15 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour – Overview

The 15 days Gorilla Safari Uganda is a long Gorilla safari in Uganda & wildlife tour featuring Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest, amazing wildlife game drives, visiting the source of River Nile, Rwenzori mountain hiking & scenic landscape viewing.

The 15 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour allows you to explore the wonders of the River Nile Basin. Starting from and ending in Entebbe, the 15 Days Nile Basin Adventure takes you to Jinja the source of the world’s longest Nile River for memorable white-water rafting, wild game viewing in Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Park with possible sights of Lions including tree climbing lions of Ishasha elephants, Buffaloes, Rothschild Giraffes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, the Zebra, Impala, Nile crocodiles, Hippos, Cheetah, elands, Roan Antelopes among others.

The safari also features mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale dubbed the primate capital of the world, the adventure hiking to Rwenzori Mountains, and recreational encounter on Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand islands.

15 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Explore Jinja – the source of the world’s longest River Nile. Do half-day rafting; visit the reptile village & the boat cruise to the source of the Nile

Day 2: Transfer from Kampala to Kitgum (En route to Kidepo Valley National Park 700km from Kampala)

Day 3: Transfer from Kitgum to Kidepo Valley National Park & do an evening game drive. Encounter the lions, giraffes, buffaloes, cheetahs, Zebras, etc

Day 4: Do a morning game drive along the famous Narus Valley & have an afternoon encounter with the famous Karomojong

Day 5: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via the former Kony rebel operational Area of northern Uganda (Gulu)

Day 6: Do a game drive in the rolling Savannah in the northern sector of the park and do an afternoon Nile Launch cruise

Day 7: Encounter the top of the world’s powerful Murchison Falls & transfer to Hoima. Visit the Kibiro Salt Gardens en route

Day 8: Transfer to Fort Portal town and do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling and then transfer to Kibale National Park

Day 9: Do Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Kasese. Visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa to participate in sculpture making process & visit the Ruboni Craft Village to participate in the craft-making process.

Day 10: Undertake the whole day of Mount Rwenzori hiking. Encounter the legendary Mountains of the Moon as described by the Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150AD towering to 5,109m above sea level with snow cover

Day 11: Do a morning game drive in the Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth NP and do an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a game drive in Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions

Day 13: Do gorilla trekking (Encounter the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas where almost half of the world population 400 out of 880 thrive in Bwindi Impenetrable NP) & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat cruise or a canoe paddle on the Lake of a thousand Islands

Day 14: Transfer to Kampala & drive through Lake Mburo National Park for a simple game drive

Day 15: Departure

15 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Jinja – The Source of The World’s Longest River Nile. Do Half-day Rafting; Visit The Reptile Village & The Boat Cruise to The Source of the Nile

Transfer early in the morning from Kampala to Jinja 80km driving along the impressive landscapes from the urban Kampala through the forested Mabira and sugarcane plantations of Lugazi before arriving in Jinja.

You embark on the famous white water rafting on the mystical waters of the Nile River which is the longest River in the whole world as it struggles through the Cascades forming great force and pressure.

The white water rafting adventure gives you an opportunity to have a feel of these rapids yourself and test their might.

It is common that the force pushes you away from your raft but the expert team of guides is very close to you for assistance.

The local people front the banks to cheer at you as you enjoy the abundance of nature. Retreat from the half-day activity for relaxation.

In the late afternoon, you connect to the source of the Nile to undertake a thrilling boat cruise to the mystical point that lured the ancient European explorers to explore into Africa.

The cruise exposes you to counts of birds including Kingfishers and other local people cruising on the Nile.

Explore the reptile village to have an encounter with the counts of reptile species including snakes before retreating to Kampala in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket / Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget / Basic)

Day 2: Transfer From Kampala to Kitgum

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kitgum to the far north of Uganda. You drive through impressive flat stretches of Nakasongora dotted with acacia associated vegetation and shrubs.

The counts of long horned cattle are usually seen grazing in the farms along the road. You cross Kafu River and eventually Nile River passing through the dense Savannah of Karuma Wildlife Reserve.

Proceed to Gulu and eventually arrive in Kitgum in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Boma Hotel / Fuglys Guesthouse

Day 3: Transfer From Kitgum to Kidepo Valley National Park & Do an Evening Game Drive.

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kidepo Valley National Park passing through the impressive rural landscapes of Karamoja exploring the local way of life, their building architecture, and what they do for livelihood.

