3 Weeks Uganda Safari Overview

If you are looking to get away from the crowds, then Uganda is the ideal African safari destination. Priding itself in its ‘high quality, low impact’ travel philosophy, you’ll avoid bumping into tourists and enjoy a feeling of exclusivity.

Uganda has so much to offer, in fact, is believed to have the biggest population of Mountain gorillas in the World, and the biggest population of Hippos and primates in Africa. The 21 Days Uganda safari will take you to the country’s best destinations below;

  • Beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
  • Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Home to Mountain Gorillas)
  • Kibale National Park (Home to 13 primate species)
  • Murchison Falls National Park
  • Kidepo Valley National Park
  • Moroto (Karamajongo cultural tour)
  • Sipi Falls
  • Water Rafting in Jinja

Uganda is the only destination in the whole world where you can see the “African Big 5” and the mountain gorillas on a single trip. If you’re thinking of going to this East African destination, here is how you can spend three weeks in Uganda;

Birding in Uganda

Crested Crane

Best time to go: During the dry, winter months from July to October for high-quality game viewing

Week One

Day 1: Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi (7hrs)

Breakfast at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe and hit the road to western Uganda on the Kampala-Mbarara highway. Stopover at the Equator for photographs, and proceed to Mbarara town for lunch, dinner, and overnight stay at Bird-Nest Resort, Bunyonyi Rock Resort, or Byona Amagala Island Retreat among others.

Day 2: Canoe Ride, Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

A relaxed morning, followed by breakfast and a boat ride to visit different islands of Lake Bunyonyi. After lunch, drive to Kisoro on the edges of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Dinner and overnight at Travellers Rest Hotel, Amajambere Community Camp or Gahinga Gorilla Lodge.

Day 3: Optional Activities, Connect to Bwindi Gorilla Park

Breakfast is followed by one of the following tourist activities;

  • Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park (USD700 per gorilla permit, booked in advance)
  • Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (USD90 per person)
  • Batwa Trail, community tour, and birding

After lunch, drive to Ruhija sector in Bwindi National Park, overnight at Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, or Ruhija Community Rest Camp.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

Breakfast followed by a briefing about gorilla trekking experience. The hike in search for the mountain gorillas takes between 1 – 5 hours. You have 1 hour in presence of the mountain gorillas in the jungle, take pictures and videos. Return to your lodge for hot lunch, relax as you wait for entertainment from the local communities.

Day 5: Transfer to Ishasha Sector

Ishasha sector is home to the tree-climbing lions in Uganda alongside other wild animals such as Elephants, Buffaloes and several antelopes. Enjoy full day game drive, dinner and overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Enjojo Lodge, Topi Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Ishasha River Camp.

Ishasha Game Drive - Tree Climbing Lions

Ishasha Game Drive – Tree Climbing Lions

Day 6: Game drive in Ishasha, drive to Mweya

Morning game drive through the Ishasha sector as we drive to the northern part of the park, arrive in time for an evening game drive along Kasenyi track. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, Mazike Game Lodge, Katara Lodge, or Twin Lake Lodge.

Day 7: Game drive and Boat cruise

Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga channel where you can see a variety of water birds, hundreds of Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Elephants and Buffaloes basking along the shores. Dinner and overnight as on Day 6.

Week Two

Day 8: Community tour, drive to Kibale National Park (2hrs)

A relaxed morning or another game drive, breakfast, drive to Kibale National Park, home to 13 species of primates such as Chimpanzees, olive baboons, Mangabeys, Red Tailed Monkeys and many more. Overnight at Chimpanzee Guest House, Papaya Lake Lodge, Isunga Lodge or Kibale Safari Lodge.

Day 9: Chimps tracking, and Night Forest Walk

Today we take a guided nature walk in Kibale forest in search of the chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Retire for lunch, and take a community walk, visit Bigodi swamp, or, relax in the afternoon as you prepare yourself for a night walk in Kibale Forest. Dinner and overnight as on DAY 8.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Albert Lodge (4hrs)

A picnic drive to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, all meals, and overnight at Lake Albert Lodge.

Day 11: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park (4hrs)

Optional activities here include a game drive in Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, quad biking, Fossil hunting, cycling, and nature walk. Lunch and connect to Murchison Falls National Park. Dinner and overnight at Murchison River Lodge, Para safari lodge, Pakuba Lodge or Heritage Safari Lodge.

Day 12: Game drive and Boat cruise

Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, all meals and overnight as on DAY 11.

Day 13: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

Another game drive in the morning as we exit Murchison Falls National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of the most beautiful parks in Africa! Lunch en route, dinner, and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge, and Kidepo Safari Lodge.

Giraffes in Kidepo valley National Park Uganda

Giraffes in Kidepo Valley National Park Uganda

Day 14: Full Day Game Drive with Ranger guide

We have a full-day game drive to explore this beautiful part of the world, among the animals to see include giraffes, lions, buffaloes, zebras, Ostriches, and several antelope species among others. All meals and overnight as on DAY 13.

Week Three

Day 15: Visit Ike People in Morungole Mountains

Breakfast at the lodge, followed by a fantastic hike of Morungole mountains to meet the endangered, unique, and Interesting Ike people who live in the mountains. We have a chance to take part in their daily activities and learn more about their historical and current ways of life.

Day 16: Transfer to Moroto

A relaxed morning with an optional game drive in the morning before driving to Moroto, one of the rural towns in the north of the country. Dinner and overnight at Kara-Tunga Safari Camp.

Day 17: Karamajongo Cultural Tour

Optional activities include hiking Mountain Moroto, visiting local communities (The Karamajongs), and learning more about their culture and daily ways of life. We can take part in activities such as milking, harvesting, music, and dance. Dinner and overnight at Kara-Tunga Safari Camp in Moroto.

Day 18: Drive to Sippi Falls

Prepare yourself for a scenic drive to Sippi Falls, dinner, and an overnight at Rafiki Safari Lodge.

Day 19: Guided walk, drive to Jinja

We start with a hike walk to Sippi falls and nearby communities, lunch, and a drive to Jinja. Dinner and overnight at Sun Set Hotel or Jinja Nile Resort.

Day 20: White water Rafting

Breakfast and embark on a lifetime adventure experience of White water rafting on the mighty River Nile. Dinner and overnight as on Day 19

Day 21: Reserved for Departure

Depending on your departure flight, we will transfer to Entebbe Airport.

End of the 3 Weeks Uganda Safari