16 Days Uganda Safari What To Do And See

The 16 Days Uganda Safari includes the best game safaris in Uganda, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, launch trips, visit Sempaya hot springs to mention but a few. Uganda us a country endowed with unique nature yet less travelled. Uganda has some of the still the virgin destinations that await exploring and you can be one of the lucky people to unearth these forgotten holiday potentials.

The 16 days Uganda safari itinerary covers the cream of Uganda safari destinations and majority of Uganda’s Major National Parks

Summary of What to do on 15 day Best of Uganda Safari

Day1 Drive To Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 2 Game Drive in Kidepo Valley National Park Book Now

Day 3  Game Drive and Visit to the Karamojong Community Around Kidepo Valley National Park

Day 4 Drive To Murchison Falls National Park

Day 5 Game Drive and launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park

Day 6 Chimpanzee Trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

Day 7 Drive to Kibale National Park

Day 8 Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

Day 9 Drive to Semuliki National Park for The Sempaya Hot springs

Day 10 Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 11 Game Drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 12Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 13 gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 14 Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 15 Game Drive in Lake Mburo National Park

Day 16 Departure

Details Of 16 Day Uganda Safari  

Day 1 Drive To Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park is the paradise of game safaris in Uganda. This park is Uganda’s most isolated game park situated in the fur North Eastern corner on Uganda in the Karamoja sub-region.

Most of the year Kidepo Valley National Park is dry and has only one rain season with light shower that is usually April to September. The Narus valley is one of the main water sources of this semi-arid game parks and so most animals often congregate here as the grass is usually greener here.

Kidepo Valley National Park hosts some of the unique wild animals and birds not found in any other Uganda National park. Some of the animals of Kidepo Valley National Park including cheetahs, lions, jackals, Burchell Zebras, striped hyenas, aardwolf, caracals, bat eared fox and others.

From Kampala, the drive to Kidepo Valley National Park is about 740 kilometers drive via Mbale Kaabong route. The drive time is about 12 hours but very scenic and refreshing.

An alternative is the Daily domestic flight or charter flights from Entebbe Airport, Kajjansi airstrip to Lomej airstrip

Kidepo Valley National Park Accommodations Apoka lodge, UWA Cottages

Day 2 Game Drive in Kidepo Valley National Park

Rise up earlier for a game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park and early morning start is of great advantage. While driving on the tracks of Kidepo Valley National Park, you may come across animals like that cheetahs, lions, jackals, Burchell Zebras, striped hyenas, aardwolf, caracals, bat eared fox, giraffes, oribi, elephants, endemic Kavilondo bush babies, elands, hartebeests and others.

An array of birds are residents of Kidepo Valley National Park with over 463 bird species. Some of the common birds this park include Abyssinian  ground hornbill, Egyptian  vultures, pygimy falcons, ostriches, secretary bird, carmine, red throated bee eater and others.

Get back to your lodge to for breakfast and other meals

Enjoy an optional game drive later

Day 3 Game Drive and Visit to the Karamojong Community Around Kidepo Valley National Park

Rise up for another game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park where you may have chance to spot the animals you may have missed the previous day. A game drive to the Narus valley that is watered by the Narus River may open more chance to spotting a number of animals that normally spend time here as it  one of the water sources in the park.

Return for breakfast and lunch then proceed to the Karamojong community. They live in homesteads called Manyatta and their main economic activity is cattle keeping. While on this community tour, you may get the chance to know more about their conservative life style they have held onto even amidst the influx of modernity. You may witness some cultural performances like dance, bow and arrow making, the unique stools shaped using rudimentary weapons, jewelry, attire and others. The life style of the Karamojongs has a close resemblance to the Masai in Kenya.

Return to your lodge to relax and enjoy your safari time.

Day 4 Drive To Murchison Falls National Park

After moments in Kidepo Valley National Park, drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy the ride along the way as you drive through the countryside. Check into your lodge

Murchison Falls National Park lies astride the Victoria Nile which is part of River Nile on the northern end of the Albertine rift valley. The Murchison Falls is the most dramatic and astounding part of the park as it is the point where entire course of River Nile pushes through the 6 meters wide gorge to vigorously flow down the 43 meters high cliff.

A number of wild animals have been recorded as residents of Murchison Falls National Park including herds of Elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, hartebeest, lions, hyenas, leopards to mention but a few.

