Discover Africa’s Best-Kept Secret in One Extraordinary Journey
Your unforgettable18-day adventure across the breath-taking landscapes of Uganda is an immersive safari that combines the country’s most iconic wildlife encounters, authentic cultural experiences, spectacular scenery, and thrilling adventures into one life-changing expedition. From the roaring Murchison Falls to the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley, from the source of the Nile to the stunning shores of Lake Bunyonyi, this expedition showcases the very best Uganda has to offer.
Why This Safari Is Exceptional, it offers you:-
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
- Big Five & Classic African Wildlife Safaris
- Exclusive Karamojong & Tepeth Cultural Encounters
- Boat Safaris on the Nile and Kazinga Channel
- Shoebill Stork Tracking Experience
- Scenic Lakes, Mountains & Rainforests
- Walking Safaris with Expert Rangers
- Uganda’s Most Comprehensive Wildlife Circuit
- Luxury, Midrange & Comfort Accommodation Options
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Welcome to Uganda
The moment you land at Entebbe International Airport, your African dream begins. Amethyst Wild Safaris professional safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to your selected nice hotel where you can relax after your journey. The hotel is nestled in a serene and secure location to offer you perfect blend of comfort, luxury, and authentic Ugandan hospitality. Hotels have spacious and elegantly furnished rooms equipped with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning or fans, complimentary Wi-Fi, satellite television, and private balconies overlooking beautifully landscaped gardens to give stunning natural scenery. You will receive a detailed safari briefing and prepare for the extraordinary days ahead.
Meal plan- Dinner will be provided with drinks (other drinks not included)
Accommodation. You will choose your accommodation for the first two days
Budget– Pineapple Guest House /Via Via Guesthouse
Midrange-Papyrus Guest House/ Malakai Eco Lodge
Luxury-Hotel No5/ Latitude 0 Hotel
Day 2: Search for the Legendary Shoebill & Journey to Jinja
After breakfast, you will begin your safari with a thrilling Shoebill tracking excursion in Mabamba Swamp. Witness one of Africa’s most sought-after birds before traveling to Jinja, East Africa’s adventure capital and home of the Source of the Nile. Here you will sail in a motorized boat and search for the rare shoebill stalk the most sought for bird by birdwatchers around the globe. Have lunch and then start the journey to Jinja. Jinja is famously known as the adventure capital of East Africa and this you have to see for yourself. After reaching jinja you will go relaxation at your hotel
Accommodation
Comfort- Kingfisher Resort Jinja
Midrange- 2Friends guest house Jinja
Luxury- Source of the Nile Hotel
Day 3: Adventure Capital of East Africa
After breakfast, you will have a boat trip to visit the source of the Nile River. This is the point where the Nile waters begin their 90-day journey to the Mediterranean Sea. You will experience the adrenaline and beauty of Jinja Optional activities include white-water rafting, zip-lining, kayaking, horseback riding, quad biking, fishing, bungee jumping, and Nile cruises. From there you will return to your hotel for lunch and relaxation.
Meal plan- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort- Kingfisher Resort Jinja
Midrange- 2Friends guest house Jinja
Luxury- Source of the Nile Hotel
Day 4: Into Uganda’s Untamed Northeast
After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to Moroto where you will reach at the foot of Mount Moroto and immerse yourself in the fascinating Tepeth culture who are originally hunters and fruit gatherers having moved up in the mountain after the coming of the nomadic Karimajong people into the region.
Here you will participate in traditional cooking by preparing traditional meals, storytelling, sing and dance to traditional folklore, learn to make traditional Karimajong beads and accessories, have a campfire and experience the ancient traditions of foreseers, listen to the stories of elders and play traditional Karimojong games among other community experiences rarely encountered by ordinary travelers.
