Kikooko-Africa-Safaris-Ziwa-Rhino-Sanctuary

Untapped Uganda

Untapped Uganda

Experience the real Uganda on this exceptional adventure. Highlights include mountain gorillas, hot springs, and unforgettable moments with the local communities.

Overview

Go beyond the ordinary with a Uganda adventure that introduces you to the country as it really is. This exceptional African safari includes highlights like the hot springs of remote Semuliki National Park, the unforgettable mountain gorillas, and the unusual tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Plus, you’ll have plenty of chances to engage with the local people and get to know what makes Uganda so special.

Trip Highlights

Information

Trip Info

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Hike to see the rare mountain gorillas in a misty rainforest.

Kibale National Park

Spot chimpanzees and other primates on guided treks in a biodiverse forest.

Kidepo Valley National Park

Visit one of Africa’s wildest parks for lions, ostriches, and scenic landscapes.

Lake Mburo National Park

Enjoy an easy-to-reach savanna park for wildlife and water activities.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Hike to see mountain gorillas and visit the Batwa people in a volcanic landscape.

Murchison Falls National Park

Marvel at the world’s most powerful waterfall and see lions, elephants, and giraffes on safari.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

See elephants, lions, and hippos on a classic African safari and boat trip.

Dry Seasons in Uganda – December to February, June to August

During these months, the weather is generally warm and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 29°C (77°F to 84°F) during the day. The average rainfall per month ranges from 46mm (1.8”) to 86mm  (3.4”). It is an ideal time to visit for wildlife safaris and gorilla trekking, as the drier conditions make it easier to navigate through the national parks.

Wet Seasons in Uganda – March to May, September to November

This period experiences relatively higher precipitation, with rainfalls ranging from 86mm (3.6”) from September to November to averages of around 147mm (5.8”) from March to May. The rainforest landscapes become lush and vibrant during this time, but it’s important to note that travel conditions can be more challenging due to occasional heavy rains and muddy trails. However, the rainy season also offers unique opportunities for birdwatching and witnessing the spectacular waterfalls at their fullest.

Best Times To Spot Wildlife in Uganda

In Uganda, game viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park is excellent December through February and June through October. In November and March it is good, and it is fair in April and May. 

Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

Arrival in Entebbe

Arrival at Entebbe airport and transfer to your accommodation nearby.

Kibale Forest National Park

An early start for our drive to Kibale Forest National Park. You will have a stopover in Fort Portal for lunch, arriving at the park in time for an afternoon chimpanzee tracking trip. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

On your second day, you will go on a second chimp tracking expedition, followed by a relaxed afternoon among the communities of the National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park -Semuliki National Park

After breakfast you will drive to Semuliki National Park and proceed to the Sempaya hot springs and visiting the crater lakes. En route, see the fertile, volcanic soils of the area as you head to the lodge for the great dinner and overnight stay.

We will start our day at Queen Elizabeth National Park with an early morning game drive while many animals are still on the move during the cool part of the day. On a good day you could see lions, buffalo, elephants, antelopes, the elusive bush pig and you might even be lucky to spot a leopard! Hippos, buffalo, crocodiles and many species of birds can be spotted during the afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel

Queen Elizabeth National Park - Ishasha

A leisurely drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park brings us to Ishasha, one of the few regions in Africa where lions can be spotted climbing trees and lounging on branches. Therefore, make sure that during the game drive you are not only looking out over the savannah, but also have your eyes focused up in the trees! An evening walk along the banks of River Ntungwe is possible.

Ishasha-Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ruhija)

Today is a day for lion-spotting. Keep those eyes peeled as we head deep into the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of tree-climbing lions. Later transfer Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

On this next day, it’s time to put your boots on for a once in a lifetime experience: mountain gorilla tracking! It is one of the best Ugandan travel experiences you can have. You will be hiking up in the mountains which can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on how far the Gorillas are.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Lake Bunyonyi

The wonder visit to Kiyebe village day!

Today you will visit Kiyebe, the complete wonder village. This is perhaps one of the most remote, and traditional village in Uganda. It is the only village with no access through by road as its main rough mountainous road only stops at the small trading centre called mukyogo a name originating from the only community elephant pond in Uganda.

