20-DAYS CLASSIC SAFARI UGANDA

Your driver/guide will pick you up from Entebbe airport and transfers you to Via via Guesthouse, only a 10 minute drive. ViaVia Entebbe is a very cosy accommodation, only 10 minutes away from the airport. All the rooms are self-contained and have a private terrace overlooking the dazzling garden. Relax in one of the hammocks while the resident monkeys play around in the trees, you can bath in your hot-tub, enjoy a romantic sunset and sit aside the campfire at night. The restaurant serves you fresh and healthy food, spiced with world flavours for a well-balanced international and local menu. Via Via will give you a truly heartwarming experience that’s very hard to beat! This is where your Vienna Tours driver/ guide will find you tomorrow morning for the start of your tour after a good breakfast. He will pick you up from via via Entebbe at 7:00 am, he will also brief you about your 20Days safari and you will start your journey to Jinja (Source of the Nile). Journey Time 10 minutes
Accommodation Via Guesthouse
Meal plan: not included

Jinja lies on the shore of Lake Victoria, about 3 hours East from Kampala. This town is famous as the historic source of the river Nile and at the same time the adrenaline capital of East Africa. Besides enjoying peaceful sunsets, birdlife and tranquility, this is also where visitors get their adventurous fix. Enjoy activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing, quad biking, mountain biking and horse riding. Jinja has a gorgeous natural setting with crumbling colonial architecture. With the arrival of British colonial rule in 1906 the town began to grow as a trading canter and important river crossing.
These days Jinja has a vibrant downtown and broad leafy residential streets set next to the Nile River. The Haven is an eco-river lodge set in a very relaxing and peaceful environment. This lodge is very family-friendly and is well maintained. The views are right onto the Nile so you get to enjoy the tranquility as you gaze at the gently flowing water of the longest river in the world. Watch fish eagles, fish otters, monitor lizards, monkeys and numerous species of birds from the comfort of the spacious restaurant terrace. Go for a dip in the swimming pool and enjoy the delicious meals in the restaurant after exploring the fun activities in Jinja. Journey Time 3 hours
Accommodation: the Haven
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

A drive through the north-eastern part of Uganda, to the foothills of Mt Elgon you reach a plateau 1800m above sea level where the beautiful Sipi Falls are located. These green area has a spectacular series of waterfalls (some nearly 100m high), surrounded by village walking trails and lush green coffee-producing hills. There are three falls separated by steep hillsides. It is quite cool here compared to the other parts of Uganda with temperate weather conditions. You will relax and enjoy the fresh air and the calm environment away from city hustles and traffic. Abseiling, a coffee tour and community visits are some of the activities you can enjoy besides the hikes.
Accommodation options: Sipi River Lodge, Sipi Falls Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner

Prepare yourself for a beautiful day in paradise. The Sipi River flows over the foothills of Mount Elgon, forming a series of waterfalls – these culminate in a spectacular drop, which is surrounded by pretty walking trails and lush green hills. You can choose to go on a 3 or, for the real adventurers, 7 hour hike through the region. A local guide will accompany you on your hike. You can go only for the nature and waterfall walk, but it is also possible to combine the tour with a coffee tour or cultural tour. Whichever you choose, you can be certain that you pass many waterfalls, plantations and caves. Local villagers will be sure to greet you with ‘how are you muzungu!’ and beaming smiles. In the afternoon you will travel to Moroto town the heart of the Karamoja area for your cultural activities tomorrow. Check in to your accommodation have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari tented Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner

Vienna Tours strives to be innovative and takes its responsibility by bringing you to places where no one else will go. One of these examples is Karamoja; an area in North-Eastern Uganda where you can learn about traditional life of the Karamojong, the most traditional tribe still living in Uganda. In the early morning you leave for a scenic nature walk through the valley of Mt Moroto, the highest mountain of Karamoja. During the walk we will set camp at a traditional village of the So Tepeth mountain people. After this, you’ll meet the Karimojong living in a Kraal, better known as Manyatas or Boma in Swahili. A Kraal is basically a village made out of huts surrounded by fences made of wood and thorns. These are put up to keep the cattle in and to protect them against rival tribes and wild animals. Some of the Kraals are permanent and others are temporarily for when they tail the fresh grass to feed the cattle. The Karimojong are related to the Maasai in Kenya and live a similar lifestyle. The main difference is that the Karimojong is completely unknown and you are therefore sure to experience a very authentic and memorable visit. Tonight you’ll again stay at Karamoja Safari Camp.
Accommodation: Karamoja Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and local dinner