Check into your lodge

Murchison Falls National Park Accommodations Paraa Safari lodge, Murchison River lodge, Sambiya lodge, Nile Safari lodge, Red Chill’s Campsite

Day 5 Game Drive and launch trip in Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up early for a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park with the southern sector of the park being the prime game safari destination. Taking the Buligi trail offers an opportunity to spotting a range of wild animals that traverse the park including lions, leopards, giraffes, hartebeests, bushbucks, oribi, waterbucks, elephants, herds of buffaloes and others.

A variety of birds over 350 species have been recorded as residents of Murchison Falls National Park including Albertine rift endemics. The long list of birds in Murchison Falls National Park is attributed to the abundant wildlife and scenic landscape.

Get back to the lodge for breakfast and lunch

Take an afternoon relaxing launch trip from Mweya and on the way, you may spot a number of animals that often pay visit to the banks to take a path and quench thirst. This stretch of River Nile is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in Uganda. River Nile often has permanent residents the hippos and Nile crocodiles. Enjoy the birds that flock the river side to catch a meal for the day or enjoy a swim.

Finally as you draw closer to Murchison Falls, you hear thundering sounds before the falls come into view. The Victoria Nile staggers over a bed of rock for about 80 meters creating white rapids then furiously pushes through the 6 meters wide gorge to burst out thunderously before plunging down the 43 meters high cliff to the base of the rift valley floor. At this point the last energy of River Nile is drawn then the river quietly continues its course for 55 kilometers to lake Albert.

Murchison Falls was described by one of the greatest explorer Sir Samuel Barker as the most interesting point on River Nile.

Day 6 Chimpanzee Trekking in Murchison Falls National Park

Rise up for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing before the Chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzees trekking in Murchison Falls National Park is carried out at Kaniyo Pabidi forest which is about 8 kilometers  from the Kichubanyombo gate.

During the search for the chimpanzees in this park, you may spot other primates including black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and others. Several birds are residents of Kaniyo Pabidi forest and you can also identify them as a keen birder.

Return to your Lodge

Day 7 Drive to Kibale National Park

Get up early to start the drive to Kibale National Park. On the way drive passed the Uganda oil city and enjoy the spectacular view of the green countryside that you drive through. Kibale National Park is a tropical rain forest situated in western Uganda. The main headquarters of Kibale National Park are in Kanyanchu and a secondary one on Sebitoli

Kibale National Park is the largest home of the chimpanzees in Uganda with over 1500 chimpanzees recorded as residents out of about 5000 Uganda chimpanzees. At the moment about 12 chimpanzee communities have be habituated in Kibale National Park a number that is so big in Africa so chance of seeing chimpanzees in this Uganda safari are more open.

Arrive Kibale National Park in the evening to check into your room.

Kibale National Park accommodation Ndali lodge, Primates lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Chimpanzees Guest House, Kibale Safari lodge, Chimps Nest Camp

Day 8 Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park

After breakfast, head to the ranger station for briefing in case you are taking the morning session for the chimpanzee trekking adventure. Those trekking the chimpanzee in Kibale National Park in the afternoon should save their energy for this time by relaxing.

After briefing the ranger guide leads the way following the trails constructed by regular visitors to the park. donot forget to carry your chimpanzee trekking gears and wear the right attire that is wilderness friend because expect to get quite dirty as you move on the Wilderness.

The nature of the terrain of Kibale National Park is generally flat with shorter under growth and may creeper in the stems of the huge tree trunks. Along the way, you may encounter other primates because

Kibale National Park hosts about 12 other primates species including black and white colobus, pottos, bush babies, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons to mention but a few. look out for several forest birds that linger around including scarce Grey headed olive back, Handsome Francolin, Dusky’s Crimsonwing, Black crowned Waxbills and others. Return to your loge

Day 9 Drive to Semuliki National Park

Spend the day in the untamed Semuliki National Park one of the few of its type still existing the world. this park is believed to be one of the survivors of the arid period that affected Africa. The Park has evolve over 25,000 years and its unique vegetation tells the story

The visit the Sempaya hotsprings where one is a female and another male. these hotsprings bubble up from the depth demonstrating the powerful subterranean forces that have been shaping the rift valley floor for over 14 million year.

Semuliki National Park host some primates too including olive baboons, wild chimpanzees, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and others. More than 53 mammals have been recorded as residents of Semuliki National Park including forest elephants, buffaloes and others.

Return to the lodge in Kibale National Park

Day 10 Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Wake up for breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park shares a 180 kilometers long migration corridor with Kibale National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated on the floor of the rift valley with the backdrop of the Rwenzori massif creating mountains beyond the boundary.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a biosphere reserve hosting over 95 mammals, over 612 bird species and this is attribute to the varied habitants in the park where they can thrive. Queen Elizabeth National Park has more than 57 vegetation types including bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, Lake shore and swamp, forest grassland and others.

