18-Day Trip Exploring Almost All Uganda National Parks

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2

Transfer to Jinja for Water Rafting (Source of the Nile)

You will be picked up very early in the morning and start your journey to Jinja. Along the way, you will see Mabira Forest, Sugar plantations in Lugazi and finally the world’s longest River Nile. Jinja lies on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 3 hours East of Kampala. This town is famous as the historic source of the River Nile and at the same time the adrenaline capital of East Africa. Besides enjoying peaceful sunsets, birdlife and tranquillity, this is also where visitors get their adventurous fix. Enjoy white-water rafting. Jinja has a gorgeous natural setting with crumbling colonial architecture. It also has a vibrant downtown and broad leafy residential streets set next to the Nile River that you will also enjoy.

Main Destination:

Jinja (Town)

Accommodation:

2 Friends Guest House

Mid-range guest house located in Jinja (Town)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3

The Beautiful Sipi Falls

You will start your journey from Kumi District to Sipi Falls on this day. A drive through the northeastern part of Uganda, to the foothills of Mount Elgon, you'll reach a plateau 1800m above sea level where the beautiful Sipi Falls is located. This green area has a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. There are three falls separated by steep hillsides. It is quite cool here compared to the other parts of Uganda with temperate weather conditions. You will relax and enjoy the fresh air and the calm environment away from city hustles and traffic. Later in the day, a coffee tour and community visits are some of the activities you can enjoy besides the hikes.

Main Destination:

Sipi Falls (Highlight)

Accommodation:

Sipi River Lodge

Mid-range lodge located at Sipi Falls (Highlight)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 4

Nature Hikes and Visit the Traditional Kraal

Tubale Safaris strives to be innovative and takes responsibility by bringing you to places where no one else will go. One of these examples is Karamoja; an area in northeastern Uganda where you can learn about the traditional life of the Karamojong, the most traditional tribe still living in Uganda. In the early morning after breakfast, you will leave for Moroto the area occupied by the Karamajongs. On reaching, you will have a scenic nature walk through the highest mountain of Karamoja. During the walk, we will set camp at a traditional village of the So Tepeth mountain people. After this, you’ll meet the Karamajong living in a Kraal, better known as Manyatta or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns. These are put up to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rival tribes and wild animals. Some of the Kraals are permanent and others are temporary.

Main Destination:

Karamoja Region

Accommodation:

Kara-Tunga Safari Camp

Budget tented camp located in Moroto (Karamoja)

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Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 5

Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

Wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of pastoral life. After breakfast, we will continue our journey north through the rugged Karamoja scenery towards Kidepo Valley. In the morning, you can still enjoy this unique opportunity to spend more time with the Karamojong tribe. After this thrilling experience, it is time to travel to the most remote and pristine national park in the country: Kidepo Valley National Park. In the rugged semi-arid valleys in the extreme northeast of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park lies hidden away in a lost and not frequently visited corner between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. It is a long but very rewarding journey to get to this area with some of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda. You’ll experience an afternoon game drive in the wild Narus Valley where herds of elephants and buffalos as well as beautiful sights of lions and leopards sitting on various valley rocks can be spotted.

Main Destination:

Kidepo Valley National Park

Best Time To Visit September to March (Dry season)

High Season September to March (The park rarely gets crowded)

Best Weather September to November (End of the rains)

Wildlife in Kidepo Valley NP

ElephantCommon

BuffaloAbundant

ZebraCommon

GiraffeOccasional

LionOccasional

CheetahOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LeopardRare

Wild DogRare

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Budget Tent)

Budget lodge bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 6

Kidepo Game Drive

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can do a walking safari. An armed ranger is joining you for your safety and you will explore the wilderness on foot. During this activity, you get the chance to experience the wildlife up close, a totally different experience than game-viewing by car. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck and of course the naughty baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. The guide stops regularly, not merely searching for game, but telling you about birds, insects, trees, animal droppings, the medicinal use of plants and which animals eat which plants. Today in the evening, you will go for another game drive in this amazing national park. The savannah is ringed by mountains and rocky ridges. It has a profusion of big game and hosts 475 bird species and over 80 mammal species, of which 28 were not known to occur (or very rarely) in any other Ugandan park.