Meal Plan- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort– Karatunga Safari Camp
Midrange- Hotel Africana Mororto
Luxury -Hotel Africana Moroto
Day 5: Authentic Karamojong Cultural Experience
In the morning after breakfast, you drive to Lorukul cultural village to step into one of Africa’s most unique pastoral communities where you will get a glimpse into the Karimojong culture where you will discover the traditional homesteads, ancient customs, livestock traditions, music, dance, and a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations. The Karimojong are known for being very primitive and have for long opposed civilization. They are pastoralists and you will know how important animals are to their day-to-day life. You will be given a tour of the typical Karimojong homestead to learn what they eat, how they entertain themselves among others and after return to your hotel for dinner and relaxation
Meal plan- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort– Karatunga Safari Camp
Midrange- Hotel Africana Mororto
Luxury -Hotel Africana Moroto
Day 6: Journey to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast you will embark on destination Kidepo Valley National Park which is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most beautiful and least-explored wildlife destinations.it is remote. untouched and extraordinary. The park is the third biggest park after Queen Elizabeth National Park with a variety of animals. On the way, you are to visit Nakaperimoru village in Kotido. This is the largest traditional village in East Africa and home to the Jie Karimajong people. The visit involves trekking to a nearby rock formation where you can see the whole village from above and later go to the homesteads to know about their day to day life
Arrival will be in the afternoon where you will check into your lodge, have lunch and after an exciting evening game drive through the famous Narus Valley. This part has high concentration of animals due to the presence of a permanent water source the Narus River. While on the drive expect to see lions, leopards,cheetahs, giraffes,zebras,ostriches,buffaloes, elephants,hundreds of bird species and so on.
As the sun sets across the vast golden plains, you will understand why Kidepo is considered Uganda’s hidden safari gem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -all meals include drinks and water but other drinks are excluded
Accommodation
Budget- Kidepo Savannah Lodge(Budget Tent)/ Apoka Rest Camp
Midrange-Rwakobo Rock/Arcadia Lodges Mburo
Luxury-Mihingo Lodge/ Kigambira Safari Lodge
Day 7: Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Kidepo
This day you will spend the day exploring one of Africa’s last truly wild landscapes. You will have an early breakfast, you will travel deep into the park’s remote northern regions where dramatic scenery and exceptional wildlife encounters awaits if the weather allows. This area tends to be much drier than in the Narus Valley side and also the vegetation is different. Here expect to encounter massive buffalo herds, ostriches, zebras, elephants, predators on the Hunt (lions, cheetahs, leopards), rare birdlife and countless other species in one of Africa’s finest safari destinations.
Later, you will embark on an unforgettable guided safari walk and experience Africa from ground level under the guidance of an expert game ranger where every footprint tells a story and every sound sparks excitement. Here they will tell you more about Kidepo fauna and flora. You will excellently enjoy Kidepo landscape as Kidepo is christened, Africa’s most picturesque park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Meal plan; Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort – Apoka Rest Camp
Midrange – kidepo Savanna Lodge
Luxury – Adere Safari Lodge
Day 8: Walking Safari & Transfer to Murchison Falls
After breakfast will start another spectacular day in Kidepo as you experience the African wilderness on foot with expert rangers. You will explore hidden corners of the park inaccessible by vehicle and immerse yourself in one of the continent’s most pristine ecosystems. The dramatic landscapes alone make Kidepo worth the journey and wildlife makes it unforgettable. After enjoying nature’s most dramatic spectacles, you will continue south to the legendary Murchison Falls National Park ,have a stop in Gulu town to have lunch after continue to Murchison Falls National Park where you will check in your hotel for elaxation
Meal plan; Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort– Horbill Bush Lodge/Mama Washindi Lodge
Midrange – Pakuba Safari Lodge/Tilenga Safari Lodge
Luxury – Para Safari Lodge
Day 9: Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari & Nile Cruise
Today delivers one of Uganda’s greatest safari experiences. After having breakfast, you are to have a morning game drive in search for lions, giraffes, elephants, hyenas, buffaloes, waterbucks, leopards
In the afternoon, you will have an afternoon Nile Boat Safari where you will cruise toward the base of the thunderous Murchison Falls while witnessing giant Nile crocodiles, massive hippo pods, warthogs, elephants at the water’s edge, buffaloes, oribis,extraordinary birdlife. This park is also home to over 350 bird species. You are advised to wear a hat and insect repellent to avoid bites of insects. This is wildlife viewing at its absolute best.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation
Budget-Hornbill Bush Lodge/ Mama Washindi Lodge
Midrange-Pakuba Safari Lodge/Fort Murchison Camp
Day 10: Top of the Falls & Kibale Forest
You will then hike with your guide to the top of the falls to see how the Victoria Nile plunges over 45 meters over the Remnant rift valley wall thus creating the amazing Murchison Falls. You will also be able to see the rainbow that appears on the top of the falls no matter what time of the day. We then drive to our lodge to relax
You will hike the iconic top of the Falls to watch in awe as the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow seven-meter gorge before exploding 45 meters below over the Remnant rift valley thus creating the amazing Murchison Falls. You will hear the sound; see the power, mist and rainbow. An unforgettable spectacle. Then you continue to Kibale Forest National Park, Africa’s primate capital.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure
Today you will wake up to Kyanyanchu Park headquarters in Kibale Forest for a briefing to meet humanity’s closest relatives.After a briefing from experienced rangers, you will enter Kibale’s lush rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees.The moment you hear their calls echo through the forest is electrifying. Having encountered them, you will enjoy a full hour observe them feeding, grooming, playing, and communicating in their natural habitat and then return to your lodge to relax.
In the afternoon you have an optional to go to Bigodi Wetland experience to explore one of Uganda’s richest ecosystems and discover colobus monkeys, vervet Monkeys,rare Birds and beautiful wetland scenery. This is also a ramsar site for bird watchers. species to see include the African fish Eagles, kingfishers, herons and many more
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Budget-Kiable Forest Camp/Rwenzori View
Midrange- Turaco Treetops/ Isunga Lodge
Luxury-Primate Lodge/ Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park
After a scrumptious breakfast, you are to travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You drive through through the breathtaking Kasenda Crater Lakes region where you will discover spectacular viewpoints known as the “Top of the World,” where rolling hills, sparkling crater lakes, and endless horizons create some of Uganda’s most stunning scenery. Common lakes include Lake Nkuruba, Lake Nyabikere, Lake Mubiro and so on. The lakes have unmatched scenic and also romantic scenery, they are commonly visited by the newlyweds. The area is also a home to various bird species such as the great blue turaco, black and white casqued hornbill and many more. The whole journey overlooks the mountains of the moon, also known as Rwenzori by the locals.
The journey takes close to three hours and arrival will be in the afternoon. Have lunch and later enjoy an evening game drive in the Kasenyi sector. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, Kobs, leopards, etc. This area is a mating ground for kobs and therefore a good area to spot the African savanna lions.
Meal plan- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort – Tembo Safari Lodge/Pumba Safari Cottages
Midrange – The Bush Lodge/Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury – Mweya Safari Lodge/Elephant Plains Lodge
Day 13: Wildlife Safari & Kazinga Channel Cruise
This day will begin with an early morning safari through the wildlife-rich Kasenyi plains which area is renowned for predator activity and exceptional game viewing .The game drive lasts for 3 to 4 hrs and ends at the shores of Bunyampaka Salt Lake. We then return to the lodge for a lunch break and go on the Mweya peninsular then proceed to Kazinga channel boat cruise. You will experience one of Africa’s finest boat safaris where you will witness thousands of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloe, waterbucks, water birds and stunning lake views.
This channel is a water stream that joins two lakes George and Edward and is known as a hippo paradise because it has the highest concentration of hippos in the world This cruise therefore consistently ranks among travellers’ favorite safari experiences. This sector is known as a matting ground for antelopes and therefore a hunting ground for predator such as lions, leopards, monitor lizards and many more. This water stream is also a bird watchers paradise as it is home to several bird species including the pelicans, African Fish eagles, gulls, kingfishers and so on.Due to availability of time,you will also enjoy an evening game drive before we wind the day for relaxation
Meal plan – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Budget- Tembo Safari Lodge/ Pumba Safari Cottages
Midrange-Buffalo Safari Lodge/ The Bush Lodge
Luxury-Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge
Day 14: Tree-Climbing Lions & Bwindi Forest
After having breakfast, you will travel through the famous Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.This region is one of the very few places on planet earth where lions regularly climb trees. Climbing trees is not a common habit in lions, so you will get to know why these cats tend to climb fig trees in this area. Here you will watch these magnificent predators lounging high above the savannah in giant fig trees. Other animals to see on this game drive include elephants, buffaloes, kobs, topi, waterbucks and many more .Then you will continue to the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which is the home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Meal Plan-Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Budget- Ride For Awoman/ Ruhija Rest Camp
Midrange-Bakiga Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Camp
Luxury-Gorilla Leisure Lodge/ Bweza Gorilla Lodge
Day 15: The Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience
Today is the moment you have been waiting for as it the experience that brings travellers from every corner of the globe to Uganda.After an early morning briefing, you enter the ancient rainforest in search of endangered mountain gorillas.The trek can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours depending on where you will find the gorillas that day.Then suddenly you find them, a silverback watches quietly, young gorillas tumble through the vegetation, mothers nurture their infants.For one magical hour, you become part of their world. Few wildlife experiences on earth compare to this adventure.Many travelers describe this as one of the most emotional and life-changing moments of their lives.
