Culture, Wellness & Adventure in Uganda
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Uganda, Africa
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12 nights
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Highlights
Uganda is an ideal destination to combine primate viewing with a classic savannah safari plus see endangered mountain gorillas. Discover the traditions and culture of the Karamojong cattle rustlers, witness the world's most powerful waterfall, and explore the wonders and freedom of this beautiful country. Not to be missed is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable and seeing wild animals in their natural habitat on game walks and game drives. This 13-day culture, wellness and adventure tour also includes accommodation in boutique hotels or safari lodges, access to swimming pools and spas, and treks and hikes through breathtaking rainforests and mountains.
Experience
Enjoy a journey through Uganda where everything is taken care of—from boutique accommodations to adventurous safaris and tours with guides.
- Track gorillas and rhinos and experience them in their natural habitat
- Visit national parks and rainforests and hike majestic Uganda mountains
- Witness the world's most powerful waterfall—Murchison Falls
- Explore the Kisoro area, known as the "Switzerland of Africa"
- Experience the traditions and culture of Uganda with food, dance and music
- Discover iconic wildlife, the smallest of creatures and hundreds of birds
Itinerary
Today, you will be greeted at the airport and your transfer will take you to the hotel of your choice. You'll have time to settle in and relax before the first day of adventure tomorrow!
Accommodation options:
- Golden Tulip Kampala
- Cassia Lodge
- Fairway Hotel
- Latitude O
Welcome to your first day of the Uganda adventure! After an early breakfast, you will head off to Kidepo Valley National Park along Masindi road. Along the way, you'll stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track rhinos and have a nice lunch. Once you've taken in your first wild experience and fueled up, you'll continue to Kidepo — ranking among Africa’s finest wilderness spots.
Accommodation options:
- Apoka Safari Lodge
- Adere Safari Lodge
- Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Start with an early breakfast and then get excited about a game drive along the trails of Kidepo Valley. The park inhabits one of the most exciting fauna of all Ugandan parks, with over 80 species of mammals. Many of these are endemic to Kidepo National Park, including the cheetah, the striped hyena, the caracal and over 465 bird species including ostriches.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the Karamojong village to learn more about their culture, food, music and dance. Karamoja has a cattle culture and the Karamojong are notorious as cattle rustlers. Unlike most other Ugandans, many Karamojong replace western-style clothes with their “traditional” dress of a blanket-like shawl, often in red and black. The women wear elaborate beadwork. This is an incredible experience to not only witness spectacular wildlife but also discover traditional and authentic Uganda.
Accommodation options (depending on the previous night's stay):
- Apoka Safari Lodge
- Adere Safari Lodge
- Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Today, early morning after breakfast, you'll leave for Murchison Falls National Park in the north with lunch along the way. The park is divided by the Victoria Nile which plunges 147,5 feet (45 m) over the remnant rift valley wall, creating the dramatic Murchison Falls, the centerpiece of the park and the final event in a 56-mile (80 km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river’s flow, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. There are a lot of animals to see on your way to the hotel through the park such as elephants, giraffes and buffalo; while hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds are permanent residents.
Accommodation options:
- Chobe Safari Lodge
- Paraa Safari Lodge
Today, an early morning boat will take you downstream to the delta, the place where the Nile enters Lake Albert. This trip of 5-6 hours will unravel all the beauty of this national park, especially the delta area with all its different birds. It's also a good chance to see the elusive shoebill stork. In the afternoon, you'll visit the top of the falls where you can enjoy a wonderful view. If you'd like, a water raft on Victoria Nile can be arranged for even more adventure!
Accommodation options (depending on the previous night's stay):
- Chobe Safari Lodge
- Paraa Safari Lodge
Rise and shine! Another early morning departure today and a journey to the incredible Kibaale Forest Reserve. On the way, you'll stop close to Lake Albert where you can expect a spectacular view from the top of the rift if the day is clear. You'll arrive at the Kibaale Forest Reserve in the afternoon, where you'll sleep to the sounds of the tropical rainforest.