In the morning you can still enjoy this unique opportunity to spend more time with the Karamojong tribe. After this thrilling experience it is time to travel to the most remote and pristine national park in the country: Kidepo Valley National Park. In the rugged semi-arid valleys in the extreme northeast of Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park lies hidden away in a lost and not frequently visited corner between Uganda’s borders with Sudan and Kenya. It is a long but very rewarding journey to get to this area with some of the most beautiful scenery in Uganda. You’ll experience an afternoon game drive in the wild Narus valley where herds of elephants & buffalos as well as beautiful sights of lions and leopards sitting on various valley rocks can be spotted. Journey Time 5 hours
Accommodation options; Apoka safari lodge (luxury), Nga moru wilderness camp (Mid-range), Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Kidepo Valley national park is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can do a walking safari. An armed ranger is joining you for your safety and you will explore the wilderness on foot. During this activity you get the chance to experience the wildlife up-close, a totally different experience than game-viewing by car. Buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, warthog, zebra, bush-buck and of course the naughty baboons can be seen all year round as well as many different bird species. The guide stops regularly, not merely searching for game, but telling you about birds, insects, trees, animal droppings, the medicinal use of plants and which animals eat which plants. Today in the afternoon you will go for another game drive in this amazing national park. The savannah is ringed by mountains and rocky ridges. It has a profusion of big game and hosts 475 bird species and over 80 mammal species, of which 28 were not known to occur (or very rarely) in any other Ugandan park. For example; ostriches, zebras, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, caracals, cheetahs, and greater and lesser kudus. Kidepo Valley National Park ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses and is ranked number 3 on the list of CNN of best national parks in Africa.
Accommodation options; Apoka safari lodge (luxury), Nga moru wilderness camp (Mid-range), Kidepo Savannah Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park one of the oldest conservation areas in Uganda. This is a long but rewarding journey through various landscapes of Northern Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s best-known and biggest nature reserve. With the impressive and powerful Murchison waterfall and its remarkable animal populations, this is a must visit in the Pearl of Africa. There are superb activities on offer such as a boat safari or Delta safari on the Nile. The river divides the park between a Northern and Southern section as it makes its way through multiple rapids and waterfalls to Lake Albert. Unfortunately, during the war years poachers and troops wiped out the majority of wildlife. Except for the park’s rhino population, fortunately all other wildlife has recovered fast since. A game drive in the park allows you to be eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom and you will be amazed by the amount of elephants. Also giraffes, lions, antelope, waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles can all be spotted. Game drives take place on the tracks in the northern section which you reach by taking a ferry across the river. This park guarantees adventure! Journey Time 8 Hours.
Accommodation options: Fort Murchison lodge, Pakuba Lodge/Murchison River lodge (mid-range), Heritage lodge/Red Chilli rest camp (Budget), Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Meal Plan; Full Board- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After an early breakfast, it is time to explore the park. On your Game Drives you of course need a fair share of luck and very good eyes to try and spot as many animals as possible. While driving through the park you can come eye-to-eye with the African animal kingdom. Hopefully you see them all; elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, different species of antelope and many tropical birds. They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car. The park is especially known for its massive elephant population, huge array of bird species and big herds of buffalo. You will discover some of the parks ecosystems and different scenery with dense woodland, extensive savannahs and rolling grasslands. As this is a private game drive you can ask your guide to tailor your trip towards specific birdlife and/or wildlife if you like.
In the afternoon, you will go for a boat safari towards the Murchison Falls is a very special activity, it takes approximately 3 hours and goes along the Victoria Nile to the base of the fall. You can imagine; this boat safari will show you breathtaking scenery. Cold drinks are for sale on board for when you get thirsty for a local beer or a soda. Carefully watched by crocodiles, hundreds of hippos, buffaloes, water birds, monkeys and all the other (also thirsty) wildlife that the Nile attracts you go to the bottom of the powerful Murchison Falls, get out of the and then You will start hiking to the top of the falls where you will meet your driver guide who will drive you back to the lodge.
Accommodation options: Fort Murchison lodge, Pakuba Lodge/Murchison River lodge (mid-range), Heritage lodge/Red Chilli rest camp (Budget), Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Meal Plan; Full Board- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The Nile Delta is the area where the Victoria Nile flows into Lake Albert. The banks of the delta are home to hundreds of bird species including the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork and papyrus endemic species. A boat safari through the delta is a “must do” for every birdwatcher. During this (approximately) 5 hour boat tour you enjoy a breakfast while enjoy the peaceful scenery and while approaching Lake Albert you may see more fishermen in canoes catches of tilapia fish and local people fetching water from the Nile and if lucky wild game along the banks. You may also see many hippo, crocodile and if lucky you can witness elephant bathing in the river. Also keep an eye on the treetops as you can often spot monkeys such as eastern fringed monkeys and baboons. The boat trip starts early in the morning during the soft light, golden hours for photographers. This lights lasts till about 10 am when the light becomes brighter. Relax, sit back & enjoy! In the afternoon you can go for another game drive searching for more exciting wildlife scenes in the park or you can decide to relax. Journey Time Depending on the game drive

