Embark on an extraordinary 21-day Uganda safari, a journey designed to immerse you in the heart of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and vibrant cultures.
This comprehensive adventure promises unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences, thrilling wildlife encounters, and deep cultural immersion, making it the ultimate exploration of the “Pearl of Africa.”
Overview
This unparalleled 21-day luxury Uganda safari is a grand expedition through the country’s most iconic national parks and cultural gems.
Perfect for discerning travelers seeking a profound connection with nature and authentic cultural experiences, this itinerary features thrilling gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, spectacular game drives, serene boat cruises, and enriching cultural encounters.
From the thundering Murchison Falls to the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth and the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley, this journey offers a diverse tapestry of Uganda’s natural and cultural wonders, ensuring an unforgettable Uganda safari adventure.
Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, transfer to Kampala.
- Day 2: Scenic transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, evening boat cruise.
- Day 3: Morning game drive and nature walk in Lake Mburo.
- Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, evening canoe paddle.
- Day 5: Sunrise boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Day 6: Golden monkey tracking or Batwa Heritage Trail, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 7: Gorilla trekking and community nature walk in Bwindi.
- Day 8: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, evening game drive.
- Day 9: Morning game drive (Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions) and Kazinga Channel launch cruise.
- Day 10: Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, transfer to Kasese.
- Day 11: Full-day Mount Rwenzori hiking, transfer to Kibale National Park.
- Day 12: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi nature walk.
- Day 13: Transfer to Hoima, visit the Bunyoro Kitara Heritage Trail.
- Day 14: Travel from Hoima to Murchison Falls National Park.
- Day 15: Morning game drive and Nile River launch cruise.
- Day 16: Full-day transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park.
- Day 17: Morning game drive and Karimojong community tour.
- Day 18: Trek to Morungole Mountains to visit the Ik community.
- Day 19: Transfer to Sipi Area, game drive in Pian Upe Game Reserve en route.
- Day 20: Trek Sipi Falls, transfer to Jinja.
- Day 21: White water rafting on the Nile, departure from Entebbe / Kampala.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a professional guide from Dust & Echo will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your chosen hotel in Kampala.
Depending on your arrival time, you may embark on an optional city tour to explore Uganda's vibrant capital.
Otherwise, you will have dinner at the hotel and relax, preparing for the exciting journey ahead.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Forest Cottages
- Gold: Cassia Lodge
- Platinum: Kampala Serena Hotel
After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the lodge for a scenic transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. The journey takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, offering glimpses of rural Ugandan life.
Upon arrival, you will check into the park and proceed to your lodge.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you'll spot hippos, crocodiles, zebras, and various bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (silver/gold/platinum)
Rise early for a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. This offers an excellent opportunity to encounter numerous animals such as zebras, impalas, elands, and buffaloes in the savannah plains.
After returning to the lodge for lunch, you'll embark on an invigorating evening nature walk. This guided walk allows you to appreciate the park's beautiful landscape, including the rolling hills of acacia, and offers a chance to engage with the local Banyankole community, learning about their culture and traditions.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Following breakfast, you will begin your journey to Lake Bunyonyi, known as Uganda's deepest lake. The drive is scenic, taking you through picturesque landscapes.
Upon arrival, you'll check into your lodge and have lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a serene canoe paddle ride, exploring the numerous islands of this beautiful crater lake.
The tranquil waters and stunning scenery provide a perfect setting for relaxation. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages (silver/gold/platinum)
Start your day with a delightful sunrise boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, offering breathtaking views as the sun ascends over the lake and its many islands.
After the cruise and lunch at the lodge, you will embark on a scenic transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, nestled in the Virunga Mountains.
Arrive in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and prepare for the adventures to come.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp
- Gold: Travellers Rest Hotel
- Platinum: Mount Gahinga Lodge
After breakfast, your guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. You will then venture into the jungle to search for these vibrant primates, endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Once located, you'll spend a magical hour observing and photographing them. Alternatively, you can choose to experience the Batwa Heritage Trail, an immersive cultural walk with the indigenous Batwa pygmies, learning about their traditional forest life.
After lunch, you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, preparing for your gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Broadbill Camp
- Gold: Gorilla Mist Camp / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Platinum: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Today is the highlight for many: mountain gorilla trekking! After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines.
Divided into groups of 8, you will then begin your trek into the dense Bwindi forest. The trekking duration varies, but once you find the gorilla family, you will have an incredible hour to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
After the trek and lunch, enjoy a relaxed, guided nature walk in the evening, offering an opportunity to interact with local communities and learn about their way of life and sustainable practices. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
After a hearty breakfast, your guide will drive you to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey offers diverse scenery, from rolling hills to vast plains.
Upon arrival, you'll check into the park and then proceed to your chosen lodge.
After enjoying lunch, embark on an exhilarating evening game drive. This drive provides an opportunity to spot elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kobs, and various antelope species. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Bush Lodge
- Gold: Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Platinum: Mweya Safari Lodge
Rise early for a thrilling morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, specifically heading to the Ishasha sector, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions.
Witnessing these majestic predators lounging in fig trees is a truly remarkable sight. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and a short relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George.
This boat safari offers incredible opportunities to see large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, and a vast array of waterbirds.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
After breakfast, you'll be driven to the park headquarters for a briefing before your chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kyambura Gorge.
Groups of 10-12 people will descend into the gorge to track these intelligent primates. Once you locate them, you'll have ample time to observe their fascinating behaviors and take photographs.
After the trek and lunch, you will be transferred to Kasese, a town located at the foothills of the mythical Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the "Mountains of the Moon."
Today is dedicated to an unforgettable full-day hike on Mount Rwenzori.
