20 Days from the Nile to the Gorillas
BWINDI NATIONAL PARK · DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF MABAMBA SWAMP, UGANDA'S PREMIER BIRDING SITE, WITH OVER 300 SPECIES AND RAMSAR WETLAND STATUS. · ENTEBBE

20 Days from the Nile to the Gorillas

This 20-day tour of Uganda is a thrilling adventure that takes you through some of the most beautiful and diverse landscapes in the country.

5.0 · 12 traveller reviews
Duration20 Days
FromUSD 2,000
CountrySafaris in Uganda
THE JOURNEY

Overview

Travel across Uganda on a 20-day journey that brings together wildlife, primates, landscapes and local communities. Begin with birdwatching at Mabamba Swamp and the Source of the Nile, then continue east to Sipi Falls and into Karamoja for a cultural experience with the Karamojong people. From Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, the journey combines game drives, boat safaris, chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking before ending with Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo and time in Kampala.

Trip at a glance 20 days

Route: Bwindi National Park → Discover the beauty of Mabamba Swamp, Uganda’s premier birding site, with over 300 species and Ramsar Wetland status. → Entebbe → Kidepo Valley National Park → Lake Bunyonyi → Murchison Falls National Park → River Nile → Safaris in Uganda

  • Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe | Welcome to Uganda
  • Day 2: Entebbe to Jinja | Mabamba Swamp & Birdwatching
  • Day 3: Jinja | Source of the Nile & Journey to Sipi
  • Day 4: Sipi Falls | Waterfalls & Coffee Community Walk
  • Day 5: Sipi Falls to Moroto | Journey into Karamoja
  • Day 6: Moroto to Kidepo Valley | Cultural Experience & Safari
  • Day 7: Kidepo Valley National Park | Narus Valley Game Drives
  • Day 8: Kidepo to Murchison Falls | Journey South & Evening Safari
  • Day 9: Murchison Falls National Park | Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise
  • Day 10: Murchison Falls to Kibale | Tea Country & Forests
  • Day 11: Kibale National Park | Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Swamp
  • Day 12: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth | Equator, Katwe & Evening Game Drive
  • Day 13: Queen Elizabeth National Park | Game Drive & Kazinga Channel
  • Day 14: Queen Elizabeth to Ishasha | Game Drive & Tree-Climbing Lions
  • Day 15: Ishasha to Bwindi | Morning Game Drive & Gorilla Country
  • Day 16: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi | Gorilla Trekking & Mountain Landscapes
  • Day 17: Lake Bunyonyi | Boat Ride & Local Experiences
  • Day 18: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo | Wildlife & Evening Game Drive
  • Day 19: Lake Mburo to Kampala | Nature Walk & Equator Crossing
  • Day 20: Kampala | City Tour & Departure
DAY BY DAY

Full Itinerary

1
DAY 1

Arrival in Entebbe | Welcome to Uganda

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and complete your arrival formalities. You will then be welcomed and transferred to your hotel, giving you time to settle in before the journey begins.

Dinner
2
DAY 2

Entebbe to Jinja | Mabamba Swamp & Birdwatching

After breakfast, visit Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria. Explore its network of channels and wetlands, an important habitat for a wide variety of water birds. Later, continue to Jinja for the next stage of your journey.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
3
DAY 3

Jinja | Source of the Nile & Journey to Sipi

Take a boat ride to the Source of the Nile and spend time exploring Jinja. In the afternoon, continue towards Kapchorwa, home to the Sipi Falls, with the landscape changing as you travel into eastern Uganda.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
4
DAY 4

Sipi Falls | Waterfalls & Coffee Community Walk

Explore the Sipi Falls area on a nature walk, visiting the series of waterfalls and spending time around the base of the falls. Later, take part in a coffee community walk and learn more about local coffee production and community life.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
5
DAY 5

Sipi Falls to Moroto | Journey into Karamoja

Travel to Moroto in the Karamoja region. After settling into your accommodation, spend the evening with the Karamojong community, gaining an insight into local life, traditions and beliefs.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
6
DAY 6

