19 Days Uganda Classic Safari Experience

19 Days Uganda Classic Safari Experience: Highlights

Day 1: – Arrival in Entebbe

Day 2: – To Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 3: – In Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 4: – Whole Day Game drive plus hot springs

Day 5: – To Murchison Falls National Park

Day 6: – In Murchison Falls National Park

Day 7: – In Murchison Falls National Park

Day 8: – To Kibale Forest National Park

Day 9: – Chimp walk and Swamp Walk

Day 10: – To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 11: – In Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 12: – In Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 13: – To Kisoro

Day 14: – Gorilla tracking

Day 15: – In Kisoro

Day 16: – To Lake Mburo National Park

Day 17: – In Lake Mburo National Park

Day 18: – To Kampala / Entebbe

Day 19: – Departure

Things To Note Before Booking

• Accommodation is Inclusive
• Safari is guided by the new normal post covid 19 SOPS
• Small-Group Safari: Max 6 People per group
• Tour Can Depart any day
• Tour can be customized
• Solo travelers can join this tour
• Age Limit: 15 years and above

Detailed 19 Days Uganda Classic Safari Experience

You will be picked by our driver/guide who will transfer you to Airport Guesthouse Entebbe for overnight. He will brief you about the tour and what time to pick you on day 2.

Early morning after breakfast, we will leave Entebbe for Kidepo Valley National Park which is in the northern part of Uganda. We will make a stop at Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary for tracking the Rhinos.

You will have lunch and then proceed to Gulu town where you will spend a night to break the long journey to Kidepo Valley national park. On your way to Gulu you will cross Victoria Nile at the Karuma bridge, this has spectacular views.

Accommodation: – Bomah Hotel Gulu (self-contained rooms)

After an early breakfast you will proceed to Kidepo Valley National Park, you will make a stop at some local communities and later check in at your lodge. Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses.

From Apoka, in the heart of the national park, a savanna landscape extends in all directions, far beyond the gazetted area of 1442km2, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges. After lunch relax at the lodge to prepare for an evening game drive.

Budget accommodation: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Non-Self-contained Tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Self-contained Tents)

Start with an early breakfast and t.0hen go for a game drive along the trails of Kidepo Valley. The park inhabits one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals several of which are endemic to Kidepo National Park like the cheetah, the striped hyena the caracal and over 465 bird species including the ostriches.

In the afternoon visit the Karamojong village to learn more about their culture, music and dance Karamoja has a cattle culture and the Karamojong are notorious as cattle raiders. Unlike most other Ugandans, many Karamojong shun western-style clothes and instead wear “traditional” dress of a blanket -like shawl, often in red and black. The women wear elaborate beadwork.

Budget accommodation: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Non-self-contained Tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Self-contained Tents)

Early in the morning after breakfast, and then leave for Murchison falls national park, the northern sector, with lunch along the way. The park is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids.

The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the hotel through the park such as elephants, giraffes and buffaloes; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.  

We reach the lodge in the afternoon. Here we will stay and with a cool drink and a fabulous view over the river Nile the evening will come with all the noise of an African night.

Driving time: ± 5,5 hours

Budget accommodation: – Fort Murchison (non-self-contained tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Pakuba safari lodge (self-contained rooms)

In the morning we will go for the game drive, special are the lions, giraffes, Elephants, Leopards, Uganda Kobs and many more animals… In the afternoon we have the impressive launch trip on the Nile to the Falls. Hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants and many birds will be seen

Budget accommodation: – Fort Murchison (self-contained tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Pakuba safari lodge (self-contained rooms)

Early morning the boat will take us downstream to the delta. The place where the Nile enters Lake Albert. This 19 Days Uganda Classic Safari Experience trip of 5-6 hours will show us all the beauty of this national park especially the delta with all the different birds. Here is a good chance to see the elusive Shoebill stork! In the afternoon is a visit to the top of the Falls, a wonderful view.

Budget accommodation: – Fort Murchison (non self-contained tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Fort Murchison (self-contained rooms)

Early morning departure for the journey to Kibale Forest. We will pass close to Lake Albert, on a clear day the view from the top of the Albert rift is spectacular. In the afternoon we will arrive at Kibale Forest, sleeping with the noises of the tropical rainforest.

Driving time: ± 8 hours

Budget accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Non self-contained tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Kibale Forest Camp (self-contained rooms)

At 08.00 we will start with the 4 hours chimp walk. Also 10 other primates can be seen!! The park is also known for all the butterflies and birds. In the afternoon a walk-through Bigodi Swamp (community-based project)

Budget accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Non self-contained tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Kibale Forest Camp (self-contained rooms)

Early morning departure for Queen Elizabeth. Via Fort Portal we reach at midday Mweya in Queen Elizabeth NP with a stunningly beautiful view over Kazinga Channel. In the late afternoon we will make a game drive.

Driving time: ± 5,5 hours

Budget accommodation: – Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp (Non self-contained Tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp (self-contained Tents)

This day is for a game drive on the plains of Queen Elizabeth with thousands of Ugandan Kobs, lions, elephants etc. Also on the program is two hours launch trip on the Kazinga channel where we will see all the animals from the waterside.

Budget accommodation: – Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp (Non self-contained Tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp (self-contained Tents)

Our second day in this beautiful park! Very early in the morning breakfast we go to Kyambura Gorge. Here you can go for a 3-4 hour walk into the Gorge for meeting the chimpanzees. After the Gorge will drive to Ishasha Sector and have an evening game drive in search of the tree climbing lions.

