Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay at the start of your Wildlife and Walking Safari in Uganda.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 2: Entebbe – Ssezibwa Falls and Ziplining
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. Thereafter 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
Day 3: Mabira Nature Walk and Bird Watching.
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. The 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
Day 4: To Sipi Falls - Hiking to the waterfalls
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
Day 5: Mount Elgon Forest Exploration and Kapkwai Cave
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
Day 6: To Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
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: Sipi Heritage Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 7: Nature and Community Walks
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: Sipi Heritage Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range
Day 8: Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park
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
Day 9: Nature walk in Narus Valley and Dodoth Village Experience
Today you we get to explore the savannah plains in the park, across a backdrop of the surrounding rugged hillsides. This is an excellent time for you to 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
Day 10: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
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 leopard, the elephant, and the buffalo. 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
Day 11: Top of the Falls and Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest
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
Day 12:Murchison Falls to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary- Departure
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 at the end of the Wildlife and Walking Safari in Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch