10-Day Culture, and Wildlife Adventure in Uganda

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda

Today you arrive in Uganda – famously known as the Pearl of Africa because of its great diversity and beauty. Our representative and your private guide will receive you at the airport and then transfer you to your accommodation. With all of the incredible wildlife, culture, and natural heritage that this country has to offer, we know that you’re keen to get started. After briefing from your private guide, we shall let you rest as you prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Entebbe is the main air gateway to Uganda. It stands on the lush northern shore of Lake Victoria – the world’s second-largest freshwater body. It’s a very relaxed and low-rise city, offering a good choice of lakeshore restaurants, abundant greenery, and some of the best urban bird-watching anywhere in Africa. Welcome to Uganda!

Day 2: Track Rhinos, Transfer to Murchison Falls

Today you transfer north to Murchison Falls National Park. You will make a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to walk with the rhinos – one of Africa’s Big Five. Thereafter continue to the park. Situated at the northern tip of the Albertine Rift Valley, Murchison Falls National Park boasts the grandeur of the Bunyoro escarpment meeting expansive, palm-studded savannas. Originally designated as a game reserve in 1926, it holds the distinction of being Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. Murchison Falls is a haven for biodiversity, featuring over 144 mammal species, 556 bird species, 51 reptiles, and 51 amphibians. The park is intersected by the Nile, cascading 45m over the rift valley wall to form the spectacular Murchison Falls (also known as Kabalega Falls). Murchison Falls National Park has attracted notable visitors throughout history, including Idi Amin, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and various British royals.

Day 3: Wildlife Viewing and Safari Cruise on the Nile

Take the early morning game drive within the park for the chance to see a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. The day typically begins early with a sunrise game drive. As the sun paints the savanna with warm hues, embark on a safari vehicle to explore the northern sector of the park. Murchison Falls is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and various antelope species. Keep an eye out for these majestic creatures as they start their day, and listen to the symphony of bird calls that fill the air. The open savannah allows for excellent wildlife viewing.

In the afternoon, take a safari cruise on the Nile until you get within a few meters of the bottom of the Murchison Falls. From your vantage point, you will see the Nile’s beauty perfected as it forces itself through a seven-meter cleft in the rocks and plunges 45 meters below. Described as the most exciting thing to happen to the Nile along its 6,000km journey from the source in Uganda to the Mediterranean in Egypt, the 43m-high Murchison Falls on the Nile is also the centerpiece of this wildlife park.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale on the road along the Great Western Rift Valley

The safari section road trip from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park in Uganda offers a transition from savanna landscapes to lush rainforests. The road takes you along the amazing Albertine escarpment – the western Great Rift Valley of Africa. Enjoy great views of the landscapes, Lake Albert, and the beautiful landscapes along the edge of the Great Western Rift Valley. You will also go past the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains, Africa’s 3rd highest mountain after Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. The Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountain of the Moon, are one of the few remaining global ranges with tropical glaciers. You will get to your safari lodge in the afternoon. Your is a small and tranquil family-friendly lodge that combines a wonderful forested setting on the park boundary with accommodation in spacious and stylish cottages. Bird-watchers will be in their element here.

Day 5: Track chimpanzees, Meet the Locals

Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park is a thrilling and immersive experience, offering you the chance to observe these intelligent and charismatic primates in their natural habitat. The opportunity to see chimpanzees in the wild is one of the most memorable of all safari activities. Getting close to these creatures that share so much of our DNA is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the excitement of walking through the forest and knowing that they are close will stay with you forever. Kibale National Park is best known for its population of about 1,000 chimpanzees. The park is one of the most diverse and impressive rainforest reserves in Africa. It is famous for its remarkable primate population and is often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.” An impressive 13 primate species, including the chimpanzees, as well as red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and several others, call this place home. In the afternoon, walk through the village and meet the locals, and if you can share a cup of tea or coffee with them. Discover the ideal blend of modern comfort and an authentic traditional experience.

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Today you will leave the forested lands for the rolling savannas and woodlands. Protecting a tract of acacia woodland quite unlike any other habitat in Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park forms a convenient, popular, and thoroughly worthwhile addition to any safari. A visit here isn’t so much about the Big Five as it is about admiring the hilly setting, exploring the atmospheric wetlands, and enjoying the high concentrations of herbivores such as zebra, giraffe, hippo, warthog, impala, and bushbuck.

Your accommodation is known for its picturesque setting and panoramic views with stunning vistas of Lake Mburo and the surrounding landscapes. The lodge includes comfortable and eco-friendly cottages, a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, and various activities. Take a community tour to experience the life of the cattle keepers and their famous Ankole longhorn cattle.

Day 7: Safari Walk with the Wildlife of Lake Mburo

Set out early in the morning for a walking safari with your guide and ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The absence of big cats like the lion makes Lake Mburo National Park a favorite for walking safaris. Walking will bring you up close to the zebras and the giraffes—giving you a different experience compared to being in a game-drive vehicle. Feel as close as you possibly can to the animals and the landscape when you come with us on this walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park.

Other activities (optional) you can take are a boat ride on Lake Mburo, mountain biking, or horseback safari in the park.

Later transfer to Kampala. You will make a stopover at the equator – a great photo opportunity at the center of the world.

Day 8: White-water rafting on the Nile River

We leave early for the River Nile which is east of Kampala. Our more adventurous guests all rate rafting the Nile as a highlight of their time in Uganda. It’s a thrilling activity, but very safe due to the high standards of guides and equipment. Between navigating rapids such as the notorious Bad Place (ranked Grade 5), there are flat stretches where you can swim and admire the lush equatorial scenery. Our rafting experience can be tailored to individual needs allowing guests with different rafting abilities to enjoy the Nile. We head to the most southern stretch of the Nile, shortly after it flows out of Lake Victoria, to enjoy the lush tropical scenery, prolific birdlife, and poignant location close to the source of the world’s longest river. Optional activities are kayaking, quad-biking, mountain biking, bungee jumping on the Nile, tubing, or horse riding.

Day 9: Enjoy the Nile River Neighborhood

Today is your day to relax after the safari around Uganda. You can choose to spend the morning along the Nile or visit the source of the Nile – the world’s longest river. Take a boat cruise to the point at which the Nile River leaves Lake Victoria, and begins its 6000km journey to Egypt. It is your day, your way. Your private guide will be with you throughout this time. If you are into more activities, you have options of a horseback safari, visiting the markets in Jinja, mountain biking or quad biking through villages, or taking a dip into the Nile on a bungee. Transfer to Kampala. Depending on time of arrival, visit the craft markets shopping for souvenirs and gifts.

Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe for onward Journey

It is your last day. As your adventure safari to Uganda comes to a close we hope you take back great experiences and beautiful memories that will live with you. We wish you a safe onward journey back home and look forward to seeing you again next time you go on safari.

Safari Njema from the Kwezi Outdoors team.