Tour Overview

18 Days Uganda family safari is designed for the travelers who have enough time and want to spend a holiday in Uganda to discover the various attractions Uganda has to offer. Uganda also referred to us the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’, is rich in various attractions ranging from the national parks boosting with various mammal species to the primates and several bird species as well as the natural forests, the tropical forests, wetlands and rivers and lakes and the also having the most powerful waterfalls in the world. This trip therefore, takes you four of Uganda’s savannah national parks of kidepo Valley national park situated in Northeastern Uganda, Murchison falls national park in Northern Uganda as well as Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo in southwestern Uganda. During the safari visit to these parks, you will be able to do game drives and boat cruise safaris, you will boat in Murchison fall to the bottom of the falls, Kazinga channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo boat and another canoe boat in lake Bunyonyi in Kabale district in southwestern Uganda. These savannah parks, also offer great chances of spotting animal species including the antelopes, lions, leopard, elephants, Giraffes, buffalos, hippos, water backs, warthogs and so many more with the highlight of the safari being an encounter with the great Apes in their Natural habitat. You will track chimpanzees in Kibale forest, as well as Budongo forest and Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.
The exciting one is Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you will also have an opportunity to interact with the locals in the communities living in surrounding areas of the park. While, you will interact with the locals and learn more about them, their traditions and norms. Book your 18 days family experience with us, and you will have the safari experience with the kids in Uganda.

Tour Highlights

18 Days Uganda Family Safari: Detailed Itinerary

 Day 1: Arrival and pick up from Entebbe international Airport

On arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will be met by our company driver who will pick you up, depending on your arrival time, he will transfer you to hotel where you will check in for dinner and overnight stay. But if you arrive early, you may choose to explore the Entebbe town as visit some of the interesting places like the Botanical gardens, take a boat excursion to Ngema Island or visit the Uganda wildlife Education Centre.

Accommodation options:

• Papyrus Guest house
• secrets Guest house Entebbe

Destination:  Entebbe

Day 2: Drive to Jinja and visit the source of the Nile/ the River Nile

Have morning breakfast and the driver guide will pick you up and drive you to jinja town also known as the adventure capital of Uganda. Driving via Kampala, the journey will take you through the small towns, tea plantations, road side markets, sugar cane plantations. The drive time takes about 2-3 hours arriving in jinja in time for lunch. After lunch, you will take boat ride to the Source of the Nile which is the second largest river in the world.

Accommodation options:

• Source of the Nile suites
• living waters Resort

Destination:  Source of the Nile

Day 3: Transfer to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking

Drive from Jinja via Kampala to Nakasongola situated north of Uganda to the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary a home for the only remaining white Rhinos in Uganda. This offers you a perfect opportunity to track White Rhinos in the wild. Rhinos became extinct in Uganda in the 1970s as a result of rampant poaching. They have currently been reintroduced in the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the hope that when their population improves, they will be reintroduced in Uganda national parks where they first belonged. While at the Sanctury, you will take part in Rhino to tracking these endangered species and learn more about them. Overnight at Amuka Safari Lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Amuka Lodge

Destination:  Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

 Day 4: Budongo chimpanzee trekking and afternoon visit to the top of the Murchison falls

After morning breakfast, you will head out to the Budongo park headquarters for briefing about the rules and regulations to be followed during Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, start your primate walk in the Budongo Forest guided by well-trained and experienced ranger guides. While on the trek, you will encounter other primates, birds and different plant species in the forest. Once you get into close proximity with the Chimps or one community of habituated chimpanzees, you will be allowed one hour to observe them and photographs before you return back to the Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will drive to Murchison Falls National Park for a brief game drive via the top of the falls to see how the Nile waters squeeze through a narrow gorge only later to explode into one of the strongest and most powerful waterfalls in the world. Continue and drive to the lodge where you will check in for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

• Paraa safari lodge (luxury)
• Pakuba safari lodge (Mid-range).