You can plant your own tree, collect honey from the beehive and then if you want, enjoy local and national beers with the villagers.
You will also have great local food that is fresh and organic and the dancing and singing of this community is nothing you can even imagine. It’s impossible to miss a visit to this village.

Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro

After breakfast, enjoy a morning boat ride around the beautifully terraced islands of Lake Bunyonyi, the “Switzerland of Africa”. Later, we transfer to Kisoro to meet the Batwa pygmy tribe for the Batwa Trail experience, before heading to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

We’ll wake up with a good breakfast and head into Mgahinga National Park for Golden Monkey tracking and a myriad of birds. The volcanic ranges and great panoramic views will give you plenty to see.

Kisoro-Entebbe

You will wake up at 5:30am to be sure that you start driving from 6am in the morning heading to Entebbe Airport. This Journey will take you about 10 to 11 hours and you arrive at Entebbe airport for your return flight.

OR

We drive to Kisoro Airstrip for a brief flight back to Entebbe and the cost for this internal flight is around $353 pp arriving at around 11am. Let us know if this is what you want. By taking this option, you can visit the Botanical Gardens before transferring to the airport and your return flight, with the hope we have whet your appetite for even more African safari adventures.

Details

Trip Details

Inclusions

Exclusions

Prices

  • 2 pax based on a double room $7,322/person
  • 4 pax based on 2 double rooms $5,622/person
  • 6 pax based on 3 double rooms $5,055/person

Our tailor-made trips are designed to offer you the best possible value to make your East African safari experience a memorable one. As a boutique tour operator, we are happy to personalise your trip budget and package according to your needs.

Please treat all pricing as a guide only, as customisations made to this itinerary, style of travel, and number of guests may raise or lower the overall cost. All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice. Single supplements may apply.

For the best, most current rates available, request a quote or speak to one of Kikooko Africa Safari’s travel experts.

Warren Anwkasa,
Founder, Kikooko Africa Safaris

Inquire About This Tour

All our itineraries can be adapted to suit your personal interests and preferences. 

Please feel free to discuss these with us so we can personalise your tour for your maximum enjoyment.

For the most current rates for your party, request a quote or speak to one of Kikooko Africa Safari’s travel experts.

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Gateway to Uganda

Gateway to Uganda

See Uganda’s highlights on an affordable 12-day safari tour, including diverse wildlife, stunning national parks, and mountain gorillas.

Overview

See the highlights of Uganda in this 12-day Uganda safari tour in one of our most affordable packages. This itinerary includes a wide range of Uganda’s stunning national parks, each with its own landscape and opportunities for diverse wildlife from white rhinos to mountain gorillas and cheeky chimpanzees.

Trip Highlights

Information

Trip Info

Dry Seasons in Uganda – December to February, June to August

During these months, the weather is generally warm and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 29°C (77°F to 84°F) during the day. The average rainfall per month ranges from 46mm (1.8”) to 86mm  (3.4”). It is an ideal time to visit for wildlife safaris and gorilla trekking, as the drier conditions make it easier to navigate through the national parks.

Wet Seasons in Uganda – March to May, September to November

This period experiences relatively higher precipitation, with rainfalls ranging from 86mm (3.6”) from September to November to averages of around 147mm (5.8”) from March to May. The rainforest landscapes become lush and vibrant during this time, but it’s important to note that travel conditions can be more challenging due to occasional heavy rains and muddy trails. However, the rainy season also offers unique opportunities for birdwatching and witnessing the spectacular waterfalls at their fullest.

Best Times To Spot Wildlife in Uganda

In Uganda, game viewing in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park is excellent December through February and June through October. In November and March it is good, and it is fair in April and May. 

Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

Arrival in Entebbe

Arrival at Entebbe airport and transfer to your accommodation nearby.

Murchison Falls National Park

We are heading north. Our first stop will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will have an extraordinary experience observing and learning about the conservation of the highly endangered white rhinos. On the way you will be treated to one of the loudest sights in Uganda at the top of Murchison Falls, where the powerful river Nile forces its way through a gap only 7 metres wide.

On your second day, we will have an early morning game drive and a relaxing afternoon boat ride along the Victoria Nile River where you will encounter animals gathering on the riverbanks, and an abundance of crocodiles and hippos. You’ll get to see the thundering falls from the bottom as the boat turns for the return journey.

