24-Day Best of Uganda: BIG 5, Birding, Wildlife, Primates & Culture Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel. This provides an opportunity to relax and recover from your journey. If time allows, you can enjoy an optional evening walk along the scenic shores of Lake Victoria, where you may spot bird species such as the Pied Kingfisher, Grey Heron, African Fish Eagle, and Malachite Kingfisher.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel / ViaVia Guest House

Meals: Dinner

Begin your morning with a transfer to Mabamba Swamp, located on the northern shores of Lake Victoria—a renowned destination for bird enthusiasts. Enjoy a guided canoe excursion through the dense papyrus channels, where you can observe the Shoebill Stork, African Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Long-toed Lapwing, and numerous other bird species amidst water lilies and reeds.

In the afternoon, after your birding excursion, visit the Reptile Village Park to learn more about the region’s amphibians and reptiles. Conclude your day with a relaxing sunset at Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel / ViaVia Guest House

Meals: Dinner

Transfer to Kampala for an immersive city cultural tour. Explore the Kasubi Tombs (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Uganda Museum, Nakasero Market, and local Craft Villages. Experience Buganda’s cultural heritage through music, drum-making, and storytelling. Later, enjoy a glimpse into the rich traditions of Ugandan food, music, and dance at the Ndere Cultural Heritage Centre.

Accommodation: Fairway Hotel, Kampala

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, depart for Jinja, known as the adventure capital of East Africa. Celebrate your arrival with a boat cruise to the Source of the Nile, the beginning of the world’s longest river. For those seeking more excitement, white-water rafting or quad biking are available. Explore Jinja’s craft markets and enjoy picturesque views along the Nile. Be on the lookout for wildlife such as the African Fish Eagle, Goliath Heron, Crowned Hornbill, and Monitor Lizards, perfect for photography enthusiasts.

Accommodation: Nile Explorers Camp / Haven Lodge Jinja Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel through Mbale to the foothills of Mount Elgon National Park. In the afternoon, participate in the Sipi Coffee Tour with local farmers to learn about coffee planting, roasting, and tasting. Later, hike to the magnificent Sipi Falls, a series of three beautiful cascades. Enjoy birdwatching opportunities for species such as the Tacazze Sunbird, African Blue Flycatcher, and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, all found amid lush montane forests, banana plantations, and Arabica coffee fields.

Accommodation: Sipi Valley Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart from the highlands of Sipi for a morning safari in Pian Upe, Uganda’s second-largest protected area. This is a rare chance to spot wildlife including cheetahs, elands, Grant’s gazelles, zebras, hartebeests, and ostriches, as well as special birds such as the Crested Francolin, Secretary Bird, and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. In the afternoon, continue to Moroto, the heart of Karamoja, and unwind at Kara-Tunga Safari Camp in preparation for the next day’s cultural experiences.

Accommodation: Kara-Tunga Safari Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, embark on a deep dive into the Karamojong cultural experience by visiting a Manyatta homestead. Discover their nomadic cattle culture, traditional beadwork, dances, and warrior customs. Return to the camp for relaxation and reflection on your day immersed in the unique traditions of Uganda’s nomadic tribes.

Accommodation: Kara-Tunga Safari Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel through the Matheniko–Bokora Wildlife Reserve and Kotido, stopping at a Karamojong Community Village near Kotido to experience their songs, dances, and storytelling. Arrive at Kidepo Valley National Park in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening of relaxation at your lodge with views over the Narus Valley plains.

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set out for early morning and afternoon game drives in the Narus and Kidepo Valleys. Expect to encounter a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, elands, and cheetahs. The park is also home to Africa’s special savannah and woodland birds such as ostriches, Kori Bustard, Red-billed Hornbill, and Abyssinian Roller, all amid savannah grasslands dotted with Borassus palms. In the evening, enjoy a Karamojong dance performance at the lodge.

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart Kidepo Valley National Park for a scenic drive south through Gulu to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, embark on a night game drive in the park’s northern sector, with possible sightings of leopards, civets, spotted hyenas, and bush babies. Experience the magic of sleeping under Africa’s star-lit night sky, accompanied by the sounds of nocturnal wildlife roaming the savannah.

