16 Days Uganda Cultural, Wildlife and Primate Safari

16 Days Uganda Cultural, Wildlife and Primate Safari Expedition

Experience the diversity of Uganda on this 16 Days Uganda Cultural, Wildlife and Primate Safari expedition. Go mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, then discover the mighty Murchison Falls. This trip offers some of the best wildlife experiences in the country, as well as real cultural experiences.

Your trip starts on the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe and moves east to the Source of the Nile and the stunning Sipi Falls. Travel north to Murchison Falls National Park after a taste of local culture in the Teso region. The trip continues to Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo before returning to Entebbe.

Along the way, enjoy shoebill birdwatching, rhino tracking, white-water rafting, waterfall hikes, coffee experiences, game drives, boat cruises and opportunities to connect with local communities.

This is more than a wild safari. It provides a chance to witness the beauty of Uganda’s nature, its cultural diversity and friendly people.

Explore Uganda’s wildlife, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, spectacular landscapes and living cultural heritage on one unforgettable 17-day safari.

Safari Highlights

• Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
• Shoebill birdwatching excursion at Mabamba Wetland.
• On-foot rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• White-water rafting on the River Nile in Jinja.
• Visit to the Source of the Nile.
• Sipi Falls hiking and Arabica coffee experience.
• Visit to the ancient Nyero Rock Paintings.
• Teso cultural experience and community visit.
• Wildlife viewing and boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi.
• Relaxation and island excursion on Lake Bunyonyi.
• Game drives and boat cruise in Lake Mburo National Park.

Detailed 17-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Your Hotel

Welcome to Uganda!

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by your safari representative and transferred to your hotel.

Enjoy your first impressions of Uganda as you settle into the laid back atmosphere of Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria. Depending on when you arrive, you can relax at the hotel and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Accommodation: The Boma Hotel, Entebbe.

Day 1: Shoebill Birdwatching at Mabamba and Transfer to Ziwa

Start the day early with a transfer to Mabamba Wetland for a guided birdwatching excursion by boat. Mabamba is one of Uganda’s recognised birding destinations and is particularly famous for the elusive shoebill stork.

Hire a local guide to take you through the wetland channels looking for the shoebill and other waterbirds.

You will then drive north to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. On arrival you will rest and relax this evening

Accommodation: Ziwa chalets.

Day 2: Rhino tracking and Transfer to Jinja

After breakfast, do the rhino tracking with the help of a park ranger leading and later head east to Jinja, a lively town linked to the Source of the Nile.

Enjoy the scenic drive to your accommodation at the heart of the Nile.

Return to your accommodation for dinner and the nite.

Accommodation: Lemala wildwaters lodge.

Day 3: White water rafting and relax by the pool

After breakfast, get ready for an exciting white-water rafting adventure on the River Nile.

Enjoy the rapids of the river and beautiful surroundings with experienced activity guides. Depending on your experience and the conditions of the activity, there are different rafting options and later return for lunch at the lodge pool.

Day 4: Source of the Nile – Transfer to Sipi Falls and Coffee Experience

After breakfast, travel to Jinja to visit the Source of the Nile. Take a boat excursion to discover the importance of the river then continue to the eastern slopes of Mount Elgon.

Arrive at Sipi Falls, a beautiful area known for its spectacular waterfalls, lush hills and Arabica coffee plantations.

afternoon, enjoy a local coffee, learn about coffee cultivation, harvest, processing and preparation from garden to cup.

Head back to your lodge for dinner and enjoy the scenery around.

Accommodation: Sipi heritage lodge.

Day 5: Sipi Falls Hike – Nyero Rock Paintings – Soroti

After breakfast take a guided hike around Sipi Falls. You can walk on local trails and discover the surrounding landscapes and views of the waterfalls.

Later meet your driver-guide and drive to Soroti with stopover at Nyero Rock Paintings.

Explore this important cultural and archeological site where ancient rock art reveals the lives and artistic heritage of past societies.

