Day 1
Route: Entebbe – Mabira Forest – Jinja - Mbale – Sipi Falls
Distance: 300- 330 km
Driving Time: appr. 7 – 8 hours (inkl. Stops)
Overnight:
Sipi Falls / Rafiki Lodge Sipi (or similar)
Website: https://rafikilodgesipi.com/
Activities
- Airport meet & greet
- Scenic drive through central and eastern Uganda
- Lunch stop in Mbale
- Arrival at Sipi Falls
Welcome to Uganda! Our journey begins at Entebbe International Airport, where we meet you before heading east through Uganda's vibrant countryside. Leaving the bustling city behind, we pass the lush Mabira Forest and the lively town of Jinja, home to the source of the Nile. Along the way, colourful roadside markets, small villages and ever-changing landscapes offer a wonderful introduction to Uganda.
After a late lunch stop in Mbale, the road climbs into the cooler highlands surrounding Mount Elgon before we reach the beautiful Sipi Falls in the evening. Settle into your lodge and enjoy your first night in the Pearl of Africa.
Day 2
Route: Sipi Falls – Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Distance: 120 – 170 km (depending on lodge location)
Driving Time: appr. 3 – 5 hours (inkl. Tranfers and park access)
Overnight:
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve / Karamoja Overland Safaris Camp (or similiar)
Website: https://realmafricasafaris.com/karamoja-overland-camp/
Activities
- Guided hike to Sipi Falls
- Scenic drive to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
- Afternoon game drive
Start the day with a guided hike to the spectacular Sipi Falls, one of Uganda's most breathtaking natural landmarks. Winding trails lead through coffee farms, lush vegetation and scenic viewpoints, while your local guide shares insights into daily life on the slopes of Mount Elgon and the traditions that have shaped this unique region.
After the hike, continue to the remote Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. As the cool highlands gradually give way to open savannah, you'll witness another remarkable change in Uganda's diverse landscapes.
Arriving in the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive through one of Uganda's least-visited protected areas, where vast savannahs and remarkable wildlife await.
Day 3
Route: Pian Upe – Moroto
Distance: 140 – 150 km
Driving Time: appr. 3 – 4 hours
Overnight:
Moroto / Karatunga Safari Camp (or similar)
Website: https://kara-tunga.com/safari-camp/
Activities
- Scenic drive through Karamoja
- Visit to a Karamojong community
- Cultural experience
- Traditional manyatta visit (where applicable)
After breakfast, leave Pian Upe behind and travel deeper into the remote Karamoja region, where vast open plains and dramatic mountain scenery create one of Uganda's most distinctive landscapes.
Today, the focus shifts from wildlife to culture. Spend time with members of the Karamojong community and gain authentic insights into one of East Africa's oldest pastoral cultures. Depending on the community you visit, you may explore a traditional manyatta, learn about the importance of cattle in everyday life, discover colourful beadwork and traditional dress, or meet local elders who share stories and customs passed down through generations.
Respectful encounters and genuine conversations offer a deeper understanding of a region that remains largely untouched by mass tourism, making this one of the most authentic cultural experiences of your journey.
Day 4
Route: Moroto – Kidepo Valley National Park
Distance: 220 – 260 km
Driving Time: appr. 5 – 7 hours
Overnight:
Kidepo Valley National Park / Kidepo Savannah Lodge (or similiar)
Website: https://naturelodgesuganda.com/
Activities
- Scenic drive to Kidepo Valley National Park
- Afternoon game drive in Narus Valley
After breakfast, leave Moroto behind and continue north through the remote landscapes of Karamoja towards the spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park. As settlements become fewer and farther between, vast open plains and rugged mountain ranges create a growing sense of entering one of Africa's last truly wild places.
Arriving in the afternoon, settle into your lodge before heading out on a game drive in the renowned Narus Valley. Thanks to its permanent water sources, this wildlife-rich area attracts animals throughout the year and provides an excellent introduction to the park.
As the day draws to a close, the first wildlife encounters and the park's breathtaking scenery offer an inspiring glimpse of the extraordinary wilderness that awaits over the coming days.
