16 Days Uganda Budget Safari

16 Days Uganda Budget Safari: This 16 Days wildlife, primates and cultural safari cover 70% of Uganda’s national parks including Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Bwindi impenetrable national park, Kibale national park, Murchison falls national park, Semiliki national park, Lake Mburo national park, Lake Bunyonyi and Jinja town. This 16 days trip also features such as Ziwa rhino tracking, Bigodi swamp as day excursions. Visiting the parks offers amazing wildlife encounter of a lifetime. The Big five game which is the most sought for animals can be spotted in the park provided in this package.

Murchison falls national park is located in the north-western of Uganda offering the best experience of the big five game, even though the Rhinos cannot be found in any of the savannah national parks, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was put in place to reintroduce the experience of rhinos in Uganda after they were all killed during the reign of President Amin Dada. Murchison falls national park is divided by the River Nile which flowing through a narrow gorge causing a lot of force as the waters flow through a narrow gorge thus the most powerful falls in Africa – the Murchison falls.

Kibale national park is Africa’s best chimpanzee trekking destination with guaranteed best views of the chimpanzees and other 12 existing primates in the park. It is also a home to 138 species of birds, 250 tree species and 60 species of forest wildlife including forest elephants, bushbucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs and buffaloes. Semiliki national park and reserve is located in Bundibugyo district near Fort portal town adjust to Congo Ituri rain forest. The park is a home to Uganda’s largest Sempaya hot springs, about 53 mammal species and over 400 bird species recorded in this park thus making it one of the top birding destination in Africa earning a title of “True birders Haven”

Queen Elizabeth national park is located in the western part of Uganda offering the great experience of different Antelope species. Queen Elizabeth national park is home to the tree climbing lions in Uganda. The park is occupied by 2 great lakes – Lake Edward and Lake George which meet at a channel commonly known as the Kazinga channel. Queen Elizabeth national park has plenty of animals and other experiences to be enjoy while on your stay in Uganda ranging from wildlife, culture, boat cruise to nature walks for bird watching and chimpanzee trekking.

Bwindi Impenetrable national park is one of Uganda’s oldest national park with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park inhabits half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world and it is divided into 4 sectors including; Buhoma sector which is the oldest trekking sector, Rushaga sector which has the largest number of gorilla families, Ruhija sector and finally Nkuringo sector.

Lake Mburo national park is smallest savannah national park and has the different species of Antelope and is named as one of the best birding destinations in Uganda. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in East Africa with 44 -900 meters deep and with about 29 islands. When you think of a place to relax and chill after gorilla trekking before going back home, Lake Bunyonyi is the best place because of its cool weather and freshness of the breeze.

Safari highlights of the 16 Days Uganda Budget Safari

Day 1: Arrival and hotel drop off
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino trekking and transfer to Murchison falls national park
Day 3: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise and hike top of the falls
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
Day 6: Hot Springs visit in Semiliki national park and evening game drive
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Lion tracking
Day 8: Game drive and Launch cruise
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 10: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park
Day 11: Batwa community tour and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 12: Explore Lake Bunyonyi
Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Boat trip and evening game drive
Day 14: Walking safari/Game drive
Day 15: White water rafting in Jinja and source of the Nile visit
Day 16: Transfer to Kampala-Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and hotel drop off

On day 1 of the 16 Days Uganda Budget Safari, Following your arrival at Entebbe airport, our company representative together with the guide will be waiting to welcome you and transfer to Kampala city where you will spend a night. Dinner and overnight stay at

Fairway Hotel for mid-range
Forest Cottages for budget
Sheraton Hotel for luxury

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino trekking and transfer to Murchison falls national park

Very early after breakfast at your hotel, embark on your journey to Murchison falls national park. En-route stop at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking for about 2 hours. Have en-route lunch then proceed to the park entering the park through one of the gates. Drive to connect to your lodge for a night rest at

Paraa Safari lodge for luxury
Pakuba Safari lodge for mid-range
Heritage Safari lodge for budget

Day 3: Game drive and Nile boat cruise and hike top of the falls

After breakfast, connect for a game drive in Murchison falls national park, explore a variety of animals found in the park such as the lions, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, hyenas, leopards, to mention a few. Thereafter, return to the lodge for lunch

After lunch, head to the landing site for your afternoon boat cruise that starts at 2 pm to the bottom of the falls. From there you will hike to the top of the falls. This hike is a bit tuff but it’s fascinating as you will enjoy seeing the falls at different points and finally when you reach the top of the falls, you will be amazed and eventually forget about the tuff hike. After spending a good time at the top of the falls, you will meet your driver at the top to cross the ferry in time to return to your lodge. Lunch will be served at your lodge. Relax at the lodge as above.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park

Early morning after breakfast, depart the lodge Proceed for your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. This Park is home to almost 13 primate species. These include red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey and many more. You will have lunch in Kagadi. Proceed with the journey to the Kibale forest. Dinner and overnight stay at

Kyaninga lodge for luxury
Chimpanzee Guesthouse for mid-range
Isunga lodge for budget

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

After breakfast, you will set out for chimp tracking within the Kibale Forest. During your search, expect to see a lot of primate species like chimpanzees, monkeys and other animals like the forest elephants, bush pig, and duiker, warthogs, reptiles, and amphibians as well as a colorful variety of butterflies. Return to the Lodge for lunch.