Murchison Falls National Park – Kibale Forest National Park"

Today we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way to Queen Elizabeth National Park, we cross the Equator.

The second day will start with an early morning game drive while many animals are still on the move during the cool part of the day. Stay alert and you could see lions, buffalo, elephants, antelopes, the elusive bush pig and you might even be lucky enough to spot a leopard! Hippos, buffalo, crocodiles and many species of birds can be spotted during the afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

A leisurely drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park brings us to Ishasha, one of the few regions in Africa where lions can be spotted climbing trees and lounging on branches. Therefore, make sure that during the game drive you are not only looking out over the savannah, but also have your eyes focused up in the trees!

After proceed to Bwindid Impenetrable National Park for dinner and overnight.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ruhija)

Gorilla Tracking Optional

Put your boots on and grab a sturdy walking stick, today is a once in a lifetime experience: Gorilla tracking! It is one of the best Ugandan travel experiences you can have. You will be hiking up in the mountains which can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on how far the mountain gorillas are.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-Kiyebe-Lake Bunyonyi

Today is the day! Our wonderful visit to Kiyebe village! As a remote, traditional village, Kiyebe is one of the most special places in our country. Since it is near the home of Kikooko’s founder, Kikooko travelers have the unique opportunity to be guided to this untouched land.

We’ll travel an adventurous mountainous road through a small trading center called Mukyogo, a name meaning the only community elephant pond in Uganda. There, you can plant your own tree, collect honey from beehives, and more. Then we’ll take time to enjoy local and national beers with the villagers.

That’s just the beginning of your Kiyebe visit. From a meal made with the freshest local, organic foods to the community’s singing, dancing, and celebrating, this is the day you’ll remember for the rest of your trip. Our next stop will be Lake Bunyonyi, one of the deepest and most beautiful lakes in Africa. You will have time to relax, take a nature walk or go bird watching. You could try your hand at paddling a dugout canoe or go swimming in the hippo, croc and bilharzia-free waters. You can also visit the local community.

You’ll enjoy an additional day in the “Switzerland of Africa”. Relax, take a nature walk or enjoy bird watching – Bunyonyi does mean “place of many little birds”, after all! Swim, see if you can master paddling a dugout canoe.

Lake Bunyonyi- Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast we will drive 4-5 hours to Lake Mburo National Park. The park has a variety of animals such as leopard, zebra, impala, buffalo and over 300 bird species, many of which you will see on the afternoon game drive. Horseback safaris and boat trips on the lake are also available.

After breakfast on your second day, you will go for the morning Game drive and afternoon Boat trip.

Lake Mburo National Park-Entebbe

You can choose to do an optional morning walking safari to get closer to the animals, and it is the best way to spot the birds. When leaving the park, you get a final chance to view the animals, before heading back to Entebbe and your scheduled flight, with the hope we have whet your appetite for even more African safari adventures.

Itinerary

Trip Details

Inclusions

Exclusions

Prices

  • 2 pax based on a double room $4,808/person
  • 4 pax based on 2 double rooms $3,686/person
  • 6 pax based on 3 doubles rooms $3,312/person

Our tailor-made trips are designed to offer you the best possible value to make your East African safari experience a memorable one. As a boutique tour operator, we are happy to personalise your trip budget and package according to your needs.

Please treat all pricing as a guide only, as customisations made to this itinerary, style of travel, and number of guests may raise or lower the overall cost. All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice. Single supplements may apply.

To shorten some of the longer distances (6-7 hours) at the beginning or at the end of your tour activities, which normally ends far away from Entebbe International Airport, we can arrange a flight to connect to the airport quickly for your scheduled return flight. Also, during your tour there may be long journey times, it is possible to fly between the national parks. We are also happy to arrange this.

Warren Anwkasa,
Founder, Kikooko Africa Safaris

Inquire About This Tour

All our itineraries can be adapted to suit your personal interests and preferences. 

Please feel free to discuss these with us so we can personalise your tour for your maximum enjoyment.

For the most current rates for your party, request a quote or speak to one of Kikooko Africa Safari’s travel experts.

What Our Guests Say

Find More Like

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