Budget accommodation: – Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp (Non self-contained Tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Queen Elizabeth Bush Camp (self-contained Tents)

In the morning we leave Bwindi for Kisoro, the bad road takes us through a beautiful landscape called the “Switzerland of Africa”. We pass mountains,

hills and lakes with cultivated terraces and tropical rainforest and bamboo forest. On the last hill the landscape unfolds beneath us, in the vast plane of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo the Virunga volcanoes dominate the view.

Down is Kisoro where we will stay in the famous Travelers Rest Hotel. Just outside Kisoro, this unique hotel offers a cozy stay for the tourists, who come to see the endangered mountain gorilla. The hotel, built in a somewhat colonial style, and entirely renovated in 1999, has a comfortable ambiance.

In the sixties the famous American ‘gorilla-woman’ Dian Fossey visited Hotel Travelers Rest many, many times to do paperwork, to relax or to meet people. Fossey said about the hotel: It was my second home.”

Driving time: ± 2 hours

Budget accommodation: – Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro (self-contained rooms)

Comfortable accommodation: – Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro (self-contained rooms)

This is the day of Gorilla tracking during the 19 Days Uganda Classic Safari Experience. From Traveler’s Rest Hotel Kisoro, it is 1 hour by car to Nkuringo/Nshongi/Mishaya/Kahungye group in South Bwindi. At 7:45 A:M you will be at the Offices of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for pre-briefing and at 8:30 you will start the trek after finding the Gorillas you will spend the maximum 1 hour. All visitors are expected back to the starting point by 7:00 PM. Being physically fit is recommended.

Budget accommodation: – Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro (self-contained rooms)

Comfortable accommodation: – Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro (self-contained rooms)

Here everybody can do individually (or in a group) activities.

With local organizations and the National Park, we have developed a number of very interesting activities:

2nd Gorilla tracking in Rushaga

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda (1 day) If tracking the second time client has to sleep in Rwanda the before the tracking date

Climbing Muhavura Volcano (± 8 hrs; distance 12km; height 4127m; elevation gain 1700m; price USD $60 pp)

Climbing Gahinga Volcano (± 6 hrs; distance 8km; height 3474m; elevation gain 1100m; price USD $40 pp)

Sabinyo Gorge (± 4 hrs; distance 6km, no elevation gain)

Climbing the Sabyinyo volcano (Sabinyo has three peaks, you can climb all three in the same walk, you need to be fit!! ± 8 hrs; distance 14 km; height 3669m, elevation gain 1300 m; price USD $40 pp)

In Mgahinga to the viewpoint and Garama Cave (pygmy cave) (± 4 hrs; distance 1 and 4 km)

Bird walks in Mgahinga (start at 10 AM, it can take up to 4-5 PM)

Several bicycle rides on mountain bikes. From 25km to 50km. The hills can be steep and tough!

Cultural village walk (with a local guide walking through the land of the Bufumbira tribe)

Walk to Lake Mutanda. Visit Python Island and go canoeing on this beautiful lake.

Or just sit and relax or read a book in the garden of Travelers Rest!!

Budget accommodation: – Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro (self-contained rooms)

Comfortable accommodation: – Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro (self-contained rooms)

Early in the morning we will leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You will have lunch in Mbarara before you continue to Lake Mburo, a smaller but unique park, and the only one in the Western part of Uganda with impalas and zebras. If staying in budget accommodation this afternoon will be for the village/cultural walk.

Driving time: ± 5,5 hours

Budget accommodation: – Eagle’s Nest Camp (Non self-contained standing tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Eagle’s Nest Camp (Non self-contained standing tents)

Early morning, we will go for a game walk. In the afternoon a boat trip on Lake Mburo followed by another game drive in the afternoon / early evening. This little park hosts a variety of animals, that is to say 68 mammal species, including a large number of impalas (the antelope from which “Kampala” is named after), zebras Uganda kobs, duikers bushbucks, Ankole cattle topics, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, oribi.

There are 315 bird species including; shoebill stork, red faced barbet, crested crane, papyrus yellow warbler. The vegetation is mainly open Savannah of Acacia trees, Olea and Boscia. Lake Mburo is a natural haven for fauna and flora. The bank teems with animals and birds.

Crocodiles and hippopotamus are permanent residents, and buffalos come to drink during the dry season. Others include; impalas (the antelope from which “Kampala” is named after), zebras Uganda kobs, duikers bushbucks, Ankole cattle topics, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, warthogs, oribi.

The wide variety of resident birds includes Malachite Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Rufous Long-tailed Starlings, Blue-headed Weavers, Green-necked Doves, Hamerkops, Pelicans, Herons, Cormorants and even rare Shoebills.

Budget accommodation: – Eagle’s Nest Camp (Non self-contained standing tents)

Comfortable accommodation: – Eagle’s Nest Camp (Non self-contained standing tents)

After breakfast the last part of the journey will bring us back to Kampala. On the way back you will have lunch in Mbarara town, and after Masaka there will be an opportunity to stop at the Equator for photo shoots and buying souvenirs and have tea or coffee.

We will then bring you back to Airport Guesthouse Entebbe for overnight. IF you continue your holiday somewhere else or back home, we will bring you directly to Entebbe airport for an onwards flight.

Driving time: ± 5,5 hours

If departing in the morning the hotel has a shuttle to the airport but if departing in the evening there many activities you can do in Kampala and Entebbe.

Optional: – Kampala City tour (USD $120 for vehicle including driver and fuel)

Entebbe Tour: Ngamba Island for the orphaned chimps (USD $88 per person), and it can be combined with Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (the former Zoo) Botanical Gardens at USD $10 p.p.