Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel.
Optional excursions (time permitting):
- Entebbe Botanical Gardens
- Uganda Wildlife Education Centre
- Ngamba Island (optional, at extra cost)
Drive Time: ~15 minutes
Accommodation:
- Budget: Via Via Guesthouse
- Midrange: Admas Hotel
- Luxury: Protea Hotel by Marriott / Hotel No.5
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Mabamba Swamp – Shoebill Tracking
After an early breakfast, transfer to Mabamba Wetlands on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Explore the swamp by canoe in search of the elusive Shoebill Stork alongside species such as:
Goliath Heron, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Lesser Jacana, and various weavers.
Return to Entebbe in the evening.
Accommodation: Same as Day 1
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park (Birding En Route)
Depart for Lake Mburo with birding stops at the Equator and Kaku Swamp.
Drive Time: 5–6 hours
Accommodation:
- Budget: Rwakobo Rock
- Midrange: Kigarama Wilderness Lodge
- Luxury: Mihingo Lodge / Kigambira Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Lake Mburo – Birding & Boat Cruise
Morning game drive and birding in this Important Bird Area, followed by an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo.
Expect sightings of: African Finfoot, Papyrus Gonolek, African Fish Eagle, and numerous waterbirds.
Accommodation: Same as Day 3
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi (Northern Sector – Ruhija)
Journey through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda with birding en route.
Drive Time: 6–7 hours
Accommodation:
- Budget: Ruhija Rest Camp
- Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
- Luxury: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking Experience
After an early briefing, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience.
Spend one hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat before returning to the lodge.
Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Birding in Mubwindi Swamp
Full-day birding in Mubwindi Swamp, renowned for Albertine Rift endemics including: Grauer’s Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, and Archer’s Robin-Chat.
Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Birding to Buhoma via “The Neck”
Birding through “The Neck,” a forest corridor rich in endemic species, then continue to Buhoma sector.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Ride 4 a Woman
- Midrange: Buhoma Haven Lodge
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Bwindi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Arrive in time for lunch followed by an afternoon game drive in Kasenyi Plains.
Drive Time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation:
- Budget: Bush Lodge
- Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Elephant Plains / Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Honey Bear Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Morning game drive and birding, followed by a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
Accommodation: Same as Day 9
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Kibale (via Maramagambo Forest)
Birding and nature walk in Maramagambo Forest before continuing to Kibale.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
- Midrange: Turaco Treetops
- Luxury: Primate Lodge / Kibale Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland
Morning chimpanzee tracking and birding in Kibale Forest, followed by a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Accommodation: Same as Day 11
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Scenic drive north with birding en route.
Drive Time: 6–7 hours
Accommodation:
- Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Game Drive & Birding – Nile Delta
Morning game drive towards the Nile Delta, an excellent birding hotspot.
Accommodation: Same as Day 13
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 15: Boat Cruises & Murchison Falls
Morning boat cruise towards the delta and afternoon cruise to the base of the falls.
Accommodation: Same as Day 13
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 16: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
Drive to the remote and spectacular Kidepo Valley National Park.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive upon arrival.
Accommodation:
- Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
- Midrange: Adere Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Full-Day Game Drives – Kidepo Valley
Morning and afternoon game drives in one of Africa’s most untouched wilderness areas and visit a Karamajong Village.
Expect: Cheetah, ostrich, lions, giraffes, and unique antelope species.
Accommodation: Same as Day 16
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 18: Transfer to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Drive to Pian Upe, a birder’s paradise with over 300 bird species.
Afternoon game drive and birding.
Accommodation:
- Budget: UWA Bandas
- Midrange: Karamoja Overland Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 19: Transfer to Sipi Falls & Hiking Experience
Drive to Sipi Falls with en-route birding.
Enjoy a scenic hike to the falls and explore the surrounding landscapes.
Accommodation: Sipi River Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 20: Return to Entebbe (via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary)
Transfer back to Entebbe with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking and birding.
Continue to Entebbe for your departure flight.
Drive Time: ~7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast
End of Safari
