This 20-day Uganda Primate Trekking and Big Cats Wildlife Safari takes you across Uganda, offering amazing wildlife and cultural experiences.
You will visit the Source of the Nile, Mount Elgon, Sipi Falls, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki Valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo National Park.
During this safari, you will enjoy game drives, boat cruises, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, cultural experiences, and beautiful sightseeing.
20-Day Uganda Safari Highlights
- Visit Uganda’s top attractions including Murchison Falls, Kidepo, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Kibale, Semuliki, Lake Mburo, and Mount Elgon
- Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Enjoy game drives in Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks
- Take boat cruises on the Nile, Kazinga Channel, and Lake Mburo
- Visit the Source of the Nile in Jinja and enjoy a boat ride or optional white-water rafting
- Hike Mount Elgon and visit Sipi Falls for scenic views and nature experiences
- Visit the Ik people and Batwa community to learn about local culture and traditions
- See the Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park
- Relax at Lake Bunyonyi and explore its 29 islands by canoe
- End your safari with relaxation on the Ssese Islands along Lake Victoria
Brief 20-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
- Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Your Hotel in Kampala
- Day 2: Drive to Mount Elgon National Park
- Day 3: Hiking Mount Elgon and Visiting Sipi Falls
- Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
- Day 5: Game Drive and Visit to the Ik People
- Day 6: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Nile
- Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Day 10: Drive to Semuliki Valley National Park
- Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 12: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 13: Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Visit
- Day 14: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 15: Full Day at Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 16: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 17: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo
- Day 18: Drive to Kampala and City Tour
- Day 19: Transfer to Ssese Islands
- Day 20: Return to Entebbe and Departure
Detailed 20-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and Transfer to Your Hotel in Kampala
On arrival, our professional guide will meet and welcome you at Entebbe Airport. You will be briefed about your 20-day Uganda safari and then driven to your hotel in Kampala. Along the way, enjoy views of Lake Victoria and plantations.
If time allows, take a short city tour to visit the Uganda Museum and the Independence Monument. Later, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Drive to Mount Elgon National Park
After breakfast, drive to eastern Uganda toward Mount Elgon National Park and Sipi Falls, with a stop in Jinja to visit the Source of the Nile. Enjoy a boat ride and, if time allows, white-water rafting.
Have lunch and continue to Mbale, the base for Mount Elgon. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Hiking Mount Elgon and Visiting Sipi Falls
After breakfast, go to the park offices for a briefing before starting your hike to Mount Elgon, whose highest peak is Wagagai. You will see monkeys, birds, and unique plants.
After lunch, visit Sipi Falls, which has three beautiful waterfalls. You will also see coffee and banana plantations along the way. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After an early breakfast, set off for a long drive to Kidepo Valley National Park in northern Uganda. The journey takes about 7 to 8 hours, passing through scenic landscapes, hills, and farmlands.
Have lunch along the way, then continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Game Drive and Visit to the Ik People
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many bird species.
After lunch, visit the Ik people on the slopes of Mount Morungole. Learn about their culture through stories, music, and dance. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, check out and drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park. Stop at the Top of the Falls to watch the powerful Nile River squeeze through a narrow gorge.
Arrive at your lodge in the evening, relax, and enjoy dinner and a campfire before overnight.
Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Nile
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes.
Return to the lodge for lunch, then take a boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, and birds such as kingfishers, cormorants, and the rare shoebill stork. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive toward Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 species of primates. Stop in Hoima for lunch and continue to Fort Portal with views of the Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
After breakfast, go to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee trekking adventure. The walk takes 2 to 6 hours depending on where the chimps are located.
You may also see other primates such as red-tailed and colobus monkeys. Return to the lodge for lunch, then visit Bigodi Swamp for a guided nature walk to see birds, monkeys, and butterflies. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Drive to Semuliki Valley National Park
After breakfast, drive about 34 kilometers to Semuliki Valley National Park. Visit the Sempaya Hot Springs and learn about their history. The female hot spring boils hot enough to cook an egg. You can also see some birds before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, drive for about 3 to 4 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, have lunch and take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. You will see crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, and elephants along the shores.
Day 12: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. Expect to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and antelopes.
Have lunch, then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. Arrive in Buhoma Sector in the evening, check in at your lodge, and have dinner.
Day 13: Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Visit
After breakfast, go to the park offices for a briefing about gorilla trekking rules. Begin your trek through the forest to find the gorillas. Once found, spend one hour with them, taking photos and watching their behavior.
Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community for cultural dances and stories about their life in the forest. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s deepest lakes, known for its 29 small islands. On arrival, check in at your lodge, have lunch, and enjoy the lake views and bird-life. Each island has its own story, including the famous Punishment Island.
Day 15: Full Day at Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, take a canoe ride to explore some of the islands such as Punishment Island and Reptile Island. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, bird-watching, or taking photos. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, passing through Kabale’s scenic hills. Stop in Mbarara for lunch before continuing to the park. On arrival, check in at your lodge and relax.
Day 17: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive to see zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and antelopes. After lunch, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to view hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 18: Drive to Kampala and City Tour
After breakfast, drive back to Kampala. On arrival, check in at your hotel and have lunch. Visit the Baha’i Temple, the Kabaka’s Palace, and the craft market for souvenirs. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 19: Transfer to Ssese Islands
After breakfast, drive to Nakiwogo Landing Site to board a ferry to Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria. The ferry ride takes about three hours. On arrival, have lunch, then enjoy bird-watching and a forest walk where you may see monkeys, hornbills, and butterflies. Relax at the beach, then have dinner and overnight.
Day 20: Return to Entebbe and Departure
After breakfast, take the morning ferry back to Entebbe. Have lunch in town before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
End of the 20 Days Uganda Primate Trekking and Big Cats Wildlife Safari.