Two Weeks in Uganda- 14 Day Uganda Safari, Africa Big Five, Culture, Gorilla Vacation in Uganda

The 14 Days gorilla vacation takes you to the country’s most beautiful and less visited tourist destinations such as Sipi Falls, Pian Upe game reserve, Kidepo Valley National park, Karamoja region, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable N.P among others to see a variety of bird species, primates, unique cultures and other animal species including the African Big-Five (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino). Below is the proposed day by day Itinerary;

  • Day 1: Kampala to Jinja (2hrs)

Pick up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe early morning after breakfast and transfer to Jinja, located in Eastern Uganda. The journey is 2 hr drive due to slow traffic, arrive in time for white water rafting adventure on the mighty River Nile. Dinner and overnight at Nile Explorer Camp or Sun-set Hotel or Nile Resort Hotel.

  • Day 2: Jinja to Sipi Falls (4hrs)

A relaxed morning, breakfast, followed a picnic drive to Sipi falls in Mbale (4hrs). Afternoon hike to Sipi falls, dinner and overnight at Lacam Lodge, Moses Camp, Sipi River Lodge.

  • Day 3: Pian Upe Game Reserve

Breakfast followed by a 2-3 hours drive to Pian Upe Game Reserve, one of the best-kept secrets of Uganda. Major tour activities here include game viewing to different animals not found anywhere in Uganda such as the Roan Antelope and white-eared Kob, bird watching, guided walks, cultural tours, Mount Kadam hiking, and Napendio Caves exploration among others. Dinner and overnight in Uganda Wildlife Bandas or Camping with own tent.

  • Day 4: Explore Moroto Mountain and Villages

Breakfast and drive to Moroto, check-in Kara-Tunga lodge, and if interested, take a community tour around Moroto villages, or climb Mount Moroto; the highest mountain of the Karamoja region located in the untouched northeast of the country. Hiking options here include; 3-hours hike, half-day hike, full-day and more. Dinner and overnight at Kara-Tunga Lodge.

  • Day 5: Moroto to Kidepo Valley National Park (4hrs)

Breakfast at Kara-Tunga lodge and drive to North Eastern Uganda to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of the remotest and less-visited Parks in the country. The journey is so amazing as it goes through remote areas with beautiful views, giving you the best insight of the true African wilderness, dinner and overnight at Apoka Campsite, Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp, Kidepo Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savanah Resort or Apoka Safari Lodge.

  • Day 6: Full Day Game drive

Breakfast at the lodge and embark on our 4×4 safari Jeep with a professional park guide in the search for early risers and predators before they return to their hide-outs. Expect an encounter with the African Lions, Leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, elephants, Ostriches, to mention but a few. All meals and overnight stay as on Day 5.

  • Day 7: Nature Safari walk or Visit the Ike People

Another day in Kidepo National park; we can take another fantastic game drive up to South-Sudan border, take a nature safari walk through the park, or hike to Mount Morungole to meek the Ike people to learn more about their cultures, and historical ways of life. All meals and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

  • Day 8: Murchison Falls National Park

Breakfast followed by transfer to Murchison Falls National Park through Kitgum and Gulu towns. It’s a 5 hours journey through remote areas of Northern Uganda, lunch en-route, dinner and overnight at Fort Murchison Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s or Murchison River Lodge.

  • Day 9: Murchison Falls National Park

A cup of tea or coffee followed by a morning game drive to search for the African lion, leopard, elephants, giraffe, buffalo, hartebeest, oribi, warthog, and many other animals in the park.
After having lunch, embark on a fantastic boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, where you will able to have a clear perspective of various water-loving animals such as hippos, huge Nile crocodiles, various bird species such as the rare shoebill stork, dinner and overnight at your lodge.

  • Day 10: Transfer to Kibale National Park (7-9hrs)

Leave early for Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 primate species such as Chimpanzees, golden monkeys, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and many others. Lunch en-route, dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge, Papaya Guest House, Isunga Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge or Rweteera Safari Park.

  • Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking or Habituation experience

Assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations followed during the walk-in search for the chimpanzees. The trek is half-day, done either in morning or afternoon depending on the availability of permits.

After lunch, proceed for Bigodi wetland sanctuary; a community centred venture to promote eco-tourism, see a wide range of bird species as well as other animals like apes, monkeys and baboons among others.

Chimpanzee habituation, on the other hand, takes a full day with chimps in the Jungle! Dinner and overnight at the lodge/campsite.

  • Day 12: Transfer to Bwindi N.P via Isasha sector for tree climbing lions

Transfer to Bwindi National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The journey is 5-7 hours, with en-route game viewing in the Ishasha sector famous for tree-climbing lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its the only destination to see the tree-climbing lions. Lunch en route, dinner and overnight stay at Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma community Camp or Bakiga Lodge.

  • Day 13: Gorilla Trekking Experience

With your packed lunch and water, assemble at the headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking in Bwindi Jungle (Highlight of your Gorilla Vacation). The gorilla trek sometimes takes 2 – 7 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas in the Jungle. A maximum of 60 minutes allowed with the gorillas, take pictures and videos before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

  • Day 14: Departure

Early breakfast and hit the road back to Kampala with en-route stop at the equator for photographs, arrive in Kampala or Entebbe by late afternoon where the tour ends.

End of the tour