Visits: Kidepo Valley – Murchison Falls – QEII NP – Bwindi Forest – Jinja
Year Round
20 Days / 19 Nights
Accommodation: lodges, guest houses, tented safari camp
Overview
Discover the untamed beauty and rich biodiversity of Ultimate Uganda, a once-in-a-lifetime safari that takes you deep into the heart of East Africa’s most captivating landscapes. This immersive journey combines thrilling wildlife encounters, lush rainforests, and vibrant cultural experiences—all in one extraordinary destination.
Track endangered mountain gorillas in the misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the world’s most moving and intimate wildlife experiences. Meet habituated chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, known as the primate capital of the world, and explore the dramatic savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to tree-climbing lions, hippos, elephants, and rich birdlife.
Cruise the Kazinga Channel, search for elusive shoebills in Mabamba Swamp, and take in the scenic beauty of the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Bunyonyi. Throughout the journey, enjoy warm Ugandan hospitality, expert guiding, and stays in boutique lodges that blend comfort with stunning natural settings.
Perfect for adventurous travelers and wildlife lovers, Ultimate Uganda offers a rare blend of primates, plains game, birdlife, and culture—an unforgettable safari through one of Africa’s most diverse and authentic destinations.
Highlights
- This magnificent 19-night safari takes you to everywhere we’d suggest seeing in this wonderfully beautiful country.
- Visit five remarkable and very different National Parks, including Kidepo and Murchison Falls where you’ll get a chance to see the big 5 plus see the spectacular Nile Falls.
- Kibale Forest is where you’ll set off to trek for chimpanzees with the chance to see all 13 primates in this area,.
- Queen Elizabeth NP is home to tree-climbing lions and wildlife galore with a backdrop of the Rwenzoris (Mountains of the Moon)
- The highlight is Bwindi to trek for the majestic Mountain Gorillas (2 opportunities to trek for those who want).
- End your safari at Jinja where you can wind down with some water adventure on the River Nile, or lakeside relaxation.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Hotel No. 5 and check in to your home for the first night in Uganda. Lunch is on own account.
Nestled in the leafy suburbs of Entebbe, Hotel No.5 is a stylish boutique hotel. Luxurious rooms open onto the garden and swimming pool, providing an intimate and tranquil setting.
Unwind beside the swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, or work up a sweat in the gym. A flavorsome dining experience, paired to an international wine list is served with an attentive guest experience. Hotel No 5 is the perfect choice for a restful stay in this bustling city.
Uganda is one of the best places in the world to view the rare and exotic looking shoebill – a fascinating creature.
So, after an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the lake to catch up a boat to Mabamba papyrus swamps in search of the elusive Shoebill which usually hides in the water weed to feed on the fish from the moving water in the swamp. Mabamba swamp is an arm of Lake Victoria connecting the main fishing village of Busi Island.
Each wooden boat at Mabamba Swamp will carry at least 3-persons for easy bird watching with a birding guide and a boat captain and the session will take at least 3hrs depending on the luck of the day.
Later, you will be transferred back to Hotel No. 5. Relax at the hotel in the afternoon and later in the early evening enjoy boat cruise on Lake Victoria watching the beautiful sunset with wine and cheese.
After breakfast, meet your safari guide at the lobby and transfer to Entebbe Airport for your scheduled domestic flight to Kidepo National Park – ETD 12:30 hrs.
On arrival at the local airstrip, you will be met by a guide from Apoka Lodge and transferred to the Lodge approx. 7 mins drive. After check in and a scrumptious lunch, you will have the afternoon to relax by the pool side, later enjoy an evening game drive in search of giraffes, ostriches, zebras, elephants and lions.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most spectacular but also most remote national parks in Uganda. Hidden in the northeast corner of the country, on the border with Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. The landscape ranges from rolling hills and rocky kopjes to vast savannah plains, with the peaks of the Lotukei and Morungole Mountains rising at the horizon. The Narus Valley, split from the Kidepo Valley by two rivers, is teemed with wildlife including some of the rarest species that are not found anywhere else in Uganda. The park boasts an extensive bird list of 465 species and another 26 unrecorded species.