Day 5
Route: Game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park
Distance: Flexible safari activities
Overnight:
Kidepo Valley National Park / Kidepo Savannah Lodge (or similiar)
Website: https://naturelodgesuganda.com/
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Leisure time at the lodge
- Afternoon game drive
Today is dedicated to exploring one of Africa's most remote and unspoilt national parks. With an early start, you'll experience Kidepo at its most magical, when the soft morning light bathes the savannah and wildlife begins to stir.
Spend the day discovering the park's vast landscapes on morning and afternoon game drives, with a relaxing break at the lodge during the warmest hours of the day. Every drive reveals something new, from sweeping plains and dramatic mountain backdrops to unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Kidepo is renowned for its exceptional wildlife. Regular sightings include elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild's giraffes, plains zebras, Jackson's hartebeest, Uganda kob and many other species that thrive in the park's open savannahs. With a little luck, you may also encounter predators such as cheetahs, leopards or lions. Bird enthusiasts will also appreciate the park's remarkable diversity of dry-country species.
What makes Kidepo truly exceptional is not only its remarkable biodiversity, but its sense of solitude. Far from the crowds, every safari feels personal and authentic, allowing you to experience the African wilderness much as it has existed for generations. As the sun sets over the savannah, return to your lodge with memories of a truly extraordinary day.
Day 6
Route: Exploring Kidepo Valley National Park
Distance: Flexible safari activities
Driving Time: flexible Safari activities
Overnight:
Kidepo Valley National Park / Kidepo Savannah Lodge (or similiar)
Website: https://naturelodgesuganda.com/
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Scenic viewpoints
- Exploration of remote areas
- Optional community visit (subject to local arrangements)
After two days exploring Kidepo Valley National Park, we take a different perspective on this remarkable wilderness. Beyond its wildlife, Kidepo is defined by vast open plains, dramatic mountain backdrops and an impressive sense of space that makes it one of Uganda's most distinctive wilderness areas.
Today's game drive takes us into more remote parts of the park, where changing landscapes and diverse habitats provide new opportunities for wildlife viewing. Along the way, there is plenty of time to pause, take photographs and enjoy the quiet beauty of this unique environment.
Depending on local arrangements, there may also be the opportunity to visit a nearby community and gain further insight into the traditions and daily life of the people who have lived in this region for generations.
As the afternoon light settles over the savannah, we enjoy our final hours in Kidepo before returning to the lodge for a relaxing evening.
Day 7
Route: Kidepo Valley National Park – Kitgum – Gulu – Murchison Falls National Park
Distance: 430 – 520 km
Driving Time: appr. 8 – 10 hours
Overnight:
Murchison Falls National Park / Pakuba Safari Lodge
Website: https://pakubasafarilodge.com
Activities
- Scenic drive through Northern Uganda
- Photo stops along the way
- Arrival at Murchison Falls National Park
After an early breakfast, leave the remote wilderness of Kidepo behind and begin your journey southwest towards Murchison Falls National Park.
Travelling through Kitgum and Gulu, today's route offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in northern Uganda. Bustling roadside towns, traditional villages and wide open landscapes reveal yet another side of the country, reminding you just how diverse Uganda truly is.
Although this is one of the longest driving days of the expedition, the journey itself is part of the experience. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop, stretch your legs, take photographs and enjoy the ever-changing scenery before arriving at Murchison Falls National Park in the evening, ready for the next chapter of your adventure.
Day 8
Route: Murchison Falls National Park
Distance: flexible safari activities
Overnight:
Murchison Falls National Park / Pakuba Safari Lodge
Website: https://pakubasafarilodge.com
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Nile boat cruise
- Visit to the base of Murchison Falls
- Wildlife viewing from the water
Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the northern savannah of Murchison Falls National Park, when the cool morning hours offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing before the day warms up.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts from land to water as we board a boat for one of Uganda's most iconic safari experiences. Cruising upstream along the Victoria Nile reveals a completely different side of the park. Hippos lounge in the water, Nile crocodiles bask along the riverbanks and a remarkable variety of birdlife thrives in this rich ecosystem, while elephants and buffaloes are often seen coming down to drink.
As the boat approaches the base of Murchison Falls, the sound of the crashing water grows louder with every metre. Experiencing the immense power of the Nile from the water is a fitting finale to this memorable afternoon on the river.
