Ultimate 14-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari

Morning: Arrival in Entebbe

Your 14-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari begins with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport in the early morning. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your Deks Safaris & Tours guide, who will assist with your transfer to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located about 2-3 hours from Entebbe.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Rhino Tracking Adventure

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is Uganda’s first rhino sanctuary and offers an unforgettable rhino tracking experience. In this protected area, you will get the rare opportunity to see rhinos up close in their natural habitat. Your 14-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari guide will lead you on foot, tracking these magnificent creatures as they roam freely in the sanctuary’s expansive grounds.

Key Highlights

• Arrival in Entebbe and transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• Rhino tracking experience in the sanctuary.
• Overnight at a lodge near the sanctuary.

Morning: Travel to Kidepo Valley National Park

After breakfast, you will depart for Kidepo Valley National Park, located in the northeastern corner of Uganda. The journey takes around 6-7 hours, offering spectacular views of the northern Ugandan plains and mountainous landscapes.

Afternoon: Karimajong Cultural Experience

Upon arrival in Kidepo, you’ll be immersed in the vibrant culture of the Karimojong people, one of Uganda’s indigenous tribes. The Karimojong are semi-nomadic herders, and their cultural experiences include traditional dances, song, and rituals. You’ll gain insights into their way of life, their belief systems, and how they have thrived in such a harsh environment for generations.

Key Highlights

• Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park.
• Karimajong cultural visit, learning about the tribe’s way of life.
• Overnight at a lodge near Kidepo Valley National Park.

Morning & Afternoon: Safari in Kidepo Valley

Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most remote and least visited parks, making it a true safari gem. This day is dedicated to exploring its wild beauty with game drives. Known for its diverse and abundant wildlife, you’ll have the opportunity to see lions, cheetahs, leopards, buffaloes, zebras, and giraffes. The park is also home to a wide variety of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

The scenic views of the park’s Kidepo and Narus Valleys provide a dramatic backdrop for game drives. Your expert 14-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari guide will lead you to the best wildlife hotspots, where you may also encounter elephants, hyenas, and other species.

Key Highlights

• Morning and afternoon game drives in Kidepo Valley.
• Encounter with diverse wildlife, including lions and elephants.
• Overnight at a lodge in Kidepo.

Morning: Scenic Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, you will head to Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s largest and most popular parks. The 5-6 hour drive takes you through charming rural landscapes and small villages, giving you a glimpse of the life outside the park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, such as Paraa Safari Lodge or Mihingo Safari Lodge, where you will enjoy comfort and stunning views of the Nile.

Evening at Leisure

Relax and unwind as you prepare for your upcoming adventures in Murchison Falls.

Key Highlights

• Drive to Murchison Falls National Park.
• Scenic landscapes along the way.
• Overnight at a lodge in Murchison Falls.

Morning Game Drive

Start your day with an early morning game drive in the park. Murchison Falls is home to a variety of species, including lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, and buffaloes. The savannah and woodland habitats are ideal for spotting both predators and prey.

Boat Safari on the Nile River

In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari along the Victoria Nile, offering a different perspective of the park. The boat trip takes you to the base of Murchison Falls, where you can witness the mighty Nile River squeeze through a narrow gorge before tumbling down in a spectacular waterfall. Along the way, you’ll also encounter hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterfowl, including kingfishers and pelicans.

Key Highlights

• Morning game drive in Murchison Falls.
• Boat safari on the Nile River to see wildlife and Murchison Falls.
• Overnight at a lodge near the falls.

Morning: Journey to Fort Portal

After breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls and head to Fort Portal, located near the Kibale National Park. The drive takes approximately 6-7 hours, passing through scenic landscapes and rural villages. Fort Portal is known for its Crater Lakes and charming town atmosphere.

Afternoon: Primate Walk in Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is home to over 13 species of primates, including the endangered chimpanzees. After settling in your lodge, embark on a primate walk in the park’s forest, where you may see colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and the park’s star attraction, the chimpanzees.

Key Highlights

• Drive to Fort Portal and enjoy the scenic route.
• Primate walk in Kibale National Park to see monkeys and other wildlife.
• Overnight in Fort Portal.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale

Day 7 is dedicated to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. Kibale is one of the best places in the world to track chimpanzees, and the experience is both thrilling and educational. With a park guide, you will trek through the forest, looking for chimpanzee families as they go about their daily activities, from feeding to socializing. This is a memorable opportunity to observe these fascinating primates up close.