Apoka Safari Lodge
Apoka Safari Lodge is built with comfort in mind. Everything is handmade by local craftsmen, is large and spacious. 10 expansive rooms with natural canvas walls surround a rocky kopje with endless views across the savannah. With inside sitting rooms and private verandas there are plenty of places to relax, read and sprawl. Big hand-hewn beds with soft duvets are draped with mosquito nets, hand-woven woolen carpets, extra-large plush towels, over-sized dressing gowns…you may be as far away from the city as you’ll ever be, but you won’t miss a thing.
A full day in one of the most beautiful and certainly most remote national parks in Uganda!
Early in the morning you will explore the Narus River Valley by game drive. Go in search of giraffes, ostriches, zebras, elephants and lions. And, if lucky leopard or cheetah. The park is also a birders paradise as it boasts a bird list with over 475 species. Have lunch and relax before going on a visit to one of the local Karamojong communities. The Karamojong tribe is well known for their unique nomadic lifestyle and rich traditions of storytelling.
After breakfast, go for a morning guided nature walk with a park rangers out across the savannah. This walk explores the wilderness and its watering holes offering chance encounters with zebra, buffalo, giraffe, hartebeest, cheetah, lion, warthog and panoramic views across the valley and out to the return Morongole mountains.
Then return to the lodge to relax. In the evening, enjoy a game drive to Kanangorok hot spring where water boiled underneath the earth crust seeps through vents and emerges from rock outcrops to the surface reaching temperatures beyond 50 degrees Celsius.
Drive is 435 km / 7 hours approximately, but a great chance to see the Ugandan landscapes, towns and villages.
After breakfast, we depart Kidepo National Park for Murchison Falls National Park. The drive will see you through Kitgum and then Gulu where you will stop for lunch. Along the way you will see spectacular views, homesteads and drive through local communities. Check in at Bakers lodge, have dinner and rest after a long drive.
Bakers Lodge
The lodge is located right on the southern bank of the Nile and comprises of 10 thatched safari suites overlooking the River with complete privacy. The lodge is built on wooden decks, to take advantage of the cool breezes and spectacular views. The site has a good number of shady trees and is home to a large array of birdlife. The views onto the river are vast and magnificent with islands hosting nesting egret birds, elephants bathing, and pods of hippos regularly viewed.
Today the forest opens for a sensational chimp tracking. You will start your forest hiking. Enroute your guide will explain more about the forest and the other inhabitants, including other primates and birds.
Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will stay with them for one unforgettable hour as they continue their daily routine – grooming, feeding, taking care of the young ones and agilely climbing up trees. It certainly is one unforgettable wildlife encounter, and the hour is always over too soon. After your forest walk, return to the lodge for relaxing lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure.
Enjoy Dinner beside the campfire this evening.
After an early breakfast we start the day with a game drive onthe northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing Rothschild Giraffe, elephants, lions, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, Waterbucks,savannah and woodland birds, and if lucky even the elusive leopard amongst a multitude of African plains game.
In the afternoon, enjoy a Nile launch cruise to the bottom of the water falls for game viewing at close quarters, then depart at the bottom of the falls and hike up to the top of the falls where you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Nile.
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest protected area in Uganda. The waterfall is the most amazing sight. The southern part of the park is mostly covered by dense woodlands, and is a premier sight for bird watchers, as well as one of the best – and most affordable – places to track chimpanzees. The northern part is mostly covered by green grasslands with scattered acacia trees, borassus palms and riverine woodlands. The world’s longest River Nile is thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and buffaloes. Wildlife includes lions, Leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeests, oribis, Uganda kob and much more.
(441 km / 7 – 8 hours) option to fly at extra cost. The rural drive is interesting if a little bumpy!
