21 Days in Uganda: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
EPIC 21 Days in Uganda Itinerary – Perfect Uganda Travel Guide. This is the ideal combination of untamed nature and tranquil beauty you will encounter in a short amount of time for a top holiday from beginning to conclusion. A 21 Days Uganda safari that lets you interact closely with primates and other creatures, picnics in the woods, cross-country and game drives, and the breathtaking Kigezi Highlands, known as the “Switzerland of Africa,” are all available.
You may discover Uganda’s rich culture on this 21 days Uganda safari, from the country’s center to its southernmost point. It’s an exciting journey full of diversity and firsts.
GORILLA Trekking Uganda 🦍
Highlights:
Destinations: Entebbe, Kampala, Murchison Falls, Fort Portal, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Mburo National Park.
Activities: Game drives, Chimpanzee tracking, Nature Walks, Boat ride up the Nile, Bird watching, Cultural visit
Safari Highlights: 21 Days in Uganda
- Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 2: Pabidi Forest, Evening Game drive
- Day 3: Murchison Falls NP. Game drive and bottom of the falls
- Day 4: Drive to Fort Portal via Hoima
- Day 5: Kibale National Park – Chimpanzee tracking
- Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Launch Cruise
- Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – 2 Game drives
- Day 8: Queen Elizabeth NP – Kyambura Gorge & game drive
- Day 9: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable NP – Gorilla tracking
- Day 11: Bwindi – Nature Walk & Birding
- Day 12: Bwindi to Ishasha for tree climbing lion
- Day 13: Drive back to Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Days 14 & 15: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Parc National des Volcans
- Days 16 & 17: Lake Bunyonyi – Relax & enjoy adventure activities
- Day 18: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 19: Full Day in Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 20: Drive from Lake Mburo to Kampala
- Day 21: Kampala, airport transfer and departure
Day by day Itinerary: 21 Days in Uganda
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Start your scenic journey through Masindi Town and the renowned Luwero Triangle in the direction of the northwest to reach Murchison Falls National Park in time for a picnic lunch at the magnificently positioned location with a close-up view of the Murchison Falls.
You can witness the Nile’s magnificence at its finest here! Admire the incredibly strong falls that are the result of the 50 m-wide Nile being forced through a 7 m-wide crack in the rocks. The falls, which plunge 40 meters with a tremendous roar and produce a stunning rainbow and a towering column of spray, were originally hailed as the Nile’s most spectacular event across its 6700-kilometer length.
Return to Paraa Safari Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Pabidi Forest, Evening Game drive
Take a stroll in the woodland in Pabidi woodland to start your day. During this stroll, you will have the opportunity to witness a variety of primates, including l’ Hoest’s, red colobus, blue, red-tailed, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. This stroll is a fantastic chance to observe birds and primates up close. Cross the Nile to its northern bank after a picnic lunch, then spend the rest of the day lounging by the lovely free-form pool.
It’s the perfect time for another game drive in the late afternoon because the temperature has dropped. When you get back from your wildlife drive, have a cool sundowner while relaxing and watching the sun slowly set below the Blue Mountains of Congo.
Indulge in supper and spend the night at Nile Safari Camp.
Day 3: Game drive and bottom of the falls – Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park UGANDA Africa Beautiful Sights
Start the day by crossing the serene Victoria Nile to take a game drive along the river’s northern bank. With the assistance of a knowledgeable guide, you can see elephants, lions, African buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffes, hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, Bohor reedbucks, hyenas, and, for the fortunate, leopard.
Climb aboard for a boat safari up the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls after enjoying a picnic lunch and halting only a few meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron” before the trip begins. While traveling the 17 km up the river, take in the impressive toothy hippos and terrifying crocodiles while keeping an eye out for other wildlife along the banks, such as elephant, waterbuck, and Uganda kob.
Numerous bird species, such as the Goliath heron, Egyptian geese, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant, and the endangered shoebill stork, are also found in this region.
After photographing the picturesque Murchison Falls, head back to Nile Safari Camp for dinner and the night.
