Uganda is a land of natural wonders and wildlife diversity. From the mighty Nile River to the lush rainforests, from the snow-capped mountains to the savannah plains, Uganda offers something for every nature lover. In this blog post, I will share with you the ultimate one-week Uganda travel itinerary that will take you to some of the most amazing places and experiences in this beautiful country.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and Transfer to Kampala
Your adventure begins at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be greeted by your friendly guide and driver. They will take you to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, which is about an hour’s drive away. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose to relax at your hotel or explore some of the attractions and activities in Kampala. Some of the places you can visit are:
- The Uganda National Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of Uganda and see exhibits of art, archaeology, ethnography, and natural history.
- The Kasubi Tombs, where four kings of the Buganda kingdom are buried in traditional thatched-roof buildings. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sacred place for the Buganda people.
- The Bahai Temple, the only one of its kind in Africa and a symbol of unity and peace. The temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers a panoramic view of Kampala.
For accommodation and dining options in Kampala, you can choose from a range of hotels and restaurants that suit your budget and preferences. Some of the popular ones are:
- Sheraton Kampala Hotel, a luxury hotel with spacious rooms, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa, and several restaurants and bars.
- Fairway Hotel & Spa, a mid-range hotel with cozy rooms, a golf course, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant that serves local and international cuisine.
- Red Chilli Hideaway, a budget-friendly hostel with dorms and private rooms, a swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant that serves pizza and burgers.
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park and Enjoy a Boat Cruise
After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to Murchison Falls National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Uganda. The drive will take about 5 hours, but you will enjoy the scenic views along the way. You will also stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can see the endangered white rhinos in their natural habitat.
Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 70 mammal species and over 450 bird species. It is also where the Nile River flows through a narrow gorge and plunges 43 meters into a pool below. This is known as Murchison Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
In the afternoon, you will take a boat cruise along the Nile River to see Murchison Falls up close. You will also have a chance to see some of the wildlife that live along the river banks, such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and many more.
You will spend the night at one of the lodges or campsites in or near Murchison Falls National Park. Some of the options are:
- Paraa Safari Lodge, a luxury lodge with elegant rooms, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant that overlooks the Nile River.
- Pakuba Safari Lodge, a mid-range lodge with comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, and a restaurant that serves buffet meals.
- Red Chilli Rest Camp, a budget-friendly campsite with tents, bandas, and dorms, a bar, and a restaurant that serves local dishes.
Day 3: Go on a Game Drive and Hike to the Top of the Falls
The next day, you will wake up early and go on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. You will have an opportunity to see some of the predators and prey that roam the savannah, such as lions, leopards, hyenas, antelopes, and many more.
After the game drive, you will return to your lodge or campsite for breakfast and then head to the boat landing site. From there, you will hike to the top of Murchison Falls, which will take about an hour. You will be rewarded with an amazing view of the falls and the sound of the roaring water.
You will then drive back to your lodge or campsite for lunch and relax for the rest of the day.
Day 4: Drive to Kibale National Park and Visit a Local Community
On day four, you will drive to Kibale National Park, which will take about 7 hours. Kibale National Park is the best place in Uganda to see chimpanzees and other primates in their natural habitat. The park has over 13 primate species, including colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, and more.
You will arrive at Kibale National Park in the afternoon and check in at your lodge or campsite. Some of the options are:
- Kyaninga Lodge, a luxury lodge with wooden cottages, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a restaurant that serves gourmet meals.
- Primate Lodge Kibale, a mid-range lodge with forest cottages, tree houses, and tents, a bar, and a restaurant that serves local and international cuisine.
- Kibale Forest Camp, a budget-friendly campsite with safari tents and cottages, a bar, and a restaurant that serves buffet meals.
After settling in, you will visit a local community near Kibale National Park to learn about their culture and traditions. You can choose to visit Bigodi Village or Ndali Village, where you can interact with the locals, see their homes and farms, and participate in some of their activities, such as basket weaving, dancing, or cooking.
You will then return to your lodge or campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Go on a Chimpanzee Trekking Adventure and Explore Crater Lakes
The highlight of day five is going on a chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale National Park. You will wake up early and have breakfast at your lodge or campsite. You will then drive to the park headquarters, where you will meet your guide and ranger. They will brief you on the rules and regulations for trekking chimpanzees, such as keeping a distance of 7 meters, not using flash photography, not making loud noises, etc.
You will then enter the forest and follow the trails and signs of the chimpanzees. The trekking can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the location and movement of the chimpanzees. Once you find them, you will have an hour to observe them in their natural environment. You will see them playing, grooming, feeding, and communicating with each other. You will also learn about their behavior and characteristics from your guide.
