20 days Escape in to the wild and cultural lands of Uganda
Itinerary
Start and end in Entebbe! With the Explorer tour 20 days Escape in to the wild and cultural lands of Uganda, you have a 20 days tour package taking you through Entebbe, Uganda and 11 other destinations in Uganda. 20 days Escape in to the wild and cultural lands of Uganda includes accommodation, meals, transport and more.
Introduction
This 20 day safari will take you to all the highlights of Uganda. From the lovely encounter with the Gorillas to the beautiful national parks with a lot of animals for viewing on the game. Not forgetting the different cultures of the Ugandan people, making this safari a memorable one
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to hotel
Start point
Pick up is from airport, Entebbe, Wakiso, Uganda
01:00 – 22:00
After clearing customs at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our company representative who will then transfer you to your hotel in Kampala or in Entebbe depending on your flight arrival time. If you arrive very late in the night, we recommend you overnight in Entebbe as opposed to Kampala.
Overnight at Cassia lodge or similar (Bed and Breakfast)
Day 2: Kampala city tour and evening cultural performances at Ndere Center
After an early breakfast, your guide will pick you from your hotel in Kampala and drive you around Kampala where you will tour the city and its religious attractions.
These include; Namugongo Martyrs Shrine: The Basilica of the Uganda Martyrs is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to the Ugandan Martyrs who shed their blood because of the Christian faith
Gadhafi Mosque: this is the third biggest mosque in Africa and one of Col. Gaddafi’s legacy in Uganda Idi Amin Palace and Torture Site: Famously known as the “Lubiri Palace”, this is the first modern in Uganda. And the torture chambers of Idi Amin on the palace grounds
Visit the art and crafts market in Kampala: You will get to visit one of the biggest crafts markets in Kampala. While here, you will get to buy some art, crafts and other souvenirs that will remind you of your visit to the Pearl of Africa
Later you will have lunch at a local restaurant; Kampala is a town full of culinary wonders. You will get to taste some of the eclectic cuisine of the region including Uganda’s local foods. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy.
Later in the evening, you will get to enjoy a cultural dance performances at Ndere Centre.
Overnight at Cassia lodge OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Day 3: Transfer to Jinja
This morning after your breakfast, you will embark on a journey to the Eastern part of this beautiful country. You will have a stopover in Jinja where you will take part in some optional activities. These include; a boat trip to the place where the world’s longest river starts its journey, rafting on the Nile River, and community visits.
Overnight at source of the smile OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Day 4: Transfer to Sipi Falls.
In and around Sipi
Leave Jinja after breakfast and make the journey to Sipi Falls. The target is to arrive in time for lunch at the lodge. Sipi Falls offers stunning scenery and beautiful waterfalls. In the afternoon you go for a guided walk to see three of the water falls close up and experience the local coffee ceremony with the Sebei tribe.
Overnight at Sipi River lodge OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Day 5: Transfer to Moroto
In and around Moroto
We leave the stunning views of Sipi Falls in the morning and start the journey to the town Moroto. We continue our journey off the beaten track by going through the tribes, hopping for a market day to visit the tribes, it’s a very remote area with a scenic reserve, local people, markets in the most un-touched area and remote village set up are the highlights known as the karimajongo’s people.
Overnight at Africana Moroto Hotel OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Manyatta Cultural Experience
This morning you have a morning breakfast and then go for the karimojongo’s experience later come back for lunch and go back for kraals experience. You will have an overnight at your hotel.
Overnight at Africana Moroto Hotel OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast we start the drive to Kidepo Valley NP in a landscape of vast plains and semi-arid savannah framed by jagged mountains and wooded hills, Kidepo is one of the wildest and most spectacular reserves in Africa. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions enjoy panoramic views of the Narus River Valley and photographic opportunities of wildlife from all corners. An evening game drive along the Narus River Valley for game Viewing and photography of Elephants, herds of Buffaloes, Jackals, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Klipspringer and possibly Lions.
Overnight at Savannah lodge OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Day 8: Morning Game drives and Afternoon Cultural Experience
After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive to Kanangorok hot spring area crossing the sand river as we continue our 20 days Uganda safari. A variety of animals can be seen roaming around including Ostrich connecting back for lunch. In the afternoon have a cultural experience that will bring into contact with Karamojong peoples at Karenna and Kapedo. Meet the local elders and have an opportunity to interact with them. They will show you the kraals, the grinding stones and many more interesting items.
Overnight at Savannah lodge OR Similar (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Day 9 Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Leave the park in the morning and transfer through Gulu Uganda’s biggest town in the North. Continue through the flat scenic landscape with local villages and enjoy the Ugandan countryside. Arrive at the lodge in Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar. (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 10: Game drives and Afternoon boat trip
This day, you will have Morning game drives and in the afternoon, take the launch cruise to the bottom of the Murchison falls, with the option of walking up the top of the falls. Sundowners will be served on the boat.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar. (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 11: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
After your breakfast at the Lodge, you will embark on an early morning drive with Picnic Lunch to Kibale Forest Park, which is home to some 13 species of primates including the red colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and L’Hoest’s monkeys as well as 70 mammal species.