Day 9
Route: Murchison Falls National Park
Distance: flexible safari activities
Overnight:
Murchison Falls National Park / Pakuba Safari Lodge
Website: https://pakubasafarilodge.com
Activities
- Morning game drive
- Visit to the Top of the Falls
- Private Nile Delta boat cruise
- Shoebill search
Today we discover another fascinating side of Murchison Falls National Park. Begin with a relaxed morning game drive before visiting one of Uganda's most iconic natural landmarks: the Top of the Falls.
Here, the mighty Nile is forced through a narrow seven-metre-wide rock gorge before plunging more than 40 metres into the roaring Devil's Cauldron below. The thunder of the water, rising spray and occasional rainbows create an unforgettable spectacle and one of Uganda's most impressive natural wonders.
In the afternoon, enjoy an exclusive privat boat cruise into the Nile Delta, where the river gradually widens before entering Lake Albert. This rich wetland is a paradise for birdlife and one of the best places in Uganda to search for the legendary Shoebill. Along the way, you'll also encounter hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of waterbirds, while the tranquil atmosphere offers a completely different safari experience from the previous day's boat excursion.
Day 10
Route: Murchison Falls National Park – Fort Portal – Kibale Forest National Park
Distance: 370 – 430 km
Driving Time: appr. 7 – 9 hours
Overnight:
Kibale Forest National Park / Ensiko Primate Lodge
Website: https://www.ensiko.com
Activities
- Scenic drive through western Uganda
- Lunch stop in Fort Portal
- Explore the crater lake region
- Arrival in Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, bid farewell to Murchison Falls National Park and begin your journey southwest towards Kibale Forest National Park. Although this is one of the longer driving days of the safari, the ever-changing scenery makes the journey an enjoyable part of the adventure.
Travelling through fertile farmland, rolling hills and vibrant roadside towns, you'll witness yet another transformation of Uganda's remarkably diverse landscapes. As you approach Fort Portal, the scenery becomes increasingly lush, with picturesque crater lakes and, on clear days, magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains – the legendary "Mountains of the Moon."
By late afternoon, arrive at Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Africa's richest concentrations of primates. Settle into your lodge, enjoy the peaceful rainforest surroundings and look forward to tomorrow's chimpanzee trekking experience.
Day 11
Route: Kibale Forest National Park
Distance: Flexible activities
Overnight:
Kibale Forest National Park / Ensiko Primate Lodge
Website: https://www.ensiko.com
Activities
- Guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
- Visit to the Bigodi community conservation project
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Rainforest wildlife viewing
Today is dedicated to one of Uganda's most unforgettable wildlife experiences. Begin the morning with a guided walk through the award-winning Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where rich birdlife, colourful butterflies and several monkey species thrive alongside a successful community conservation project.
In the afternoon, head into Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the primate capital of East Africa. Accompanied by experienced park rangers, follow forest trails and listen for the unmistakable calls of wild chimpanzees echoing through the canopy.
Once the chimpanzees are located, you'll spend an unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching them communicate, feed, groom one another and move effortlessly through the forest offers a fascinating insight into the lives of our closest living relatives—an encounter that remains with most visitors long after the journey has ended.
Day 12
Route: Kibale Forest National Park – Fort Portal – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Distance: 150 – 200 km
Driving Time: appr. 4 – 5 hours (excluding acitivies)
Overnight:
The Bush Lodge, Queen Elizabeth (or equivalent accommodations)
Activities
- Scenic drive through western Uganda
- Game drive in the Kasenyi Plains
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Wildlife viewing
Leaving Kibale Forest behind, travel through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Rolling hills, crater lakes and views of the Rwenzori Mountains accompany the journey before the landscape gradually opens into wide savannah.
Upon entering the park, enjoy a game drive across the wildlife-rich Kasenyi Plains, one of Uganda's best areas for observing elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob and, with a little luck, lions or leopards.
In the afternoon, experience another highlight as you cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, linking Lake George and Lake Edward. This natural waterway supports one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos, while elephants, buffaloes and countless bird species gather along the shoreline, creating exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation and photography.
