justify the divide between southern and northern hemispheres. Continue to arrive in Kampala in the afternoon to mark the end of your 15 days Uganda Gorilla, Wildlife & Cultural safari.

End of the 15 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Culture Tour Uganda