20 Days Uganda Safari – Overview

The 20 Days Uganda Safari tour is a comprehensive Uganda tour package to adventure, see wildlife, Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, communities, scenery, and recreation to explore the whole of Uganda in detail.

Stretching from an orphanage tour at Karagi to Source of River Nile adventures at Jinja including white water rafting, Sipi Falls encounter in eastern Uganda with views of Mount Elgon the fourth tallest Mountain in East Africa and was once the tallest in Africa before erosion.

This 20 days Uganda safari tour encounters in the virgin wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park with offers of buffalo, elephant, bush duiker, bushbuck, bush pig, lion, leopard, Kavirondo bush baby, bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, cheetah, caracal, aardwolf, giraffe and zebra, cultural encounters with the indigenous and pastoral Karimojong, largest protected area in Uganda – Murchison Falls National Park with its powerful Murchison falls, Nile launch cruise with sights of Hippos, Nile crocodiles and shoe bill stork.

Mpalo Royal Tombs in Hoima, Mpanga tea estate cycling or Fort Portal Crater lake hike and Amabere ga’ Nnyinamwiru caves tour, Sempaya hot springs, Rwenzori art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa and Ruboni craft and wax center, Mount Rwenzori hiking adventure.

You will enjoy wildlife viewing including tree climbing lions and Kazinga channel boat ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga, a nature walk, and cultural tours in Lake Mburo National Park will combine to generate that lasting memory for your 20 days Uganda safari tour.

20 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Encounter the Christ Our Vision Child Care Orphanage & Karagi village tour.

Day 2: Encounter Jinja – the source of River Nile – the world’s longest River with hals day white water rafting.

Day 3: Transfer to Mount Elgon area & visit Sipi falls

Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 5: Do game drive & Pastoralist Karimojong community tour

Day 6: Undertake a hike to the Morungole Mountains & explore the indigenous Karimojong.

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 8: Do game drive & Nile launch cruise

Day 9: Explore the top of world’s powerful water fall – Murchison Falls & transfer to Hoima & visit Mpalo Royal Tombs on arrival.

Day 10: Transfer to Kibale National Park & do either Mpanga tea estate cycling or Fort Portal crater lake hike & Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves tour.

Day 11: Do Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi wetland eco-tourism walk.

Day 12: Explore Sempaya hot springs, Pygmies of Ntandi & transfer to Kasese. Visit Rwenzori Art foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa & Ruboni wax & craft center.

Day 13: Have a whole day hike to the legendary mountains of the moon – the Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 14: Do morning game drive & Kazinga Channel launch cruise

Day 15: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Ishasha game drive en route (tree climbing lions)

Day 16: Do gorilla trekking & transfer to Mgahinga National Park

Day 17: Do golden monkey tracking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Visit Igongo cultural museum en route & an evening nature walk on arrival.

Day 19: Do a community cultural experiential tour – the Enyemebwa center & transfer to Kampala

Day 20: Explore the heritage of Kampala city

20 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Encounter the Christ Our Vision Child Care Orphanage & Karagi Village Tour.

Extending the helping hand to the needy is one of the inherent attributes that we share as Prime Safaris. The orphans that lost their parents to HIV/AIDS scourge along with others thrive at Christ Our Vision Child Care Orphanage where they are supported to have good education and other necessities.

The need to maintain the orphanage gave birth to Prime Uganda Safaris & Tours as a source of funding for the orphanage.

Thus, paying a visit to this orphanage is one of the ethical safari activities that you can ever have in your journey times.

You will play with kids and enjoy their performances. The traditional Kiganda buffet lunch will be served at the site.

In the afternoon, you will take a walk in the Karagi village where the orphanage is located to learn about the way of life of the local people and their traditions before transferring back to Kampala city for dinner and overnight. The orphanage is about 40 minutes – 1 hour drive from Kampala city.

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

Day 2: Encounter Jinja – The Source of River Nile – The World’s Longest River With Half-day White Water Rafting.

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.

You will enjoy the soothing fresh air from Mabira forest en route which is one of the major rain forests in Uganda.

Upon reaching Jinja – the adventure town of Uganda, you will enroll yourself for the half day white water rafting experience that will see you contain the strength of waters of the Nile as they splash through the rapids.

