21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari
21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari
21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari
21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari
21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari
21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari

21 Days Ultimate Uganda National Parks Grand Circuit Safari

This 21 day overland safari takes you by road through all 11 of Uganda's national parks, from Mount Elgon in the east to Kidepo in the north, then west to Murchison Falls, Semuliki, Kibale, the Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Mgahinga, and finally Lake Mburo. You will hike waterfalls, track chimpanzees and golden monkeys, trek to see mountain gorillas, search for tree climbing lions, cruise along the Kazinga Channel and the Nile, explore hot springs, and finish with a walking safari, all without taking a single flight.

 

Duration 21 Days
Type Whole Uganda
Accommodation Mid Range
View Itinerary

The Journey

Day 1

Arrival at Entebbe and Transfer to Lodge.

Your Ugandan safari begins the moment you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where a professional English-speaking driver-guide from Enjobe Safaris will be waiting to welcome you with a personalized sign. After a brief introduction and assistance with your luggage, you’ll be escorted to your private safari vehicle for a smooth and comfortable transfer. You’ll then drive to your selected accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala, passing scenic views and getting your first feel of Uganda’s atmosphere. Upon arrival, you’ll check in, freshen up, and unwind in a calm, welcoming environment. Depending on your arrival time, meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) will be provided, giving you time to relax and recover from your journey. The rest of the evening is at leisure perfect for resting and preparing for the adventure ahead.

Day 2

Entebbe to Mount Elgon National Park (Sipi Falls)

After an early breakfast, you drive east to Mbale town (approximately 5-6 hours), stopping briefly at the Source of the Nile in Jinja. You check into your accommodation at the foot of Mount Elgon. In the late afternoon, you take a guided nature walk to the three Sipi Falls waterfalls, then visit a local Bagisu coffee farm to learn about traditional coffee roasting and grinding. You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Mount Elgon – Hiking to Caves and Forest Exploration

You drive to the Kapkwai Forest Exploration Centre for a morning hike through montane forest, spotting black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, and Ross’s turaco. You continue to the ancient Sipi Caves (lava tubes) to learn about geology and bats. After a picnic lunch, you hike to the base of the main falls for a swim or photos. Late afternoon, you optionally participate in a community coffee experience. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 4

Mount Elgon to Kidepo Valley National Park (Long Transfer)

You depart very early driving north through Soroti, Lira, Kotido to Kidepo (approx 9-10 hours, 500 km) with packed lunch. You arrive in late afternoon, check into your accommodation, and take a short evening game drive en route to the lodge, seeing zebras, ostriches, and elephants. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5

Kidepo – Full Day Game Drives and Hot Springs

After breakfast, you enjoy a morning game drive in the Narus Valley seeing large herds of buffalo, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, elands, lions, leopards, and hyenas. After a picnic lunch, you continue with afternoon game drives in search of more wildlife. In the late afternoon and evening, you visit the IK tribe (formerly known as the Teuso), one of Uganda's most ancient and marginalized indigenous groups living in the remote mountains of the Karamoja region. You learn about their unique language, hunter-gatherer traditions, survival techniques, and cultural practices, with opportunities for interaction and storytelling. You return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 6

Kidepo to Murchison Falls National Park via Gulu

You drive southwest to Gulu town (approx 6 hours, 320 km) for lunch and a local market visit. You then continue to Murchison Falls, entering through Tangi Gate, and check into your accommodation. If time allows, you take an evening game drive along the Albert Nile delta to see hippos, crocodiles, and waterbucks. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7

Murchison Falls National Park – Game Drive and Boat Cruise to the Falls

You wake early for a morning game drive on the Buligi tracks to see elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and cape buffalo. After brunch, you take an afternoon boat cruise from Paraa jetty to the base of Murchison Falls, watching hippos, Nile crocodiles, shoebill storks, and fish eagles. You then hike to the top of the falls for spectacular views before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Day 8

Transfer to Semuliki National Park

After breakfast, you drive south via Hoima town then west to Semuliki (approx 7 hours, 350 km), passing tea plantations and Rwenzori foothills. You check into your accommodation. In the evening, you take a short walk near the lodge to listen for nocturnal primates like pottos and bushbabies. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9

