Overview
The Best tour is a program that takes enough time and a number if activities in the country. The Best of Uganda is a combination of the Eastern Circuit with the Western Circuit. Travellers will have the cultural experience of the; Karamoja region, the photographic safari in Kidepo, Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks; the eco-tourism of primate activities.
In all this is a learning opportunity for those travelers who wish to get deeper knowledge of what Uganda offers in terms of Landscapes, habitants, wildlife and culture.
Highlights
Itinerary
On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred for overnight stay in BB or the hotel.
Overnight at: Cassia Lodge/ Protea skyz hotel.
After breakfast, drive eastwards to Jinja, town on the shores of Lake Victoria where you find the source of the Nile, discovered by John Speke in 1864. For lovers of water sports and nature, do not miss the opportunity to go white water rafting along river Nile for Half Day, one of the most exciting and safest in the world. -Afternoon Boat cruise on the Nile, 2 hours cruise. -Mountain bike circuit for 2 hours. Lunch included. Visit the source of the river Nile.
Proceed to Mount Elgon at Sipi Falls, for dinner and overnight at Sipi River Lodge or Rafiki Lodge.
After an early breakfast, you will trek through the Sipi Falls, characterized by three spectacular falls along river Sipi, flowing down the Mount Elgon. The area is particularly panoramic with view of the Karamoja valley. The activity will take you through the daily life of a typical African village. Lunch and in the afternoon proceed the journey to Moroto the capital town of Karamoja. Dinner and overnight at Kara Tunga Guest House.
After breakfast, drive to the communities who inhabit the mountains surrounding Moroto, the Tepeth. These are the original inhabitants of Karamoja, who were raided by other Karimojong tribes and seek refuge on the slopes of the mountains, where are found their traditional manyattas. You will have a direct experience of the daily life in Karamoja and you will bring with you the appreciation gift for the community. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon visit the communities of the Matheniko of the plains. These are semi-nomadic people and cattle keepers, also known in the past for their raiding the cattle of the neighboring tribes. Their lifestyle is slowly changing to residential agriculturalists. Visit the typical homestead or “manyatta” to view the style of life. The Matheniko also can perform their traditional dances or “edonja” as they dress on their traditional clothes. If time allows, visit the ancient rock paintings 40 km from Moroto at about 1 hour drive. In the evening back to Moroto and visit the Karamoja Museum and the local market. Dinner and overnight at Kara Tunga Guest House
After breakfast, the trip proceeds northwards to Kidepo Valley National Park. This park is named after the river traversing this region at the border between Sudan and Kenya. This is one of the most unspoilt, pure wild places remaining in Africa. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at Adere Lodge Kidepo or Kidepo Savannah Lodge . Full Board.
Note: Today transfer is very long through the dirt roads of Karamoja.
Overnight at: Adere Lodge Kidepo
After breakfast take a photographic game drives along the trails of the national park and expect to explore the region of the river Narus valley. Kidepo contains one of the most exciting faunas of any Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals several of which restricted only to Kidepo, like cheetah, striped hyena and caracal. The bird list boasts over 465 species.
After breakfast, last game drive or activity in Kidepo National Park. Proceed in the direction of Murchison Falls National Park, the biggest national park of Uganda. Lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge or Pakuba Lodge / Bwana Tembo Lodge
After breakfast, you will embark on an early morning game drive to explore the savannah in the Northern bank of the Nile. Among other animals in the wild, you might find elephants, lions, buffalos, giraffes, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, spotted hyenas and leopards. Drive back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, take another fascinating safari by boat along the magnificent river Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls. It is amazing the concentration of wildlife in the bank of the river Nile, including hippos and many crocodiles, plus a variety of bird’s species. The trip will end with the trekking to the “top of the falls”, where the river Nile creates a narrow canyon of thunderous water large only 7 meters and it drops for over 43 meters. Enjoy this magnificent nature and the rainbow from the water.
After breakfast, we organize a nature walk in Bugoma Forest. This forest with its size of 410 sq km is the habitat of the chimpanzees and Ugandan mangabeys. In the walk you might be able to see the Ugandan mangabeys and other monkeys. Stop over for the lunch and proceed to Kibale National Park in the afternoon, with dinner and overnight Crater Safari Lodge / Primate Lodge or Isunga Lodge / Chimpanzee Forest Guest House.
After breakfast, today you go for a nature walk in Kibale Forest National Park for experiencing the rain tropical forest, birding and especially as you encounter the chimpanzees in their natural environment. Other primates you might see include black and white colobus, red tailed monkey and velvet monkey. After lunch, the journey through Uganda proceeds to the “pearl” of the national parks, Queen Elizabeth, which lies between Lake George on the East, Lake Edward on the West and the Rwenzori Mountains on the North. Have a game drive in the evening as you enter the park. Dinner and overnight, Mweya Safari Lodge / Makize Valley Lodge or Ihamba Safari Lodge / Enganzi Lodge
After a cup of coffee, go for a game drive experience along the tracks of the national park, in the Northern side towards Lake George and Kasenyi village. You might see lions, elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs, perhaps the leopard though is shy and rare to be seen. Lunch. In the afternoon, take the most exciting safari by boat from Mweya peninsula along Kazinga channel, one of the most popular sites in Uganda for its concentration of wildlife, bird’s life and opportunities for good photographs. Moreover, you will see plenty of hippos, buffaloes and elephants while drinking from the channel. In the evening short transfer to the Ishasha sector of the park. Dinner and overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge.