Day 4: Drive to Fort Portal via Hoima
Spend the day traveling to Fort Portal from the south through Hoima through green countryside and past historic farms and homesteads.
The legendary “Mountains of the Moon” cast a shadow above Fort Portal.
Kibale Tented Camp, situated on the outskirts of the Kibale Forest, is a great place to spend the evening and the night.
Day 5: Kibale National Park – Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee Tracking at Kibale National Park | Uganda
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park while largely following the mysterious Rwenzori Mountain range. While on the way, a wildlife drive may reward visitors with sightings of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena, and several antelope species.
Enjoy the one-of-a-kind 2-hour boat ride across the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward after lunch. This launch cruise passes through an area with the highest concentration of hippos and provides a fantastic platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. Many animals, including elephants and buffalo, can be seen drinking at the water’s edge. There are well over 550 resident species of the abundant avian life, which is colorful and astounding.
Visit Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge for supper and a night’s stay.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Launch Cruise
Two game drives will be conducted today, giving you the chance to see the different eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, marshes, lakes, and volcanic craters that make up Queen Elizabeth National Park and are home to an extraordinary variety of species. Game drives in this park offer a fantastic opportunity to observe lion, leopard, gigantic forest hog, African buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi, and bushbuck, all against the backdrop of the enormous Rwenzori Mountains. These two game drives, when combined with the boat ride through the Kazinga Channel, are unforgettable ways to see a wide variety of species.
Visit Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge for supper and a night’s stay.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – 2 Game drives
Game Drive Queen Elizabeth National Park
An remarkable variety of species may be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s different eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, marshes, lakes, and volcanic craters. There are excellent opportunities to see chimpanzees, l’Hoest’s, red colobus, black and white colobus monkeys, and more during an early-morning stroll in the magnificent Kyambura Gorge.
Return to the Mweya for another thrilling wildlife drive after a picnic lunch.
Spend the evening and the night at Jacana Safari Lodge.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kyambura Gorge & game drive
The “Switzerland of Africa” region, the Kigezi Highlands, with its terraced hillsides and meandering roads, is where you’ll travel to get to Bwindi.
Spend the evening and the next day at Bwindi Tented Camp.
Day 9: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The day starts with an early morning admission into the stunning, heavily forested gorilla refuge. Numerous animal routes that wind through the forest provide access to the magnificent and extraordinarily dense jungle. The endangered Mountain gorilla, rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephant, black-fronted duiker, bushbuck, leopard, and huge forest hog are just a few of the mammals that call this place home.
The interesting gorillas in this park are its main attractions. Depending on the gorillas’ movements, it may take longer to locate them and cover a different amount of ground. It is a rare, touching, and fascinating experience to watch these timid, calm animals.
Spend the evening and the next day at Bwindi Tented Camp.
Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking ( Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Uganda)
After breakfast, go on a forest walk to learn more about Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a pristine forest that is home to 360 species of birds, including 14 that are unique to Uganda, 251 species of butterflies, and picturesque triple waterfalls. It also supports the highest faunal diversity in East Africa. Enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Rwanda and the Congo. Transfer to Kihihi in the late afternoon.
Stay the night at the Savannah Resort Hotel and enjoy dinner.
Day 11: Bwindi – Nature Walk & Birding
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha region in the early morning. Large herds of animals and the renowned tree-climbing lions can be found in Ishasha. This is a spectacular day that could only be had in Africa due to the breathtaking scenery, the imposing size of the euphorbias, and the blend of riverine forest, Savannah plain, and tropical forest.
Stay the night at the Savannah Resort Hotel and enjoy dinner.
Day 12: Bwindi to Ishasha for tree climbing lion
The “Switzerland of Africa” region, the Kigezi Highlands, with its terraced hillsides and meandering roads, is where you’ll travel to get to Bwindi.
Spend the evening and the next day at Bwindi Tented Camp.
