15 Day Uganda Big 5 Safari, Birding, Chimp & Gorilla Tracking Tour
Your 15 days Uganda safari adventure comprises of Source of the River Nile for you to engage in white water rafting adventure, visit the Sipi falls and Mount Elgon National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Ssese Islands, Lake Bunyonyi, Kampala city tour, Queen Elizabeth National Park. This 15 days wildlife safari starts and ends in Kampala.
Safari highlight
Day 1: Drive from Entebbe International Airport to Hotel in Kampala
Day 2: Drive to the Source of the Nile in Jinja, transfer to the Sipi Area
Day 3: Explore the Sipi falls
Day 4: Rhino tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 5: Wildlife viewing in the morning and launch cruise in the afternoon, Murchison Falls National Park
Day 6: Second wildlife viewing in the morning and hike to the top of the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 7: Departure from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 8: Explore the Semuliki hot springs
Day 9: Departure to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Game drive in the morning and Chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon Kyambura Gorge-Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 11: Explore the Ishasha sector-Queen Elizabeth National Park then connect to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 12: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 13: Launch cruise in Lake Bunyonyi
Day 14: Departure to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 15: Depart back to Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda - Entebbe International Airport
Up on arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be picked by one of our experienced and well trained driver guides who will give you brief information about Uganda and connect to your hotel of choice in Kampala for dinner and night stay in Sheraton hotel or Protea hotel Kampala
Day 2: Departure from Kampala to Jinja and then to the Sipi Area
After breakfast in the morning, you will be picked from the hotel in Kampala by one of our experienced driver guides who will transfer you to Jinja to explore more about the source of the Nile, the Gandhi monument and finalize it with the stunning Bujagali falls. Alternatively, embark on white water rafting and later continue to Mbale for relaxation and a night stay at Sipi River Lodge, Lacam Lodge or Crow’s Nest Camp Site.
Day 3: Hike to the Sipi falls and return to Jinja
After breakfast early in the morning you set off to the Sipi area to view stunning Sipi waterfalls on River Sipi within the Mount Elgon slopes. You will start your hikes around the Crow’s Nest Camping and lodging site, hike across the sugarcane plantations, coffee and matooke on you way and after, return to Jinja and spend a night at Wild Water Lodge, Haven Lodge or Nile River Camp.
Day 4: Connect to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast early in the morning, you head to Murchison Falls National Park through Kampala-Masindi route and have a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track the white rhinos. After rhino tracking at Ziwa, connect to Murchison Falls National Park and have dinner and a night stay at Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Global Village Guest House or Red Chili Camp.
Day 5: Wildlife viewing in the morning and launch cruise in the afternoon, Murchison Falls National Park
Breakfast in the morning at your respective lodge and then head to Murchison Falls National Park for game drive along the northern area to spot out the African elephants, spotted, Cape buffaloes, lions, bushbucks, Oribi, Rothschild’s giraffes, waterbucks, hartebeests and where possible leopards. After, come back for lunch and rest a little and again head off for an afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile to Murchison falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world where you will sight most of the Nile crocodiles, hippos and numerous water birds. Dinner and overnight stay at Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Global Village Guest House or Red Chili Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge.
Day 6: Second wildlife viewing in the morning and hike to the top of the Nile in Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast in the morning, head off for the second wildlife viewing in Murchison falls national park to look out for the species never spotted during the previous game drive. After, come back to the lodge for lunch and then connect to the top of the Nile where you will hike to through the stunning surrounding area of the park up to the mighty Murchison waterfalls to view it as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of about 7 meters. After, return to lodge for dinner and a night stay at Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Global Village Guest House or Red Chili Camp, Sambiya River Lodge
Day 7: Departure from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park
Breakfast early in the morning and after; you head to Kibale Forest National Park, west of Uganda and while on your way, never miss to view the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, tea plantations and others. Check in your lodge of choice for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Rwenzori View Guest House or Chimpanzee Guest House, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge, Chimp Nest Lodge.
Day 8: Explore the Semuliki hot springs
Have breakfast early in the morning and go to Semuliki National Park for game drive and also pay a visit to amazing female and male hot springs. Come along with an egg and within minutes to carry out your own experiment on these powerful hot springs. Get lunch and after head to the Kasenda Crater Lakes which concentrate around the area offering stunning views of the park and then return to the lodge for a night stay at Semuliki Safari Lodge, Ntoroko Game Lodge or Kirimia Guesthouse
Day 9: Departure to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast early in the morning at your respective lodge and after, set off to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You embark on a 2 hours boat cruise along the Kazinga channel to sight many wildlife species especially hippos, crocodiles and more than 620 avian species and after return and pay a visit to the Crater Lake area and then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Queen Elizabeth Safari Camp or Mweya Hostel (Budget), Kyambura Game Lodge or Mweya Safar Lodge or Katara Lodge, Simba Safari Camp or Ihamba Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge .
Day 10: Game drive in the morning and Chimpanzee tracking in the afternoon Kyambura Gorge-Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast in the morning in your respective lodge, you head for your early morning game drive along the Kasenyi area to spot out Lions, Uganda Kobs, African elephants, Waterbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Spotted hyenas, Warthogs, Mongooses, as well as distinct birdlife. Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After, go for an afternoon Chimpanzee tracking and other primates in the Kyambura Gorge and then return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Hostel, Kyambura Game Lodge or Mweya Safar Lodge or Katara Lodge , Simba Safari Camp or Ihamba Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge.
Day 11: Explore the Ishasha sector-Queen Elizabeth National Park then connect to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Breakfast in the morning and then, head off for a game drive to the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park to spot out the tree climbing lions. After, connect to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park southwestern Uganda a home to over 400 mountain gorillas. Check in at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Bwindi View Banda, Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Wagtail Safari Camp or Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Resort Lodge.
Day 12: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Have breakfast in the morning in your respective lodge and then gather at the park headquarters for briefing in your respective tracking area in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park given that there are four (4) main tracking regions where the usual treks start from and they include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo area. Each of them feature habituated gorilla families and only one will be allocated to you to track in a group of eight (8) visitors per day. After, come back to where you started from and connect to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and overnight stay at Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Arcadia Cottages, Heritage Lodge or Bushara Island Camp.
Day 13: Launch cruise in Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast in the morning and after head to Lake Bunyonyi for exciting boat cruise to one of the 29 stunning islands to sight some of its birds. After, come back for dinner and overnight stay at Bird Nest Bunyonyi, Heritage Lodge, Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Arcadia Cottages or Bushara Island Camp.
Day 14: Departure to Lake Mburo National Park
Following breakfast in the morning in your respective lodge, you head to Lake Mburo National Park for game drive to view zebras, cape buffaloes, elands, and topi, Oribis, impalas, giraffes and others as well as some of the 250 bird species. After, come back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Arcadia cottages, Rwonyo camp , Mantana Tented Camp or Mihingo Lodge.
Day 15: Depart back to Kampala
Have breakfast in the morning and after head back to Kampala for a city tour to Kasubi tombs site or King of Buganda palace or Bahai temple and after, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your scheduled flight and this will mark the end of your 15 days wildlife safari in Uganda.
Safari inclusions
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
- Game drive fees
- Boat cruise
- Hot springs visit
- Bird Watching
- Sipi falls exploration
- Private transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Full Time English speaking driver (Birder guide)
Safari exclusions
- Personal expenses-travel insurance, airfare, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips, telephone bills and souvenirs