After the trekking, you will return to your lodge or campsite for lunch and relax for a while. In the afternoon, you will explore some of the crater lakes in the area, such as Lake Nkuruba or Lake Nyinambuga. These are scenic lakes that were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. You can enjoy the views, take a swim, go for a walk, or do some birdwatching.
You will then return to your lodge or campsite for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Enjoy a Safari
On day six, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most popular and diverse national parks in Uganda. The drive will take about 3 hours, but you will enjoy the scenery along the way. You will also cross the equator line and stop for some photos.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. It also has a variety of landscapes, such as savannahs, forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and volcanic features.
In the afternoon, you will go on a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park and see some of the wildlife that live there, such as elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and many more.
You will spend the night at one of the lodges or campsites in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park. Some of the options are:
- Mweya Safari Lodge, a luxury lodge with deluxe rooms, suites, and cottages, a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant that offers panoramic views of the park.
- Enganzi Game Lodge, a mid-range lodge with spacious rooms, a swimming pool, and a restaurant that serves local and continental dishes.
- Simba Safari Camp, a budget-friendly campsite with dorms, tents, and family cottages, a bar, and a restaurant that serves buffet meals.
Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Go on a Gorilla Trekking Adventure
The last day of your itinerary is the most exciting one: going on a gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of the most biodiverse places on earth, with over 120 mammal species, over 350 bird species, over 200 butterfly species, and over 1000 plant species.
You will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Queen Elizabeth National Park, which will take about 4 hours. You will arrive at the park in the morning and check in at your lodge or campsite. Some of the options are:
- Buhoma Lodge, a luxury lodge with wooden chalets, a lounge, a bar, and a restaurant that serves organic meals.
- Silverback Lodge, a mid-range lodge with cozy rooms, a terrace, a bar, and a restaurant that serves local and international cuisine.
- Bwindi View Bandas, a budget-friendly campsite with bandas and tents, a bar, and a restaurant that serves home-cooked meals.
After breakfast at your lodge or campsite, you will drive to the park headquarters, where you will meet your guide and ranger. They will brief you on the rules and regulations for trekking gorillas, such as keeping a distance of 7 meters, not using flash photography, not making loud noises, etc.
You will then enter the forest and follow the trails and signs of the gorillas. The trekking can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. Once you find them, you will have an hour to observe them in their natural environment. You will see them eating, resting, playing, and interacting with each other. You will also learn about their behavior and characteristics from your guide.
Trekking gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you in awe and admiration of these gentle giants.
After the trekking, you will return to your lodge or campsite for lunch and relax for the rest of the day. You can also choose to do some of the other attractions and activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, such as hiking trails, waterfalls, cultural encounters, etc.
Conclusion
This is the end of your ultimate one-week Uganda travel itinerary for nature lovers. You have seen and done some of the most amazing things that Uganda has to offer, such as wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, hiking, and more. You have also learned about the culture and history of Uganda and its people.
I hope you have enjoyed this itinerary and that it has inspired you to book your trip or contact me for more information. Uganda is a beautiful country that deserves to be explored and appreciated by nature lovers like you.
Here are some final tips and advice on how to make the most of your trip:
- The best time to visit Uganda is during the dry seasons, which are from December to February and from June to August. The weather is sunny and warm, and the roads are easier to drive on. However, you can also visit during the wet seasons, which are from March to May and from September to November. The weather is cooler and greener, and there are fewer tourists. The rain may affect some activities, but it usually does not last long.
- The currency of Uganda is the Ugandan shilling (UGX). You can exchange your money at banks or forex bureaus in major towns and cities. You can also use US dollars or euros in some places, but make sure they are in good condition and have recent dates. You can also use credit cards or debit cards in some hotels and restaurants, but they may charge a fee or have a minimum amount. It is advisable to carry some cash with you at all times.
- The official languages of Uganda are English and Swahili. However, there are also many local languages spoken by different ethnic groups. Most people in urban areas can speak English or Swahili, but in rural areas you may need a translator or a guide. It is polite to learn some basic words and phrases in the local language of the place you are visiting, such as hello, thank you, please, etc.
- The visa requirements for Uganda vary depending on your nationality and purpose of visit. You can apply for a visa online or at the embassy or consulate of Uganda in your country. You can also get a visa on arrival at Entebbe International Airport or at some land borders. The visa fee is $50 for a single-entry visa or $100 for a multiple-entry visa. You will also need a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity and 2 blank pages.
- The vaccinations required for Uganda include yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningitis, rabies, and malaria prophylaxis. You should consult your doctor or travel clinic at least 4 weeks before your trip to get the necessary shots and pills. You should also bring a copy of your vaccination certificate with you. You should also take some precautions to avoid getting sick or injured, such as drinking bottled water, washing your hands, wearing insect repellent, avoiding raw or undercooked food, etc.
Thank you for reading this blog post and I hope to see you soon in Uganda! ????????