Day 13: Drive back to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
More gorilla tracking in Rwanda’s Parc National des Volcans or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There are two wonderful opportunities to view the magnificent yet critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Spend the evening and the next day at Travellers Rest Camp.
Day 14 & 15: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Parc National des Volcans
Visit Lake Bunyonyi, a tarn in the mountains encircled by terraced hills. Enjoy crawfishing, swimming, canoeing, sunbathing, uphill treks, or mountain biking.
The Bushara Island Camp is a great place to have dinner and spend the night.
Day 16 & 17: Lake Bunyonyi – Relax & enjoy adventure activities
You will drive to Lake Mburo National Park after an early breakfast and enter the park through the Nshara Gate. Enjoy a game drive along the Lakeshore track in the afternoon. The “Kigambara Loop” provides engaging guided lakeside walks thanks to its own network of game paths and cleared walkways. Zebra, African buffalo, and eland herds, as well as oribi and topi, may all be found in these areas.
Many people often take a boat trip on Lake Mburo National Park in addition to going on a game drive. There are also self-guided nature trails accessible. More than 250 different bird species, including the papyrus gonolek, brown-faced lapwing, Carruthers cisticola, the rare white-winged warbler, and bare-faced go-away bird, can be seen in Lake Mburo National Park.
In the middle of the African bush, beneath a starry African evening, return to Lake Mburo Tented Camp for candlelit dinners and first-rate service.
Day 18: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park | Uganda
After breakfast, go on a wildlife drive or a safari walk with an armed ranger by your side (this is the only park where you are not completely confined to a vehicle). The Kopjes, which conceal kilpspringers and topis, are particularly fascinating.
It is amusing to watch zebra peacefully grazing next to the long-horned Ankore cattle in the area where cattle are being herded. Return for a leisurely lunch and take in the scenery of the park’s lakes. Visitors may get up close and personal with hippos and crocodiles by taking a boat ride on Lake Mburo National Park.
Indulge in supper and spend the night at Lake Mburo Tented Camp.
Day 19: Full Day in Lake Mburo National Park
Get on the road for one more game drive after breakfast. Drive back to Kampala after lunch. Visit the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers while you’re traveling. You can see here as ceremonial drums are made using techniques that have been handed down through the years. There will also be time for a photo stop at the equator. At some point in the early evening, you will reach Kampala.
Visit a hotel of your choice for the night.
Day 20: Drive from Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala
After breakfast, go on another game drive. Return to Kampala after lunch. Stop by the Mpigi Royal Drum Makers on the way. You will be able to see ceremonial drums being made here using methods passed down through centuries. There will also be opportunity to take photographs at the equator. You will arrive in Kampala early in the evening.
Stay at a hotel of your choice for the night.
Day 21: Kampala City tour, airport transfer and departure
This is your free day to enjoy personalized selections. You could take a trip to Kampala metropolis, which is a thriving African metropolis with many attractions. Your city trip will conclude in the Uganda Craft Village, where you can purchase curios and souvenirs as mementos of your Ugandan adventure or as gifts for family and friends back home. Other activities for the day include white-water rafting, a visit of Jinja, which is home to the Nile’s source, Bujagali Falls, and Samuka Island, and a boat excursion to Ngamba Island to observe chimps rescued from unscrupulous wildlife traffickers and urban captivity.
End of the 21 days Uganda safari
Inclusions
- Accommodation in the mentioned lodges
- An experienced English speaking Safari Guide
- 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Transportation in 4 X 4 safari vehicle.
- Transportation to and from the areas indicated.
- Fuel and meals as indicated on respective days.
- All Entrance Fees and relevant government Tax.
- Mineral Water on the entire Safari.
- Administration fees.
Exclusions
- All activities indicated as optional in the itinerary.
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa to Uganda – US$ 50
- Airport tax
- Travel / Medical / Baggage insurance
- All beverages [both alcoholic and non-alcoholic]
- Any activity, meal or accommodation NOT mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips
- Telephone bills
- Souvenirs, other items of a personal nature