After breakfast, check out and drive south to Fort Portal, with a packed lunch en-route. Fort portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Rwenzori ‘Mountains of the Moon’ and is famous for her many tea plantations.
You will continue into Kibale National Park arriving at Primate Lodge Kibale in time for dinner and drinks by the firepit in the beautiful forested surroundings. Then rest overnight.
Kibale Forest National Park is an extensive Biodiversity National Park in South Uganda and also known as “Primate Paradise” has one of the greatest variety and concentration of primates in Africa including our famous cousins the Chimpanzee, Red Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, L’Hoest’s, Black-and- White Colobus and the Olive Baboons. There is also a wide array of unique birds and forest elephants.
Today the forest opens its doors for a sensational chimpanzee tracking experience.
Following a pre-tracking briefing, you will walk or drive to the trailhead for the start of an unforgettable adventure, hiking in the footsteps of the habituated family of chimpanzees. Your guide will enthral you with stories and facts about the chimpanzees, the forest and her other inhabitants including species of primates and birds and other big mammals.
Return to the lodge for lunch then in the afternoon enjoy a guided nature walk through local community run Bigodi wetlands.
Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. The path and board walk maybe flooded and muddy after heavy rainfall and gumboots are recommended. The walk is about 4km in length taking3-4 hours at birding pace with local community guides.
All proceeds from eco- tourism go back to into the community, a conservation project well worth supporting. Later return to the lodge for dinner.
Primate Lodge
The 9 new luxury cottages at Primate Lodge feature rooms with large twin or double beds, a spacious bathroom and private veranda. Large glass windows and a full-size glass sliding door allow 180-degree views of the beautiful rainforest. The main lodge has a spacious dining room, serving local and international meals, with an adjacent bar lounge area and cosy firepit. Wi-Fi is available in the main area
After an early breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park with scenic views of tea plantations, pockets of forest land and numerous crater lakes. You will take a tour of the beautiful craters and lakes stopping for photographs then continue the drive through the surrounding rolling hills, banana farmlands. You will proceed south alongside the majestic Rwenzori ‘Mountains of the Moon’ to Queen Elizabeth National park.
Arrive at Elephant Plains Lodge for lunch with a view on the terrace and settle in. In the afternoon take a game drive on the vast Kasenyi plains breeding ground for thousands of Ugandan Kob. Other animals of interest in this area are buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, hippos, various reptiles and many species of birds.
Drive today (180km / 3 hours )
In the morning become a researcher for the day, as you learn to use telemetry to find the different lion prides who roam the savannah of Queen Elizabeth, there is no better way to find and photograph lions in all of Uganda.
The lion is one of the most sought-after safari species, and one of the most impressive to observe. Living in prides of around 15 individuals, lions adhere to strict social structures. Groups consist of related females and their cubs, who are often born around the same time and raised communally. During the drive, the guides and researchers will discuss human-animal conflict in communities around the park, veterinary issues, and lion family dynamics as part of an in-depth game drive. You will come face to face with the King of the Jungle and you will have stories for a lifetime.
Elephant Plains Lodge
NEW Elephant Plains Lodge is situated on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Africa’s finest national parks. Elephant Plains sits nestled in the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains and has astonishing views over the Kasenyi plains, Lakes George and Kikorongo and the lush savannah of the park.
The lodge offers vast spacious luxurious en-suite rooms with large windows for breath-taking views of the extensive Queen Elizabeth National Park from the comfort of your bed – complete with large luxury bathrooms with his and hers sinks, shower and bath combination. The lodge has beautiful gardens to explore, a cosy fire pit and an eco-friendly swimming pool for guests to relax after a day of game viewing.
In the afternoon we take on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 33km long natural and pre-historic canal that joins Lakes Edward and Lake George. Formed by tectonic activity millions of years ago during the formation of the rift valley. A gentle 2hr boat ride over a 12km stretch of water provides almost guaranteed wildlife sightings including large pods of hippo,
Nile crocodiles, wallowing buffalos’ elephants, multitude of birds and numerous other plains game that come to drink at its water’s edge.
