Overview
3 Weeks Ultimate Uganda Tour; Known to be the Pearl of Africa, Uganda suggests almost everything one could wish for on an African safari tour. This three weeks ultimate Uganda tour means taking a visible direction to adventure. Expect to watch the big five, track chimpanzees and gorillas, go for wild boat cruises, spot varieties of wildlife alongside several bird species, and participate in several adventures.
This is a packed round circuit that runs from Kampala, taking the Eastern route to Jinja, Sipi, Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo National Park and finally returns to Kampala.
Each day consists of breakfast, lunch and dinner. This trip suggestion is a mid-range with both inclusive and exclusive items, as mentioned below.
Trip Summary of 3 Weeks Ultimate Uganda Tour
- Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and transfer to Kampala city
- Day 2: Kampala City tour and transfer to Jinja
- Day 3: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping and Boat Ride
- Day 4: Transfer to Sipi Waterfalls for hiking
- Day 5: Transfer to Pian-Upe Game Reserve
- Day 6: Moroto Manyatta Community Visits
- Day 7: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
- Day 8: Narus Game Drive and Community Visits
- Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park en route to Aruu Waterfalls
- Day 10: Murchison Game Drive and Boat Cruise
- Day 11: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 12: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Visits
- Day 13: Crater Lake Hikes and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 14: Kasenyi Game Drive and Kazinga Boat Cruise
- Day 15: Tracking Tree Climbing Lions at Ishasha and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 16: Bwindi Gorilla Tracking, Batwa Community visit and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 17: Spend your day at Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Night Game Drive
- Day 19: Horse Riding and Boat Cruise
- Day 20: A game drive and drive back to Kampala
- Day 21: Fly back home
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and transfer to Kampala city
You will arrive in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, through Entebbe International Airport on this day. Upon reaching, an Early Trails Expedition representative will be ready to receive you. This driver guide will brief you about your safari, and then he will transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Mestil Hotel
Day 2: Kampala City tour and Transfer to Jinja
For the second day in Uganda, you will first master the art of excitement within the capital city. Kampala city has many tourist spots such as the Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s palace, Kasubi tombs and Old Kampala Mosque (where you will enjoy an aerial view of Kampala). You can also consider shopping in the different marketplaces of your interest. Have lunch at one of the famous restaurants around.
You will embark on your journey to Jinja City in the early evening. Reaching the city, check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Kingfisher Safaris Resort Hotel
Day 3: White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping and Boat Ride
Early this morning, prepare for thrilling adventures in Jinja. First, you will head out for white water rafting, a 30-minute drive along the Nile sailing. Rafting on the source of the Nile is a world-class experience with 4 and 5 grades. The rafting takes about 3 to 4 hours.
Afterwards, you must sip an energising drink and drive to the bungee jumping spot. The fall leads you to kiss the Nile (about 45m below). Have lunch and refreshments, then head out for a boat ride to the source of the Nile. After the packed day of adventure, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Kingfisher Safaris Resort Hotel
Day 4: Transfer to Sipi Waterfalls for hiking
Take an early morning drive through Mbale to Kapchorwa, particularly the Sipi waterfalls. Reaching will be in the late morning hours, and then you will have the rest of the day to hike the falls. The trek goes through banana and coffee plantations. After walking and having lunch and rest, you may go for abseiling at the tallest waterfall—lastly, check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Sipi River Lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Pian-Upe Game Reserve
Get ready for your day and transfer to the Pian-Upe game reserve. This is Uganda’s second-largest protected area after Murchison Falls National Park. Due to greater adventure rewards, the reserve has started gaining favour from several travellers who opt to explore it. Notable attractions include Ostrich, cheetahs, elands, giraffes, lions, leopards, elephants, and several semi-arid bird species. After your exciting experience, you can proceed to your lodge, check-in, and wait for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation (midrange): Kara-Tunga Karamoja Safari Campsite
Day 6: Moroto Manyatta Community Visits
Today, you will explore Karamojong’s unique and authentic culture and tradition in Moroto. The Karamojong people are the dwellers of the North Eastern region of Uganda. Take a cultural visit to the Manyatta communities, discover stories, and get close to the daily lifestyle of these primitive people who have defiled the trails of civilisation. Learn how cattle rustling is treasured as part of the Karamoja culture. You will visit the Manyattas and also get some entertainment from the local people.
Accommodation (midrange): Kara Tunga Karamoja Safari Campsite
Day 7: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
Have a relaxed morning, enjoy your served breakfast, and afterwards, you will take a drive to Kidepo Valley National Park. This will be an impressive scenic drive through the plateaus and open landscape that stretches to Kidepo Valley National Park. The drive from Moroto to the park takes about 4 hours. When you arrive, please check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Kidepo Savanah Safari Lodge
Day 8: Narus Game Drive and Community Visits
This morning, you will board your safari vehicle with an experienced armed ranger guide for a memorable drive. Kidepo is among Uganda’s most rewarding national parks, with great encounters. Some of these include; lions, leopards, herds of elephants, buffalos, several antelope species, various bird species, zebras, giraffes and many other wild species.
The drive will continue through the scenic golden savannah alongside acacia woods. It will last for at least 3 to 4 hours while enjoying the glances of the fantastic features of the park.
Then, you will return to your lodge for refreshments, enjoy lunch, and visit the Karamojong community in the afternoon. Here you will enjoy Karamojong’s narrations and their lifestyle stories. There will also be dancing presentations which you may participate in. Then, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (Midrange): Kidepo Savanah Lodge
Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park en route to Aruu Waterfalls
During this morning’s drive to Murchison Falls National Park, consider a stop-over at Aruu Falls in the Pader district along Kitgum-Gulu road. Aruu waterfalls are magnificent and nice-looking falls where waters rush over white rocks and form a larger pool where tourists can swim. After that, you will drive via Gulu with lunch en route, and finally, in the late evening hours, you will be at Murchison Falls National Park—check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 10: Murchison Game Drive and Boat Cruise
With a packed breakfast, you will take an early morning game drive to watch the beautiful sunrise and breathtaking nature. It will be fantastic to encounter the wild with such an ambience. Undoubtedly, a game drive at Murchison Falls National Park is such a life-changing experience. Expect to watch some of the Big Five animals (lions, leopards, elephants and buffalos), large schools of hippos at the delta, the highest concentration of antelope species, towers of giraffes, warthogs, several bird species and a lot more.
After the game drive, you will relax, have a delicious lunch, and then embark on the Victoria Nile Boat ride to the bottom of the World’s most powerful waterfalls. The boat ride takes about 2 hours and is packed with views of various wildlife on the banks of the river, and aquatic life, including monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, several water birds, and exceptional features like cliffs, among others.
After the adventure, you will drive back to your lodge and relax for another day, dinner and overnight;
Accommodation (midrange): Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 11: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
This day will start with a drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track the only white rhinos in Uganda. This destination on your itinerary will ensure you pursue the Big Five animals. Driving to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is about one and a half hours from the park, and the track can last about 2 to 3 hours. After rhino tracking, you will drive to Kibale Forest National Park in Western Uganda with a stop-over for lunch. You will check into your lodge for dinner and overnight when you arrive.
Accommodation (midrange): Primate Lodge Kibale
Day 12: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Visits
This morning, following your breakfast, you will drive to Kanyanchu Center for a briefing about tracking etiquette. Get into groups of 8 people to track a single habituated chimpanzee community, and then with an armed ranger guide, you will roll into the forest to start a search for the apes.
The track can last between 30 minutes to 3 hours. Upon finding the apes, you will be given only one hour in their presence. This moment is like no other in the jungle, as you will find yourself amid these humans’ closest relatives. After an hour in their company, you will return to the starting point and your lodge to relax and refresh.
Have your lunch, and then drive to visit the Bigodi community and see how people around the chimpanzees benefit from the tracking initiatives. The local people also make a variety of souvenirs which you can also buy. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Primate Lodge Kibale
Day 13: Crater Lake Hikes and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is a relaxed day to explore the fantastic landscapes of Fort Portal. You will drive to Amabere caves, enclosed waterfalls with a rich history of the Bachwezi dynasty. Afterwards, you will go for a crater lakes hike which covers about 5km through hills and craters. Then, please go ahead and go to Queen Elizabeth National Park and transfer to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (midrange): Jacana Safari Lodge
Day 14: Kasenyi Game Drive and Kazinga Boat Cruise
Today, with your packed breakfast, you will drive to the Kasenyi section of Queen Elizabeth National Park for an incredible game drive. Expect an encounter with various wildlife species, including; elephants, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, buffalos, lions, and warthogs, among so many species to watch, accompanied by several bird species.
In the afternoon hours, with lunch en route, you will drive to the Mweya peninsular for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. The wild boat cruise is an opening to watch more animals. Several animals are seen coming to the channel banks to draw water, and the aquatic life is seen either soaked in water or lousily relaxed at the water banks. Then, you will drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (Midrange): Jacana Safari Lodge
Day 15: Tracking Tree Climbing Lion at Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This day will take a morning drive through the Ishasha sector and track the tree-climbing lions. Ishasha sector is located in the southern location of Queen Elizabeth National Park and is a famous region in East Africa for hosting these fantastic tree-climbing lions.
Afterwards, you will head out for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with lunch en route. We will reach the park in the evening hours and enter the park via the Buhoma gate. Relax, enjoy your dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation (Luxury): Buhoma Lodge
Day 16: Bwindi Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Community Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Today you will enjoy breakfast and hurry to the Buhoma starting point for the trekking briefing. A group of trekkers accompanied by an armed ranger guide will search for the gentle giants. This kind of Adventure is limited to the central African paradise of Virunga Conservation Area and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trek lasts for about 30 minutes to about 4 hours to find your assigned habituated gorilla family. The tour involves walking through the unmade paths, moist thick jungles, hikes and slopes through hills and valleys and then seeing the gorillas. Setting your eyes on these creatures, you will discover that all the tiresomeness is forgotten. Finding the gorillas, you will have strictly one hour in their presence, then walk back to the starting point. You will be exhausted and must drive back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the late afternoon, you will visit the Batwa community around the Buhoma community to feel their real life. The Batwa people will entertain you with dances and songs, and stories. Afterwards, you will drive to Lake Bunyonyi and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation (Midrange): Acadia Hotel
Day 17: Spend your Day at Lake Bunyonyi
Today you will spend the entire day exploring and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lake Bunyonyi. You may take a boat ride to some of the islands, and the most exciting island is Punishment Island due to its story about being an execution island for girls with early pregnancy.
Then, you will enjoy the sweet melodies of many small birds swinging around your lodge as you prepare for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation (Midrange): Acadia Hotel
Day 18: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Night Game Drive
Today, you can transfer to Lake Mburo along your route to Kampala, en route to Mbarara city for lunch and also visit the Igongo cultural centre for the rich history of Uganda’s western culture. When you reach the park, please check into your lodge.
Later in the evening, you will go for a night game drive using torches. The night game drive is unique at Lake Mburo, with the highest chances of watching predators actively hunting.
Accommodation (midrange): Arcadia Lodge
Day 19: Horse Riding and Boat Cruise
This morning starts with a delicious breakfast, a drive to Mihingo Lodge, and a horse ride. The wild horse ride is one exciting thing which brings you close to nature and its treasures. The absence of elephants in Lake Mburo makes it easy to do wild horse rides. The horse rides take various trails and rates according to the guest’s desires.
Then, you will embark on a boat ride on Lake Mburo in the afternoonYou’ll be able to. The boat ride is gratifying with various animal encounters, including buffalos, the highest concentration of Impalas and many other considerations. Lastly, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 20: A game drive and drive back to Kampala
Today, you will have a morning game drive through various made tracks watching a variety of wildlife species, including buffalos, impala, bushbucks, warthogs, giraffes, and zebras, among many others. Then, you will take a track that leads you out of the park and joins the main route to Kampala. We will stop at the Equator for photographs and lunch refreshments, then continue to Uganda’s capital. You can reach your hotel in the evening and check in for relaxation.
Accommodation (midrange): Mestil Hotel
Day 21: Fly back home
Visit the Uganda Museum, which narrates almost all the history of Uganda. Afterwards, you will drive to Entebbe and, en route, UWEC (Entebbe Zoo) to watch varieties of wildlife, some of which are not even natives of the country. Suppose your flight is in the evening hours; the driver will drive you back to Entebbe International Airport for your next flight home.
Conclusion
Our driver guide will say goodbye to you on behalf of Early Trails Expedition Uganda. Then, you will take your flight back to your home. We believe after this trip. You will become our next ambassador in your country and area. Thank you!
End of your 3 Weeks Ultimate Uganda Tour
Trip inclusive;
- 4×4 safari vehicle
- All trip fuel
- All meals and soft drinks
- All Park entrances
- All planned trip activities
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Accommodation
- Driver guide
Exclusive;
- Visa and air ticket
- Laundry
- All hard drinks
- Souvenirs
- Tips
- All international flights
