17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda – Wildlife, Primates Tour, Culture and Birding: Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Entente-Kampala

Day 2: Kampala historical tour

Day 3: Kampala cultural tour

Day 4: Kampala city center historical tour

Day 6: Jinja Source visit via Sezibwa Falls

Day 6: Jinja historical tour

Day 7: Mbale town historical tour

Day 8: Sipi falls historical tour

Day 9: Nyero rock historical tour

Day 10: Transfer to Kampala

Day 11: Nakayima tree – Fort Portal town

Day 12: Toro kingdom – Amabere caves, hike

Day 13: Semuliki hot springs – Batwa

Day 14: Kibale Chimps – Bigodi

Day 15: Queen Elizabeth – Boat cruise

Day 16: Game drive – Katwe

Day 17: Transfer to Kampala or airport

Detailed 17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda – Wildlife, Primates Tour, Culture and Birding

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe-Kampala

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representatives. We will drive to Kampala and stay in the Ndere Centre. In the evening we will watch a concert of Ugandan drumming and dancing and have our evening meal there.

Day 2: Kampala historical tour

After breakfast, you explore the historical and cultural sites of the Buganda Kingdom which is one of the last surviving intact and large Kingdoms in Africa. The history of Uganda is embedded within the history of Buganda as you will come to learn.

You explore the Kasubi tombs which are a world heritage site and a burial ground for the Kings of Buganda. You proceed to tour the King’s Palace at Lubiri which is the main parliament of the Kingdom of Buganda.

The tour will proceed to Kabaka’s lake which is a manmade lake that was dug by the King Mwanga of Buganda in pre-colonial Uganda. You will learn about how the whites came into Uganda and how they colonized it through this trail.

In the afternoon, you tour the Uganda National Museum which features historical, cultural geological, and a range of other artifacts of Uganda.

Day 3 of 17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda: Kampala cultural tour

After breakfast, drive to the Naggalabi coronation site. This is a place where the Kings of Buganda are appointed. You will get a chance to learn about the true traditional culture of the Buganda tribe and its kingdom and how it influenced the formation of the country of Uganda.

After lunch, you will drive to Wamala tombs where you explore the ancient tomb of Ssekabaka Ssuna of Buganda who is noted to have had 148 wives and produced 218 children, He is the last Buganda King to have had a jaw bone which is believed to contain his spirit placed in the royal shrine and taken care by his descendants.

Day 4: Kampala city center historical tour

Today, we will be exploring the different landmarks, monuments, and other museums that carry the political, social, and economic history of Uganda. Some of the sites but not limited to; the independence monument, clock tower, Makerere University, and Sir Edward Muteesa among others.

Day 5: Jinja Source visit via Sezibwa Falls

To beat the morning traffic, you will rise early and after your breakfast set off. Your first stop will be Ssezibwa falls; a traditional historical and cultural site for the Baganda. Here your guide will take you through the cultural significance which originates from the legendary history of the place.

Driving through sugar cane plantations, and tea plantations, you will have lunch at the source of the mighty river Nile, have a short tour of Jinja town and then head to your lodge for the night.

Day 6 of 17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda: Jinja historical tour

Jinja is the second largest town after the capital city Kampala, it oozes historical significance and boosts as the first industrial town of Uganda, a preferred business, tourism, adventure, and residence town from the time of the Arabs to the colonialists to this day. Most of the ancient buildings are still left intact as tourist attractions. There is a lot of history in this town, we will do our best to make sure you learn about all of it.

Day 7: Mbale town historical tour

After early morning breakfast, we will drive deep east of the country to another historical and major landmark in the history of Uganda and East Africa, a town called Mbale which until recently was the cleanest city in Uganda a glory they are fighting to gain back. You will visit different historical sites in and around the town center including Semi Kakungulu trail, and Wanale trail among others.

Day 8: Sipi falls historical tour

After an early breakfast, a drive through rolling hills and deep green scenery brings you to beautiful Sipi Falls, on a plateau 1800m above sea level.

The Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, forming a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. In the afternoon guided for a walk to all the three waterfalls of Sipi

You will stay in a simple, but nice self-contained cottage. From the resort, you have beautiful views over the valley and one of the waterfalls.

Day 9: Nyero rock historical tour

After breakfast, we will drive northeast to a pre-historic Iron Age site called the Nyero rock paintings which are found in three rock shelters. Some of the paintings represent animals, concentric circles, and canoes.