Overnight at Kibale Guest cottages or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 12 Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk.
After breakfast at the lodge, you will go for Chimpanzee tracking along the network of forest trails. Seeing habituated chimps squabbling and swinging from the trees is an exhilarating experience. Later in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is rich in bird species, vegetation, and wildlife. This is also a great opportunity to support local tourism initiatives which benefit social and economic development in the area.
Overnight at Kibale Guest cottages or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 13: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
This morning you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, through volcanic crater lakes, and on a clear day one can see the famous “Mountains of the Moon”, The Rwenzori Mountains. This park which boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park or reserve in the world and also Uganda’s second largest National Park, the 1,978 sq.km has everything from open savannah to rain forest.
Queen Elizabeth has over 100 mammal species, and an astounding 606 bird species, making it a premier safari destination. Have a game drive while entering the park and later go for another evening game drive and overnight at your lodge.
Overnight at Twin lakes Safari Lodge or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 14: Morning Game drives and Afternoon boat trip on Kazinga channel
Enjoy morning game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park whose diverse ecosystems include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, that make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, primates and over 600 species of birds.
Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas include dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills and the panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel. You will get to visit the communities around and learn about their ways of living. Get to do some fishing on the lake
Return to the lodge for lunch and later you will take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, 32 Kms long followed by a game drive. This water system has the highest concentration of Hippos in the world and you will get quite close to them. See also crocodiles, buffalos and other game that drink from the channel, also marvel at the abundant ornitho-life that is supported here.
Have a game drive before heading to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight at Twin lakes Safari Lodge or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 15: Morning Game Drives Ishasha Sector.
Today you proceed to Ishasha, home to the famed tree climbing lions. The lions are located in the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and are best seen in early hours of the morning. Have a game drive before stopping for lunch, and another game drive in the afternoon before dinner.
Overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 16: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Today you will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for two nights. Bwindi is a home to over half of the World’s mountain gorilla population. Interacting with these gentle giants is one of the most moving experiences that Africa has to offer and should not be missed! The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans 321 sq.km and boasts 90 mammal species, including a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African Green Broadbill, the Bar Tailed Trogon and many others. Relax in the evening and get ready for the following day’s gorilla tracking.
Overnight at Lake Mulehe Gorilla lodge or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking and Optional Activities.
Today after an energizing breakfast, you will embark on your gorilla trek. Before 8 am report to the ranger station for registration and briefing by one of the rangers; the guides will then lead you through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas.
The trek can take anywhere from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking boots. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas.
Later in day, if time allows, there a range of optional activities unique to Bwindi that you can engage in.
Optional Activities:
Batwa Trail: During this moving tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups.
Guests are then invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King to be entertained by traditional music and dance.
Village Walk: Overlooking the imposing hillsides of Bwindi Impenetrable forest, with the mist swirling over the summits, this is one of the most dramatic settings for your cultural tour! Among others, meet a traditional healer, who not only treats the sick, but uses his knowledge to conserve and educate about the various medicinal plants.
Bwindi Community Hospital: Started by a Canadian doctor BCH revolutionized health care for the Batwa and the Bwindi community. This free hospital tour provides insight into the region and issues that the local community member’s face.
Waterfall Walk: Walk along the Congolese border and Bwindi to see the magnificent waterfalls and the incredible scenery.
Overnight at Lake Mulehe gorilla lodge or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 18: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
This morning after breakfast, you will drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi (“Place of many little birds”) is the perfect place to stop for a break. The serene lake is rumored to be the deepest in Africa, reaching depths of 900 meters. The lake stretches around 25 km in length and 7 meters wide, with 29 islands scattered throughout. Although it can be very tempting to just sit by the water and soak up the sun, there are many different activities available, including a boat ride to the different islands, bird watching, zip lining to mention but a few.
Overnight at Arcadia cottages or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 19: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
The adventure continues as you spend two nights at Lake Mburo National Park.
The 371 sq.km park is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains and has distinctly different fauna compared to other Ugandan parks. It is the best place in the country to see Eland Antelope, Zebra, Topi, Impala, and Acacia. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide black and yellow papyrus gonalek.
Arriving in the park for lunch you can rest before exploring the park on game drive for the rest of the afternoon.
Optional Activities:
- Horseback Riding Safaris: What better way to explore the park than on horseback! Horseback riding safaris are available for various times and are suitable for all levels of riders including the non-experienced.
- Boat Safari: Take a cruise along Lake Mburo which is home to dense populations of hippos and crocodiles.
Cycling trips are also available on request
Overnight at Rwakobo Rock lodge or similar (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
Day 20: Transfer to Entebbe for flight home
End point
Drop off is at the airport, Entebbe, Wakiso, Uganda
14:00 – 01:00
In and around Entebbe
This morning you will have breakfast and then proceed to Entebbe having lunch enroute. You will stop at the Equator-where you will be able to stand in both hemispheres simultaneously arriving in Entebbe in the early evening for your flight back home.
What’s Included?
Accommodation
Meals
Additional Services
Transport
Flights
Guide
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services
Where you’ll stay
Hotel
Lodge
Cottage