Return for dinner and overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge
After a hearty breakfast, there is an optional chimpanzee tracking experience in Kyambura gorge, and you will depart the northern part and drive to the southern section of Queen Elizabeth with a game drive through Ishasha in search of the tree climbing lions. It is a beautiful route with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right side and the green valley on the left this is another amazing scenic view you will experience.
Arriving at Ishasha Wilderness Lodge in time for lunch there is a chance to refresh and rest. In the late afternoon we will embark on a game drive in search of elephants and Jacksons Hartebeest and of course catch another glimpse of the famous tree climbing lions. Return to the lodge for dinner and
Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp
This exclusive tented camp offers quality accommodation inside the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each of the ten spacious tents is situated in the wooded area and is comfortably furnished. It has its own en suite bathroom with hot water, “bush” showers and an ecofriendly toilet. A central lounge/dining area, under canvas, offers meals and the bar has a selection of local and imported beverages. Guests can enjoy a traditional bush experience beside the river including an evening around fireplace.
Drive today 125 km / 2 hours game drive en route
You will wake to a game drive in the wilderness while enjoying the sunrise that the wild has to offer.
After this check out and head further south to Bwindi National Park, home of the gorillas. Upon arrival check in at Mahogany Springs Lodge and enjoy lunch on the terrace with views into the forest. After some time to rest you will then embark on an evening village walk meeting the locals and engaging in the community. Later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Mahogany Springs offers privacy and serenity in a spectacular setting. Located 2 minutes drive from the park headquarters in Buhoma. Set in beautiful gardens it offers eight individual bandas with 2 double beds, en-suite bathroom and a large private terrace with panoramic views of the forest and surrounding land. The main building includes a craft shop, large bar area, relaxing lounge area with fireplace, restaurant and a large veranda feeling like you’re inside the forest.
Driver Today (100 km / 2 hours)
Arise early today and prepare for an amazing adventure, an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi. Coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla is truly the most genuinely breath-taking wildlife experience on earth!
Following breakfast, transfer to the park offices where participants are divided into groups of 8 and allocated a gorilla family as well as a tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide (touches on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions), you drive to the trailhead for the start of your thrilling adventure – participants can expect to walk long distances in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of fitness. It can take anything from 2 to 8hrs to find them but the thrill of coming face to face with a giant silverback will more than compensate for the effort in their quest. Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling by the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience!
Afterwards, you hike back to base where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge for a deserved shower and lunch or dinner depending on the time taken on the trek.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the rare but critically endangered Mountain Gorillas (gorilla beringei beringei), lies on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley in south-western Uganda, with a wide altitude range between 1,160m and 2,600m. The forest dates back to the ice age, Uganda’s oldest and ecologically most diverse with almost 400 species of plants, 350 species of birds including 23 Albertine Rift endemics as well as 120 mammal species including Gorillas, Baboons, Chimpanzees, Elephants, Antelopes and smaller species like rodents and bats
Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, waterproof hiking boots and a light raincoat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long-sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.
After breakfast, enjoy an optional Buhoma- Nkuringo trail walk that takes 3 to 4 hours crossing right through the forest connecting the 2 villages and offering impressive views of the misty hillsides as you ascend the hills up towards Nkuringo. Your walk will be led by an experienced local guide and takes you through the forest and village footpaths seeing human settlements and wildlife along the way. We leave our luggage with our driver who will drive and meet us at the other side.
This trail can also be completed as part of the Ivy River Walk. Check into Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is beautifully located with stunning views of the Virunga range. The upmarket lodge comprises of 8 stone bedrooms. Each room has its own twin basin en suite bathroom, with hot and cold water, as well as electric lights, plug points and a cosy fireplace. The main building with reception, dining, shop and bar area also has six fireplaces to keep it a cosy area throughout the day.
