Compare 15 Days Best of Uganda Safari by Kagera Safaris vs 11 Days Uganda And Rwanda Private Safari Tour by Kent Safaris

Day 1: Arrival to the Pearl of Africa

On your arrival, Kagera Safaris representative will welcome you to Uganda at Entebbe airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Enjoy the breeze from Lake Victoria – 2nd largest lake in the world.

Journey time : 1 hour

Meal: Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Kampala Serena; Mid range – Cassia lodge; Budget – Apricot Guesthouse

Day 2: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Have an early breakfast and depart for Murchison Falls National Park. The journey is a magical adventure with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary route to track Rhinos. Your ranger guide will brief you after which you proceed to trek Rhinos in the sanctuary.

Depending on the location of your lodge, after this fulfilling experience and photo session, we proceed to the ‘top of the falls’ where River Nile is forced through a 7-meter gorge with a thunderous fall. Proceed to your lodge for the night.

Journey time:4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Paraa Safari Lodge; Mid range – Fort Murchison; Budget – Heritage Lodge

Day 3: Game drive and Boat Safari on River Nile

Murchison Falls National park is the biggest in Uganda and offers fulfilling game viewing. The game drives start early morning right after breakfast which increases the chances of sighting different animals especially the predators that tend to go into hiding during the heat of the day. The game drive happen in the northern bank of River Nile, where we look out for giraffes, elephants, hartebeest, Buffaloes, Leopards, Lions and different bird species.

In the after-noon, the safari will continue on River Nile – Nile boat safari towards the mighty Murchison falls. The relaxed boat safari provides more opportunities for spotting a variety of animals and birds and falls from. You have an opportunity to watch the falls from below.

Day 4: Drive to the Chimps in Kibale Forest NP

Meal: Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Papaya Lake Lodge; Mid range – Primate lodge; Budget – Chimpanzee guest house

Journey time: 7 hours

Today we depart for the home of Chimpanzee in Kibale National Park. Kibale forest is home to 13 species of primates with the main attraction being chimpanzee tracking and bird watching. The journey to this tropical forest passes villages and colorful road markets. Lunch will en route or packed.

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking in their natural habitat

Chimpanzee tracking is a fulfilling adventure that takes you deep in the tropical forests with streams of water and abundant wildlife. You will start with a briefing from the ranger guide about your chimp trek. On your trek, you might have sightings of red-tailed monkeys, black-and white Columbus monkeys,butterflies, and birds calling from the canopies. With the help of your ranger guide, you will locate the chimps. Enjoy picture moments and watch them as they play, groom, and feed.

After lunch visit Bigodi swamp – a community project known for its rich diversity of birds and primates depending on the availability of time. This community project is involved in providing employment for youth through tour guiding, some of the proceeds go into establishment of schools and teachers pay.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Mweya Safari Lodge; Mid range – Park view safari lodge; Budget – Bush Lodge

Journey time: 2 hours

Today after breakfast, our wildlife tour continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy views of several crater lakes and the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges. On arrival in the park, have lunch and take a boat safari on Kazinga channel. The boat safari is a great way to enjoy water, animals, birds and photography.

Day 7: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and transfer to Ishasha sector

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Ishasha wilderness camp; Mid range – Bwindi Jungle lodge; Budget – Enjojo Lodge

Journey time: 2 hours

The animals in their different families, clans, and groups are out starting on their day. Watch the animals in their natural habitat and notice the difference with those caged in zoos. You will do this mostly from the Kasenyi plains where there is the large Kob mating ground. Look out for Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Waterbucks, Buffaloes, and several colorful birds.

After this experience, we drive to watch them and proceed to Ishasha, famed for the tree-climbing lions. It is not easy to sight these but we shall mount a search with the help of rangers. Lunch will be a picnic or at the lodge.

Day 8: Expedition to the Gorillas in Bwindi Forest

Today we start journey to the home of the gentle giants of Bwindi – Mountain gorillas. The journey takes us through the terraced hills of Kigezi highlands. Lunch will be along the way or at the lodge depending on time of arrival. Take your well-deserved rest at your hotel in the lodge.

Journey time: 2 hours

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Buhoma Lodge; Mid range – Haven Lodge; Budget – Rest Camp

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla trekking

Mountain gorillas are true gentle giants found in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forestis abounding with life hosting species of birds, butterflies, primates, mammals, and trees. Your ranger guide will guide you to in conjunction with early trackers to the enormous and rare mountain gorillas deep in the jungles of Bwindi. The trekking experience takes anything from on hour (rarely) to about 8 hours to accomplish,  you only have one hour with gorillas to capture your finest moment. For those not interested in gorilla tracking can take a community village walk or short guided forest walk.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – BirdsNest@Bunyonyi; Mid range – Arcadia cottages; Budget – Crater Bay cottages

Journey time: 2 hours

As you reminisce on your gorilla experiences we depart for Lake Bunyonyi, the 2nd deepest lake in Africa. Enjoy stunning scenery – interlocking hills terraced by the locals as they practice farming named the “Switzerland of Africa” by Churchill, the great British diplomat.

