Discover Uganda

14-Day Culture and Wilderness Uganda Safari Tour

Explore the Best of Uganda, From Gorillas to the Nile

Get ready for the ultimate adventure through Uganda’s rich landscapes, wildlife, and culture. This 14-day tour takes you deeper into the heart of South-Western Uganda. You’ll immerse yourself in local communities, support education and conservation, and uncover some of Uganda’s best-kept secrets. Highlights include gorilla trekking in Bwindi, a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and a cruise along the Victoria Nile at Murchison Falls.

Tour Highlights

  •  Immerse yourself in traditional crafts, cooking, and cultural practices
  • Spend quality time volunteering at Amatsiko Preparatory School and in local communities
  • Experience the serene beauty of Lake Bunyonyi and meet the local Pygmy community
  • Participate in sustainable agriculture projects in rural villages, contributing to long-term community development
  • Gorilla trekking
  • Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Experience the powerful Murchison Falls, where the Nile bursts through a narrow gorge, creating an unforgettable natural spectacle

Location

South-West Uganda

Best time

July – August

Group size

10-20 people

20% of your booking fee directly funds the Amatsiko School, providing education to over 400 children.

Your Adventure with Purpose

At Amatsiko Tours, responsible tourism is at the heart of everything we do. Your booking doesn’t just give you an unforgettable experience—it directly supports local communities and wildlife conservation efforts. 20% of your tour fee goes to Amatsiko School, providing education and meals for over 400 children. Also, your gorilla trekking permit funds conservation initiatives that help protect endangered mountain gorillas and preserve their natural habitat.

By travelling with us, you’re making a real difference in the lives of the people and wildlife of Uganda.

Itinerary Overview

01

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Depending on the time of your flight, you can either stay in Entebbe for the night or take a short city tour of Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital. If arriving late, rest up for the next day’s adventure.

-Option 2: Arrive at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, and transfer to your hotel for the night if you arrive late. If your flight allows, begin the 2-hour drive to Kabale, Uganda, and enjoy the scenic countryside.

02

After breakfast, set off for Kabale, either from Entebbe (approx. 400 km / 7-8 hours) or Kigali (approx. 105 km / 2 hours). Those departing from Entebbe will enjoy a scenic drive with a stop at the Equator Line for photos and souvenirs, while travellers from Kigali cross the border for a shorter journey. In the late afternoon, arrive at the stunning Lake Bunyonyi, where you can unwind with a peaceful boat ride and take in the serene surroundings.

03

Close-up of a Woman Weaving a Traditional Basket

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Lake Bunyonyi by starting your day with local artisans, learning traditional basket weaving and pottery from women whose livelihoods depend on these crafts. Then, take a boat to visit the Batwa Pygmy Community for a meaningful cultural exchange, discovering their history, traditions, and challenges. In the afternoon, join a local family for a hands-on cooking class, using fresh ingredients from nearby farms to prepare and enjoy a traditional meal together.

04

After breakfast, travel to Amatsiko Preparatory School in Kabale (approx. 10 km / 30 minutes) to spend the day volunteering. The school, which supports orphans and vulnerable children, offers a warm welcome as you help in classrooms, organise activities, and engage with students through teaching or mentoring.

05

Start your morning visiting local farms around Kabale, where you’ll learn traditional and sustainable farming techniques and assist farmers with daily tasks, gaining insight into the region’s agricultural challenges. After lunch, travel to Buzaniro Village in Kisoro (approx. 70 km / 2 hours) for hands-on experience in permaculture, crop rotation, and organic farming practices that are transforming the community’s food security. Spend time inspiring local children through teaching and interactive activities, encouraging them to dream big. In the afternoon, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (approx. 35 km / 1.5 hours).

06

Begin your day with an exhilarating trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, guided by an expert to track one of the last remaining mountain gorilla families. Spend a magical hour observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After this unforgettable experience, return to Bwindi Lodge and spend the rest of the day unwinding and reflecting on your adventure.

07

Lion on Tree

In the morning we will move to Queen Elizabeth National Park from the south of the park crossing the Ishasha sector in the late morning. With a bit of luck in this area you can admire the “lion climbing”, lions that climb the “fig trees”, trees that branch out a few meters high. Packed lunch and arrival at the lodge near the large Lake Edward.