Accommodation options:
- Primate Lodge
- Chimpundu Lodge
Today around 8 am, you will go on an exciting 4-hour chimp walk where 10 other primates can be seen as well. The park is also known for all its beautiful butterflies and birds. Once this tour is complete, an afternoon walk through the Bigodi swamp awaits.
Accommodation options (depending on the previous night's stay):
- Primate Lodge
- Chimpundu Lodge
In the early morning, you'll head to Queen Elisabeth National Park via a fort portal, until you reach Mweya at midday with a stunning view over the Kazinga channel. There will be a 2-hour launch trip on the Kazinga channel where you'll see all the animals from the waterside. In the late afternoon, another game drive awaits with animal watching.
Accommodation options:
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Elephant plains Lodge
On your second day in the Queen Elisabeth National Park, you'll rise earlier in the morning, have breakfast and then head to Kyambura Gorge. Here, you can go for a 3-4 hour walk into the gorge where you will come face-to-face with great chimpanzees. After the gorge, you'll continue to the Ishasha area and enjoy an evening game drive in search of the tree-climbing lions. This day is all about wild animal life and witnessing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
Accommodation options (depending on the previous night's stay):
- Mweya Safari Lodge
- Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Elephant plains Lodge
In the morning, it's time to leave for Bwindi on a scenic route that runs through the verdant countryside and passes by traditional homesteads and farms. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an amazing tropical rainforest with more than 160 species of trees. Talk about forest indulgence! There are more than 400 gorillas in these forests with half of the world's mountain gorillas residing here.
But there are not only gorillas here, the forest is home to many other wild animals, such as elephants, lions and leopards. It is one of those wild and natural areas that people usually experience only once in a lifetime—or never at all. With thousands of small and large species living together in this Mother Nature's treasure, you'll come close to the animal kingdom in a completely new way. Although you won't see all the animals as some are rare and hiding, there is still plenty for you to enjoy.
Accommodation options:
- Silverback Lodge
- Trackers Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
This is the day for gorilla tracking. At 7.45 am you'll meet up with the others at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for pre-briefing and at 8.30 am you will start the trek. All visitors are expected back to the starting point by 7 pm. These walks can take 3-9 hours depending on where you find the gorillas. It's a long day of hiking also being physically fit is recommended for this tour.
Accommodation options (depending on the previous night's stay):
- Silverback Lodge
- Trackers Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
Welcome to the "Switzerland of Africa" with nature that touches people's hearts and creates a sense of well-being. Today, you'll discover another one of nature's wonders with mountains forests, views and lakes—Kisoro. You'll have the ability to choose from three different activities: the Batwa Community experience, the Golden Monkey Experience in Mgahinga National park or a Boat Trip on Lake Mutanda. Whatever you choose, there is something beautiful for you to discover with both wild and tranquil surroundings.
Accommodation options (depending on the previous night's stay):
- Silverback Lodge
- Trackers Safari Lodge
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
This is the last day of your Uganda adventure and today after breakfast, you'll head back to Kampala. You'll first make a stop in Mbarara for lunch and then continue on to Masaka where you'll relax at the equator for a coffee/tea break. This is a great place to buy souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. Your transfer will take you to a hotel of your choice in Kampala to spend the night or if you are continuing your journey to the airport instead.
Accommodation options:
- Lake Victoria Hotel
- Protea Hotel
- No.5 Boutique Hotel
Terms
Payment and Deposit Policies
All tours will be booked and confirmed only upon receipt of a 30% deposit of the basic program rate. For gorilla permits, full advance payment of the permit fee is required in order to make the reservation.
Payment is due no later than 42 days prior to the safari, unless agreed otherwise. Bookings made within 42 hours must be paid in full at the time of confirmation. If payment is not received according to the above, The Shuttle Tours has the right to cancel the booking.
Cancellation Policy
The following cancellation charges apply to the basic program rate:
- 10% charge if you cancel 60 days before the travel date
- 25% charge if you cancel 59-32 days before the travel date
- 50% charge if you cancel 31-8 days before the travel date
- 100% charge if you cancel 48 hours or less before the travel date
Gorilla permits and air tickets are 100% non-refundable. No refunds will be made for any unused services, late arrival or no-show of any of the members of the tour.