Main Destination:

Kidepo Valley National Park

Accommodation:

Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Safari Tent)

Mid-range tented camp bordering Kidepo Valley NP without fences

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 7

Transfer from Kidepo to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, we’ll leave the camp and have one last chance to enjoy the beauty of Kidepo and maybe get a sight of any animals we missed. From the park gates, it is a two-hour drive through the rugged landscape (and roads) of northern Uganda to Kitugum and then a further hour to Gulu where we will stop for lunch. From Gulu, we’ll head south on good roads to the northern gates of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison Waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must-visit in the Pearl of Africa. We’ll have the opportunity to take a slow drive in the late afternoon through the park before setting up camp in the delta area of the park.

Main Destination:

Murchison Falls National Park

Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LionOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Fort Murchison (Room)

Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 8

Game Drive and the Mighty Falls

After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On the game drive, you will spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park, you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully, you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelopes and many tropical birds. They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge of the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, a huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the park's ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. The afternoon boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity, it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the Falls.

Main Destination:

Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation:

Fort Murchison (Room)

Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 9

Transfer to Kibale National Park

Have breakfast in the morning and depart for Kibale Forest National Park. Have lunch at Fort Portal and proceed in the view of the Rwenzori Mountains. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to see various bird species, butterflies and primates. Dinner and your overnight stay are in Bigodi.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit December to February and June to July

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

LionRare to None

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Accommodation:

Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)

Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 10

Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

Today you will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The chimpanzee trekking experience here is done on several well-maintained walking trails. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red Colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white Colobus monkey.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)

Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 11

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and is located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bushland, wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park with its 200 kilometres of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise you to be alert and proactive on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible. With an astonishing 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants and over 10,000 buffalo thriving in its grasslands and shorelines, this park guarantees sightings of some of Africa’s most iconic species.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 12

Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel and Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After you have enjoyed your breakfast, you will be taken for a morning game drive in time to see the sunrise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to be most active during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.
After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: buffalo, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. On your way back to the lodge, you will do an evening game drive.

Main Destination:

Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP)

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 13

Chimpanzee and Tree Climbing in Ishasha Sector to Bwindi

Early in the morning, you will go for a hike in the Kyambura Gorge; another gem in the far eastern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This gorge is also called the “Valley of Apes” and is another world on its own. Drained by River Kyambura, it now has a rich wildlife biodiversity, including a family of 16 chimpanzees and many bird species. After the hike, you will drive in about 2.5 hours to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha sector). This part is famous for its’ tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. However, these lionesses enjoy spending the hot afternoons snoozing in fig trees to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. Afterwards, you will be transferred to Bwindi where you'll have your overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP)

Accommodation:

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Rushaga (Bwindi NP)

+41 Photos

+40 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 14

Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Culture

Today is the big day… Prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people, this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they'll be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lie on the mist-covered hillsides. Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make a claim to hosting both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the world’s population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also, 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 bird species call Bwindi home. This is the place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

LionNone

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge located just outside Rushaga (Bwindi NP)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 15

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation

After breakfast, we shall start our journey to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale District. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) with 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical—you could admire them all day. You shall have an exciting boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. In the afternoon, you may have optional activities; a canoe boat ride, a swim in the bilharzia free lake, you may also explore a nearby village. Residents are happy about your visit and are open to explaining their daily lives.

Main Destination:

Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation:

Arcadia Lodge Lake Bunyonyi

Mid-range lodge located at Lake Bunyonyi

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 16

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After your breakfast, and a brief visit to Kabale town, you will start your journey to Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is a small national park but should certainly not be underestimated. This is the only place in southern Uganda to see zebras and the only park in the country with impalas, slender mongoose and giant bush rats. You can also look for hyenas, leopards, topis, elands and the beautiful Rothschild’s giraffes, not to mention the lake itself which is teeming with hippos and crocodiles. There are a lot of wonderful activities on offer, such as horse riding, bush walks, a boat safari on the lake and a mountain bike safari. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range, especially combining the fresh air with the beautiful scenery of Lake Mburo National Park. En-route have lunch in Mbarara town and visit the Igongo Cultural Center.

Main Destination:

Lake Mburo National Park

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June, July and January to February (Little rainfall)

Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

GiraffeOccasional

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

LionRare

ElephantNone

CheetahNone