After breakfast the exploration of the park continues in the Southern sector of Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha. Take a game drive in search for the “tree climbing lions” which are seen during the hot hours of the day, as they lie resting on top of Figs trees. See also herds of buffaloes, elephants, topi antelopes and more. Lunch. Proceed where you find the rain tropical forests which are the natural habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas. You will reach an altitude of up to 2300 m above sea level in Bwindi. The choice of the area of the “gorilla safari” depends on the availability and allocation of the permits for this activity. Arrive in Bwindi National Park for dinner and overnight, Bwindi Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge or Bakiga Lodge / Ichumbi Lodge
In the morning you enter the rain tropical forest of Bwindi for the gorilla safari. The activity starts at 8am and you will follow the ranger guides in a group of maximum 8 people as you search for the habituated family of mountain gorillas, which was allocated according to the permits. Bwindi forest in Uganda has a population of about 370 gorillas, which is half the world population according to 2007 gorilla population surveys. It is not predictable the time you will spend to encounter the gorillas. You have one hour for observing the primates and their behaviors, while taking photographs. Ensure you take the packed lunch and water with you in the bag and for this you might need the support of available porters. Dinner and overnight, Bwindi Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge or Bakiga Lodge / Ichumbi Lodge .
After breakfast, optional, you can enjoy a walk in the nature of Echuya Forest, to encounter the Batwa pigmy’s and to learn about their history, traditions and culture. Lunch, In the afternoon proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest of Ugandan National Parks. As you enter, go for game drive in search for the beautiful impalas, elands, topi and many antelopes, buffaloes, zebras. Dinner and overnight at Rwakobo Rock Lodge / Mantana Mburo Tented Camp (C) or Arcadia Cottages Mburo / Mpogo Lodge (E).
Overnight at: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
After the mighty breakfast, last game drive in the park (or optional nature walk in the park), You might see zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs, perhaps the leopard though is shy and rare to be seen. In the afternoon, take the most exciting safari by boat, one of the most popular sites in Uganda for its concentration of wildlife, bird’s life and opportunities for good photographs. Moreover, you will see plenty of hippos, buffaloes and elephants while drinking from the lake
After the last game drive in the park (or optional nature walk in the park), the journey ends back to Entebbe. Lunch en route,reserved for departure from Entebbe International airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour.
- English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board.
- (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- All activities described in the itinerary.
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
- 1 chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
Cost Excludes
- International airfares.
- Entry visa to Uganda.
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter.
- (Helps to carry your backpack & push/pull you on the slippery slopes.)
- Personal insurance (medical/travel)
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature.
- (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities.)
FAQs
Packing for a safari to Uganda is quite easy because of the pleasant weather that is warm and sunny all year round. For this trip, you should carry some sturdy shoes that will handle gorilla trekking, and swimwear for white water rafting. In the other places, you will need simple breathable clothing that is comfortable and practical.
Unless you have planned engagements which require jewelry and ‘function’ shoes, there is no need to carry those. Keep in mind, you can have laundry done at the various lodges, so there is no need to pack so much.
Here is an article to guide you on what to pack for a Ugandan safari such as this one. Additionally, upon booking, specific booking advise is given to you such that you are able to pack what is necessary for your trip.
This 15 day safari is best enjoyed during the dry season months of the year. This is from December to February, and June to September.
The dry season makes it easy to find big groups of animals in the national parks as they congregate near the remaining water sources. Gorilla trekking is also easier in the dry months because the steep slopes of the rainforest are more manageable.
Yes, this trip and all our other safari packages can be personalized to suit your needs and preferences. Whatever change or addition you have in mind, simply talk to us and our safari experts will help you bring your ideas to life on your safari.
You can use the form on this page to specify your needs and we’ll help you go on your dream safari.
We work with hotels and lodges that employ professional chefs who are able to make a wide range of delicious local and international dishes. In case you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know such that the accommodations are well prepared ahead of time.
Besides the food at the hotel, Uganda has a rich culture of street food and probably the sweetest tasting fruits you will ever eat. Make sure to indulge in the fruits, and some street food if your diet can allow.
Getting a tourist visa to Uganda is quite simple and straight forward. It can be done online at anytime of your convenience through an official government portal.
You can also get it at the airport on arrival, but we recommend doing it before hand such that once you reach Uganda, your focus should be on having a grand time on your safari.
Since this is an all-inclusive safari, you will move around Uganda in our specialized safari cars. We use safari vans (mini bus) and safari land cruisers – both of which are customized and capable of going anywhere while on safari.
With the cars, you will be driven by our experienced professional drivers/guides who will make sure you move around the country easily and on time for all the activities.
You can take a look at our safari fleet to know which options are possible for you.
Whatever your question is, our team is made up of safari experts who will answer all your questions about this trip, or anything else related to traveling and visiting Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Reach out through our contact page, or simply send us a quick message via the form on this page. Alternatively, our phones and emails are also available for you to use –whichever works best for you.