18-Day Safari Exploring Almost All Uganda National Parks

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Tour around Kampala City
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a
Warbler trails guide/drive who will welcome you to
Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will be transferred
to your booked accommodation. In case you have had an early
landing in Uganda, you may opt to go out and tour the acactus
hotel. You will stay in a nice lodge with beautiful views on Lake
Victoria. The hotel has cozy safari style furnished rooms,
equipped with satellite TV, fridge bar, telephone, fan, balcony
with lake-view and a comfortable bathroom.

Accommodation
Cassia Lodge
Mid-range Hotel located just near Kampala City.
Includes
All Meals and drinking water

Day2: Transfer to Jinja for Water Rafting (Source of the
Nile)
You will be picked up very early in the morning and start you
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 from
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 tranquility, 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
Nile River
Accommodation
Nile Village Hotel
Includes
All meals and drinking water

Day3: The Beautiful Sipi Falls
You will start your journey to Kumi District to the sipi falls on this
day. A drive through the north-eastern part of Uganda, to the
foothills of Mt Elgon you reach a plateau 1800m above sea level
where the beautiful Sipi Falls are located. These 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.
Accommodation
Rafiki Lodge/ Sipi falls Lodge
(In or near Sipi falls)
Includes
All meals
Drinking water

Day4: Nature Hikes and Visit the Traditional Kraal
Warbler Trails strives to be innovative and takes its responsibility
by bringing you to places where no one else will go. One of these
examples is Karamoja; an area in North-Eastern Uganda where
you can learn about traditional life of the Karamojong, the most
traditional tribe still living in Uganda. In the early morning
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 temporarily.

Main Destination
Karamoja
Accommodation
Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Safari Camp

Includes
All meals and Drinking water

Day5: Transfer to KidepoValley National Park
Wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of pastoral life and
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 & buffalos as well as
beautiful sights of lions and leopards sitting on various valley
rocks can be spotted.

Main Destination
Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation
Zebra Safari Lodge
Includes
All meals and Drinking water

Day6: 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 afternoon 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. For
example; ostriches, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves,
caracals, cheetahs, and greater and lesser kudus. Kidepo Valley
National Park ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses and is
ranked no. 3 on the list of CNN of best national parks in Africa.

Let’s try to get that famous lion king picture of a lion on a rock
before you’ll spend another night at Kidepo Savannah Lodge.

Main Destination
Kidepo Valley National Park
Accommodation
Zebra Safari Lodge
Includes
All meals and drinking water

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 NP, 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
Accommodation
Pakuba Lodge

Day8: 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 antelope
and many tropical birds. They are all there! A professional ranger
with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will
join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive
elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of
buffalo. You will discover some of the parks ecosystems and
different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs
and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can
ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or
wildlife if you like.
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. You can imagine; this
boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are
for sale on board for when you get thirsty for a local beer or a
soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos,
buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty)
wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the
powerful Murchison Falls. If you like hiking, the boat can drop
you near the waterfalls and you can hike up to the top (this takes
around 1 or 1,5 hours). The views are amazing!

Main Destination
Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation
Pakuba Lodge

Day9: 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. A guided nature walks in the Bigodi
wetland sanctuary to see various bird species, butterflies and
primates. Dinner and overnight stay at Bigodi.

Main Destination
Kibale National Park
Accommodation
Isunga Lodge/Turaco Tree Tops
Includes
All meals and drinking water

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, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey,
L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In
addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal
pottos. after tracking, you have the opportunity for a guided
walk through the swamps of Bigodi swamps. This activity will
take you to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8
primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During
the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many
animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird;
the Great Blue Turaco.

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in south
western Uganda and is most often included in visitors’
itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and
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 a high
biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bushland,
wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to
explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park with her 200
kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise
for you to be alert and pro-active 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. All being well you see
elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, different species of antelope and
just maybe some of the exciting predators such as; lion, leopard,
civet, genal and serval cats. Ten species of primates enjoy the
park’s diverse habitats. Vervet and black-and-white colobus
monkeys are easily spotted in the trees, and of course the
boldest species; baboons! They are all there! A professional
ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants
will join you in your car so you can ask your guide to search for
specific birdlife or wildlife.