Accommodation: Albert Delta UWA Campsite Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At dawn, cross to the northern bank of the Nile for a full-day game drive through the park’s open savannah. The Buligi and Nyamsika sectors offer spectacular wildlife photography opportunities, with elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, warthogs, and predators such as lions and occasionally leopards. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the Nile, capturing sights of hippos and nesting birds along the riverbanks. In the evening, return to Sambiya River Lodge, a tranquil property nestled among acacia woodlands, providing a perfect setting for relaxation after your adventure.

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake to the sounds of birds and transfer to the top of Murchison Falls, where breakfast awaits amid breathtaking views and the golden sunrise. Spend the morning relaxing at the falls. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls, watching for hippos, Nile crocodiles, African Fish Eagles, and bee-eaters along the riverbanks.

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast with views of the Budongo Forest before driving to Kibale Forest National Park via Hoima and Fort Portal. In the evening, visit the Bigodi community, where you can meet local herbalists, basket weavers, and storytellers. Birdwatchers might spot the Great Blue Turaco, African Pitta, and Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the day with breakfast at the lodge, then head to the Kanyachu UWA visitor briefing offices for a ranger-led chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kibale Forest, home to over thirteen primate species. In addition to chimpanzees, you might encounter L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, and Colobus Monkeys in the dense rainforest. Return to the lodge for relaxation and reflection on your day’s adventure. Optionally, visit the crater lakes and tea plantations in the area for further exploration of local life.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the afternoon, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and embark on an evening boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes George and Edward. This cruise offers opportunities to spot wildlife such as hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, and birds including the African Skimmer, pelicans, and kingfishers.

Accommodation: Acacia Wilderness Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, home to lions, Uganda kobs, warthogs, leopards, and hyenas amidst acacia savannah and open plains. In the evening, enjoy a community walk around the crater lakes, with scenic views of explosion craters and the Rwenzori Mountains. On your drive to the lodge, spot herds of elephants and waterbucks during their evening grazing.

Accommodation: Acacia Wilderness Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel through the Ishasha Sector, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. Other wildlife sightings may include topis, buffaloes, elephants, and waterbucks. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through the highland villages of Kanungu and Kihihi. Arrive at the misty Bwindi Forest and check into your lodge in preparation for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set out in the morning for a memorable gorilla trekking experience in the rainforest, where you may also encounter blue monkeys, duikers, and birds such as the Rwenzori Turaco and African Emerald Cuckoo. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditional hunting, music, dance, and storytelling. Later, transfer to Lake Mulehe Lodge.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Awake in the misty Bwindi Forest and, after breakfast, transfer to Kisoro. Arrive in time for lunch at Lake Mulehe, where you can spend the afternoon enjoying a canoeing experience on the scenic lake. Prepare for the next day’s golden monkey tracking adventure in Mgahinga National Park.

Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a golden monkey tracking hike through the bamboo forests in search of these playful primates. Look out for birds like the White-starred Robin, Dusky Turtle Dove, and Rwenzori Batis. Later, travel to Lake Bunyonyi for evening relaxation and a canoeing experience on the lake.

Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast overlooking Lake Bunyonyi, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest but most charming savanna park. In the evening, enjoy a game drive where you may encounter zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, and buffaloes.

Accommodation: Kigarama Wilderness Safari Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Embark on a guided nature walk with a ranger through Lake Mburo’s rolling hills, providing a unique opportunity to walk safely among wildlife. Afterwards, transfer to Masaka port and take a ferry to Kalangala Island. Upon arrival, relax at the island resort and enjoy the white sandy beaches.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Resort Kalangala

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, explore the island, visiting fishing villages, caves, and palm estate plantations. Enjoy various activities such as quad biking, jet skiing, and swimming at the resort, making the most of your time on Kalangala Island.

Accommodation: Lake Victoria Resort Kalangala

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to the tranquil waves of Lake Victoria at Kalangala’s beaches. Enjoy breakfast before proceeding to Entebbe, with a lunch stop at Entebbe Victoria Mall and an opportunity for souvenir shopping. Arrive at Entebbe Airport in time for your evening flight, marking the end of your unforgettable 24-day birding, wildlife, culture, and primate photography adventure safari.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The End