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi Islands

Today after a good night sleep, wake up and enjoy the rays of the sun over Lake Bunyonyi. It is surrounded by beautiful hills terraced by the locals as they grow potatoes and other crops for their food and excess for sale.

Take a canoe ride to some of the 29 Islands that will give you an overview of the cultural and history of the area. Most notable is the story of the ‘punishment island’ your guide will share this story while on your boat ride.

In the afternoon, you can dive in the lake for a swim, go bird watching, or hike up a steep hill for more views of the lake and its islands. Alternatively you can set by the lake shores and enjoy reading a book.

Day 12: Journey to the home of Zebras – Lake Mburo national park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Mihingo Lodge; Mid range – Rwakobo Rock; Budget – Eagles Nest

Journey time – 4 hours

Zebras lake mburo national parkLake Mburo National Park is a small gem in south western Uganda – en route to you pass through beautiful landscapes, plantations, and farms.

Our lunch will be at Igongo cultural Museum- exhibiting the life of the native people of the area.We will in the park later that afternoon and take a boat trip on Lake Mburo.

Day 13: Transfer to Kampala via Equator Monument

After an early breakfast, we take a game drive and proceed to Kampala, with a stopover at the famous Equator line. Have lunch in the city or Equator depending on arrival time and proceed to Jinja.

Journey time: 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Up market – Wild waters Lodge; Mid range – Haven Lodge; Budget – Nile Cottages

Day 14: Discover River Nile – White water Rafting

In Jinja, the Nile finds its origin; visit the Source of River Nile where it starts its 4000 km journey through Africa.  Your driver guide will transfer you to the starting point of the water rafting where you will find other people waiting for an adventure filled day.

You shall have a whole days rafting experience on River Nile. You will go through half the rapids before lunch and the other half after lunch. There is an option for half day rafting and you choose to rest in the afternoon or choose any of the optional activities.

Optional activities

Quad bike safari, bungee jumping, horseback safari, kayaking

Day 15: End of the Classic African Safari

We hope you had a fantastic time in the Pearl of Africa both in the wild and with the people of Uganda. Buy souvenirs and transfer to the airport.

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe / Kampala 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, where you are met by Kent Safari Representative and escorted to a booked hotel in Kampala. If time permits, have a city walk in Kampala city visiting attractions like the monuments, museum, craft villages and cultural centers.

Day 2: Kampala / Ziwa Sanctuary / Murchison Falls National Park 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Depart Kampala to Murchison National Park, stopping at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en- route. The sanctuary is home to more than 6 endangered rhinos and a range of other game and many bird species, where a guided rhino-tracking excursion is offered. Cross the Nile by ferry and proceed to your hotel.

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Early morning game drive most commonly reveals elephant, giraffe, buffalo, warthog, leopard, lion, and many others. Afternoon boat trip to the bottom of the falls. Enjoy a stunning sunset on your return to the lodge. Have dinner and overnight at the campfire.

Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park / Lake Albert / Western Uganda 

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Travel through the Rift Valley, via Lake Albert and its coastal fringes where flocks of small zebu are tended by the proud Alur herdsmen. Continue to the tourist city Fort Portal, traveling through changing vistas of high plateaus, valleys, and resplendent tea coffee plantations. The landscape becomes more tortuous, descending to the foot of the Rwenzori block Mountain, whose snowcapped peaks can be seen in the distance. 

Day 5: Kibale National Park / Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Meal: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner

Start early for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park protects a large block of rainforest harboring the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa. Afternoon drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park along the foothills of the Rwenzori for an evening game drive.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel 

Meal: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner 

Morning game drive in the park. The Mweya peninsula is good for a variety of animals including elephants; in the Kasenyi plains you will find mostly lion and Uganda cob. A vast array of birds and the wildlife is seen on the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. 

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park / Bwindi National Park

Meal: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner

Depart for Bwindi through grass covered hills, valleys filled with a mixture of banana, soy and coffee plantations, and the busy commercial center of Kabale. As you approach, you are afforded the most magnificent view of the whole volcano chain of the Virunga Mountains. Continue to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. 

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Gorilla Trekking 

Meal: Break Fast, Lunch and Dinner

An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. You will get within feet of the family and be privileged to spend time amongst them. Return to the lodge for a late lunch, with an opportunity for a forest walk with the guides. 

Day 9: Bwindi / Volcanoes National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

Morning departure from Bwindi and head into Rwanda. /Kigali Travel to your booked Hotel near the Volcanoes National Park. 

Day 10: Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking / Lake Kivu   Genocide Memorial and Kigali City Tour 

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Early this morning, you are guided into the Volcanoes National Park. Tracking the gorillas through the unique Rolling Hills vegetation can take several hours of challenging walking in wet and muddy conditions. In the late afternoon drive to Gisenyi, a small town located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. 

Day 11: Lake Kivu / Depart Kigali 

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

After an Early morning breakfast leave for the gleaming waters of Lake Kivu and view various attractions on the way and journey to Kigali, have lunch and relax a bit while touring the beautiful city of kigali if time allows. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.