Moroto to Kidepo Valley | Cultural Experience & Safari

Continue to Kidepo Valley National Park. After checking in, head out for an afternoon game drive and begin exploring one of Uganda's northern safari landscapes.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
7
DAY 7

Kidepo Valley National Park | Narus Valley Game Drives

Start the day with a game drive through the Narus Valley towards the springs, followed by another game drive in the afternoon. Spend the day exploring Kidepo's wildlife and varied landscapes.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
8
DAY 8

Kidepo to Murchison Falls | Journey South & Evening Safari

Leave Kidepo and travel towards Murchison Falls National Park, with a stop in Gulu along the way. Continue to the park, check in to your accommodation and finish the day with an evening game drive.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
9
DAY 9

Murchison Falls National Park | Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Head out early for a game drive across the park's grassland and palm landscapes towards the Albert Nile. Later, take a boat cruise on the Nile, where you can observe wildlife gathering along the riverbanks.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
10
DAY 10

Murchison Falls to Kibale | Tea Country & Forests

Travel south towards Kibale National Park, passing through areas known for tea plantations. Along the way, there is an opportunity to stop and learn about how tea is grown and picked before continuing to Kibale.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
11
DAY 11

Kibale National Park | Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Swamp

Set out for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. After lunch, explore Bigodi Swamp on a community-led nature walk, with opportunities to see birds and other wildlife. You may also visit a local school or village to learn more about everyday life.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
12
DAY 12

Kibale to Queen Elizabeth | Equator, Katwe & Evening Game Drive

Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the Equator along the way. Visit Katwe fishing village and see the area's salt craters before continuing into the park for an evening game drive.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
13
DAY 13

Queen Elizabeth National Park | Game Drive & Kazinga Channel

Start with an early morning game drive before spending the afternoon on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. The cruise provides an opportunity to view wildlife along the water and experience one of the park's key waterways.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
14
DAY 14

Queen Elizabeth to Ishasha | Game Drive & Tree-Climbing Lions

Travel south into the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Take a game drive in search of the area's famous tree-climbing lions, along with other wildlife found in the southern part of the park.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
15
DAY 15

Ishasha to Bwindi | Morning Game Drive & Gorilla Country

Begin with an early morning game drive in Ishasha before continuing towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you from the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth into the forested region of southwestern Uganda.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
16
DAY 16

Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi | Gorilla Trekking & Mountain Landscapes

Rise early for the main experience of the journey: gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Follow the ranger-led trek through the forest and spend time observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Afterwards, continue to Lake Bunyonyi, travelling through the mountainous landscapes of southwestern Uganda.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
17
DAY 17

Lake Bunyonyi | Boat Ride & Local Experiences

Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi and take in the lake's distinctive scenery. In the afternoon, choose from optional activities including a canoe ride, swimming, a village cultural walk or time interacting with local residents.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
18
DAY 18

Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo | Wildlife & Evening Game Drive

Travel towards Lake Mburo National Park. Wildlife can be seen around the park entrance, including impalas, zebras and long-horned cattle. Later, head out for an evening game drive.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
19
DAY 19

Lake Mburo to Kampala | Nature Walk & Equator Crossing

Begin the morning with a guided nature walk before returning to the lodge for breakfast. Continue towards Kampala, crossing the Equator along the way and stopping for lunch before completing the journey to the city.

Breakfast Lunch Dinner
20
DAY 20

Kampala | City Tour & Departure

Spend the morning exploring Kampala on a walking tour, experiencing the city's streets and everyday life. Visit a craft market for souvenir shopping before transferring to Entebbe International Airport for your flight home.

THE FINE PRINT

What's Included

Included & not included 6 included

Included

  • Accommodation: Comfortable accommodations are provided throughout the tour, including hotels and lodges. These accommodations are carefully selected to ensure your comfort and convenience.
  • Transportation: You will have a private guide and vehicle to take you to each destination, ensuring a safe and hassle-free journey. Airport transfers are also included.
  • Activities and Excursions: The tour includes a wide range of activities such as birdwatching at Mabamba Swamp, boat rides, game drives, gorilla trekking, and cultural experiences with local communities.
  • National Park Entry Fees: Entrance fees to national parks and protected areas are covered in the tour price.
  • Meals: Daily meals are included, usually in the form of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will have the opportunity to savor a variety of local and international cuisines.
  • Experienced Guides: Knowledgeable and experienced guides will accompany you on the journey, providing insights into the local culture, wildlife, and history.
WHERE YOU'LL GO

Destinations

GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this itinerary be customised?