Arrive in Kidepo in time for lunch and have a short relaxation after which you will embark on an evening game drive exploring the park’ rolling landscapes dotted with counts of wild game including lions, Zebras, Giraffes, Cheetah, elephants, and Buffalo among other wildlife.

The drive enables you to explore the wild game thriving in the plains as they keep close to the water points. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ Moru Wilderness Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 4: Do a Morning Game Drive Along The Famous Narus Valley & Have an Afternoon Encounter With The Famous Karomojong

Undertake an early morning game drive in the rolling Savannah landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park stretching to the famous Narus valley and he Kidepo Valley.

The game drive offers you possibilities of encountering a range of wild game including the Rothschild Giraffes, elephants, lions, Buffaloes, Zebra, Roan antelopes, elands among others.

The stretch to the Kidepo Valley offers impressive views of the Ostrich which is only found here in the whole of Uganda.

The drive also offers you scenic views of the Karamoja Mountains and their extensive valleys. Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer back to lodge for relaxation and lunch.

Visit In the afternoon; embark on the tour to the pastoral Karamojong community. You visit the cultural Manyattas, listen to their stories about how they have transformed from pastoral to settled farming and from walking naked to clothing, attend to their cultural dances, participate in art and craft making, take a grazing walk along the Karimojong herdsmen as they narrate the importance of cows to them. Retreat for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Nga’ Moru Wilderness Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Apoka Rest Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 5: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park Via The Former Kony Rebel Operational Area of Northern Uganda (Gulu)

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park driving through impressive flat landscapes on northern Uganda where the infamous Kony had staged his rebel activities that terrorized the area.

You will drive along the towns of Kitgum and Gulu arrivgn in Murchison in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic)

Day 6: Do a Game Drive in The Rolling Savannah in The Northern Sector of The Park And Do An Afternoon Nile Launch Cruise

Connect to the park after breakfast to start the game drive at 7am in the northern section where the animals are known to thrive with better viewing possibilities.

The park has open Savannah rolling combretum with patches of borassus palms supporting counts of wild game including Rothschild giraffes, Elephants, Buffaloes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Kobs, lions, leopards, and water bucks among others.

The range of tracks has been specially designed to allow you explore the park in detail. Retreat from the 3 hour activity and relax at the lodge up to lunch time after which you gather at Paraa Jetty for a thrilling boat cruise.

Congregate at Paraa jetty in the afternoon 2pm to embark on the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. The boat cruise lasts 3 hours and offers you possibilities of encountering Nile crocodiles and Hippos.

Birds like the most sought after Shoebill Stork might also be seen on the river banks enjoying the cool waters of the Nile River.

Upon reaching the bottom of the falls, you encounter the roaring sounds of the Nile River with magical sightseeing encounters.

Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic)

Day 7: Encounter The Top of The World’s Powerful Murchison Falls & Transfer to Hoima.

After breakfast, connect to the southern section of the park to visit the top of the falls. You visit the top of Murchison Falls which is the powerful waterfall in the world with magical scenery.

You marvel at the Nile River as it squeezes itself to pass through a less than 8m ravine before falling 43m below to what has been termed as the Devil’s Cauldron forming a plume of spray surrounded by thunderous roar marked by a trade mark rainbow.

It is the greatest natural feature to ever happen on the Nile course. You retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Hoima.

You make a stop en route to visit the Kibiro Salt Gardens which dates back to over 900 years ago supporting the generations and generations of the area’s inhabitants.

The people depend on this salt as they exchange it with the neighboring community for food and get income by selling it.

The salt is extracted traditionally and exclusively by the local expert women. The footpath connecting to the site presents a challenging hiking encounter.

Retreat from the activity and embark on the transfer to Hoima arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Kontiki Hotel

Day 8: Transfer to Fort Portal Town And Do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling And Then Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Fort Portal Area about five hours drive. You drive through impressive rural landscapes of Kagadi and Kyenjonjo marked by lush green, local homesteads, livestock including local goats grazing along the way; banana and crop plantations.

You will arrive in the beautifully Fort Portal town welcomed by the towering Karuzika palace – the home of the King of Tooro.

You settle for lunch after which you embark on an adventure cycling activity in the Mpanga tea estates. Connect to Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling exploring the impressive landscapes that are soaked with tea plants forming a lush green landscape with amazing scenery.

The undulating terrain makes it ideal for cycling encounter. However, this goes beyond cycling and you have chances of participating in the tea plucking exercise along with the estate staff.

You retreat from the activity and then embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic)

Day 9: Do Chimpanzee Trekking And Transfer to Kasese.