08

Start your chimpanzee tracking journey within the stunning Kyambura Gorge, home to several habituated chimpanzees. As you walk through this breathtaking landscape, listen to the calls of the chimps echoing through the gorge, and soak in the incredible views. Each step you take contributes to the ongoing efforts to protect these endangered creatures. In the afternoon, continue your adventure with a photographic safari along the park’s scenic routes, where we’ll search for elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, and many other remarkable species.

09

Cruise on the “Kazinga Channel” that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Incredible point of view to observe hippos, buffaloes, elephants drinking from the river and other animals that inhabit this wonderful area. This will surely be an unforgettable activity that will make you come into contact with the real life of the African savannah.

10

Day dedicated to the transfer, the journey will be long but you can admire a splendid route passing through coffee plantations, tobacco and immerse yourself in the local culture with some stops at local markets. Packed lunch and arrival at Murchison Falls Park in the evening.

11

Start your day with a sunrise photo safari in the northern part of the Nile, where you may spot Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, hyenas, hippos, giraffes, monkeys, and various bird species, and with some luck, lions and leopards. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the savannah and the Albert Nile before stopping for a picnic lunch on the Nile’s banks or back at the lodge. In the afternoon, take a relaxing cruise along the Victoria Nile to witness the stunning point where the waterfalls cascade into the river.

12

Start your morning exploring the rest of Murchison Falls National Park and experience the full power of the falls up close. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, choosing from optional excursions or simply relaxing and soaking in the natural beauty of the park.

13

Two Brown Rhinoceros on Grass Field

In the morning, head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting trek to observe white rhinos up close in their natural habitat. After a packed lunch, continue to Entebbe for a final exploration of the city before preparing for your departure the following day.

14

Begin your journey back to either Entebbe or Kigali for your departure flight
– Kyambura to Entebbe (Approx. 400 km /7 hours)  
– Kyambura to Kigali (Approx. 330 km / 6 hours)  

Itinerary Overview

01

Arrival in Uganda

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Depending on the time of your flight, you can either stay in Entebbe for the night or take a short city tour of Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital. If arriving late, rest up for the next day’s adventure.

-Option 2: Arrive at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, and transfer to your hotel for the night if you arrive late. If your flight allows, begin the 2-hour drive to Kabale, Uganda, and enjoy the scenic countryside

03

Cultural Immersion at Lake Bunyonyi

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Lake Bunyonyi by starting your day with local artisans, learning traditional basket weaving and pottery from women whose livelihoods depend on these crafts. Then, take a boat to visit the Batwa Pygmy Community for a meaningful cultural exchange, discovering their history, traditions, and challenges. In the afternoon, join a local family for a hands-on cooking class, using fresh ingredients from nearby farms to prepare and enjoy a traditional meal together.

05

Visit Local Farms & Farewell Dinner and move to Kisoro

Start your morning visiting local farms around Kabale, where you’ll learn traditional and sustainable farming techniques and assist farmers with daily tasks, gaining insight into the region’s agricultural challenges. After lunch, travel to Buzaniro Village in Kisoro (approx. 70 km / 2 hours) for hands-on experience in permaculture, crop rotation, and organic farming practices that are transforming the community’s food security. In the afternoon, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (approx. 35 km / 1.5 hours).

07

Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the morning we will move to Queen Elizabeth National Park from the south of the park crossing the Ishasha sector in the late morning. With a bit of luck in this area you can admire the “lion climbing”, lions that climb the “fig trees”, trees that branch out a few meters high. Packed lunch and arrival at the lodge near the large Lake Edward.

09

Water safari cruise

Cruise on the “Kazinga Channel” that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Incredible point of view to observe hippos, buffaloes, elephants drinking from the river and other animals that inhabit this wonderful area. This will surely be an unforgettable activity that will make you come into contact with the real life of the African savannah.

11

Nile sunrise photo safari

Start your day with a sunrise photo safari in the northern part of the Nile, where you may spot Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, hyenas, hippos, giraffes, monkeys, and various bird species, and with some luck, lions and leopards. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the savannah and the Albert Nile before stopping for a picnic lunch on the Nile’s banks or back at the lodge. In the afternoon, take a relaxing cruise along the Victoria Nile to witness the stunning point where the waterfalls cascade into the river.

