Two Weeks in Uganda- 14 Day Uganda Safari, Africa Big Five, Culture, Gorilla Vacation in Uganda

The 14-Day gorilla vacation takes you to the country’s most beautiful and less visited tourist destinations such as Sipi Falls, Pian Upe game reserve, Kidepo Valley National park, Karamoja region, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable N.P among others to see a variety of bird species, primates, unique cultures and other animal species including the African Big-Five (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino). Below is the proposed day-by-day itinerary;

  • Day 1: Kampala to Jinja (2hrs)

Pick up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe early in the morning after breakfast, and transfer to Jinja, located in Eastern Uganda. The journey is a 2-hr drive due to slow traffic; arrive in time for a white-water rafting adventure on the mighty River Nile. Dinner and overnight at Nile Explorer Camp, Sun-Set Hotel, or Nile Resort Hotel.

  • Day 2: Jinja to Sipi Falls (4hrs)

A relaxed morning, breakfast, followed by a picnic drive to Sipi Falls in Mbale (4hrs). Afternoon hike to Sipi Falls, dinner and overnight at Lacam Lodge, Moses Camp, Sipi River Lodge.

  • Day 3: Pian Upe Game Reserve

Breakfast followed by a 2-3 hour drive to Pian Upe Game Reserve, one of the best-kept secrets of Uganda. Major tour activities here include game viewing of animals not found anywhere else in Uganda, such as the Roan Antelope and white-eared Kob, bird watching, guided walks, cultural tours, Mount Kadam hiking, and Napendio Caves exploration, among others. Dinner and overnight in Uganda Wildlife Bandas or Camping with your own tent.

  • Day 4: Explore Moroto Mountain and Villages

Breakfast and drive to Moroto, check in at Kara-Tunga lodge, and, if interested, take a community tour of Moroto villages or climb Mount Moroto, the highest mountain in the Karamoja region, located in the untouched northeast of the country. Hiking options here include 3-hour, half-day, and full-day hikes, among others. Dinner and overnight at Kara-Tunga Lodge.

  • Day 5: Moroto to Kidepo Valley National Park (4hrs)

Breakfast at Kara-Tunga Lodge, then drive to North Eastern Uganda to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of the remotest and least visited Parks in the country. The journey is so amazing as it passes through remote areas with beautiful views, giving you the best insight into the true African wilderness. Dinner and overnight at Apoka Campsite, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, Kidepo Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savanah Resort, or Apoka Safari Lodge.

  • Day 6: Full Day Game drive

Breakfast at the lodge and embark on our 4×4 safari Jeep with a professional park guide in the search for early risers and predators before they return to their hide-outs. Expect an encounter with the African Lions, Leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, elephants, Ostriches, to mention but a few. All meals and overnight stay as on Day 5.

  • Day 7: Nature Safari walk or Visit the Ike People

Another day in Kidepo National Park, we can take another fantastic game drive up to the South Sudan border, go on a nature safari walk through the park, or hike to Mount Morungole to meet the Ike people and learn more about their cultures and historical ways of life. All meals and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

  • Day 8: Murchison Falls National Park

Breakfast, followed by a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Kitgum and Gulu towns. It’s a 5-hour journey through remote areas of Northern Uganda, lunch en route, dinner, and overnight at Fort Murchison Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, or Murchison River Lodge.

  • Day 9: Murchison Falls National Park

A cup of tea or coffee followed by a morning game drive to search for the African lion, leopard, elephants, giraffe, buffalo, hartebeest, oribi, warthog, and many other animals in the park.
After lunch, embark on a fantastic boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, where you will be able to get a clear perspective of various water-loving animals, such as hippos and huge Nile crocodiles, and various bird species, such as the rare shoebill stork. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

  • Day 10: Transfer to Kibale National Park (7-9hrs)

Leave early for Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, golden monkeys, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and many others. Lunch en route, dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge, Papaya Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge or Rweteera Safari Park.

  • Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking or Habituation experience

Assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations followed during the walk-in search for the chimpanzees. The trek is a half-day and can be done in the morning or the afternoon, depending on permit availability.
After lunch, proceed to Bigodi wetland sanctuary, a community-centred venture that promotes eco-tourism, and see a wide range of bird species, as well as other animals such as apes, monkeys, and baboons.
Chimpanzee habituation, on the other hand, takes a full day with chimps in the Jungle! Dinner and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

  • Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi N.P via Isasha sector for tree-climbing lions

Transfer to Bwindi National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The journey is 5-7 hours, with en-route game viewing in the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s the only destination to see the tree-climbing lions. Lunch en route, dinner, and overnight stay at Buhoma Haven Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Community Camp, or Gorilla Mist Camp.

  • Day 13: Gorilla Trekking Experience

With your packed lunch and water, assemble at the headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking in Bwindi Jungle (Highlight of your Gorilla Vacation). The gorilla trek can take 2–7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movement in the Jungle. A maximum of 60 minutes allowed with the gorillas, take pictures and videos before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

  • Day 14: Departure

Early breakfast, then hit the road back to Kampala, with an en-route stop at the equator for photographs. Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe by late afternoon, where the tour ends.

End of the tour