10 Days | Uganda
Your journey begins with a morning pickup from Entebbe or Kampala. You drive east to Jinja, the adventure capital, a journey of about two hours. Jinja sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, where the Nile begins. Upon arrival, you check into your lodge. The afternoon is free for optional activities. You can try white-water rafting, kayaking, or a bungee jump. A sunset boat cruise is also available.
Today is yours to enjoy more optional activities. White-water rafting on the Nile offers rapids from grade three to five. Quad biking through villages and sugar cane plantations offers a different perspective. You can also go horse riding along the riverbanks. If you prefer a slower pace, visit the local markets or take a boat trip to the source of the Nile.
After breakfast, you leave Jinja and drive north to Murchison Falls, a journey of about five to six hours. You pass through Kampala and the Luwero Triangle. You stop for lunch en route. Upon arrival, you check into your lodge near the Nile River. The evening air is filled with the grunting of hippos. Dinner is served under the stars.
An early morning game drive across the savannah offers chances to spot elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and lions. After lunch, a boat cruise up the Nile approaches the base of the falls. Hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds line the banks. The thunder of the falls grows louder as you approach the narrow gorge.
After breakfast, you leave Murchison Falls and drive south to Kibale Forest. The journey takes most of the day, passing through Hoima and the countryside. You stop for lunch en route. As you approach Fort Portal, tea plantations and the Rwenzori Mountains dominate the landscape. You check into your lodge near the forest edge. Your guide briefs you on tomorrow’s chimpanzee tracking.
An early start takes you to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering Kibale’s rainforest. The trek follows chimpanzee calls through the thick undergrowth. When you find them, you have one hour to observe their behaviour. After lunch, you visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk. The swamp reveals colobus monkeys, bush pigs, and many bird species.
After breakfast, you leave Kibale and drive south to Queen Elizabeth, a journey of about three hours. You stop for lunch en route. Upon arrival, you check into your lodge near the Kazinga Channel. In the afternoon, you board a boat for a cruise on the channel. The waters are teeming with hippos, Nile crocodiles, and elephants drinking at the water’s edge. The birdlife is exceptional, with African fish eagles and kingfishers in abundance.
An early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains offers sightings of lions, elephants, and Uganda kob. After the drive, you continue south through Ishasha, famous for tree-climbing lions. You stop for a game drive, searching for these predators. After lunch, you continue through the Kigezi Highlands to your lodge near Bwindi.
After an early breakfast, you assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing. You are assigned to a gorilla family and trackers. The trek through steep, dense forest can take hours. When you locate the gorillas, you have one unforgettable hour with them. After the trek, you visit the Batwa community, who share their traditions through storytelling and dance.
After breakfast, you check out and begin the drive back to Entebbe or Kampala, a journey of about eight to nine hours. You stop for lunch along the way. Depending on your flight, you may visit Kampala’s craft market. Your driver transfers you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.