You will visit the Reptile farm in Jinja to have encounter of various reptile species. 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 its 90 days journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Jinja Nile resort (Upmarket/luxury), Kingfisher Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Sunset Hotel (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Transfer to Mount Elgon Area & Visit Sipi Falls

After breakfast, transfer to Mount Elgon 175km from Jinja. You will pass through amazing landscapes of the east, rice fields and sugarcane plantations before arriving in Mbale for Lunch.

After lunch you will visit the Sipi falls where you will marvel at this magnificent natural feature as it flows down the slopes of rugged rocks that adjoin the Elgon Mountain. It is a rewarding scenic view to encounter while on Uganda safari.

Accommodation: Mbale Resort Hotel (Upmarket/luxury), Sipi River Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Sipi falls Resort (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Kidepo National Park 505km from Mbale passing through the scenic landscapes of Sironko and Mount Moroto before arriving in Kidepo in the afternoon for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange/standard) or Apoka rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Do Game Drive & Pastoralist Karamojong 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. In the afternoon, undertake the community walks to pastoralist Karimojong to encounter traditional way of life, the setting of their cultural Manyattas, attend to their traditional performances along with their arts and crafts. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange/standard) or Apoka rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Undertake a Hike to The Morungole Mountains & Explore The Indigenous Karamojong.

This day is designed to help you encounter the indigenous Karamojong who dwell in the slopes of Morungole Mountains.

You will spend much of your day hiking outside the park, viewing the amazing landscapes of the north eastern corner of Uganda franked by the cross border landscapes of Kenya and South Sudan.

The day is a perfect off the beaten track adventure and will enrich your experience on how people have managed to thrive in this semi-arid climate for centuries past without even modern irrigation practices.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Nga’ moru Wilderness (Midrange/standard) or Apoka rest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 7: 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) Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange/Budget) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Game Drive & Nile Launch Cruise

Wake up very early for a cup of coffee and then head to the park for the morning game drive. 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 lodge for relaxation and lunch. 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.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 9: Explore The Top of World’s Powerful Water Fall – Murchison Falls & Transfer to Hoima & visit Mpalo Royal Tombs on Arrival.

After breakfast, embark on the exploration of the top of Murchison Falls which is the powerful waterfalls in the world to marvel at the Nile River which is the longest River in the world squeezing itself to pass through an 8m ravine before falling 43m to what has been termed as the Devils Cauldron forming a thunderous roar with a plume of spray marked by trade mark rainbow.

Sir Samuel Baker was the first European to marvel at this feature on 14^th March 1864 on his Nile expedition from the north and named after the then president of the Royal Geographical society – Sir Roderick Murchison.

Continue on the drive to Hoima where you will visit the Mpalo Royal Tombs to encounter historical Kings of Bunyoro like King (Omukama) Kabalega who is famously known for resisting against the British rule in Bunyoro. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel / Kolping Hotel

Day 10: Transfer to Kibale National Park & do Either Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling or Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike & Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves Tour.

After an early breakfast, embark on the drive to Fort Portal area. After an approximate 5 hour drive on a rough murram road always preferred and named by the European travelers as African massage, you will arrive at Mpanga tea estates.

You have the option of doing a cycling tour through the tea plantations, have an opportunity to participate in tea plucking with the estate workers and then pay a visit to the tea factory to get acquainted with the process of tea growing and processing.

This is ideal for active travelers that prefer cycling/ mountain biking. You will proceed for lunch in Fort Portal town. As an alternative to the Mpanga tea estate cycling, you can opt for the Fort Portal crater lake hike and Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves tour.

Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves – the breast like features dates back in the pre historic era with great attachment to the Chwezi heritage.

The breasts (Amabere) are believed by the locals to belong to Nnyinamwiru the daughter of Bukuku who was a self-imposed King of the Bachwezi.

The maiden daughter cut her breasts in protest of being refused to breast feed her only son Ndahura who later became a prominent King of the Chwezi Empire.

The encounter also involves the hiking the Fort Portal Crater field. The famous Kyeganywa hill rises in a conical shape and its summit presents great sight-seeing moments of the range crater hollows and crater lakes including Saaka, Bikere among others not forgetting the distant views of Mount Rwenzori on a clear day. Transfer to Kibale area for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Midrange/standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/Basic)

Day 11: Do Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Eco-tourism Walk.