With a packed lunch, you will explore the lower slopes of these magnificent mountains, admiring the unique vegetation and potentially spotting various animal species such as impalas, elephants, and diverse birdlife.
This challenging yet rewarding hike offers stunning panoramic views. After the hike, you will transfer to Kibale National Park, driving via the scenic Rwimi area, to relax and prepare for more primate encounters.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
- Gold: Kibale Forest Camp
- Platinum: Primates Lodge
After breakfast, your guide will take you to the Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking.
You'll then enter the lush forest to track these captivating primates. Once found, you'll spend an hour observing their playful antics and social interactions. After lunch, embark on an enlightening Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nature walk.
This community-run initiative allows you to observe various primate species, abundant birdlife, and learn about the local community's efforts in conservation and their daily lives. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Hoima, a journey that takes you through the impressive and peaceful city of Fort Portal. Upon arrival in Hoima, you will check into your lodge for the night.
After lunch, embark on a cultural visit to the Bunyoro Kitara Heritage Trail. Here, you'll interact with the local people, explore the royal tombs of the Bunyoro kings, and gain insights into their traditional customs, history, and culinary practices.
This immersive experience offers a deep dive into the rich heritage of the Bunyoro kingdom.
Dinner and overnight in Hoima.
Following breakfast, your guide will pick you up for the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park.
The drive offers stunning views of the Albertine Rift Valley and includes a stop at the impressive Karuma Falls. Upon arrival at the park, you will check into your lodge.
The rest of the day is for relaxation and enjoying the lodge's amenities after your journey. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Hornbill Safari Lodge
- Gold: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Platinum: Paraa Safari Lodge
After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. This area is teeming with wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, and various antelopes.
Return to the lodge for lunch and a brief rest. In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular launch cruise on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls.
Along the way, you'll encounter numerous hippos, crocodiles, and a diverse array of water birds, culminating in the magnificent sight of the Nile River forcing its way through a narrow gorge.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
After breakfast, you will embark on a long but rewarding transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, located in the remote northeastern part of Uganda, bordering South Sudan and Kenya.
This journey offers a dramatic change in landscape, transitioning to dry savannah plains. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge.
The evening is at leisure, allowing you to soak in the wild beauty of this pristine park. Dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Apoka Rest Camp
- Gold: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
- Platinum: Apoka Safari Lodge
Rise early for a thrilling morning game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park. This park is known for its unique wildlife, including cheetahs, ostriches, kudus, and a variety of antelopes, alongside elephants, buffaloes, and lions.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a cultural tour to a local Karimojong community.
You'll interact with these pastoralists, learn about their traditional way of life, witness their dances, visit their homesteads, and even learn about their cattle-keeping practices. This offers a truly authentic cultural exchange.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Today, you'll embark on an adventurous trek to the Morungole Mountains, home to the native Ik community, considered the original inhabitants of this area.
This challenging hike offers incredible panoramic views of the vast Karimojong plains and even glimpses of the South Sudan mountains.
The encounter with the Ik people provides a unique insight into their remote culture and history. After the trek, return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and meals.
After breakfast, you will begin your transfer to the Sipi Area, located at the foothills of Mount Elgon. En route, you will enjoy a game drive in the expansive Pian Upe Game Reserve.
This lesser-visited reserve is home to unique wildlife, including jackals, civets, hyenas, leopards, and various antelope species.
Arrive in Sipi in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and enjoy dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Crown's Nest Camp
- Gold: Sipi River Lodge
- Platinum: Lacam Lodge
After breakfast, prepare for an invigorating trek to the stunning Sipi Falls.
This involves hiking through coffee plantations and local villages to witness the three magnificent waterfalls, each with its unique charm. The trek offers breathtaking views of the Gisu landscape and the powerful cascades.
After the trek and lunch, you will transfer to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda, famous for being the source of the Nile River. Along the way, you'll observe vast sugar and rice plantations.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge, have dinner, and prepare for your final adventure.
Begin your final day with an adrenaline-pumping white water rafting experience on the mighty Nile River.
This exhilarating activity will take you through thrilling rapids, offering an unforgettable adventure. After the rafting, you will enjoy lunch at the lodge.
Subsequently, you will be transferred back to Kampala or Entebbe, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your departure, concluding your incredible 21-day Uganda safari.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits
- All activities as per itinerary & national park entry fees
- Accommodation and all meals as specified (silver / gold / platinum options)
- Transport in a comfortable, standard safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Uganda Visa fees
- Items of personal nature (e.g., laundry, souvenirs, phone calls)
- Tips and gratuity for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (unless specified)
- Travel insurance
Getting There
FAQs About 21 Days Best of Uganda Safari
The full-day Mount Rwenzori hike on Day 11 is moderate to challenging and requires a reasonable fitness level.
While it offers incredible views, if you prefer a less strenuous activity, alternatives like nature walks around the foothills or cultural village visits can be arranged, subject to availability and prior notification.
While we request permits for specific sectors, the Uganda Wildlife Authority allocates gorilla families on the morning of your trek, considering factors like group size and fitness levels.
The trek can range from 2 to 8 hours and involves navigating uneven, sometimes muddy terrain through dense forest, so a good level of physical fitness is recommended.
The cultural encounters with the Karimojong on Day 17 and the Ik on Day 18 offer authentic insights into their pastoral and traditional lifestyles.
You’ll visit their homesteads, learn about their customs, witness traditional dances, and engage in respectful interactions, providing a deep understanding of their unique cultures.
Absolutely! Uganda is a birder’s paradise. While not exclusively a birding safari, this itinerary covers diverse habitats where you’ll encounter a vast array of bird species.
Notable birding hotspots include Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo, with opportunities to spot rare species like the shoebill stork.
