15-Day Uganda Classic Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kampala

Your adventure begins upon arrival in Uganda, where a representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short city tour to get your first taste of the country’s vibrant culture.

Highlights may include visits to the historic Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the fascinating Uganda Museum, and the lively craft markets where you can browse handmade African souvenirs.

Overnight stay in Kampala.

Day 2: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you begin your journey north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. Along the way, you stop for lunch in the town of Masindi before entering the park.

One of the highlights is visiting the breathtaking top of the falls, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow seven-meter gorge before plunging 45 meters below in thunderous cascades. The sight and sound of this natural spectacle is unforgettable.

Dinner and overnight near the park.

Day 3: Game Drive and Nile Boat Safari

An early morning game drive on the northern plains offers excellent opportunities to spot wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, and buffaloes roaming the savannah.

In the afternoon, you enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the Nile toward the base of the falls. This water safari is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Uganda, with hippos, crocodiles, and numerous birds visible along the riverbanks.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Murchison Falls to Fort Portal

Today you travel southwest toward the beautiful town of Fort Portal, located near the legendary Rwenzori Mountains, often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon.”

The drive offers scenic views of rural Uganda, passing small villages, tea plantations, and lush countryside. Fort Portal itself is one of the most charming towns in Uganda, surrounded by crater lakes and rolling hills.

Dinner and overnight in the area.

Day 5: Nature Walk in Semuliki National Park

After breakfast, you head to Semuliki National Park, a unique lowland rainforest ecosystem that forms part of the vast Ituri Forest stretching into the Congo Basin.

Guided by a ranger, you take a nature walk through the forest to explore its rich biodiversity. One of the park’s most fascinating attractions is the Sempaya hot springs, where boiling water bubbles up from deep underground. Visitors often enjoy the novelty of boiling eggs in the hot springs.

Return to your lodge near Kibale for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland Walk

The morning is dedicated to an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale National Park, famous for having the highest concentration of primates in East Africa.

Accompanied by experienced trackers, you walk through the tropical forest in search of chimpanzees and other primates such as red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

In the afternoon, you visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk. This wetland is rich in birdlife and primates and also supports important community conservation initiatives.

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife reserves. The drive offers spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains on one side and lush valleys on the other.

In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel hosts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa and attracts elephants, buffaloes, and countless birds.

Day 8: Exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park

An early morning game drive takes you across the open savannah where lions, elephants, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs can often be seen.

Later, you explore the mysterious Maramagambo Forest, known for its beautiful crater lakes and the intriguing Bat Cave where thousands of bats roost.

Dinner and overnight in the park.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi

After breakfast, you leave the savannah behind and journey toward the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The drive passes through scenic countryside dotted with farms and traditional villages before reaching the lush mountainous region that shelters the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

Dinner and overnight near the park.

Day 10: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Today is the highlight of your safari: gorilla trekking.

After a briefing by park rangers, you enter the dense rainforest to search for one of the habituated gorilla families. The trek may take several hours through steep terrain, but the reward is extraordinary.

Spending an hour observing a gorilla family in their natural habitat is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in the world.

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast you travel to the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi, often described as the most beautiful lake in Uganda.

Surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with small islands, the lake provides the perfect setting to relax after the excitement of gorilla trekking.

Day 12: Relaxing at Lake Bunyonyi

This day is dedicated to relaxation. Visitors may enjoy canoeing between the islands, bird watching, swimming in the calm waters, or simply soaking in the stunning scenery.

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park

You continue your journey to Lake Mburo National Park, a compact but beautiful park known for its zebras, impalas, and birdlife.

In the afternoon you enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Mburo, where hippos and crocodiles can often be seen along the shores.

Day 14: Walking Safari and Return to Kampala

A guided walking safari with a ranger offers a unique perspective on wildlife as you explore the park on foot.

Later you return to Kampala, stopping at the Uganda Equator Line for photos and souvenir shopping.

Day 15: Departure

After an incredible journey filled with wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural experiences, you transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

You leave Uganda with unforgettable memories of the Pearl of Africa.