A number of wild animals are residents of Queen Elizabeth National Park including lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, giant forest hogs, lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, topis and others.

The dramatic crater lakes that punctuate the floor of the rift valley in Queen Elizabeth National Park are spectacular.

Check into your lodge

Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodations Mweya Safari lodge, Katara lodge, Bush lodge, Jacana lodge

Day 11 Game Drive and launch Trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Get up early to do the game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive on the tracks of this park but the most exciting is the Kasenyi track where chances finding lions sneaking on the Uganda kobs that are regular member of this grassland area.

During the game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot animals like warthogs, lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, giant forest hogs, lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, topis, mongoose and many others.

Look out for the birds that are often seen around the park especially the raptors that love feeding on the leftovers of the carnivores’ meal.

Get back to the lodge for a break

In the afternoon, relax on the launch trip which is about 3 hours return trip on Kazinga channel. The northern banks of Kazinga channel are the prime game viewing point on this channel as a number of the wild animals make there way to enjoy the freebies on these banks and quench thirst. The banks of Kazinga channel are a magnet to a plethora of birds including foreign migrants.

Get back to the lodge to relax

Day 11 Game Drive and launch Trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Get up early to do the game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive on the tracks of this park but the most exciting is the Kasenyi track where chances finding lions sneaking on the Uganda kobs that are regular member of this grassland area.

During the game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may spot animals like warthogs, lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, giant forest hogs, lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, topis, mongoose and many others.

Look out for the birds that are often seen around the park especially the raptors that love feeding on the leftovers of the carnivores’ meal.

Get back to the lodge for a break

In the afternoon, relax on the launch trip which is about 3 hours return trip on Kazinga channel. The northern banks of Kazinga channel are the prime game viewing point on this channel as a number of the wild animals make there way to enjoy the freebies on these banks and quench thirst. The banks of Kazinga channel are a magnet to a plethora of birds including foreign migrants.

Get back to the lodge to relax

Day 12 Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is about 64 kilometers from Ishasha sector of Queen National Park or 160 kilometers from Mweya area. Bwindi impenetrable National Park is the largest home of the only leftover mountain gorillas in the world. This pristine forest is one of the survivors of the arid conditions that swept through Africa and is believed to be in existence for over 25,000years.

Bwindi forest is home to about 19 gorilla trekking families and currently 4 gorilla habituation experience families. These Bwindi gorilla families are trekked according to the areas under which the park is divided that is Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Nkuringo and Rushaga in the South.

Check into your lodge

Bwindi accommodations Gorilla Forest Camp, Engage lodge, Gorilla Nest, Nshongi camp, Bwindi View bandas, Mahogany Springs,

Day 13 Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Get up for breakfast and carry your gorilla trekking gears to the briefing point. After allocating you the gorilla trekking family, join other trekkers to search for the mountain gorillas using the trails constructed by regular visitors. The time of finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine because they are very mobile creatures so you need to have some level of patience.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them because they are habituated to be infront of humans for just that time. The presence of humans disrupts the daily life of the mountain gorillas so maximize the one hour allowed with them to the best of your ability to create everlasting memories.

Day 14 Drive To Lake Mburo National Park

Wake up early and drive to Lake Mburo National Park which is enroute to the destinations in western part of Uganda. Relax as you get into the park.

Lake Mburo National Park is the haven for herbivores amongst the Uganda National Park. The park hosts animals Like reedbuck, elands, impalas, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes and others.

Get into your lodge

Lake Mburo accommodation include Mburo safari lodge, Mihingo lodge, Arcadia cottages, UWA bandas, Mantana Tented Camp

Day 15 Game Drive and Boat Ride in Lake Mburo National Park

Wake up for a game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. On the way, you may spot a number of animals that are common residents of Lake Mburo National Park. Some of the animals you may come across include reedbuck, elands, impalas, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes. A variety of birds relax by the shore of this lake

After lunch, head to the Pier by Lake Mburo to do a boat ride. Enjoy the vegetation on the shores and several birds that visit the park. Lake Mburo National Park is the only Park in Uganda where you may have chance of seeing fishermen cast there nets in the middle of a National Park. This is an arrangement from the Uganda wildlife Authority and they must obtain a fishing permit.

Day 16 Departure

Having enjoyed the best of Uganda safari destinations, it is time to return home. Get up for breakfast and Packing your bags for Entebbe Airport. End of the Uganda safari.