OVER VIEW
Immerse yourself in Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes on this 12 days Wildlife and Walking Safari. Uncover the secrets of the Nile River’s source, marvel at the stunning Sipi Falls, and explore the wild beauty of Pian Upe Reserve.
Experience the untamed wonders of Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls National Parks with thrilling game safaris. Cap off your journey with an exhilarating rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Dive into nature’s splendor on this unforgettable expedition!
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Discover the Mystique of Ssezibwa Falls and Cultural Site
- Adventure in Mabira Forest, Zip Lining and Nature Walks in the forest.
- Hike to the stunning Sipi Falls while supporting the livelihoods of local Arabica coffee growers.
- Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Mt. Elgon Forest.
- Take a Nature walk and Community Visit in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
- Witness breathtaking wildlife and rugged mountain scenery in Kidepo Valley National Park.
- Visit with the Dodoth Community and support community-led tourism.
- Top of the falls Hike at the iconic Murchison Falls National Park.
- Explore Budongo Forest on a Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino Tracking on Foot
Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
On this day, you will head to Ssezibwa Falls, a cultural site, and learn about preserved African traditional cultures. Proceed to Mabira Forest arriving in time for lunch. There after you will enjoy a thrilling zip-line experience that will send you soaring between the tallest trees in the rainforest.
This adventure includes a network of five zip-lines spanning 250 meters. High up in the canopy, you can admire the forest layers and spot wildlife such as grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkeys, as well as birds like palm nut vultures, African fish eagles, and great blue turacos. You’ll also hear the roaring Griffin Falls below.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Rain Forest Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
On this day, you will head to Mabira Forest for a nature walk. The forest is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including mammals like red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, and birds such as the great blue turaco, black-and-white-crowned hornbill, and the rare Nahan’s francolin, Cassin’s hawk, and purple-necked goshawk.
Head back to the Lodge for lunch and relaxation in the evening at the Lodge. Alternatively you may head back to the Forest for a Birdwatching session. Mabira forest bird list stands at about 316 species. There are 74 species of the Guinea – Congo Forests biome out of the total 144 recorded in Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Rain Forest Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, we journey towards Tororo, pausing to marvel at Tororo Rock, a towering formation that commands a 300-meter elevation above the plains. Our route continues to Mbale, a town at the base of Mount Elgon, renowned for its rich heritage and captivating culture.
Enjoy a delightful lunch in Mbale, surrounded by picturesque viewpoints along the way, before we proceed to Sipi Village. This charming settlement is positioned amidst cascading waterfalls and majestic mountains, offering a serene retreat.
Start the nature walk to the base of this renowned waterfall, then continue with a challenging ascent to explore a series of caves. The journey begins with a leisurely nature walk that leads you to the base of the majestic waterfall, where the rushing waters cascade down rocky cliffs amidst lush greenery.
As the trail ascends with a moderate climb, journey through picturesque landscapes adorned with maize fields, verdant banana plantations, charming bandas, and traditional thatched-roof huts- homesteads. You'll encounter additional cascades of Sipi Falls, each offering its own unique charm and scenic allure. Take in the inspiring sights and sounds of nature, pausing to cool off under the refreshing spray of the falls, and admire breathtaking views overlooking the valley below.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, we take a scenic drive to the Mount Elgon Forest Exploration Centre. This extinct volcano, straddling the Uganda-Kenya border, towers at 4,321 meters, making it East Africa's fourth-highest mountain and Uganda's second-highest peak. The day is dedicated to hiking, offering an opportunity to explore the mountain forest's incredible diversity. Two unique trails lead past sparkling waterfalls, hidden caves, and stunning viewpoints.
For birdwatchers, Mount Elgon is a paradise, home to an impressive 300 bird species. After a picnic lunch, you will explore the Kapkwai cave, the Cave exhibits unique geological formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites, formed over thousands of years. These natural features add to the allure and intrigue of the cave environment.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Today, you'll journey from Sipi Falls to the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve on a 4 hrs drive immersing yourself in its vast plains. These plains are a tapestry of wilderness, rolling savannahs, and acacia woodlands, adorned with weathered rock formations. In the backdrop stand the majestic Mount Kadam and Mount Napak.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before embarking on an exploration of the reserve's network of wildlife tracks. Look out for the rare Roan antelope, alongside oribi, klipspringer, hyenas, ostriches, leopards, impala, Jackson’s hartebeest, and Rothschild giraffes. Make sure to watch for cheetahs as well, this reserve offers the best opportunity in Uganda to spot these graceful cats. Later, continue your journey to your place of overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp.
Comfort Level: Mid-range
This day starts with a guided nature walk to get up close and personal with the wilderness at Pian Upe wildlife reserve. For sightseeing, look out for zebras, antelopes, baboons, and the many birds in the reserve. The Reserve is also a birding paradise with over 300 bird species recorded. After a picnic lunch, engage in cultural interactions, visit local communities, and learn about their traditions, dances, and way of life.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Comfort Level: Mid-range
This day is spent traversing the vast plains and semi-arid savannah of North Eastern Uganda to Kidepo Valley National Park arriving in time for lunch. Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the wildest and most spectacular reserves in Africa with a landscape of small hills, rocky outcrops, and inselbergs.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Today you we get to explore the savannah plains on the park, across a backdrop of the surrounding rugged hillsides. This is an excellent time for as you look out for a variety of game herds in the Narus Valley including Burchell’s zebra, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, African buffalo, and Grant’s gazelle as you drive.