Day 13
Route: Towards the mountain gorillas – Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Distance: 160 - 220 km
Driving Time: appr. 4 – 6 hours
Overnight:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park / Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Website: https://mbzgroup.africa/rushagagorillalodge
Activities
- Game drive through the Ishasha Sector
- Search for tree-climbing lions
- Scenic drive through south-western Uganda
- Arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Leaving Queen Elizabeth National Park behind, today's journey takes you through the remote Ishasha Sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. Scattered across the ancient fig trees, these remarkable predators are among Africa's most unusual wildlife spectacles, although sightings are never guaranteed.
As the journey continues south, the landscape changes once again. Open savannah gradually gives way to rolling hills, tea plantations and dense rainforest, offering a glimpse of the remarkable diversity that defines western Uganda.
By late afternoon, arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Settle into your lodge, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and prepare for one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife encounters awaiting you tomorrow.
Day 14
Route: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Kisoro / Lake Mutanda – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Distance: 160 - 220 km
Driving Time: appr. 4 – 6 hours
Overnight:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park / Ichumbi Hotel
Website: https://ichumbi.com/
Activities
- Gorilla Trekking Experience
- One-Hour Observation of a Mountain Gorilla Family
- Scenic Drive to Kisoro / Lake Mutanda
- Optional Community Visit or Lake Mutanda Boat Ride (time permitting)
Today is the highlight many travellers have dreamed of for years. After a ranger briefing, we set off into the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers, every trek follows a different route through the dense forest, depending on where the gorillas have been located that day.
Once we reach the gorilla family, we spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching them interact, care for their young and move quietly through the forest offers a rare and deeply moving insight into the lives of our closest living relatives.
After the trek, we continue our journey to the scenic Lake Mutanda region. Depending on the available time, there may be the opportunity to visit a nearby community or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Mutanda before arriving at our lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day 15
Route: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Distance: 160 - 220 km
Driving Time: appr. 4 – 6 hours
Overnight:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park / Ichumbi Hotel
Website: https://ichumbi.com/
Activities
- Golden Monkey Trekking
- Ranger Briefing
- Guided Bamboo Forest Walk
- Wildlife Photography
- Scenic Views of the Virunga Volcanoes
- Relaxing Afternoon at the Lodge
After the memorable experiences of yesterday's gorilla trekking, today introduces another of Uganda's remarkable primates. Accompanied by experienced rangers, we set out into the bamboo forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in search of the endangered golden monkeys.
Compared to gorilla trekking, today's walk is generally less demanding, allowing more time to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Virunga Volcanoes while observing these lively primates in their natural habitat. Curious, agile and constantly on the move, golden monkeys leap effortlessly through the bamboo, creating wonderful opportunities to watch their natural behaviour.
The afternoon is yours to relax at the lodge, take in the mountain views and reflect on the many impressions and wildlife encounters of the past days.
Good to know
Golden monkeys are found only in the Virunga Mountains of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their restricted range makes this one of the very few places in the world where they can be observed in the wild.
Day 16
Route: Mgahinga – Kabale – Mbarara – Lake Mburo National Park
Distance: 230 - 300 km
Driving Time: appr. 5 - 7 hours
Overnight:
Lake Mburo National Park / Mpogo Lodge
Website: https://mpogosafarilodge.com
Activities
- Scenic Drive through the Kigezi Highlands
- Lunch En Route
- Arrival at Lake Mburo National Park
- Relaxing Afternoon at the Lodge
Today's journey leads through the spectacular Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Africa". Rolling hills, terraced farmland and picturesque villages gradually give way to the open savannah landscapes of western Uganda.
After a scenic drive and lunch en route, we arrive at Lake Mburo National Park, a compact yet remarkably diverse park known for its acacia woodlands, rolling grasslands and peaceful lakes. The afternoon is yours to relax at the lodge and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before tomorrow's final safari experience.
Day 17
Route: Lake Mburo National Park – Equator – Entebbe
Distance: 260 - 300 km
Driving Time: appr. 5 - 6 hours
Activities
- Guided walking Safari
- Wildlife viewing
- Equator crossing
- Scenic drive to Entebbe
- Departure transfer
Your final safari experience begins with a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park, offering a unique opportunity to explore the African bush on foot alongside an experienced ranger. Keep an eye out for zebras, impalas, elands, warthogs, waterbucks and a rich variety of birdlife while discovering the smaller details often missed from a vehicle.
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator for a memorable photo before continuing to the airport or your overnight hotel, depending on your flight schedule.
