23-day active and cultural Uganda private lodge safari

After breakfast (around 8am), you will be picked up by the guide and depart from Entebbe/Kampala towards the city of Jinja, a drive of approx. 2-3 hours. Jinja is the adventure capital of East Africa, located on Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria.

En route to Jinja, a stop is made at Mabira Rainforest for ziplining at Mabira Forest Canopy Super Skyway. Here, high amongst the trees, there is a good chance of spotting animals such as grey-cheeked mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys.

Also birds such as the palm-nut vulture, African fish eagle and the great blue turaco. On the way back, you will pass the thundering Griffing Falls. After visiting Mabira Forest, continue driving to Jinja. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on Lake Victoria to the starting point of the famous Nile River.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in Jinja in a double room with a bathroom.

• Tourist class: Source of the Smile guesthouse – www.sourceofthesmile.com
• Mid-range: The Haven Eco Lodge – www.thehaven-uganda.com

Today is a day at leisure in and around Jinja. You can relax at the hotel or book one of the following optional activities (not included in the tour price): white-water rafting on the Nile River (no experience necessary, but a good swimmer and reasonably fit required).

A horseback ride along the Nile river and local villages (approx. 2 hours) and in the afternoon a quad bike tour in the area. A mountain bike tour can also be made along the local villages and along the Nile and the Mabira Rainforest. Lastly, a canoe trip can be made on the Nile river.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in Jinja in a double room with bathroom.

• Tourist class: Source of the Smile guesthouse – www.sourceofthesmile.com
• Mid-range: The Haven Eco Lodge – www.thehaven-uganda.com

After breakfast, depart (around 08:00) from Jinja and drive via the town of Mbale to Sipi Falls Village, a small town at the foot of Mount Elgon, a journey of approximately 3 hours. Arrive in Sipi Village, located amidst the mountains and waterfalls.

After checking in, a hike to the Sipi Falls, a series of three waterfalls. After visiting the waterfalls, return to the lodge and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in Sipi Village in a double room with a bathroom.

• Tourist Class: Lacam Lodge – www.lacamlodge.co.uk
• Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge – www.sipiriverlodge.com

After breakfast, depart from Sipi Village (around 8:00 AM) and drive to Moroto, a town located in the north-east of Uganda.

Moroto is the territory of the Karamajong, a unique and as yet unwesternised tribe. Arrival and, in the afternoon, a hike to Mount Moroto, an old dormant volcano and, at 3083 metres high, the highest mountain in the area. Mount Moroto is known for its rich nature and many bird species.

Overnight stay in the Kara Tunga Safari Camp in a two-person safari tent with a bathroom.

• For more information, see: www.kara-tunga.com/camp/

Today will be spent with the Karamajong people, where you will spend a day “walking alongside” the tribal members in their daily activities such as preparing meals, harvesting and gathering food, games, dancing, archery, and traditional wrestling. At the end of the day, return to the lodge.

Overnight stay at Kara Tunga safari camp in a two-person safari tent with a bathroom.

This morning was a relaxed start and after midday we departed from Moroto for a drive of approx. 2 hours to Kotido, with a stunning landscape and traditional villages en route.

The town of Kotido is the capital of this district and also an area of the Karamajong, but also the area of the IK tribe, a mountain tribe in northeastern Uganda. Arrival in Kotido and a small town tour. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

If you arrive on market day, it's nice to visit the market where cattle, goats, and sheep are traded.

Overnight stay in the Hotel Royal Madiba in a double room with a bathroom.

• For more information, see: no website

Today a visit to the IK tribe, a mountain people of approx. 11,000 people living on top of the Morungole mountains. The IK tribe still has little contact with the rest of the world and still live in a traditional way.

Therefore, a visit is a unique experience. You will need hiking boots for today's hike, a backpack, and enough water. It's quite a climb but definitely worth it. During the hike, there are splendid views over the Rift Valley and Kenya. Back to Kotido at the end of the afternoon.

Overnight stay in the Hotel Royal Madiba in a double room on a bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast, depart from Kotido and drive for approximately 2-3 hours to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of the last true “wilderness” areas.

Kidepo is a rugged savanna, dominated by the 2,750-metre-high Morungole mountain and crisscrossed by the Kidepo and Narus rivers. In the afternoon, a game drive through Kidepo Valley National Park, and in the late afternoon, a visit to the hot springs.

Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice in the Kidepo Valley in a double room with a bathroom.

• Tourist Class: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (non self-contained tents) or Apoka Bandas – www.kideposafaris.com/apoka-rest-camp.html
• Mid-range: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (self-contained tents) – www.naturelodges.biz/kidepo-savannah-lodge

This morning, a game drive through Kidepo National Park in search of animals such as tree-climbing lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras, buffaloes, gazelles, elephants, giraffes, roan antelope, striped hyenas, Uganda kob, Nile crocodiles, duiker antelope, and many others.

After the game drive, we'll return to the lodge for lunch. Following lunch, there will be a guided cultural walk in the lodge's surroundings, including visits to the Kamarajong and Kabong tribes.

Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice in the Kidepo Valley in a double room with a bathroom.

Breakfast on time and one last game drive in Kidepo National Park. Afterwards, depart from Kidepo Valley National Park for a 7-8 hour drive. Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, the largest National Park in Uganda. Arrive and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in or near the Murchison Falls National Park in a double room with a bathroom.

• Tourist Class: Heritage Safari Lodge – www.heritagesafarilodge.com
• Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge – www.pakubasafarilodge.com or Fort Murchison Safari Lodge www.naturelodges.biz/fort-murchison/

This morning, breakfast was on time (06:15) and we departed for a game drive through Murchison N.P. in search of the animals found here, such as hippos, crocodiles, Rothschild's giraffes, lions, baboons, warthogs, buffalo, hartebeest, and elephants.

Plenty of waterfowl (more than 360 species) such as the shoebill stork, among others. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, a boat cruise on the Nile to the waterfall, a spectacular experience.

A walk can be taken from the foot of the waterfall to the top where the driver will pick you up again. After visiting the waterfall, you will drive back to the lodge, arriving around 5:30 PM. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice in or near Murchison Falls National Park in a double room with bathroom.

After breakfast, depart from Murchison Falls National Park and drive via the Bugungu Gate towards Lake Albert, the sixth largest freshwater lake in Africa.

Along the shores of Lake Albert, we visit the fishing village of Butiaba, once an important port for traffic between Congo and Uganda, but now a fishing village due to the collapse of trade with Congo owing to the unrest in the Congo.

There is an opportunity for a walk to learn about the lives of the inhabitants and the activities in the village. On a clear day, the Blue Mountains in the Congo can be seen from Butiaba. After visiting Butiaba, you will be driven to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in a hotel on the shores of Lake Albert in a twin room with a bathroom.

• Tourist class: Kontiki hotel www.hoimakontikihotel.com
• Mid-range: Hoima Cultural Safari Lodge – www.ugandaculturallodges.com

After breakfast (approx. 08:00), depart from Hoima and drive for approx. 4 hours in a southerly direction to Kibale Forest National Park. Arrive at the lodge in the afternoon and have time for lunch.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy the surroundings. The guide will also give a brief update on the next day's activity.

Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice near/in Kibale Forest in a double room with bathroom (mid-range accommodation only).

• Tourist Class: Kibale Forest Camp – www.naturelodges.biz/kibale-forest-camp (tent without ensuite bathroom) or Isungu Lodge – www.isungalodge.com
• Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp – www.naturelodges.biz/kibale-forest-camp (Luxury tent with bathroom) or Chimp Guesthouse – www.chimpanzeeforestguesthouse.com

This morning I got up early and drove to Kanyanchu River Camp, where the chimp trekking begins. Chimp trekking starts at 08:00, a guided hike in search of chimpanzees.

Uganda and Kibale Forest are renowned for the primate colonies found there, with a total of 13 different primate species, of which the chimpanzee is the most “popular”. A chimpanzee tracking excursion lasts around 2-3 hours, with 1 hour spent with the chimpanzees.

After the chimpanzee encounter, drive back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, drive to the Bigodi Swamps for a nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp walk is a community-based initiative and the area is known for its great diversity of birds and primates.

Overnight stay at the hotel of your choice near/in Kibale Forest in a double room with bathroom (mid-range accommodation only).

After breakfast, you'll continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is approximately a 3-hour drive, with a stop en route at the equator for photographs.

On the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a stop at Lake Katwe to get acquainted with the local residents and to see how they mine salt.