Yes, every trip can be tailored to your dates, budget and interests.

How do I book, and what deposit is needed?

Reserve a departure on the website or send us an inquiry for a customized engagment and payment link.

Do I need a visa and vaccinations?

Most visitors need an East African Tourist Visa and a yellow fever certificate.

TRAVELLER STORIES

What People Say

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Ian K profile picture
Ian K
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An amazing experience I had an amazing experience,the guide was great. Got to enjoy different places. We had different activities, water tubing,quad biking zip lining,quad biking and amazing dinners at the hotels and lodges.
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lumonya j profile picture
lumonya j
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Amazing safari experience Great eye for sighting all animals. Knowledgeable with the different parks, very hospitable, alternate and careful on the road. You won't regret.
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Brad H profile picture
Brad H
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AWESOME Experience! This was the second time I have worked with Zacc and Paanvuu Safaris in Uganda. This time, we traveled with my wife and daughter who were making their first visit to Africa. Zacc and Paanvuu had EVERYTHING arranged perfectly so that there was nothing for us to do but enjoy an amazing experience! Safe travels, wonderful accommodations, good food, and incredible safaris. 100% recommend!
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Scenic31734850335 profile picture
Scenic31734850335
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Fantastic First Experience of Africa! Paanvu was incredible and our driver Zaac did an amazing job at showing us some incredible sights, Safari’s, and waterfalls as well as being extremely knowledgeable about everything we got to explore! He was very positive the entire trip and took good care of us while we were able to explore the beauty of Uganda! 10/10 would go again!
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Compass33176568006 profile picture
Compass33176568006
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Amazing experience What an AMAZING experience. So glad we picked an amazing company to take us! They knew exactly where to go! Will definitely use them again!
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Sara profile picture
Sara
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Our team visited the Ewaffe Cultural Village. Zach organized an experience for our group of seven at Ewaffe Cultural Village. It was a great day getting to participate in different Ugandan traditions and practices! Thanks, Zach!
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Hannah L profile picture
Hannah L
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Really great time, very well put together! This was my first safari ever and it was so good!! We had Zac taking us (2 ppl) and he was brilliant, super punctual and very knowledgeable about how to find specific animals on the trails. The vehicle was perfect, very comfortable to travel in but worked really well for safari too as the roof could be raised. We had so so much fun and would defo do it all over again <3
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Brad H profile picture
Brad H
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Paanvuu and Zacc are the best! I have been on several safaris and this one was one of the best! Zacc took great care of our entire team, answering questions, taking care of all arrangements, driving safely, and providing a great experience. We visited Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda where we took two game drives and a boat safari. We saw many animals UP CLOSE and really got to experience the best of Africa. Thanks Zacc and Paanvuu Safaris!
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evie_e_wyse profile picture
evie_e_wyse
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Loved every moment! Zacc was an extraordinary guide. He spotted animals and made sure we had a moment to stop along the road to have a good look and take photos. He provided information and respectfully answered all our group’s questions. Water was always available in the van. He made sure we were comfortable and enjoying the trip along the way. There were times in our trip that required careful driving. I felt entirely safe and comfortable with Zac’s driving. He was kind, fun, and a great conversationalist. I would highly recommend Paanvuu Safari and hope to use them again in the future!
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Maps18765867286 profile picture
Maps18765867286
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
We did it all thanks to Zac. Got to interact with the locals and check out all the spots! Perfect. Zac is the best guide out there. Very knowledgeable, friendly and fun to hang with on your adventure. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and showing you his beautiful country! You will not forget this experience and may even make a true friend. Highly recommend!
USD 2,000per person
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