After lunch, go for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp area and look out for most of the water-loving bird species. The forest /Park has almost 335 species of birds and therefore a good place for birders. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay as above.

Day 6: Hot Springs visit in Semiliki national park and evening game drive

Have breakfast and depart for Semuliki National Park through the eastern Albertine area. Semuliki National Park located in the basin of the western rift valley is one of the parks endowed with many habitats ranging from rain forests, Riparian forests to short and high grass Savannah, enter the park and visit the Sempaya hot springs before you drive to your lodge.

Thereafter connect to Toro-Semiliki wildlife reserve for and evening game drive. Kindly do not expect to see a lot of animals because the park has very few animals. Connect to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Semiliki Safari lodge/Ntoroko Game lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Lion tracking

After enjoying your cup of coffee in the morning, depart the park and embark on your journey to Queen Elizabeth national park. It’s about 4-5 hours’drive with en-route lunch. Connect for a Lion tracking experience for about 2 hours then visit the crater lakes in the park before you proceed to rest at your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at

Kyambura Gorge lodge for luxury
Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range
Pumba Safari cottages for budget

Day 8: Game drive and Launch cruise

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will set out for the game drive in search for early risers in the Kasenyi area. The park has diverse eco-system of grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, forests, swamps, and lakes. These are home to various types of wildlife and a game drive in Queen Elizabeth will reward you with views of animals such as lions, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda Kob and other types of antelopes.

Return to your Lodge for lunch and after, go for a 3 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This cruise will let you pass through a place of the highest concentration of hippos and you may also see many animals drinking at the water’s edge. The cruise also offers a good platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.

Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You will set out for the game drive in the Ishasha area and expect to see the rare tree climbing lions. The lions can be seen upon the fig trees. However, it’s not a guarantee that the lions will be seen. Sometimes it depends on the luck and time of reaching the area. You will have lunch in the Ishasha sector and after you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in preparation for your next day Gorilla trek. Dinner and overnight stay at

Buhoma lodge for luxury
Buhoma Haven lodge for mid-range
Buhoma community rest camp for budget

Day 10: Gorilla trek in Bwindi forest Park

Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a once lifetime experience and unforgettable adventure. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about1hour.

The activity can take 2 -7 hours since the gorillas move up and down. This is an awesome and exciting moment. En-route, there are other types of primates such as monkeys, birds and more. Return for dinner and overnight stay as above

Day 11: Batwa community tour and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you will do a batwa community tour before you proceed to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. It’s a 2-3 hours’ drive from Bwindi to Bunyonyi. Upon arrival check-in your lodge for relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at

Bunyonyi BirdNest lodge – Luxury
Bunyonyi Arcadia lodge – mid-range
Bunyonyi Overland Resort – Budget

Day 12: Explore Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, explore Lake Bunyonyi which is one of the deepest lakes is Africa. The Lake has almost 32 Islands. The Lake is a good stop over for relaxation for people from trekking Mountain Gorillas. Enjoy a boat ride which will enable you visit some of the islands on the Lake. Each Island is named according to the bird species found on the Island and some were named because of their purposes for example the Punishment Island which is the smallest and was used by the Bakiga people to drop their girls who got pregnant before marriage. After the Boat ride, return back to the Lodge for relaxation while you watch the beautiful sunset.

Other activities to do include; zip lining across the lake, and other Ninja warrior activities. Dinner and overnight at lodge as above

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Boat trip and evening game drive

Start your day with early morning breakfast and after you will transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. You will reach Mbarara town in time for lunch after which you will enter the Park with a game drive en-route which will give you clear views of animals such as Zebras, Buffaloes and elands. Upon reaching the park, connect for an afternoon boat trip on Lake Mburo which will get you quite close to Crocodiles and Hippos and best for bird watching. Drive to the lodge with en-route evening game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at

Mihingo lodge for luxury
Arcadia lodge Lake Mburo for mid-range
Eagles Nest lodge for budget

Day 14: Walking safari/Game drive

Early morning, after your breakfast, meet your ranger guides for your walking safari, this tour is no different from a game drive except that here you will walk on foot to find the animals. Or basically do morning game drive. Thereafter, check-out of the park and drive back to Kampala with en-route lunch and the Equator experiment. Proceed to Kampala and check-in at your hotel at

Sheraton Hotel for luxury
Fairway Hotel for mid-range
Forest Cottages for budget

Day 15: White water rafting in Jinja and source of the Nile visit

Wake up quite early, have breakfast, and drive Jinja city, it’s a 2-3 hours’ drive from Kampala. Upon arrival, connect for your white water rafting experience. Have lunch in Jinja town while exploring the town, visit the source of River Nile. Dinner and overnight stay at

Source of the Smile Hotel as budget option
2 Friends Guesthouse as Mid-range option
Jinja Nile Resort as Luxury option

Day 16: Transfer to Kampala – Departure

After breakfast, and depending on your flight back home, drive back to Kampala with en-route Lunch and proceed to Entebbe airport for your flight back home.

End of the 16 Days Uganda Budget Safari