Meal Plan-Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Budget- Ride For Awoman/ Ruhija Rest Camp
Midrange-Bakiga Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Camp
Luxury-Gorilla Leisure Lodge/ Bweza Gorilla Lodge
Day 16: Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
Unwind beside the stunning waters of Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, birdlife, island visits, and cultural experiences.
After your gorilla adventure, you will move to relax at the stunning lake Bunyonyi Uganda’s deepest and most beautiful lake .Lake Bunyonyi also known as the “Lake of Little Birds,” where you will enjoy breathtaking scenery, birdlife, island visits, and cultural experiences. this breathtaking destination is surrounded by rolling green hills and picturesque islands. We are to have a boat trip to the legendary islands and also visit a Batwa community. Other activities you will enjoy include canoe excursions,island tours,batwa cultural experience and photography opportunities
Meal plan- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
Comfort – Eagle’s Nest Camp
Midrang e – Hyena Hill Lodge
Semi Luxury – Rwakobo Rock
Day 17: Lake Mburo National Park
On this day you will travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest, most accessible savannah park but one of its most charming. Unlike other parks, Lake Mburo is renowned for: large zebra herds, impalas, elands, topis,elands, buffaloes, giraffes. You will enjoy an evening game drive and experience the golden African sunset over the savannah. You will also have an optional night game drives opportunities to spot leopards, civet cats, bush babies, genets,porcupines as an entirely different side of African wildlife emerges after dark. You will enjoy an evening game drive and a spectacular African sunset.
Meal plan- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Comfort– Hyena Hill Lodge/Eagles Nest Camp
Midrange – Rwakobo Rock/Arcadia Lodges Mburo
Luxury – Mihingo Lodge/Kigambira Safari Lodge
Day 18: Walking Safari & Departure
Your final safari day offers unique adventures unavailable elsewhere. You will conclude your adventure with an exhilarating guided walking safari freely among zebras, giraffes and antelope(30usd) .Unlike traditional game drives, this experience allows you to explore the wilderness on foot while observing wildlife from a completely different perspective. Your optional activities will include horseback safari experiencing Africa exactly as early explorers once did, (50usd) , mountain bike safari where you ride through open savannah surrounded by wildlife(25usd), boat safari while exploring Lake Mburo’s aquatic ecosystem (30usd)
After lunch, you will begin your journey back to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping. The journey takes you through the Ankole kingdom famous for its long-horned cattle/Ankole cattle. Additionally, you will have a lunch stop at Kayabwe/Equator village. This is where the earth is divided into south and northern hemisphere. Finally you will arrive at Entebbe International Airport in time for your outbound flight. There your unforgettable Ugandan adventure comes to an end—but the memories will last forever.
What’s Included
- Airport Transfers
- Accommodation Throughout Safari
- Full Board Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Professional English-Speaking Safari Guide
- 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser
- All National Park Entrance Fees
- All Scheduled Game Drives
- Gorilla Trekking Permit (Value USD 800)
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (Value USD 250)
- Boat Safari on the Nile River
- Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
- Top of the Falls Excursion
- Ranger Fees
- Bottled Drinking Water During Safari
- VZR Garant Financial Protection
Exclusions
- International Flights
- Visa Fees
- Travel Insurance
- Optional Activities
- Personal Expenses
- Porter Services During Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking
- Alcoholic & Soft Drinks Not Provided in Safari Vehicle
- Tips and Gratuities
Essential Packing List
- Waterproof Jacket
- Waterproof Trousers
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Sun Hat
- Sunglasses
- Insect Repellent
- Sunscreen
- Camera & Spare Batteries
- Binoculars
- Personal Medications
- Light Daypack
A Safari like No Other
This 18 day extraordinary expedition combines Uganda’s most iconic wildlife experiences, breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and authentic African adventure into one seamless journey. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, birder, adventurer, or cultural explorer, this safari delivers unforgettable memories and extraordinary encounters at every turn.
Uganda Awaits. Your Adventure of a Lifetime Begins Here.