Semuliki – Sempaya Hot Springs and Birding Walk

You drive to the Sempaya Hot Springs for a guided forest walk to the male and female springs, watching local guides boil eggs in the bubbling water. You look for De Brazza’s monkeys and red tailed monkeys. Afternoon is dedicated to birdwatching along the Kirumia Trail (over 400 bird species including Congo serpent eagle and great blue turaco). You also visit a Batwa (pygmy) community for cultural performances. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 10

Semuliki to Kibale National Park – Amabere ga Nyinamwiru and Fort Portal City Tour

You drive southeast from Semuliki toward Kibale National Park (approx 2-3 hours, 90 km). En route, you stop at Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru, a culturally and historically significant cave site near Fort Portal. Here, you take a guided walk to see the stunning stalactite and stalagmite rock formations that resemble breasts, named after the legendary Nyina Mwiru, a princess from the ancient Bachwezi dynasty. Your guide explains the folklore, traditions, and the site's importance in Tooro kingdom history, including nearby waterfalls and crater lakes. After this cultural stop, you continue to Fort Portal town for lunch. In the afternoon, you enjoy a Fort Portal city tour, visiting key sites such as the Tooro Kingdom Palace, Karuzika Palace, the royal tombs, and local markets, while learning about the history and culture of the Tooro people. After the tour, you proceed to your accommodation near Kibale for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the trekking activity the following day.

 
 
 
 
 

Day 11

Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, you go for regular chimpanzee trekking in Kanyanchu, spending one hour with a habituated chimp community. You trek through the forest with experienced guides, observing chimpanzees as they feed, play, groom, and interact, while also spotting red colobus, L'Hoest's monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. After the trek, you return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you take a guided swamp walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, seeing sitatungas, otters, papyrus gonoleks, and a variety of bird species. You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12

Kibale to Rwenzori Mountains National Park

After breakfast, you drive west to the Rwenzori foothills (approx 3-4 hours, 130 km), check into your accommodation, and take an afternoon guided nature walk along the lower slopes to the Mahoma River, seeing giant lobelias, groundsels, and Rwenzori turacos. You also visit a local blacksmith and traditional healer. Dinner and overnight.

Day 13

Rwenzori Mountains - One Day Trek to Lake Mahoma

You start early with packed breakfast, hiking from 1,600m through montane forest, bamboo, and heath zones to Lake Mahoma at 2,650m (5-6 hours). You have a picnic lunch at the crater lake, spot scarlet tufted malachite sunbirds, then descend back to the trailhead arriving late afternoon. You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 14

Rwenzori to Queen Elizabeth National Park

You drive south to Queen Elizabeth (approx 1.5 - 2 hours, 85 km), check into your accommodation, and after lunch take an afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi plains seeing lions, elephants, and Uganda kobs. You return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 15

Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

You wake for a pre-breakfast game drive at 6:30 am to catch predators, then after breakfast take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for the highest concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking, and over 600 bird species. After lunch, you visit Katwe Salt Works to learn traditional salt mining, then walk to the bat cave in Maramagambo Forest. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 16

After breakfast, you drive to the southern Ishasha sector (approximately 2 hours) for a game drive looking for tree climbing lions resting on fig trees, plus topi, eland, and giant forest hogs. You have a picnic lunch under a fig tree, then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (approximately 4 - 5 hours). Arrive in Bwindi late evening, check into your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Day 17

Gorilla Trekking Day

Ater an early breakfast, you report to park headquarters at 7:30 am for briefing and are assigned a gorilla family. You hike through the impenetrable forest for 1 to 6 hours, then spend one hour with the gorillas as they feed, play, and rest. After the trek, you return to the lodge for a late lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, you may opt for a cultural visit to the Batwa community and learn about their behaviour and co-existence with the mountain gorillas. Dinner and overnight at lodge

Day 18

Transfer to Mgahinga and Track Golden Monkeys

After breakfast, you drive south to Mgahinga near Kisoro town (approx 2-3 hours, 80 km), check into your accommodation, then do afternoon golden monkey tracking in the bamboo zone, spending one hour with a rare habituated group. You also visit the Garama Cave to learn Batwa history and legends. Dinner and overnight.

Day 19

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

You depart Mgahinga after breakfast and drive east via Mbarara town (approx 7-8 hours, 450 km) with lunch en route. You arrive at Lake Mburo in late afternoon, check into your accommodation, and take a short evening game drive seeing zebras, impalas, elands, buffalo, and Rothschild’s giraffes. Dinner and overnight.