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing at 08:00am from the park rangers about the Chimp trekking conduct.

Set off to this forest of Kibale after the short briefing in quest of Chimpanzees. The 2 – 5 hour trek will expose you amazing tree species and wildlife including other 12 species of primates like Colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, Red tailed monkeys and olive baboons.

The sights of Birds cannot be avoided while their songs will offer you natural entertainment through the jungle.

You will marvel at the Chimpanzees as the roll themselves on tree branches, munch fruits and make their pant – hooting calls.

After utilizing your one hour, you will have a picnic lunch and return to the starting point for short relaxation and then transfer to Kasese.

The drive will reward you with the views of the towering Rwenzori Mountains and the rural landscapes not forgetting the magical sights of Ndali Kasenda crater field.

Arrive in Kasese in the afternoon and visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation which is the only bronze casting center in the whole of Africa with a wide range of sculptures that are exhibited in the gallery.

The site also offers you an opportunity to participate in the casting process. From the art foundation, you visit the Ruboni Community Craft village to encounter the local women as they put together different natural materials to produce very fine craft items that have earned themselves market on a world scale. Retreat from this encounter and connect to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 10: Undertake Whole Day Mount Rwenzori Hiking.

After breakfast at your lodge, gather at the Rwenzori National Park Headquarters to embark on a whole day adventurous hike to the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris.

The Rwenzori Mountains being the 3^rd tallest in the African continent towers up to 5,109m, above sea level with snow-capped peaks despite its close rang to the world’s latitude and the sun’s way – the Equator.

The whole day hike enables you to explore its foothills offering magical views of the some peaks at distant ranges, the panoramic views of Kasese town, rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth and the patches of Rift Valley lakes below.

It’s an adventurous encounter of a life time on its short setting. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 11: Do Morning Game Drive in The Savannah Plains of Queen Elizabeth NP And Do An Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Connect to the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth NP stretching to Kasenyi plains where counts of wild game might be encountered including the elephants, Buffaloes, lions, leopards, Kobs, waterbucks, spotted hyenas, jackals among others.

You have chances of encountering these animals as they mate, patrol, socialize, graze and hunt among other aspects that lure you into remarkable amazement.

Retreat from the 3 – 4 hour activity to embark on the transfer to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise along the 45km Kazinga Channel.

The cruise exposes you to possible magical sights of the Hippos, Nile crocodiles and other wild game like elephants and buffaloes drinking on the channel side.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Rwenzori Mountain for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Equator Snow Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Ihamba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a Game Drive in Ishasha in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You undertake a game drive in Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of tree climbing lions and other wild game.

The Ishasha is one of the only two places in the world where tree climbing lions can be encountered. They tend to lie in fig tree branches in the day time.

Continue on the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget /Basic)

Day 13: Do Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi For An Evening Boat Cruise Or a Canoe Paddle on The Lake of a Thousand Islands

After breakfast, gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing at 8am and eventual start of the gorilla trekking encounter.

You follow the trails of your respective gorilla family traversing the forest with is hilly forested landscapes and deep saddles.

The hills are forested with mature trees and dense undergrowth that have earned it the name Impenetrable.

The gorilla trekking encounter tends to last 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one (1) hour direct encounter with them.

Seeing the critically endangered apes as they forage, socialize, the young gorillas rolling themselves on tree branches and the Silverback demonstrating his authority is a moment of wonder that derives remarkable excitement.

Retreat from the activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands with magical scenery.

Upon arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, you embark on a thrilling sun set boat cruise on the lake of a thousand islands as it has been dubbed because of its counts of 29 Islands.

The cruise presents an evening soothing recreational encounter that is worth exploring and refreshment after gorilla trek adventure. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange / Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget / Basic)

Day 14: Transfer to Kampala & Drive Through Lake Mburo National Park For A Simple Game Drive

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kampala City 437km about 7 hours’ drive passing through the lush countryside landscapes of South western Uganda before making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town for a thrilling traditional lunch.

After this encounter, you will continue on the drive for 33km to Lake Mburo National Park for a mini game drive exploring the rolling Savannah landscapes dotted with counts of grazers including Impala, Burchell’s Zebra, Topis, Rothschild Giraffes, warthogs among others before proceeding for 240km further about 4 hours’ drive to Kampala arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Upmarket / Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget / Basic)

Day 15: Departure

After breakfast connect to Entebbe International Airport for the return flight back home.

End of The 15 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda Tour.