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 preparation for another activity.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Bigodi wetland to encounter the swamp animals like Sitatunga and birds like Ruwenzori Turaco and an encounter with local people including the traditional healer.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Midrange/standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/Basic)

Day 12: Explore Sempaya Hot Springs, Pygmies of Ntandi & Transfer to Kasese.

After an early breakfast, set off for Semuliki National Park 78km about 2 – 3 hours’ drive passing through Fort Portal town.

The sights of mystical mountains of the moon – the Ruwenzori will welcome you at a distance before approaching Bundibugyo district and eventually Semuliki National Park.

The Sempaya nature walk will see you traverse one of the pre-historic forests in East Africa that survived the last ice age and with great concentration of Guinea-Congo biome species.

The walk which lasts between 2 – 4 hours takes you down to the female (Nyansimbi) and Male (Bitente) hot springs with the largest spring spouting up to 2m high.

Here, you have to be careful as the emerging water has a temperature of more than 100 degrees Celsius and the pools that surround are also hot.

You are free to boil some plantains and eggs which gets ready within a couple of minutes. The walk also exposes to chances of encountering the red-tailed monkey, grey cheeked mangabey and black and white colobus monkey.

Upon return from this encounter, you will visit the Bambuti Pygmies at Ntandi about 5km from Sempaya along the Bundibugyo road.

The Bambuti Pygmies have got close coloration to the Batwa forest people of south western Uganda and Rwanda not forgetting the Basua pygmies of Congo basin.

The Bambuti of Ntandi are not forest dwellers but are short in height than an average person. You will return to Fort Portal for lunch after which you will transfer to Kasese region.

You will visit the Rwenzori Art Foundation – the only bronze casting center in Africa to have a look at the process of various sculpture making and the final products.

A fine cup of coffee can be arranged at the site before proceeding to visit the Ruboni craft & wax center to have a look at how the local people extract different products like candles from bees wax and also encounter the craft making process.

It is an experiential and if interested you can have some time and participate in making if various crafts like baskets among others. Proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ihamba Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Midrange) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 13: Have a Whole Day Hike To The Legendary Mountains of The Moon – The Rwenzori Mountains.

Transfer early after breakfast to Mount Rwenzori (Nyakalengija) for the whole day Rwenzori hiking encounter.

The hiking encounter exposes you to raised landscapes of Mount Rwenzori offering impressive scenic views of the ridges and glaciers and the rift valley flats below.

It is a perfect one day active adventure exploring the legendary mountains of the moon as described the famous Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150AD towering to 5,109m above sea level making it the tallest mountain range in Africa and the third highest in Africa. Return from the activity at 5:30 pm and transfer to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation:   Ihamba Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Midrange) or Ruboni Community Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 14: Do Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Launch 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 hyenas getting back to their hiding places and early risers setting off to look for what to eat.

The drive through the Kasenyi and channel tracks gives a probable opportunity to see a range of game including; Lions, buffalo, elephants, elusive leopard (if too lucky), defassa water bucks, Uganda kobs, Oribis, side stripped jackal 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 relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 15: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Ishasha Game Drive en route (Tree Climbing Lions)

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi south (Rushaga) 309km from Mweya.

You will pass through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and do simple game drives in search of the unique tree climbing lions that tend to rest on fig tree branches during day time – something that you can only find in Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha sector – Uganda and Lake Manyara National Park in southern Tanzania.

Proceed with the journey, have lunch en route and arrive in Rushaga late in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Valley Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Wagtail Eco- Safari Camp (Budget/Basic)

Day 16: Do Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

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 opportunity to take as many photos as you can is availed to you while asking questions to your guide about these apes is up to your discretion.

The experience is rewarding and worth undertaking. Your picnic lunch will take you through the activity after which you will descend to the starting point and embark on the transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Midrange/Standard) or Amajambere Iwacu Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 17: Do Golden Monkey Tracking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

After breakfast, you will embark on the golden monkey tracking to view the rare and endangered golden monkeys which thrive only in Virunga volcanoes.

