16 Days Grand Uganda Safari from North to South

The 16 Days Grand Uganda Safari from North to South offers an unforgettable adventure through Uganda’s most iconic and diverse destinations. This comprehensive safari will take you from the vibrant town of Entebbe to the scenic Sipi Falls, the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley, and the rich wildlife areas of Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, you will encounter unique cultures, witness breathtaking landscapes, and enjoy wildlife experiences that include gorilla trekking, game drives, and boat cruises.

Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a culture lover, or an adventure seeker, this 16-day journey provides the ultimate Ugandan experience.

Highlights

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Game drives and boat safaris in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Birdwatching and wildlife encounters in Pian Upe Game Reserve and Kidepo Valley National Park
• Scenic hike to the stunning Sipi Falls
• Boat cruise on the Nile and visit to the Source of the Nile in Jinja
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
• Relaxing at the beautiful Lake Mburo National Park

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Your 16-day Grand Uganda Safari begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport. You will be welcomed by your guide, who will brief you on the exciting adventure ahead. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the option to explore the nearby Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight in Entebbe at a hotel or lodge, where you can rest and prepare for the journey.

Day 2: Transfer to Jinja

Scenic Drive to Jinja

After breakfast, you will set off for Jinja, located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Along the way, you will enjoy scenic views of Uganda’s lush countryside. Jinja is known for being the adventure capital of East Africa and is home to the Source of the Nile.

Visit the Source of the Nile and Optional Adventure Activities

In the afternoon, you will visit the Source of the Nile, where the river starts its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea. You can enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile or participate in optional adventure activities like white-water rafting, bungee jumping, or quad biking.

Accommodation:

Spend the night at a lodge or hotel in Jinja, with views of the Nile River.

Day 3: Transfer to Sipi Falls

Scenic Drive to Sipi Falls

On Day 3, you will depart Jinja and travel to Sipi Falls, located at the foothills of Mount Elgon. The drive will take you through Uganda’s eastern region, passing through rural towns and lush farmlands. Sipi Falls is a series of three beautiful waterfalls set against the backdrop of rolling hills and coffee plantations.

Hike to Sipi Falls

In the afternoon, you will embark on a guided hike to explore the three main waterfalls. The hike offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and opportunities to spot various bird species. You will also visit local coffee farms and learn about the traditional coffee-making process.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight at a lodge with views of the falls.

Day 4: Transfer to Pian Upe Game Reserve

Drive to Pian Upe Game Reserve

After breakfast, you will set off for Pian Upe Game Reserve, one of Uganda’s lesser-known but incredibly scenic wildlife reserves. Located in the Karamoja region, Pian Upe is a vast wilderness offering unique birdwatching and wildlife experiences.

Birdwatching and Game Drive in Pian Upe

Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive in the reserve. Look out for wildlife such as cheetahs, zebras, elands, and Uganda’s only population of ostriches. The reserve is also home to various bird species, making it a great destination for birdwatchers.

Accommodation:

Spend the night at a lodge or campsite within or near the reserve.

Day 5-6: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

Journey to Kidepo Valley National Park

On Day 5, you will continue your journey north to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most remote and wild parks. Kidepo is known for its rugged landscapes, dramatic valleys, and abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffaloes, and leopards.

Game Drives and Cultural Encounters

Over the next two days, you will embark on thrilling game drives through the park’s savannahs and valleys. Kidepo’s remote location means fewer tourists and more intimate wildlife encounters. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Karamojong people, a semi-nomadic tribe with rich cultural traditions.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight at a lodge or camp inside Kidepo Valley National Park.

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Scenic Drive to Murchison Falls

After breakfast, you will depart Kidepo and drive to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive will take you through Uganda’s northern region, offering beautiful views of rural life and landscapes.

Arrival and Relaxation

Upon arrival in Murchison Falls, you will check into your lodge and relax after a long journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the option to visit the Top of the Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge, creating a powerful waterfall.

Accommodation:

Spend the night at a lodge in Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 8: Game Drive and Boat Safari on the Nile

Morning Game Drive

Begin your day with an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including giraffes, elephants, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes. Your guide will help you track these animals and enjoy the stunning views of the savannah.

Afternoon Boat Safari on the Nile

In the afternoon, you will take a boat safari along the Nile River. This boat trip offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. The cruise will take you to the base of Murchison Falls, where you can witness the raw power of the falls from below.

Accommodation:

Return to your lodge in Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 9: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Scenic Drive to Kibale

On Day 9, you will leave Murchison Falls and head to Kibale Forest National Park, which is famous for its population of chimpanzees. The drive will take you through beautiful scenery, including tea plantations and rural villages.

Arrival and Relaxation

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge near Kibale Forest and relax in preparation for the next day’s chimpanzee tracking adventure.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight at a lodge near Kibale Forest.

Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Morning Chimpanzee Tracking

Start your day with a thrilling chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest. After a briefing by the park rangers, you will set off into the forest in search of these primates. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, and spending time with them in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.

Afternoon Nature Walk or Bigodi Wetland Birding

In the afternoon, you can choose to explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a birdwatcher’s paradise, or take a nature walk through the surrounding forest, where you may encounter other primates and bird species.

Accommodation:

Return to your lodge near Kibale Forest.

Day 11-12: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular parks. The park offers a diverse range of habitats, including savannas, wetlands, and crater lakes, making it an excellent destination for wildlife viewing.

Game Drives and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Over the next two days, you will explore the park with game drives and a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, which is famous for its high concentration of hippos and birds. You will also visit the Ishasha sector, where you can spot the famous tree-climbing lions.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight at a lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 13-14: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Drive to Bwindi

On Day 13, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

On Day 14, you will embark on one of the most exciting parts of your safari: gorilla trekking. After a briefing from the park rangers, you will set off into the dense forest to track one of the habituated gorilla families. Spending time with these majestic creatures is a truly life-changing experience.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight at a lodge near Bwindi.

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Scenic Drive to Lake Mburo

After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest but most scenic parks. The park is home to zebras, elands, impalas, and various bird species.

Afternoon Game Drive or Boat Safari

Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive or a boat safari on Lake Mburo, where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight at a lodge in Lake Mburo National Park.

Day 16: Departure via Entebbe

Morning Nature Walk and Transfer to Entebbe

On the final day of your safari, you will enjoy a morning nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park before transferring back to Entebbe. Depending on your flight time, you may have a stopover at the equator for photos and souvenir shopping.

Departure

You will be dropped off at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 16 Days Grand Uganda Safari.

The 16 Days Grand Uganda Safari from North to South offers a rich and diverse experience, taking you through Uganda’s most iconic destinations. From the wildlife of Kidepo and Murchison to the primates of Kibale and Bwindi, this safari provides the perfect balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation across Uganda’s stunning landscapes.