These all depict the history of its tot’s people who have lived in this part of the country for a long time. We will crown the visit by visiting the palace of the traditional chief called the Emorimori.

You will drive back to Mbale for the night

Day 10 of 17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda: Transfer to Kampala

Breakfast at leisure, you will be transferred to Kampala arriving early afternoon. You can opt to check out the nightlife of Kampala dubbed the city of smiles, the city that never sleeps the most “happening place in Africa!”

Day 11: Nakayima tree – Fort Portal town

Today we will travel to western Uganda to the tourism capital of Uganda called Fort Portal, a town immersed with immense history of Uganda mostly for the geography and friendliness, it’s also the gateway to the Rwenzori mountains the third highest in Africa.

Our first stopover will be at a major historical site called the Nakayima tree, now turned into a traditional worship place. History has it that it was a fortress and stronghold for one of the Bunyoro kings during his battle with the whites against colonialism. Very fascinating, we will arrive in the later afternoon, check into your hotel and soak in the night with magnificent views.

Day 12: Toro kingdom – Amabere caves, hike

Today you will visit the Toro kingdom palace and the other cultural sites like the burial tombs of the fallen kings. The Toro Kingdom is a home for the world’s youngest king “Oyo”. You will learn about the history of the Toro kingdom’s traditional dress code, the language spoken, the past kings and where they are buried among others, and the numerous artifacts that represent their culture.

After lunch, you will visit the Amabere Caves, a geographical formation of stunning stalactites and stalagmites forming a milky substance within the waterfall. The cultural significance of the place is the major reason for your visit to this site, get ready for the discovery!

If you are fit enough, you will then go hiking along the hills that are a result of volcanic eruptions, sight swamps/ wetlands, the crater lakes. We will drive back to your hotel for the day. You can choose to have an evening walk in the cleanest and most peaceful town in Uganda. You can also opt for the nightlife in the bars and the clubs

Day 13: Semuliki hot springs – Batwa

After breakfast, drive to Semuliki National Park for an amazing nature walk. And half-day Batwa heritage trail. The walk will expose you to various birds like Rwenzori Turaco and primates including the rare deBrazza’s monkey, visit the famous Sempaya hot springs, female hot spring known as Nyasimbi and male hot spring known as Bitente where you will boil your plantains in this natural steam and they are ready in a couple of minutes.

From here you will set off for the Batwa heritage trail a half-day activity that takes you through the forests of Semuliki in the company of the indigenous Batwa guides as they interpret every forest landscape and what it means to their traditional life. The forest provided a natural shelter that always provided a refugee for the Batwa in times of danger.

You will listen to the sorrowful songs being sung by the Batwa women taking you through the course of their tradition; it is a rich taste of the fading typical African culture. Return from this activity and embark on the transfer to Fort Portal.

Day 14 of 17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda: Kibale Chimps – Bigodi

Today you will experience some serious monkey business! Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including chimpanzees. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees live in the wild in Uganda, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!

An experienced ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning; you might also see other monkey species that live here. Once you locate the chimpanzees you will have a full hour of eye-to-eye contact with them. Since they are wild animals, we can never guarantee you to see them and might have to settle with hearing their hoots and hollers.

After lunch,

Your swamp walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small communities, and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves. It is usual to spot three to four different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the great blue turaco!

Day 15: Queen Elizabeth – Boat cruise

In the morning, after your breakfast, you will then continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s second-largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has prolific games, including gazelle, Uganda kob, warthog, and waterbuck. Lions are often sighted both in and at the entrance to the park. Be prepared for huge numbers of hippos and elephants, and keep your eyes peeled for a leopard lazing in the sunshine.

In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Albert.

Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see buffalo, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.

After the boat safari, your game drives back to the lodge.

Day 16: Game drive – Katwe

Today you wake up early. A little before sunrise, breakfast will be served in the restaurant before we head out with packed lunch for a long game drive in time to see the first rays of light. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to come across elephants, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, and many Warthogs.

We will visit Lake Katwe also known as the salt late, interact with the local communities, visit a women’s community group, you can support their efforts by purchasing a souvenir. We will then game drive back to the lodge.

Day 17: Transfer to Kampala or the airport

After your breakfast, your driver/ guide will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport)

Accommodation for tonight is not included in the program. If you wish to depart tonight from Entebbe Airport, make sure your flight is at 10 pm or later. If you would like us to book one (or more) nights in Kampala and/or Entebbe, please let us know.

End of 17 Days Adventure Safari to Uganda – Wildlife, Primates Tour, Culture and Birding