Proceed to Soroti for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hursey Resort.

Day 6: Teso Cultural Experience and Community Visit

Today we will experience the culture and community life of the Teso region.

Explore a local community and learn about the day-to-day life, traditional customs and history of the region. The program also involves meeting older members of the community and supporting through an organized charitable activity.

Later enjoy traditional Iteso cultural performances and dancing, an opportunity to appreciate the cultural heritage of the region.

Drive back to Soroti for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Hursey Resort.

Day 7: Soroti to Murchison Falls National Park – Evening Game Drive

Depart Soroti after a very early breakfast and drive toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park.

Arrive and transfer to your lodge for lunch and relaxation time.

Later, venture out for an evening game drive, looking for wildlife. Depending on the days you see animals you can find elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and predators like lions and leopards.

Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge.

Day 8: Murchison Falls Game Drive – Nile Boat Cruise – Night Game Drive

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the park’s savannah plains. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks and predators.

Return to the lodge for lunch before heading to the Nile for a boat cruise towards the spectacular Murchison Falls.

Enjoy views of hippos, crocodiles and many bird species along the riverbanks. The boat ride gives a different view of the animals and scenery of the park.

We have planned an evening or nite game drive to explore the park after dark and look for nocturnal wildlife. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the activity is subject to park regulations and availability.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge.

Day 9: Murchison Falls – Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, you will drive south to Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world.

You’ll enjoy the changing scenery while driving from the savanna landscapes in the north to the greener countryside of western Uganda.

Stop for lunch on the way and then continue on to Kibale. Later in the day arrive at your lodge, enjoy the peaceful forest setting and relax.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.

Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale – Bigodi Wetland and Local Food Experience

Have breakfast and then make your way to the park briefing point for your chimpanzee tracking experience.

Join an experienced guide and visit Kibale Forest to track down wild chimpanzees. Listen to their calls and see how they act as they move through the forest, feeding and interacting with one another.

Kibale also supports populations of several other primate species such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

After chimpanzee tracking, take a guided community-based nature walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, and enjoy the chance to explore its birdlife and wetland ecosystem.

Later, you will have a local food preparation experience, learning how traditional ingredients are gathered and prepared, before sharing a meal.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Leave Kibale after breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The journey takes you through beautiful western Ugandan landscapes with chances to see wildlife as you enter the park.

Watch a game drive before taking a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.

The channel is known for its abundance of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and waterbirds. Bring your camera, because animals often gather at the water’s edge.

After the cruise, proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge.

Day 12: Experiential Wildlife Activity and Full-Day Game Drive

There is more time to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park now.

Start with a morning wildlife experience organized with a local conservation or research team, with a particular focus on the park’s large predators, including lions and leopards.

Continue exploring the Kasenyi Plains, one of the park’s well-known wildlife viewing areas. Look for Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, lions and other savannah species.

Enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge.

Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Batwa Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to a large population of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Enjoy a scenic drive through the changing landscapes of southwestern Uganda and the highlands.

Arrive in time for lunch at Bwindi area, depending on the road condition and selected trekking sector.

In the afternoon visit the Batwa community. Discover the traditional forest heritage of the Batwa, their historical relationship with the forest and how changes in conservation affected their way of life.

Drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Buhoma Uganda Exclusive Camps.

Day 14: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is one of the highlights of your Uganda safari, the mountain gorilla trekking.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing by rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

You will join your assigned trekking group and go into Bwindi’s ancient rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.

The hike can take several hours depending on gorilla movement and location. Trails can be steep, muddy and physically demanding and therefore appropriate hiking footwear and reasonable fitness are recommended.

Once the gorillas are found you will be allocated a maximum of one hour to observe them in their natural habitat, following the ranger’s instructions and current wildlife viewing guidelines.

You return to the lodge from the trek and relax and have dinner.

Accommodation: Buhoma Uganda Exclusive Camps.

Day 15: Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi Island Excursion

After breakfast set off for Lake Bunyonyi one of Uganda’s most scenic highland lakes.

Enjoy the beautiful trip through the highlands of the southwest to the lake.

Afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the lake by boat. Explore selected islands to discover the area’s history, communities and landscapes.

After the forest trekking experience, Lake Bunyonyi is a peaceful change of pace.

Return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Arcadia Lodge Bunyonyi.

Day 16: Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo National Park – Evening Wildlife Activities

After breakfast drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Stop at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch and a cultural experience to learn about the cultural heritage of south western Uganda.

• Register at your lodge and then go into the park.

Take an evening game drive to find zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffaloes and other wildlife.

Depending on the confirmed schedule and arrangement, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to see hippos and water birds.

Back to the lodge for dinner and the nite.

Accommodation: Kigarama Uganda Cultural Lodges.

Day 17: Lake Mburo – Equator Stop – Entebbe Departure

Eat breakfast, then start the drive back to Entebbe.

Stop at the Equator crossing for photo opportunity and a short break before continuing to Entebbe International Airport.

Arrive in time for your onward flight, subject to your flight schedule and road conditions.

End of safari.

17-Day Uganda Safari Package Inclusions

The package is designed to include the following services:

• Mountain gorilla trekking permit.
• Chimpanzee tracking permit.
• Rhino tracking experience.
• Shoebill birdwatching excursion.
• Visit to the Source of the Nile.
• White-water rafting experience.
• Sipi Falls hiking experience.
• Local coffee experience.
• Cultural and community experiences.
• Park entrance fees and applicable government taxes.
• Accommodation on a full-board basis.
• Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle.
• Nile boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
• Exclusive boat excursion to the Nile Delta, where confirmed in the final programme.
• Visit to the top of Murchison Falls, subject to the confirmed activity arrangements.
• Safari transportation and guiding services as specified in the final quotation.

What Is Not Included?

The following expenses are excluded unless specifically agreed in your booking:

• International flights and applicable air tickets.
• Uganda visa fees.
• Travel insurance.
• Tips and gratuities.
• Laundry services.
• Personal purchases and expenses.
• Additional drinks and meals not specified in the itinerary.
• Optional activities not included in the confirmed package.

Book Your 17-Day Uganda Cultural, Wildlife and Primate Safari

Experience Uganda beyond the ordinary safari. From the shoebill wetlands of Mabamba and the Source of the Nile to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi and the savannah wildlife of Murchison Falls, this journey brings together the country’s remarkable natural and cultural diversity.

Pearl Nature Holidays can help arrange your permits, accommodation, safari transportation and guided experiences to create a memorable Uganda holiday.

Contact Pearl Nature Holidays today to request an updated quotation for this 16-day Uganda cultural, wildlife and primate expedition.

Share your preferred travel dates and number of travellers, and we will help you plan your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for a comprehensive Uganda safari?

A 16-day safari allows you to explore several of Uganda’s major wildlife destinations while including cultural experiences, primate tracking, adventure activities and scenic stops.

Does this Uganda safari include gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?

Yes. The itinerary includes mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.

Can I see the shoebill stork in Uganda?

The itinerary includes a guided birdwatching excursion at Mabamba Wetland, a well-known location for shoebill sightings. However, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Is white-water rafting included?

Yes. The itinerary includes an afternoon white-water rafting experience on the River Nile in Jinja, subject to the confirmed activity arrangements.

What cultural experiences are included?

The journey includes a Teso community and cultural experience, Nyero Rock Paintings, a local food preparation experience around Kibale, a Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi and a visit to Igongo Cultural Centre.

What is the best time to take this Uganda safari?

Uganda can be visited throughout the year. Drier periods are often preferred for hiking, gorilla trekking and game drives, although weather conditions can vary and rain is possible at any time.

Is the 17-day Uganda safari suitable for couples?

Yes. It can be arranged for couples, families and private groups, with accommodation and activities tailored to the travellers’ preferences and physical abilities.