21-Day Ultimate Uganda Tour (North to South)
Destinations: Uganda (Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo)
DAY-BY-DAY BREAKDOWN SUMMARY
| Day | Destination | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival Entebbe | Transfer to hotel, briefing |
| Day 2 | Entebbe to Kidepo | Fly to Kidepo, afternoon game drive |
| Day 3-4 | Kidepo Valley NP | Game drives, birding, Karamojong cultural visit |
| Day 5 | Kidepo to Murchison Falls | Fly to Murchison, afternoon game drive |
| Day 6-7 | Murchison Falls NP | Game drives, Nile boat cruise to falls, rhino trek at Ziwa |
| Day 8 | Murchison to Kibale | Drive south, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary |
| Day 9-10 | Kibale Forest NP | Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi wetland walk, birding |
| Day 11 | Kibale to Queen Elizabeth | Drive to Queen Elizabeth, afternoon game drive |
| Day 12-13 | Queen Elizabeth NP | Game drives, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Kyambura chimp trek |
| Day 14 | Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi | Via Ishasha for tree-climbing lions |
| Day 15-16 | Bwindi Impenetrable NP | Gorilla trekking (1-2 days), Batwa experience |
| Day 17 | Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi | Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, canoeing |
| Day 18 | Lake Bunyonyi | Relaxation, hiking, swimming, community visits |
| Day 19 | Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo | Drive to Lake Mburo NP, afternoon game drive |
| Day 20 | Lake Mburo NP | Game drive, walking safari, boat ride |
| Day 21 | Lake Mburo to Entebbe | Drive to Entebbe, departure |
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
| Inclusions | Exclusions |
|---|---|
| All airport transfers | International airfare |
| Private 4×4 safari vehicle | Uganda visa ($50) |
| Professional English-speaking guide | Travel insurance |
| Accommodation (20 nights full-board) | Personal expenses |
| Internal flights (Entebbe-Kidepo, Kidepo-Murchison) | Alcoholic drinks |
| Gorilla permits (1-2, depending on option) | Tips for guides, rangers, staff |
| Chimpanzee tracking permit (Kibale) | Laundry services |
| Rhino trekking at Ziwa ($50) | Premium drinks |
| All park entry fees | Optional activities |
| Kazinga Channel boat cruise | |
| Lake Bunyonyi canoe excursion | |
| Batwa cultural experience | |
| Bottled water throughout | |
| All applicable government taxes |
BEST TIME TO VISIT
| Season | Months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | June – September | Best overall, dry everywhere, excellent for all parks |
| Good | December – February | Good conditions, hot in north |
| Fair | October – November | Short rains, some mud in forests |
| Avoid | March – May | Long rains, Kidepo roads difficult |
RECOMMENDED LODGES & CAMPS
| Destination | Luxury | Mid-Range | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidepo | Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge | Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp | UWA Bandas |
| Murchison Falls | Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge | Paraa Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge | Red Chilli Camp |
| Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge | Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale Forest Cottages | Chimpanzee Gate Guesthouse |
| Queen Elizabeth | Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge | Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge | Simba Safari Camp |
| Bwindi | Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs | Broadbill Camp, Bwindi View Bandas |
| Lake Bunyonyi | BirdNest Lodge, Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort | Bunyonyi Eco Resort, Arcadia Lodge | Byoona Amagara |
| Lake Mburo | Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock | Eagle’s Nest, Arcadia Cottages | UWA Bandas |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is Kidepo worth the travel time?
A: Absolutely—it’s Uganda’s most remote and wild park, often compared to the Maasai Mara. Few tourists, abundant wildlife, and stunning scenery.
Q: How many primate species can I see?
A: 12+ including: mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey, black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, baboon, vervet, potto, galago.
Q: What’s the Karamojong cultural experience?
A: Similar to Maasai, traditional pastoralists with vibrant culture. Visit manyattas (homesteads) and learn about their way of life.
Q: Is Lake Mburo worth including?
A: Yes for zebra, impala, eland, and the only place in Uganda for boat safaris with hippos and crocodiles. Good birding too.