13

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

In the morning, head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting trek to observe white rhinos up close in their natural habitat. After a packed lunch, continue to Entebbe for a final exploration of the city before preparing for your departure the following day.

02

Journey to Kabale & Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, set off for Kabale, either from Entebbe (approx. 400 km / 7-8 hours) or Kigali (approx. 105 km / 2 hours). Those departing from Entebbe will enjoy a scenic drive with a stop at the Equator Line for photos and souvenirs, while travellers from Kigali cross the border for a shorter journey. In the late afternoon, arrive at the stunning Lake Bunyonyi, where you can unwind with a peaceful boat ride and take in the serene surroundings.

Close-up of a Woman Weaving a Traditional Basket

04

Volunteering at Amatsiko Preparatory School

After breakfast, travel to Amatsiko Preparatory School in Kabale (approx. 10 km / 30 minutes) to spend the day volunteering. The school, which supports orphans and vulnerable children, offers a warm welcome as you help in classrooms, organise activities, and engage with students through teaching or mentoring.

06

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Begin your day with an exhilarating trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, guided by an expert to track one of the last remaining mountain gorilla families. Spend a magical hour observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After this unforgettable experience, return to Bwindi Lodge and spend the rest of the day unwinding and reflecting on your adventure.

08

Chimpanzee tracking and safari

Start your chimpanzee tracking journey within the stunning Kyambura Gorge, home to several habituated chimpanzees. As you walk through this breathtaking landscape, listen to the calls of the chimps echoing through the gorge, and soak in the incredible views. Each step you take contributes to the ongoing efforts to protect these endangered creatures. In the afternoon, continue your adventure with a photographic safari along the park’s scenic routes, where we’ll search for elephants, buffalo, leopards, lions, and many other remarkable species.

10

Journey to Murchison Falls Park

Day dedicated to the transfer, the journey will be long but you can admire a splendid route passing through coffee plantations, tobacco and immerse yourself in the local culture with some stops at local markets. Packed lunch and arrival at Murchison Falls Park in the evening.

12

Murchison Falls

Start your morning exploring the rest of Murchison Falls National Park and experience the full power of the falls up close. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, choosing from optional excursions or simply relaxing and soaking in the natural beauty of the park.

Two Brown Rhinoceros on Grass Field

14

Departure

Fly back from Entebbe or flight transfer to Kigali for your departure flight.

Traveller’s experiences

Accommodation Options

*HB Half Board | *FB – Full Board

What’s included

Enjoy safari travel in a comfortable Land Cruiser with an expert local guide, who will make sure you don’t miss a thing—from wildlife encounters to cultural insights.

  • Transport in a Land Cruiser
  • English-speaking local guide with deep knowledge of the region, wildlife, and community
  • Accommodation as per package
  • All meals
  • Volunteering opportunities at Amatsiko School
  • Entrance fees and mentioned activities
  • Bwindi Gorilla permit
  • Drinking water to keep you hydrated as you explore

What’s excluded

  • International flights and visas
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses

Photo reviews

Frequently asked questions

We understand you might have questions before booking your tour. Here are some common queries. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us directly!

Yes, a gorilla trekking permit is required, and we take care of securing this for you as part of your booking. The permit cost is included in your tour package and helps fund the conservation efforts that protect these endangered animals and their habitat. Each trek is carefully managed to ensure the well-being of the gorillas and the sustainability of tourism in the region. Your trekking permit also contributes directly to gorilla conservation, making your adventure part of a larger mission to protect these incredible animals.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can be physically demanding, as the terrain is steep and covered in dense vegetation. The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. A moderate fitness level is recommended, but our guides will tailor the experience to your pace. Porters are also available to assist with carrying backpacks and provide support during the trek.

The best time to visit is during Uganda’s two dry seasons: from June to August and December to February. These months offer the best conditions for trekking and wildlife viewing, with less rain and easier trails.

Accommodation is based on double occupancy, but solo travellers can request a private room for an additional fee. We offer a range of accommodation options to suit your preferences and ensure your comfort throughout the tour.

Absolutely! We can arrange additional days or experiences for you, including visits to other national parks, community projects, or even beach stays on Lake Victoria. Just let us know your preferences, and we’ll tailor your itinerary.

We would love to share our passion for Uganda with you.

Got a Question? We’d love to help you plan your adventure! Fill out the form or email us at info@amatsikotours.com.

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