17 Days Uganda Safari: Adventure, Wildlife, and Primate Encounters

Discover the Ultimate 17-Day Uganda Safari: Adventure, Wildlife, and Primate Encounters

Are you dreaming of an unforgettable Uganda safari that combines thrilling adventures, breathtaking wildlife sightings, and once-in-a-lifetime primate experiences? Our 17 Days Amazing Uganda Safari is meticulously crafted for adventurous travelers seeking to explore Uganda's most iconic destinations. From heart-pounding white water rafting on the Nile to wildlife watching in Murchison Falls National Park, a challenging Rwenzori Mountains trek summiting six peaks, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and intimate gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this itinerary offers the perfect blend of excitement, nature, and cultural immersion.

This Uganda adventure tour is ideal for those who want to dive deep into the Pearl of Africa's diverse landscapes, including the roaring waters of the Nile, misty mountains, and lush rainforests teeming with endangered species. With expert local guides specializing in Rwenzori mountaineering tours, you'll enjoy a seamless journey that highlights Uganda's unique biodiversity. Accommodations blend rustic charm and comfort, featuring cozy huts in the Rwenzori Mountains and mid-range safari lodges— all self-contained with three delicious meals per day to keep you energized for your daily exploits.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, hiking aficionado, or thrill-seeker, this 17-day Uganda itinerary promises epic memories. Book your Uganda gorilla trekking safari today and embark on a transformative adventure!

Why Choose This 17-Day Uganda Safari?

  • Diverse Activities: Experience white water rafting, wildlife safaris, mountain trekking, and gorilla tracking in one comprehensive package.
  • Expert Guidance: Travel with local specialists in Rwenzori trekking and Uganda safaris for authentic insights and safety.
  • Comfortable Stays: Enjoy mid-range lodges and mountain huts with full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • Eco-Friendly Focus: Support conservation efforts in national parks like Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth.
  • Customizable Options: Tailor your trip for groups, families, or solo travelers interested in Uganda primate tours.


Activities

Itinerary

Kick off your 17-day Uganda adventure with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport. After clearing customs, transfer to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda, for a relaxing evening. Settle into your mid-range lodge, enjoy a delicious dinner, and rest up for the excitement ahead. Overnight in Jinja.


Dive into adrenaline-fueled action with a full day of white water rafting on the River Nile. Navigate thrilling rapids, surrounded by stunning scenery and birdlife. This is one of Uganda's top adventure activities, offering Class 3-5 rapids for all skill levels. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight in Jinja.


Start with a morning game drive to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and buffalo in the savanna. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise to the base of the thundering Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge. Keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, and rare birds. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.


You will wake up early morning and have an en route Game drive as you exist the Murchison falls to connect to Albert region which is the lowest point in Uganda, the Adventure will reward you with the feel of the Rift Valley of the Albertine Region with refreshment (Ugandan Rolex) at Ngusi Camp along the Road to Fort portal, Proceed to arrival at Fort Portal Restaurant for Lunch, continue to drive to Rwenzori Mountains National Park where you will arrive in the late evening. Check in at the lodge for Dinner and overnight

  • Equator Snow Lodge ( Luxury )
  • Sandton Hotel  ( Mid Range )
  • Margherita Hotel  Lower Mid Range
  • Ruboni Camp   ( Budget )


The Rwenzori central circuit starts at Nyakalengijja. You need to arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters. The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.

The hike takes an average of 6 -7 hours.


From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut.

The hike takes an average of 7 - 8 hours.


From Nyabitaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock. From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut.

The hike takes an average of 7 - 8 hours.


From John Matte Hut the trail drops down to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias. Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mount Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, is set in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass.

This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.

The hike takes an average of 4 – 5 hours.


Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical and forest of Groundsel Gully. Turn to your right up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut.

The hike takes an average of 5 – 6 hours.  


Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita of Mount Stanley. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4 -5 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain.

This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori. The descend from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours. After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m asl.), where there are spectacular views of Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke. After, the trail passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara camp.

The descend takes an average of 3 – 4 hours.  


From Kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the head wall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass 4282m asl. At this point you can view into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north.

From the pass, take on the long high alpine mossy. Thereafter start the descend through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp.

The hike takes an average of 6 – 7 hours. 


Below Guy Yeoman, the route descends through the cliffs of Kichuchu which is muddy path that takes crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Continue descending Nyabitaba Camp and complete your trek by the evening at Nyakalengijja, the base camp and you will proceed to spend the night in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Dinner and overnight at

  • Enganzi Lodge ( Mid Range )
  • Bush Lodge ( Budget )
  • Kazinga Channel Resort - ( Budget )
  • Kasenyi Safari Camp  ( Mid Range)


This is another good day for your Uganda Safari tour. Wake up very early for your morning breakfast and set off for the a morning game drive to catch-up with the early risers and predators returning to their hideouts and you will most likely meet grazing Hippos, Elephants and Lions, spotted Hyenas, bush buck, water buck, stripped jackal, comical warthogs and the fierce leopard. Return for lunch and later on take on an afternoon Launch cruise along Kazinga Channel which joins Lakes Edward and George. The cruise is an astonishing way to see hippos, buffaloes, Kob and the occasional Nile crocodile plus a spectacular bird watching on the water banks. Many who experience the launch cruise consider it the best part of their entire African safari. Return for dinner and overnight at your lodge. (Full board).


Very early in the morning drive to Kyambura gorge Chimpanzee tracking experience, where you will meet face to face with the chimpanzees for at most 1 hour when you find theme in their natural home. Thereafter, go for the second Game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park to visit the local community and enjoy community visits, Lake Katwa, Return to the lodge


You will have breakfast at the lodge and Proceed with the en route to game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are really hard to spot (most especially when they’re down in the grassland looking for prey). Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! Proceed to the lodge for lunch and later proceed to drive connecting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Ruhija Sector or Rushaga Sector depending on the gorilla permit secured.

Dinner and overnight at

  • Ruhija Gorilla Mist (Mid Range)
  • Ichumbi Lodge (Luxury )
  • Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Mid Range)


Set off early with guides after breakfast to track the Uganda mountain gorillas in their home. The thrill of your encounter will wipe out the difficulties of the potentially laborious climbing. Come with jungle boots and rain jackets because the park is often wet. Use time in wonder watching the gorillas go about their activities. Each gorilla encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy to the extremes when adults are feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters play and swing from vines in a pleasantly good-humored show.  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a magnificent green swaddle of dense rain forest, so ancient that survived the last ice age. A recently proclaimed World Heritage site, it is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth and its unique, precious flora sustains roughly half of the world population of mountain gorillas estimated at 600. There is also a substantial chimpanzee population and research shows that Bwindi is the only forest in Africa in which these two apes live together. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi at your booked accommodation. 


Enjoy breakfast as a routine and start a day’s drive back Kampala. First, you will stop in Mbarara for a lunch break and secondly stop at the Uganda Equator for a photo moment. You will be in Kampala in the evening and proceed to Entebbe.

 


  • • Rwenzori Trekking
  • • Boat Cruise
  • • Game drives
  • • Gorilla trekking
  • • White water rafting
  • • Rhino Tracking
  • • Rwenzori Trekking Permit
  • • park Entrance
  • • Game drives
  • • Boat cruise
  • • Gorilla trekking Permits
  • • White water rafting
  • • Rhino Tracking
  • • Accommodation
  • • Transportation in 4x4 Safari land cruisers.
  • • Porters
  • • Meals
  • • English Speaking Guide
  • • Chimpanzee Watching in Kyambura Gorge.
  • • Uganda visa>>> Kindly apply for the visa in Advance online
  • • Flights
  • • Other items not mentioned in the travel plan
  • • Medical Insurance - Emergency Evacuation.