Views from the main balcony area stretch across to Rwanda and the Virunga’s as well as all the way across the border towards Goma in Congo. Your stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is inclusive of meals, beverages (except premium brands) and laundry service.
Arise early today and prepare for a second unforgettable encounter with gorillas. After breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a different gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide, after a pre-tracking briefing by your guide you will be tracking in a different area of the forest to find your new gorilla family. Same details apply from Buhoma tracking.
Alternatively, spend the day with the Batwa people in Buniga. This experience showcases the life of the Batwa native pygmy and their historical nomadic cultures when they occupied the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until 1991 when the forest was gazetted as a national park. The Buniga pocket forest is rich with diversity floral; within the forest you will encounter indigenous plant species with medicinal benefits to the Batwa and the local community such as the Giant lobelias and tree ferns and species like Syzygium which provide food to Chimpanzees.
The tribe was forced out of the park and since put together this informative experience to help the Batwa community earn a living from tourism. This is truly a learning experience, not challenging at all, but rather interesting and fun.
Transfer to Kisoro Airstrip for your morning domestic flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by our representative a two-hour scenic drive to Jinja. Check into Wildwaters Lodge and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Jinja is Uganda’s second largest town and is about 80km east of Kampala overlooking the point where the source of the mighty River Nile, flows out of Lake Victoria. It is this historical landmark that attracts most of the town’s visitors. Being situated on the banks of River Nile, Jinja has over the years developed into bustling out of town retreat for Kampalians as well as an adventure hub for locals and tourists alike, offering beautifully located lodges, bungee jumping, rafting on the falls of the Nile, kayaking, lake cruises, 4×4 quad biking, camping, golfing, sailing, Kilombera weaving, birding, horse riding and mountain biking.
Located on roughly six hectares on Kalagala Island, Wildwaters Lodge lies on a unique private island mid- stream within the mighty River Nile in Uganda: around 25km downstream from Jinja in eastern Uganda. It’s in a sublime location, and only reached by boat which makes it a very adventurous place to stay. And it’s uniquely perched on granite rocks with noisy and exciting foamy rapids roaring all around.
The ten rooms are situated amidst the forest with king size beds, private decks with romantic free-standing open air bathtubs and breath-taking views over the River Nile and its rapids. Elevated wooden walkways link the rooms to the restaurant and bar area. Other amenities include a Day Spa with massage facilities, library and an adjacent natural swimming pool. It’s the perfect post safari retreat!
After breakfast, choose to either spend the day at leisure or head to the famous white-water rafting (at extra cost) Wildwaters is a perfect platform for viewing some of the more than 1000 bird species that Uganda is so famous for – from turacos and cuckoos to hawks and eagles – and you might also spot giant otters and monitor lizards in the water.
White water rafting experience on the Nile
Warm water, sunshine, tropical islands and the perfect introductory rapids makes the Nile the perfect place to enjoy water rafting whatever your ability. Drift amidst the breath-taking scenery of Wildwaters Reserve on the world’s most famous river. Marvel at the birdlife and raft through the breaking waves. The white water rafting here is probably some of the best in the world. If you are adventurous, this is an absolute must
After receiving instructions, you will start peddling and enjoy the beautiful scenery and thundering rapids at its fullest! The white water rafting here is probably some of the best in the world. If you are adventurous, this is an absolute must! After the white water rafting return to the lodge for the night.
Wildwaters lodge provides a great place to relax before your journey home. But for those still wanting to make the most of the last day in Uganda there are activities on the river in the nearby adventure-hub of Jinja town including bungee jumping and jet boating, and gentler horse riding or fishing.
You can also enjoy boat cruise to the source of the Nile, kayaking or quad biking the river trail to the Bujagali Falls. You take the pace as fast or as slow as you desire. These activities in advance of your trip or depending on availability can be arranged at the lodge at additional cost.
Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey.
Drive today (120 km / 2 – 3 hours)
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