Later head back for lunch and relaxation before setting off for a 3-4 hour cultural experience with a visit to the Dodoth Village. Meet local elders and engage in meaningful interactions as you learn traditional practices such as preparing local brew, grinding grains, and experiencing the vibrant Emuya and Edonga dances. The day winds down with a scenic hike, offering views of landscapes stretching from Kenya to South Sudan.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Head southwards to Murchison Falls National Park. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park and is home to over 400 bird species. The park is also endowed with several attractions including mammal species with four members of the big five, the lion, the leopards, the elephants, and the Buffaloes. Other species include bushbucks, Uganda Kob, waterbucks, warthogs, giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeest, hyenas, hippos, and crocodiles among other resident creatures.
You will drive through the flat scenic landscape with local villages while enjoying the Ugandan countryside. You will arrive at Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon and check in at your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, head to the top of the falls where you’ll marvel at the spectacle of the White Nile surging through a 7-meter wide gap in the rock face, cutting through Fajao Gorge, and falling 43 meters into the river below, before it meanders off through the savannah plains of the park. Thereafter head to Budongo Forest arriving in time for lunch.
After lunch, set out for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking adventure in Budongo Forest. With the guidance of expert trackers, navigate through lush greenery and towering mahogany trees, listening for the telltale calls and rustling leaves of the forest’s dynamic primate residents. Watch in awe as these intelligent creatures go about their daily routines—playing, grooming, and foraging in their natural habitat. This close encounter offers profound insights into the lives of one of humanity's closest relatives, making it a truly transformative wildlife experience.
Later head back to the camp for relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Fort Murchison
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, depart from Murchison Falls National Park via the Kichumbanyobo Gate, heading toward Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—the proud home of Uganda's only population of Southern White Rhinos. Upon arrival, meet your expert ranger guide for a thrilling on-foot rhino trekking experience.
Traverse the grasslands and African bush as you observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, learning fascinating insights about their behavior and conservation efforts. Following the trek, enjoy an informative briefing about the sanctuary’s conservation initiatives and other ongoing projects dedicated to wildlife protection.
Have lunch before continuing your journey back to Entebbe. Depending on your flight schedule, you may relax with a convenient day room until your transfer to the airport for departure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.
• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Binoculars and a good camera.
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.
• Nature blending clothes
Included in the Itinerary
- Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel
- Rhino Trekking
- All Nature walks
- All Community Visits
- All Boat Cruises
- All Game Drives
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Drinking water / refillable water bottle
- English-speaking Birding Guide
- Accommodation and Meals
- All Park Entrance Fees.
Excluded in the Itinerary
- International Airfares;
- Visa Fees;
- Drinks and Beverages
- Tips, and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff
- Optional activities unless specified as included
- Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa’s Untamed Beauty
Uganda, aptly named the Pearl of Africa, is a land Gifted by Nature. It is located in the Great Lakes Region with breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary biodiversity, and unforgettable adventures. This remarkably diverse country is where the East African savannah meets the lush West African jungle, creating an ecological paradise unlike any other.
Towering over Uganda’s landscapes are the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s third-highest range, and the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes, while the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, cradle its southern border. Lying in a basin between the eastern and western branches of the Rift Valley, Uganda’s elevated position gives it a more temperate climate than its equatorial location might suggest. Most of the country sits over 1,000 meters above sea level, with a landscape that is largely flat apart from the forested mountain ranges that often define its borders.
One of Africa’s most water-rich nations, Uganda’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands cover 25% of its surface, keeping the landscape lush and green for most of the year—though the northern region gradually transitions into semi-desert.
Nowhere else on the continent can travelers witness such a rich variety of primates with such ease. From great apes—mountain gorillas and chimpanzees—to over a dozen monkey species, Uganda is a primate lover’s paradise. But it’s not just primates that thrive here. With over 1,000 bird species, Uganda is a birder’s wonderland, home to rare rainforest specialists and some of Africa’s most sought-after birds.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.
Entry Requirements:
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$50). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at least two weeks before your arrival. You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.
Visa Exempt Countries:
The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).
East Africa Tourist Visa:
If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, valid for 90 days at USD 100 per visa. For more information go through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
Money and Currency:
Before you travel, call your credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling. This will help to ensure the credit card company won’t flag any of your vacation expenses. ATMs are available in major towns or cities though at times may not be reliable due to a limited amount of money to be withdrawn.
- Credit cards are widely accepted within Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Major hotels and restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard. AMEX and others are not recommended as establishments usually don’t support them. Note that a surcharge of 5% is attached to their usage.
- Local Currencies are recommended to use while on safari. There are many forex bureaus and banks in the capital cities and the main towns. Smaller denominations than US$100 may attract a less favorable rate of exchange. Notes older than 2010 may not be accepted in the country.
- Forex Bureaus are located in major towns or cities and have regular banking hours Monday to Friday from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs. Saturdays are open from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs. Traveler’s Cheques may be changed in major towns/cities. American Express cheques are accepted but they do attract a low rate. If you can, forego this option. Note: A purchase receipt and a passport are often asked for by the bank and forex bureaus as proof of ownership.
Health and Medical Information
Travelers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure otherwise you won't obtain a visa. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. On top of that it is also advised you get vaccinations for DTP, Hepatitis A and malaria. Some organizations may advice you to take Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis B and Rabies as well. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Travel Insurance on tour
It’s highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances. Ensure that your insurance policy provides adequate coverage for your entire trip duration and the activities you plan to undertake, such as wildlife viewing and adventure sports.
Flights & Getting Around
If you need assistance with flight bookings, Travelers Link Africa offers an inflight service—simply share your travel dates, and we’ll take care of the rest!