Destination:  Murchison Falls National Park

Day 5: Murchison falls morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Have early breakfast and set off to the park with your guide to catch some nocturnal animals before they retire in their Hideouts. Drive to the Nile Delta where you may spot the giraffes, elephants, several species of antelopes, buffalos, wide array of bird species and on a lucky day, you may see the pride of the lion and leopards. After the game drive, drive back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a boat cruise to the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls. From the jetty point, as you head towards the bottom of the Falls, you will spot several herds of buffaloes, crocodiles, hippos, different species of water birds and many other animals as they flock the banks of the river Nile to drink water. You will continue upstream to the bottom of the falls to observe how water squeezes through a narrow gorge only later to drop down with thunderous roar in what has been referred to as the strongest and most powerful falls on planet earth. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

 Day 6: Morning Delta boat cruise and afternoon game drive

Wake up for morning breakfast and after go for morning Delta boat cruise to the Albert delta. Depending on how lucky you are, there are chances that you may find elephants, buffaloes and hippos crossing the delta while crocodiles are also taking opportunity of this crossing to catch the vulnerable animals. There are also high chances that you will spot the rare Shoebill stock. Drive back to the lodge for lunch and later afternoon, you will return to the northern bank of the river Nile for yet another exciting game drive in search of some of the wild animals that you could have missed seeing during your previous game drives. In the evening, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale forest national park

After morning breakfast, exit the park and drive to Kibale forest National Park via fort portal town. You will brief stop over for lunch in fort portal, embark on your journey to kibale forest and on arrival, proceed and check in to the lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation options:

• Chimpanzee Forest house
• Isunga Lodge

Destination:  Kibale Forest National Park

 Day 8: Chimpanzee trekking and afternoon visit the Bigodi wetland swamp

After breakfast, head out to the park headquarters located in Kanyanchu, where you will join other trekkers for briefing before you proceed in to the forest for chimpanzee trekking. During the activity you will be accompanied by an expert ranger guide for the start of the trek in Kibale forest. You will have an opportunity to visit one of the habituated chimpanzee families/ communities. Once you found them, you are allowed to spend an hour with these Great Apes while observing their behavior, take photos for your memories. Kibale National Park is also home too other 13 primate species which you will be able to see during chimpanzee trekking in the forest. Kibale forest is another bird watcher’s paradise with a wide array of different bird species.

Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and afternoon game drive in Mweya

After breakfast, you will exit Kibale and drive for 3-4 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through small towns while seeing several foothills of the magnificent Rwenzori Mountain. You will as well as cross the Equator at Kikorongo.Of course you will also see several small rivers that originate from the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. You may head to the lodge for lunch or drive directly to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This two-hour boat cruise is one of the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides you with an opportunity to view over 300 out of the 700 water bird species recorded here. You will also spot several animal species including; antelopes, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hippos which can be sighted while on the boat.

Accommodation options:

• Elephant Hab Lodge
• Pumba Safari lodge

Destination:  Queen Elizabeth National Park

 Day 10: Morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Have early morning breakfast and thereafter, drive back to the Kasenyi plains for a game drive to catch with the early risers. Be on the lookout for what you could have missed out during the previous game drive. Mornings are when the big cats are out hunting for their prey and as such chances of spotting lions and or leopards are slightly high. Never the less, you will be guaranteed to see buffaloes, hippos, several species of antelopes, and many others. Return to the lodge for lunch and after proceed to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. This two-hour boat cruise is one of the highlights in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides you an opportunity to view over 300 out of the 700 water bird species recorded here, antelopes, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hippos. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 11: Morning chimp trekking in Kyambura gorge or Kalinzu forest and afternoon, visit the Katwe Salt Lake mining

After morning breakfast, head to the park headquarters where you will attend briefing by the expert rangers on the dos and don’ts of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, you will be led by the ranger guide to the starting point of the trek. Once you have found the chimps, you will be allowed one hour to spend with them take photos after, you will return to the lodge for lunch and brief rest.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Katwe Salt Lake Mining, you will meet the local community who have been here mining salt for decades. The local guide from the community will take you for a tour around the salt while explaining the process of salt extraction. The challenges faced by the people as well as the benefits. Lake Katwe salt extraction project is one of the living examples of man and biosphere reserves or conservation areas in the whole world where man is harmoniously co-existing with wildlife. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

 Day 12: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth.

After breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. Your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will take you through the rolling hills with terraced gardens of Irish potatoes and sometimes tea. You will arrive late afternoon for overnight at the Lodge. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. O arrival, check in to the lodge and spend the day at leisure.

Accommodation options:

• Broadbill camp, Trekkers Tervan Cottages, Rushaga Haven Lodge (budget)
• Ichumbi Gorillla lodge or Gorilla Mist Camp or Buhoma haven lodge(Mid-range)
• Chameleon Hill lodge or Ruhija Gorilla Safari lodge or Clouds Mountain Gorilla lodge or Bwindi lodge (luxury)

Destination:  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Day 13: Gorilla tracking and Batwa community walk

After breakfast, with your packed lunch, you will transfer to the park headquarters to join other trekkers to attend a briefing on the rules and regulations to follow during Gorilla trekking you will also be allocated a Gorilla family that you will trek. After that, you will be driven to the starting point of your allocated gorilla family to start your trek into the beautiful Impenetrable Bwindi Forest. This trek may take between 30 minutes to three quarters of the day, depending on where the Mountain Gorillas will be found. Please noted that gorilla trekking can be strenuous and as such a certain level of fitness is required. Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour to observe them and take photographs. Thereafter, you will return to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate of participation in gorilla trekking as a recognition of your effort in contributing to the conservation of these endangered mountain gorillas. Return to the lodge for relaxation.
In the evening you will take part in Batwa community visit to learn more about the local people living around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will meet and interact with the locals and also participate n some village activities like art and craft, preparing local foods as well as enjoy the traditional dances organized by the Batwa women. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

 Day 14: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale District. The lake locally means a place with little birds. Therefore, the Lake got its name because of the abundance of small birds in this area in filled the area. Lake Bunyonyi is said to be the deepest lake in Uganda and the second deepest in East Africa. The beauty of this Lake Bunyonyi will surely not disappoint you. It is one of the best places in Uganda to relax after your long day gorilla trek

Day 15: Canoeing boat in Lake Bunyonyi or Hiking

After breakfast, take time to explore and admire the beauty of the lake and its surrounding hills. You can either take a canoe ride on the lake to explore the different Islands with exciting histories behind them. visit the Punishment Island. it is the place where girls who were known to have conceived babies out of legitimate traditional marriage would be dumped and left to die. Among others. Lake Bunyonyi has got 29 islands you can explore and get to know all about their histories. This is a whole day activity and you will surely enjoy it. Alternatively, you can hike one of the hills around the Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

Accommodation options:

• Crater Bay Cottages (budget)
• Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Bunyonyi Eco Resort (Mid-range)
• Aracadia Cottages Bunyonyi, Bird Nest Resort Bunyonyi (luxury)

Destination:  Lake Bunyonyi

 Day 16: To Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park driving via the Great Lakes Museum or Igongo Cultural center to learn more about the cultures of the ethnic groups in western Uganda. Lunch will be served en- route. You will arrive at Lake Mburo National Park just in time for an evening game drive. Lake Mburo National Park is popular for animals such as Impalas, Giraffes, Zebras and so much more. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation options:

• Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
• Rwakobo Rock

Destination:  Lake Mburo National Park

Day 17: Walks and Game Drives

After breakfast, you will head out for a morning walk in the park, there are no predators in this park thus nature friendly and hence allows walking adventure, during the walk you will come in close range with the animals. later return for lunch. In the evening, you will go on a game drive in search of wildlife that is further and cannot be reached on foot thus the game drive helps you to locate those far animals.

 Day 18: Drive to Entebbe International Airport

Today is the last day of our safari. Depending on your flight time, you can have a morning walking Safari or just embark on your journey to Entebbe International Airport. Of course, you will have a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photography and stretching. With enroute lunch arriving in Kampala in the afternoon. The driver guide will drop you off at the airport in time for your departure flight back home.

End of Tour

Includes & Excludes

Getting There

The trip will start from Kampala or Entebbe to Source of the nile river to zziwa rhino sanctuary to murchison falls National park to Kibale forest national park to Queen Elizabeth national park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to Lake mburo national park and you will be dropped off at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe international airport after the trip.

Fill in and send the safari request form, we shall respond as soon as we receive your message.
You can also reach us on Whats-app Number: +256753750983 for urgent requests.