18 Day Uganda Adventure Safari, Kidepo to Gorillas Circuit

Arrival in Entebbe, Transfer to Hotel

Upon your arrival at Entebbe airport, our company representative, together with the guide, will welcome you and transfer you to Kampala, where you will spend a night. If your flight arrives at night, you will stay in Entebbe with airport pickup by the hotel driver.

Accommodation: Kampala — Mid-range: Fairway Hotel and Spa · Budget: Forest Cottages. Entebbe (late arrivals) — Mid-range: Best Western Garden Hotel · Budget: Via Via Guesthouse

Ziwa Rhinos, Transfer to Gulu

Considering the journey from Kampala to Kidepo requires about 11 to 12 hours, you will instead end your journey in Gulu to reduce the drive. Pickup is at 7:00 am to set off for Gulu, with an en-route stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking for 2 to 3 hours, followed by lunch, then continue to Gulu. Dinner and overnight stay at Church Hill Hotel.

Transfer to Kidepo, Narus Valley Game Drive

Wake up to a hot cup of coffee or tea and embark on a 4 to 5 hour drive to Kidepo National Park with great views of the countryside and the Karamojong people. Upon arrival at the lodge, have lunch and relax before driving to Narus Valley for a game drive. Expect to see large herds of buffalo, zebras, elephants, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs, with a slow drive and stops for photos wherever you please.

Accommodation: Mid-range/Budget: Kidepo Savannah Lodge · Luxury: Apoka Lodge

Kidepo Game Drive, Hot Springs Visit

Have breakfast and brace yourself for another thrilling game drive in the vast savannah of Kidepo Valley, intercepted by patches of Borassus palm and the rising scenic hills. Enjoy stunning views of the morning sun over the Lomej hills, the Lotukei Mountains near the Sudan border and the Morungole range on Kidepo's southern boundary, with sightings of ostriches and other animals across the valleys. Also visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs before you return.

Mount Morungole Hike, Ik Community Visit

After breakfast, drive to the starting point of Mount Morungole, in the far northern hills of Karamoja. Here you find the IK, Uganda's smallest tribe. The IK people lived inside Kidepo National Park but were displaced when the area was gazetted, and they now live on the Morungole ridges as a community. Visiting them gives a rare insight into a unique African tribe and culture. The higher the climb, the more breathtaking the views into the valleys below, the Eastern Rift Valley of Kenya, and over to South Sudan. After the hike, drive to check in at Kaabong Resort Hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Transfer to Murchison Falls, Top of the Falls

After breakfast, transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with an en-route lunch in Gulu town. Continue to Murchison Falls and visit the top of the falls before checking in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge · Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge

Murchison Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise

After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive lasting about 3 to 5 hours, with sightings including elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, hartebeest, Uganda kob, oribis and waterbucks. Return to the lodge for lunch. At 2 pm, go for a launch cruise along the Nile, giving an exciting panoramic view of the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls, with crocodiles, hippos and birds such as kingfishers, cormorants and bee-eaters along the riverbanks. After viewing the falls, sail back to meet your driver, who transfers you back to the lodge with an en-route game drive.

Transfer to Kibale, Crater Lakes Stop

Early morning after breakfast, drive out of the park to transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. This park is home to almost 13 primate species, including red colobus and L'Hoest's monkey, among many others. Have lunch in Kagadi. Upon arrival, explore the crater lakes, then transfer to your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Budget: Isunga Lodge · Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Kibale Chimp Tracking, Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, set out for chimp tracking within Kibale Forest. During your search, expect to see many primate species, along with forest elephants, bush pigs, duikers, warthogs, reptiles, amphibians and a colourful variety of butterflies. In the afternoon, connect for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp area and look out for water-loving bird species — the forest has almost 335 bird species, making it a great place for birders. Return to the lodge for lunch.

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth, Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to the tree-climbing lions. Arrive in time for lunch. Spend your afternoon at leisure with an evening game drive in the Kasenyi area. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Bush Lodge · Budget: Simba Safari Lodge

Kasenyi Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Cruise

Early in the morning after breakfast, set out for a game drive in search of early risers in the Kasenyi area. The park has a diverse ecosystem of grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, forests, swamps and lakes, home to lions, antelopes, buffalo, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda kob and other antelopes. Return to your lodge for lunch, then go for a 3-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise into Lake Edward, passing one of the highest concentrations of hippos and offering a good platform for photography, birdwatching and game viewing.

Ishasha Drive, Transfer to Bwindi

Set out for a game drive in the Ishasha area, hoping to spot the rare tree-climbing lions resting on fig trees, though sightings are not guaranteed and depend on luck and timing. Have lunch in the Ishasha sector, then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in preparation for the next day's gorilla trek. Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp · Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Early in the morning, after breakfast and a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority officials, set off for gorilla tracking — a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ranger guides lead you into the thick forest to search for the gorillas, moving up and down rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures, spending about one hour in their company. The activity can take 2 to 8 hours since the gorillas move up and down the mountain. En route, you may spot other primates, birds and more. Return for dinner and overnight stay.

Mgahinga Golden Monkeys, Batwa Experience

After breakfast, transfer to Mgahinga National Park for a briefing about the golden monkeys with your packed food and water, then enter the forest to search for them. Once found, spend an hour viewing them while taking pictures and videos. Afterward, visit the Batwa pygmies and take part in cultural performances. Return for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Mulehe Lodge · Budget: Travellers' Rest Hotel · Luxury: Gahinga Lodge

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Boat Ride

After breakfast, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, one of the deepest lakes in Africa with almost 32 islands, and a good stopover for relaxation after gorilla trekking. Upon arrival, go on a boat ride to visit several of the islands, each named for the bird species found there or their historic purpose — including Punishment Island, the smallest island, once used by the Bakiga people. After the boat ride, return to the lodge for relaxation while watching the sunset.

Accommodation: Luxury: Bunyonyi Overland Resort or Bunyonyi Birdnest Lodge · Mid-range: Bunyonyi Arcadia Lodge

Transfer to Lake Mburo, Evening Game Drive

Start your day with an early breakfast, then transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, reaching Mbarara town in time for lunch. Upon arrival in the park, enjoy a game drive to find zebras, buffalo and elands. Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mid-range: Arcadia Lodge, Lake Mburo · Budget: Eagles Nest Lodge

Lake Mburo Walking Safari, Boat Ride

Early morning, after breakfast, meet your ranger guides for your walking safari — much like a game drive, except you walk on foot to find the animals. Return to the lodge for refreshments and lunch, then in the afternoon go for a boat ride on Lake Mburo, which gets you close to crocodiles and hippos. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Return to Entebbe, Departure

Early morning, have breakfast and embark on the journey back to Kampala, with an en-route lunch and a stop at the Equator for water experiments and photographs, and the Royal Drum Village at Mpambire for souvenirs. Proceed to Kampala and drop off at Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.