Evening at Leisure

After your chimpanzee tracking adventure, return to your lodge for a relaxing evening.

Key Highlights

• Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
• Observation of chimpanzee behavior and social interactions.
• Overnight in Kibale.

Morning: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following breakfast, you will head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This 5-hour drive will take you through the beautiful Rift Valley landscape, with opportunities to stop and take in the scenic views. Upon arrival in Queen Elizabeth, check in at your lodge, such as Mweya Safari Lodge or Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge.

Afternoon: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the afternoon, enjoy your first game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to diverse wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, and a variety of antelope species.

Key Highlights

• Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Afternoon game drive in Queen Elizabeth to spot wildlife.
• Overnight in Queen Elizabeth.

Morning: Transfer to Ishasha Sector

After an early breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. This rare behavior is a unique highlight of the park, and your experienced 14-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari guide will navigate the fig trees and acacia woodlands in search of these elusive big cats.

Afternoon: Wildlife Viewing & Birding

In addition to lions, Ishasha is rich in topis, buffaloes, elephants, and waterbucks. You may also spot the elusive shoebill stork along the Ishasha River.

Key Highlights

• Game drive in Ishasha to find tree-climbing lions.
• Scenic landscapes and photo opportunities.
• Overnight at a lodge in Ishasha or Buhoma, near Bwindi.

Morning: Mountain Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Today is the highlight of your safari – gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. After a briefing at the park headquarters, you’ll head into the dense jungle with expert guides and trackers. Trekking can take between 2–6 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location.

Once located, you will have one magical hour in the presence of the gorillas — observing them feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

Afternoon: Optional Community Walk

Return to your lodge and, if you wish, take an optional community visit or nature walk in the Ruhija or Buhoma area to interact with locals and support conservation-related community projects.

Key Highlights

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
• Optional community experience or nature walk.
• Overnight at a luxury lodge in Bwindi.

Morning: Transfer to Mgahinga for Golden Monkey Tracking

Depart early for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located about 2–3 hours from Bwindi. This park is the only place in Uganda where you can track the endangered golden monkeys, an incredibly lively and colorful primate species found only in the Virunga volcanic ranges.

After a briefing, you’ll begin the trek into the bamboo forests, where you’ll observe the monkeys’ playful behavior and social interactions — a true photographer’s delight.

Afternoon: Batwa Cultural Trail (Optional)

You may also choose to participate in the Batwa Trail, led by members of the indigenous Batwa pygmy tribe. Learn about their forest traditions, hunting skills, and their spiritual relationship with the forest.

Key Highlights

• Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
• Optional Batwa cultural experience.
• Overnight at a lodge near Mgahinga.

Morning: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park

Depart after breakfast for Lake Mburo National Park, a hidden gem known for its peaceful landscapes, acacia woodlands, and zebra herds. The 6-hour scenic drive offers views of rolling hills, banana plantations, and cattle herds typical of southwestern Uganda.

Evening: Sunset Game Drive or Nature Walk

Upon arrival, you can enjoy a sunset game drive or take a guided nature walk to see impalas, elands, giraffes, and warthogs. Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda where walking safaris are permitted, offering a thrilling ground-level wildlife experience.

Key Highlights

• Scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park.
• Evening game drive or nature walk.
• Overnight at a lodge overlooking the lake.

Morning: Canoe Ride on Lake Mburo

Start your day with a peaceful canoe ride on Lake Mburo, a great way to spot hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds like African fish eagles, herons, and papyrus gonoleks. The quiet waters reflect the surrounding scenery, creating a serene setting to wrap up your wildlife adventure.

Afternoon: Transfer to Entebbe

After the canoeing experience, begin the drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator line for a photo opportunity and optional souvenir shopping.

Key Highlights

• Morning canoe ride on Lake Mburo.
• Scenic drive with a stop at the Equator.
• Overnight in Entebbe at a guesthouse or boutique hotel.

Relaxed Morning & Airport Transfer

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may opt to visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or craft markets for last-minute shopping before being transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.

Key Highlights

• Optional short city tour or visit to craft markets.
• Transfer to Entebbe International Airport.
• End of Safari with Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd.

End of 14-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari