Explore Uganda’s rich and exceptional wildlife through a must-do safari, with the highlight being the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity allows you to witness these majestic creatures up close. Beyond gorillas, Uganda is the proud owner of diverse primate species, including chimpanzees and golden monkeys, offering thrilling primate tracking experiences in Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The country’s captivating landscapes range from the scenic shores of Lake Victoria – the largest lake in Africa, to the stunning Rwenzori Mountains and the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the Nile River carves through a narrow gorge. Uganda’s cultural diversity unfolds with encounters with local communities like the Batwa, Baganda, and Karamojong, each preserving their unique traditions, dance, and craftsmanship. Vibrant cultural performances and traditional ceremonies provide a colorful immersion into Uganda’s heritage.
For adventure enthusiasts, Uganda offers a plethora of activities, including white-water rafting on the Nile, trekking through dense jungles, and hiking to the peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, ensuring an adrenaline-pumping experience in this diverse and captivating destination.
Day 1
Arrival Entebbe
Arrival at Entebbe Airport. Meeting and assistance by our representative.
Transfer to your hotel for relaxation and a warm Ugandan welcome.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Botanical Gardens for a guided tour and return to the hotel for dinner.
Dinner and overnight Entebbe
Day 2
Jinja, the Source of the Nile
After breakfast, we will travel to Jinja, Uganda’s second-largest city, approximately two hours away. Jinja is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, close to the source of the White Nile. It serves as the capital of the district bearing its name and is the cultural hub of the Basoga kingdom. Jinja, known as “the place of flat stones” in the local Basoga and Baganda languages, is home to communities on both sides of the White Nile in this region.
Boats could safely navigate the river here thanks to rocks marking the riverbanks in the rapids area. We will take a boat trip to explore the Source of the Nile.
Dinner and overnight Around jinja – next to the Nile
Day 3 and 4
Murchison Falls and the White Nile
In the morning, we will head north towards Murchison Falls National Park, passing through picturesque countryside, villages, schools, and farmlands. We will arrive at the reserve in the afternoon and embark on our first safari tour. This northern nature reserve is home to the White Nile, which embarks on its lengthy journey north to the Mediterranean Sea, creating magnificent waterfalls along its narrow gorge. Murchison Falls NP is Uganda’s largest and offers a landscape of sparse tree savannah. Among the wildlife that roams here are giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, Ugandan kob, and more. Predators include lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, with humans being their primary prey.
On the second day in the reserve, after breakfast, we will take a boat trip downstream to observe crocodiles and hippos basking in the waters.
Dinner and overnight at one of the lodges near Murchison Falls
Day 5
Murchison Falls – Fort Portal – Kibale Forest Reserve
In the morning, we will depart for Kibale Forest Reserve, passing through endless tea and coffee plantations. We will continue through small villages and pass through Fort Portal, arriving late in the afternoon at the Kibale Reserve.
Dinner and overnight stay in Kibale area.
Day 6
Kibale Forest, Meeting the Chimpanzees – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, we will join on a guided walking tour in Kibale Forest Reserve.
Although relatively small, this forest is home to 11 different species of primates, various insects, many plant species, butterflies, birds, and amphibians. The main attraction is the chimpanzee population, which has been habituated since 1992, allowing visitors to get close to them during the tour.
In the afternoon, we will explore beautiful crater lakes and a rich bird population.
Later, we will continue southward, with the Rwenzori Mountains in the background, to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Dinner and overnight: One of the lodges at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7
Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
We will begin our day with a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in the western part of the country at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. The park boasts two large lakes, Lake Edward, and Lake George, connected by the natural Kazinga Channel, a waterway with Uganda’s highest concentration of hippos.
We will embark on a boat safari along the channel to observe the park’s wildlife and waterfowl.
Dinner and overnight: Lake Edward lodge or similar
Day 8
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
In the morning, we will set out for another safari in Uganda’s flagship park. The park features massive crater lakes in the Rift Valley, small volcanic cones, and “bushes” that provide shelter for the rare tree-climbing lions, savannahs, and wetlands. We might encounter leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, and colorful bird species in the forested areas.
Next we travel southwest, passing through scenic open savannah and banana plantations to reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve. This forest is one of Africa’s largest rainforests and is home to numerous rare and endemic plant and animal species.
Dinner and overnight: Around queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 9
Fascinating Encounter with Mountain Gorillas – Lake Bunyonyi
We will rise early and, accompanied by experienced trackers and rangers, embark on a trek through the dense jungle and unique vegetation of Bwindi, which is indeed impenetrable. We will hike on the less challenging trails and, with patience and determination, track the mountain gorillas that inhabit this forest. Mountain gorillas are highly social animals, living in relatively stable groups. It is estimated that about 300 individuals live in the reserve, with only three groups habituated for human encounters.
Dinner and overnight at the Lake Bunyony area.
Day 10
Lake Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo
After breakfast we will head to Lake Mburo National Park. We will tour this small reserve, home to a wide variety of water birds and other animal species, including zebras, impalas, and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe. You may find leopards, hyenas, and topi in the forested areas. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the lake and observe the diverse birdlife.
Dinner and overnight: The accommodation will be at one of the lodges in the area
Day 11
Lake Mburo – Kampala – Entebbe
Today is our last day in Uganda. After breakfast we will visit a local school and browse the souvenir shops along the way. Enjoy lunch before transferring to Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.
Remarks:
Lodging on the trip will be determined based on availability at the time of booking. Important to know!!! All the hotels and lodges we work with in Uganda are the best in their respective environment where we travel
The authentic experiences, attention to detail, and expert guides you expect from Vered Hasharon—now in new destinations such as Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Spanish Pyrenees, Georgia, and Namibia!
With over 50 years of proven experience crafting exclusive travel worldwide, we know how to deliver iconic adventures that go above and beyond the standard tour. Now, we’re leveraging that experience to give you access to some of the world’s hidden gems.
Our expert guides have been working in all those destinations for 20+ years, getting to know the people, the landscapes, and the cultures firsthand so they can give you a unique insider’s perspective into these vibrant ancient cultures and thrill you with their unparalleled natural beauty.
At Vered Hasharon, we make every moment count. You get the best of both worlds–the adventure you crave and the peace of mind that everything has been taken care of, down to the tiniest details. All that’s left for you to do is to sit back and enjoy the trip as you stimulate your senses in these unforgettable journeys through history and time.
Treat yourself this year—explore the Jungle’s wildlife on Vered Hasharon’s Uganda trips!
It is almost impossible to summarize Uganda’s highlights, as the entire trip is a collection of so many unique experiences. If we had to share with you one experience, it would be the moment when you are facing the elephants as they come to drink from the Nile River, and our boat stops at the base of the magnificent Murchison Falls. At this point, all the White Nile water concentrates into a narrow passage only 4 meters wide. The spectacular display of water cascading down the falls creates a pleasant mist that strokes your face as our team hands you a cold beer.
Another extraordinary experience is meeting the mountain gorillas… Wow!
Unique local accommodation: Uganda provides magical and memorable accommodation sites. As always, our hotels during the trip were carefully chosen. We will stay in charming 4–5-star hotels or lodges near the wildlife reserves.
Comfortable & spacious Safari vehicles with open roofs, capable of handling the roads of Uganda – up to 6 people per vehicle.
We include all the highlights you expect—and much more! From wildlife safaris to unbelievable pristine landscapes. Our added value is the close encounters with the diverse tribal cultures & our ability to provide you with the perfect immersion between nature and the local Ugandan spirit.
We don’t leave anything to chance. Every group is accompanied by our experienced guide throughout the trip, and every activity is accompanied also by local staff members. Our guide will lead you and provide everything you need for the perfect Ugandan experience.
Our Lapland trip includes everything. Breakfasts at the hotels, lunches during the various activities, and dinners at local restaurants or the hotels where we stay. The Finnish meals are simple and rich in local ingredients such as salmon, northern deer meat stews, forest berries, and of course, carbohydrates that fill you up and warm your body. We also can’t forget the traditional blueberry tea. All meals are served buffet-style.