16Days Beyond The Beaten Ugandan Wild Safari

Day 1: Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls National Park

Depart Entebbe early and head north into Uganda’s wild frontier. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a thrilling on-foot rhino tracking experience — the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild. After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls National Park, entering via the southern gate.

Check into your lodge, then head out for an evening game drive on the northern plains. Expect sightings of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and if lucky, a lion or leopard as the sun sets.

Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Highlights: Rhino tracking | Scenic savannah drive | Evening game viewing

Day 2: Sunrise Game Drive – Nile Boat Safari – Top of the Falls

Set off early for a sunrise game drive, when the park’s predators and grazers are most active. Traverse the open plains and riverbanks in search of lions, hyenas, hartebeests, and iconic birdlife like the ground hornbill.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the mighty Murchison Falls — where the world’s longest river explodes through a narrow gorge. Afterward, drive to the top of the falls for a dramatic view of the roaring cascade from above.

Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Highlights: Sunrise game drive | Nile boat safari | Top of the falls viewpoint

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, bid farewell to Murchison Falls and travel southwest through tea plantations, crater lakes, and rural scenery toward Kibale Forest National Park — a global hotspot for primates. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your forest-view lodge.

Overnight: Isunga Lodge
Highlights: Scenic transfer | Rural landscapes | Arrival in primate territory

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale & Bigodi Nature Walk

Join expert trackers in Kanyanchu to locate chimpanzees. Watch them swing, feed, and communicate. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a birdwatcher's paradise teeming with monkeys and exotic flora.
Overnight: Isunga Lodge

Day 5: Amabere Caves & Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains

Tour the ancient stalactite-filled Amabere ganyina mwiru caves with local folklore. Hike to the nearby waterfalls and crater lakes. Then ascend into the foothills of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains.
Overnight: Ruboni Community Camp

Day 6: Rwenzori Day Hike

Challenge yourself with a guided 7-hour hike into the mystical Rwenzoris. Cross streams, climb ridges, and take in dramatic views of misty forests and rugged terrain. Ideal for nature lovers and seasoned hikers.
Overnight: Ruboni Community Camp

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Descend through scenic landscapes to Uganda’s most popular savannah park. Stop at the Equator and witness a Coriolis effect demo. Enter Queen Elizabeth NP for a relaxed evening game drive.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 8: Leisure & Private Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Morning at leisure. After lunch, set out on a private boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, famous for the highest concentration of hippos and diverse birdlife. Get up close to elephants, crocs, and buffaloes at the shoreline.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 9: Experiential Predator Game Drive

Join rangers for a special tracking experience to follow lions and leopards. Witness real-time predator monitoring, conservation in action, and possibly assist in a collaring session if available.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 10: Transfer to Ishasha Sector (Southern Queen)

Drive to the remote Ishasha wilderness, home of the famed tree-climbing lions. Explore savannahs and riverine forests on an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Day 11: Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Make one last attempt to spot lions in the trees. Then wind through highland villages and terraced hills to reach the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.
Overnight: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 12: Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Venture into the forest with expert guides for a breathtaking encounter with a Mountain Gorilla family. After your trek, drive to the serene Lake Bunyonyi for a relaxing evening by the water.
Overnight: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi Canoeing & Island Hopping

Canoe across Uganda’s most beautiful lake, exploring islands like Punishment Island and Bwama. Meet locals, picnic on an island, and enjoy the peaceful scenery.
Overnight: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort

Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Drive eastward through the Ankole region, stopping at Igongo Cultural Centre for coffee or early lunch. Enter Lake Mburo and enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Rwakobo Rock Lodge

Day 15: Sunrise Game Drive & Horseback Safari

Catch the golden hour wildlife action and later enjoy a unique horseback safari among zebras, impalas, and elands. End the day with a campfire under the stars.
Overnight: Mihingo Lodge

Day 16: Transfer to Entebbe & Departure

Exit Lake Mburo with scenic stops, including the Equator for souvenirs and photos. Drive to Entebbe for your flight home, hearts full of wild stories.