It is a half day activity involving relative hikes in Mt. Gahinga with one hour encounter with them as the swing through the Bamboo stems and play hide and seek games.

Their coat and nose structure is unique making it a product worth to visit on Uganda safari. Return from this activity and embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi 80km for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Bird nest @Lake Bunyonyi resort (Upmarket/luxury), Arcadia cottages (Midrange/standard) or Byoona Amagara (Budget/basic).

Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Visit Igongo Cultural Museum En route & an Evening Nature Walk on Arrival.

After breakfast embark on 199km journey to Lake Mburo National Park passing through the farmed hill sides of south western Uganda before making a stop at Igongo cultural center 12km past Mbarara town.

You will have lunch at Igongo cultural center and take a 40 minute tour to the Erijukiro cultural museum featuring the collections of all cultures of south western region.

The amazing sculptures of Muguta Y’ Butaho a re-known ancient warrior and Mayenje g’ ishinjo an ancient troubled cow that caused turmoil between the Kingdom of Ankole and Buhweju will leave with a true taste of African tradition.

After this encounter, you will continue to Lake Mburo National Park 33km from Igongo for an evening nature walk.

Exploring wild game on foot at the same time enjoying the acacia scenic landscape of Lake Mburo is very rewarding.

Wild game like Burchell’s zebra, topis, Impala, oribis, warthog, eland, deffasa waterbuck might be encountered.

The Savannah vegetation marked by rolling grassland and thicket with acacia wood land dotted with rolling hills with protruding Precambrian rocks not forgetting series of Lakes that mark the valley floors combine to make the nature walk encounter at certain look out points like Kazuma hill memorable while in Lake Mburo National Park. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange/Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget/Basic).

Day 19: Do a Community Cultural Experiential Tour – The Enyemebwa Center & Transfer to Kampala

The Enyemebwa center is under the auspices of Ankole Cow Conservation Association (ACCA) which is motivated by the desire to conserve the Ankole long horned cattle.

The selected beautiful cows (Enyemebwa) thrive at that center along with other traditions that include the kraal, herd’s man hut, respective handicrafts, and the entire setting that features that of the traditional Hima people of Ankole.

The morning tour will give an opportunity to have an experiential touch with the herdsmen, participate in hand-milking, brushing the cows and setting out to graze in the traditional range lands of Ankole.

You can have a chance of watering the cattle on hand crafted water trough made up of soil before mid-day.

After this encounter, a traditional lunch can be prepared where you will have the opportunity of seeing the process of making sauce without fire – the Eshabwe made out of cow ghee which is done by skilled local women and traditionally grilled or roasted beef done by men.

After this encounter, embark on the transfer to Kampala 240km about 3 – 4 hours’ drive. You will make a quick stop at the equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots and water experiments to justify the geographical divide between the northern and southern hemispheres. Continue to arrive in Kampala late in the evening for dinner and overnight.

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

Day 20: Explore The Heritage of Kampala City.

Kampala city is a destination of its self and thus worth to encounter on Uganda safari. The city is a hub of various attractions ranging from historical to cultural and religious attractions.

The encounter in Kampala city will be more experiential in nature with great town walks to the upmarket suburbs like Nakasero and slums like Bwaise, boda-boda rides to explore various means of city travel in Kampala, visit to the local markets of Owino and Ggaba, religious sites of Namugongo Martyrs Shrine – where Uganda Martyrs were executed on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga, Gaddafi Mosque, Baha’i Temple – which is the only temple of the Baha’i in Africa, Namirembe and Rubaga Cathedrals, cultural encounters in Kasubi royal tombs where the Kings of Buganda are buried.

At Kasubi, traditional lunch will be served and a demonstration about its preparation will be made and will be participatory and visit the Buganda Kingdom Place and Bulange dressed like a traditional Muganda man or woman in a Kanzu and Gomesi respectively where you will also encounter the Amin’s torture chambers that gives you a snap shot of Uganda’s political past.

Encounter the prestigious Makerere University which is the first in epitome of knowledge, summit of wisdom and pinnacle of intellectualism in the south of Sahara, east of Indian Ocean, west of Equatorial jungle and north of River Limpompo.

End Of The 20 Days Uganda Safari Tour

Getting There