Main Destination
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation
Enganzi Game Lodge/Buffalo Lodge
Includes
All meals and drinking water

Day 12: Queens Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga
Channel
After you have enjoyed your breakfast you will be taken for a
morning game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is
the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom
tends to be most active when 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, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.

Main Destination
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation
Enganzi Game Lodge/Buffalo Lodge
Includes
All meals and drinking water

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 Kayambura it now
has a rich wildlife bio-diversity, including a family of 16
chimpanzees and many bird species. The view from the top is very impressive as you look down a gorge filled with lush green tropical vegetation amidst an impressive valley. A hike through
the gorge gives you the opportunity to see chimpanzees and
other types of primates including red-tailed monkey, black-andwhite colobus, baboons and vervet monkeys. This green-riverine
forest also offers shelter to several forest birds. Although the
chance of spotting chimpanzees is not as high as on an official
trekking in Kibale or Budongo forest, this landscape is among
the most impressive in Uganda and absolutely worth visiting.
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. This is the most memorable sight in the park as you have
never seen such photogenic lions posing for your camera before.
Meanwhile don’t miss the stunning scenery and superb birdlife
in this southern remote section of the park either.

Main Destination
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Includes
All meals and drinking water

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 will 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 lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent
forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice
Age (most forests disappeared). Bwindi forest has an incredible
diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which
can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and
chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ 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’s 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.

Accommodation
Bweza Lodge/Ichumbi Lodge
All meals and drinking water

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi forRelaxation
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 for you visit and are open to explain their daily lives.

Main Destination

Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation

Heritage Lodge (Buhalo Island)

Includes

All meals

Drinking water

Day 16: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After your breakfast, and brief visit of 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, 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. Enroute lunch in Mbarara town and visit to the Igongo cultural Center.

Main Destination

Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation

Kigarama/ Rwakobo rock

Includes

All meals and drinking water

Day 17:  Nature walk and boat cruise

What sets Lake Mburo Park apart from others is that Nature walks can be taken anywhere within the park with an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority Guide at your side. On an early morning guided walk you often encounter hyenas that are returning to their dens after a night of being on the prowl – at the same time you can often see hippos returning from grazing during the night and returning to Lake Mburo to keep cool during the day and protect their sensitive skin from the sun. On a nature walk you will often see Zebras, Giraffes, Eland, Topi and other antelopes, buffalos. birds, butterflies. Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond, from this vantage point you have a great view of 9 of the regional lakes found in the area.

In the afternoon, a boat ride on Lake Mburo gets you in touch with the flora and fauna of the lake. Along the bank, you will see lots of animals coming to water especially during the dry season. There are hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, also 3 kinds of otters are found in the lake itself When it comes to birds you can see Malachite Kingfishers, Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Rufous Long-tailed Starlings, Blue-headed Weavers, Green-necked Doves, Hammerkops, Pelicans, Herons, Cormorants and even rare Shoebill Storks. A boat safari on Lake Mburo will allow you to see both crocodiles and hippos up close in their natural habitat and continues to be a major attraction in the park.

Main Destination

Lake Mburo

Accommodation

Kigarama/ Rwakobo rock

Includes

All meals and drinking water

Day 18: Exit Lake Mburo and Transfer back to Kampala

Early in the morning have a guided nature walk again, return to the camp for a healthy breakfast. After, you will start your journey back to Entebbe. You will go cross the equator and experience being the Northern and Southern Hemisphere the same time an also have time to take photos. Buy a few souvenirs in the craft shops and have a quick picnic lunch. Later you depart for the Airport and take your flight back home.

Main Destination

Entebbe

Accommodation

No accommodation

Includes

Breakfast, Lunch and drinking wate