There's an opportunity to buy local products and crafts, supporting the local community. On the way to the lodge, enjoy your first game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The afternoon is free for you to relax.

Overnight stay at a hotel of your choice in Queen Elizabeth National Park in a twin room with bathroom.

• Tourist Class: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge – www.irunguforestsafarilodge.com of Pumba Safari Lodge – www.pumbasafaricottages.n.nu
• Mid-range: Engazi Lodge – www.enganzilodge.com of Parkview Safari Lodge – www.parkviewsafarilodge.com of Twins Lake Safari Lodge – www.twinlakesafarilodge.com

Get up early this morning for the best chance of seeing wildlife. Game drive (departure approx. 06:30) through Queen Elizabeth National Park for approx. 3-4 hours, followed by a stop for lunch.

In the afternoon (at 2:00 PM) a boat trip of approximately 2 hours is planned over the Kazinga Channel to Lake Edward, with opportunities en route to see many bird species, wildlife and take photographs. After the boat trip, return to the hotel and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight stay at a hotel of your choice in Queen Elizabeth National Park in a twin room with bathroom.

After breakfast, one last game drive and then we depart for the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park called the Ishasha sector.

This part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for the tree-climbing lions found here. On the way to the lodge game drive through the park. Arrival at the lodge and check-in. In the afternoon, an evening game drive through the park.

Overnight stay in a hotel of your choice near/in the Ishasha sector in a double room with en-suite bathroom.

• Tourist class: Enjojo Lodge (lazy camping) – www.enjojolodge.com
• Mid-range: Enjojo Lodge – www.enjojolodge.com of Topi Lodge – www.topilodgeishasha.com

Departing the lodge at 08:00, we drive towards the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. En route, we will stop at Kitagata hot springs, a natural hot spring that local people believe possesses healing powers.

There is time to take a delightful hot bath. After visiting the hot springs, continue driving to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to prepare for the gorilla trekking the following day.

An overnight stay in a hotel of your choice in or near Bwindi National Park in a double room with an en-suite bathroom.

• Tourist Class: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (Standard Room) – www.rushaga.com of Buhoma Community Bandas www.buhomacommunity.com
• Mid-range: Haven Lodge – www.buhomacommunity.com/book-haven-lodge/ of Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge – www.lakemulehesafarilodge.com of Mutanda Lake Lodge – www.mutandalakeresort.com of Gorilla Mist Camp – www.gorillamistcamp.com

This morning, it’s an early start to get ready for one of the biggest highlights of the trip, the visit to the gorillas. From the hotel, it’s a short car ride to the starting point of the tracking where the registration form is completed.

At 08:00, there will be a briefing on the do's and don'ts during the trek, after which the walk will commence at 08:30. A certain level of fitness is required for the trek, and sturdy walking shoes are a must. During the search for the gorillas, the park ranger will provide information about the gorillas as well as other flora and fauna.

The duration of the tracking depends on the search for the gorillas and can take several hours or even a whole day. Once the group has been found, a maximum of 1 hour can be spent with the gorillas.

After the gorilla tracking, return to the lodge and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in/near Bwindi National Park in a twin room with a bathroom.

After breakfast, we leave the lodge and drive towards Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second-deepest freshwater lake. In the afternoon, there will be a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. You can swim in the lake or visit the nearby village and local market.

A boat trip can also be taken across the lake, visiting the small islands, or a canoe trip can be made on.

These girls were often banished to this island where they mostly died of hunger and thirst or drowned in the lake. This then served as a warning to other young girls. Rest of the day at leisure for activities.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in a double room with en-suite bathroom.

• Tourist class: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp – www.bunyonyioverland.co.uk
• Mid-range: Arcadia Cottages – www.arcadialodges.com/lake-bunyonyi.html or Birds Nest – www.birdnestatbunyonyi.com

After breakfast, depart from Lake Mburo and drive to Lake Mburo National Park, a small game park in central Uganda. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Mburo in search of birds, hippos, and crocodiles.

After visiting Lake Mburo National Park, drive to the lodge.

Overnight stay in the hotel of your choice in a double room with en-suite bathroom.

• Tourist class: Eagles Nest – www.naturelodges.biz/eagles-nest/
• Mid-range: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge – www.mburosafarilodge.com

Depart from Lake Mburo after breakfast and drive for approx. 6 hours to Entebbe. Transfer to Entebbe Airport.

End of arrangement.