18-Day Trip to Africa – Tailored Holiday & Tour in Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Unzip Africa assigned English-speaking professional tour driver-guide will receive and welcome you to Uganda—the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will transfer to the booked accommodation. You will check in and take your rest—recovering from jet lag, and adjusting to the time difference. #Optional (extra cost): Just in case you reached early and are interested in some activity, you may consider: a). Excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens to sight a few primates and birds. b). Excursion to Mabamba Wetland in search of the prehistoric shoebill stork. Otherwise, check-in and just take your rest.

This morning we shall have breakfast at around 7 or 7:30 am. We shall move out and head for the Mabamba Wetlands. The area is considered one of only a few places in Uganda with a higher chance of spotting the prehistoric shoebill stork. It's fascinating to watch this bird in its natural setting. It may stand absolutely still for a long time awaiting its prey's movements and then suddenly strike with a marvelous speed. From Mabamba, we shall return for lunch and thereafter, embark on a transfer (not so long) that will see us overnight in Jinja—a city famous as the historical source of the Nile River. Arrive, check-in, and have the evening at leisure.

This morning, you are at liberty to choose the activity of your interest and do it. Note: Costs are not included as rates will vary according to one’s choice. If you're adventurous, what better way to start your safari than to experience this most exciting, exhilarating adventure on the Nile firsthand? Get wet! Get wild! Get rafting! In fact, no experience is required to undertake this unforgettable adventure on the Nile (140$). But if you're scared of the rapids, you can consider Kayaking and exploring the Nile on its calm waters (30$). If being in the water is not your thing, let's go quad biking (125$) or mountain biking (30$) and have fun in the countryside. After all, the fun is in Jinja, we shall transfer to the Sipi Area—Kapchorwa. Check in and spend the evening at leisure.

You will have breakfast and thereafter, proceed out to explore the Sipi Falls. The hiking (about 2½ - 3 hours) takes you to explore the nearby Sipi Falls which is a set of 3 falls. The views are breathtaking and make for a great excursion while in Sipi. The (afternoon) coffee tour on the other hand will enable you to trace the story of coffee from seed to that in the cup and you don’t want to miss this informative experience. Later, just relax at the accommodation with a spectacular view of Sipi right in front of you.

We shall enjoy breakfast and then embark on a (not-so-long) transfer to Moroto via Soroti. Moroto is a town situated at the foot of the massive Mount Moroto and the surrounding savannah plains. A visit here gets you closer to one of Uganda’s most indigenous tribes, the Karamojong and the Tepeth. We hope to arrive around 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm and after check-in at the camp. There will be lunch before we can proceed to visit the Tepeth tribe. They are hunter-gatherers from origin and were the first inhabitants of Karamoja land. When the nomadic pastoral Karamojong migrated into their land, they moved into the highlands till today. This visit will surely offer us an insight into their lives.

We will have breakfast and move out to explore a bit of Mount Moroto on a short trek (half-day). This will be a less strenuous climb offering a mix of rich encounters with Uganda’s highland people, breathtaking views and unique sights along the trail. We shall return to the camp for lunch and some rest before moving out again to encounter the local people. The Karamojong village experience will offer a firsthand impression of Uganda’s last living traditional cultures. Experience traditional life, domestic duties and colorful dances and games. Just immerse yourself in the beating heart of the community and this will be an unforgettable journey.

Have breakfast and drive off to Kidepo Valley National Park, arriving in time for some rest and lunch before going out for game viewing. You will proceed for game viewing in the Narus Valley in the south sector of Kidepo. Narus is the sector of Kidepo that has savannah grassland mixed with acacia woodland. It is also the area of the park with permanent water sources throughout the year and for that matter, most of the animals are in this part of the park. Be on the look for large herds of buffaloes, elephants, many zebras, antelope species, lions, and elusive leopards. You will return to the accommodation for dinner and your overnight stay.

Enjoy your breakfast then embark on a sunrise game drive/safari where you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife including lions, herds of buffalos, elephants, zebras, or the elusive leopard among others. Return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation. After a good rest, move on to the Karamojong community, a cultural encounter where you will spend a wonderful afternoon (evening) with the Karamojong people. You'll have an insight into their way of life and beliefs. Dinner and your overnight stay at the booked accommodation.

This morning we will have breakfast and then move out to explore the African savannah on foot. Accompanied by an armed ranger-guide, you will venture along dry river beds, over rocky outcrops through bushland to track the resident wildlife. If you end up in Kidepo River Valley, a stroll on its wide bed of white sand or in the Borassus palm forest which feels like an oasis in the Sahara is a fascinating attraction. Later (afternoon session), we shall return to the Narus Valley for more African wildlife encounters. Return for dinner and your overnight stay.

Be up early, have breakfast, and proceed for an early-riser game viewing. Thereafter, exit Kidepo and hit the road to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. You will reach Murchison and do little but check into your accommodation then have some rest, dinner and your overnight stay. #Optional (extra cost 40$): You may consider a breathtaking night game drive to have a rare encounter of the nightlife in the wild.

Have breakfast then depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest national park and be on the look for wildlife including lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including hippos, crocodiles and several water birds. #Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill of reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your accommodation and relax.

We will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic—passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check-in and just relax. #Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, you can proceed with the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.

Have breakfast and proceed for the Bigodi Wetlands excursion. The Bigodi Wetland boasts of an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primate species like the black and white Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the area is the great blue turaco. From Bigodi, we shall embark on a transfer (about 2 hours) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will reach Queen early enough to have lunch, rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbucks, bushbucks, kobs, warthogs, elephants, lions and buffaloes to mention but a few. Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). Return to your accommodation and take your rest.

We shall have breakfast and proceed for the chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is home to habituated chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.

Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to the Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector). With a strenuous day ahead, we recommend that you check in and relax in preparation for tomorrow's trek.

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The terrain varies with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation and have some rest before moving out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This involves cultural dances from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, and weaving among others. Return for dinner and your overnight stay at the lodge.

Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topis, impalas, Uganda kobs and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. #Optional (extra cost 30$): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.

Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range) zebras, giraffes, eland, topi and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others. Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe Airport to catch the flight (6:00 pm or later).