Day 20

Walking Safari, Boat Cruise and Community Visit

After breakfast, you set out on a guided walking safari with an armed ranger, getting up close to zebras, topi, and waterbucks while picking up basic tracking skills. After lunch, you enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you spot hippos, crocodiles, and African finfoots. Later, you visit a nearby community to experience their daily way of life and learn how ghee (amajita) and local yogurt (amakamo) are traditionally made.

 

Day 21

Return to Entebbe

Wake up early for breakfast, then begin your drive back to Entebbe (approximately 5–6 hours, 290 km), making a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe Equator Crossing for photos, and another at Mpigi Royal Drum Makers to experience traditional drum craftsmanship. You arrive in Entebbe by late evening. If your departure is scheduled for the same day, your guide will drop you off at Entebbe International Airport for your flight. If not, you will be dropped at your booked accommodation for an overnight stay (not included unless prearranged).

 

Inclusions & activities

Included

Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary
Ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with fuel, driver guide, and unlimited mileage
All park entrance fees
All activities: game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, Sipi Falls walk, Sempaya Hot Springs, Bigodi swamp walk
One regular chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale
One gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi
Golden monkey tracking permit in Mgahinga
Walking safari in Lake Mburo
Boat cruise in Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth
Drinking water in the vehicle
WiFi connectivity in the vehicle
Services of an English speaking professional driver guide
All government taxes and levies

Not included

International flights to and from Uganda
Uganda visa (valued at 50 USD, can be acquired online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug)
Travel insurance (medical and trip cancellation highly recommended)
Alcoholic drinks
Tips and gratuities for guide, lodge staff, and porters
Laundry services
Personal items (souvenirs, phone calls, extra snacks)
Optional activities not listed (e.g., hot air balloon)
Meals not specified

What you should know

Book gorilla and chimpanzee permits at least 6 months in advance.

Pack waterproof hiking boots, long sleeved shirts, trousers, and gaiters.

Bring a good quality rain jacket even in dry seasons.

Carry insect repellent, antimalarial prophylaxis, and a basic first aid kit.

Roads to Kidepo, Semuliki, and Bwindi are rough; expect long bumpy days.

Bring binoculars and a camera with extra batteries and memory cards.

Respect wildlife rules: keep distance, don't eat near animals, stay with your guide.

Carry Uganda shillings for markets; credit cards work in lodges.

Dress modestly in communities and ask permission before photographing people.

Dry seasons (June to August, December to February) are best for trekking and game drives.

Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and be flexible with wildlife sightings.

Why you'll love this trip

Arrival and welcome in Entebbe

Scenic drive to Mount Elgon with stop at the Source of the Nile in Jinja

Guided nature walk to the three Sipi Falls waterfalls

Visit to a Bagisu coffee farm for traditional coffee roasting and grinding

Hiking through montane forest to the ancient Sipi Caves (lava tubes)

Swimming at the base of the main falls on Mount Elgon

Morning and full day game drives in Kidepo Valley National Park (Narus Valley)

Evening cultural visit to the IK tribe

Evening game drive along the Albert Nile delta in Murchison Falls

Morning game drive on the Buligi tracks in Murchison Falls

Afternoon boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls and hike to the top

Guided walk to the Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park

Birdwatching along the Kirumia Trail

Batwa (pygmy) community cultural performance in Semuliki

Stop at Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru caves near Fort Portal

Lunch and afternoon city tour of Fort Portal (Tooro Kingdom Palace, royal tombs, local markets)

Regular chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park (Kanyanchu)

Guided swamp walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

One-day trek to Lake Mahoma (2,650m) in the Rwenzori Mountains

Afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel

Visit to Katwe Salt Works and bat cave in Maramagambo Forest

Game drives in the Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Batwa village cultural walk and Munyaga Waterfall visit in Bwindi

Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo zone of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Visit to Garama Cave to learn Batwa history and legends

Guided walking safari with an armed ranger in Lake Mburo National Park

Boat cruise on Lake Mburo

Evening game drive in Lake Mburo

Equator crossing photo stop at Kayabwe

Visit to Mpigi Royal Drum Makers on return to Entebbe

Trip gallery

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