Accommodation options: Fort Murchison lodge, Pakuba Lodge/Murchison River lodge (mid-range), Heritage lodge/Red Chilli rest camp (Budget), Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Meal Plan; Full Board- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today after your morning breakfast, you will undertake the journey to green Kibale Forest. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda. You will have a stopover in fort portal for lunch and after continue to the park. On arrival at the forest, you will enter a completely different world… some serious monkey business! Kibale Forest National Park lies just outside the colonial town of Fort Portal and is made up of dense tropical rainforest. This park is considered one of the big highlights of Uganda due to some serious monkey business going on here. A big number of primates residing can be found here and particularly a visit to one of the habituated chimpanzee groups is a very memorable experience. The rare red colobus as well as the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey, olive baboon, the blue Monkey and L’Hoest’s monkeys are also regularly seen here. Check in to the lodge for dinner and an overnight.
Accommodation Options; Kyaninga lodge (luxury), Ndali lodge (luxury) Chimps Nest (mid-range), Chimpanzee guest house (budget) Primate Lodge (budget)
Meal Plan; Full Board

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa, but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The Chimpanzee Trekking experience here is done on several well maintained walking trails. There is also a wonderfully diverse concentration of other primates, more than any other forest in East Africa, in fact. Besides our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees, you can find red colobus, red-tailed guenon, white-nosed monkey, gray-cheeked mangabey, blue monkey, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the black and white colobus monkey. In addition, you may see olive baboons, bush babies and nocturnal pottos. The aim for your trekking through the jungle under the care of professional guide, is 1 hour of eye to eye contact with the chimpanzees. We can however cannot guarantee 100% for you to see them as they are still wild animals, nevertheless your chances are very good. Your next activity will take you to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary which features 8 primate species, over 200 bird species and many reptiles. During the walk – which takes 2 to 3 hours – you have a chance to many animals but the highlight is catching a glimpse of a famous bird; the Great Blue Turaco. The sanctuary is operated by KAFRED, a registered community based organization. The income from the walk is used for community development projects such as schools and hospitals. Journey Time 15 minutes each way. Head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Scenic Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in south western Uganda and is most often included in visitors’ itineraries. It is the second largest park in the country and located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, next to Lake Edward and Lake George which are joined by the Kazinga channel. Few reserves in the world have such a high biodiversity with landscapes including savannah, bush land, wetlands and lush forests. On your first game drive, it is time to explore the Queen Elizabeth National Park with her 200 kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks. We advise you to be alert and pro-active on your game drive to help the ranger spot as many animals as possible. With an astonishing 5000 hippos, 2500 elephants and over 10,000 buffalo thriving in its grasslands and shorelines, this park guarantees sightings of some of Africa’s most iconic species. All being well you see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, different species of antelope and just maybe some of the exciting predators such as; lion, leopard, civet and serval cats. Ten species of primates enjoy the park’s diverse habitats. Vervet and black-and-white colobus monkeys are easily spotted in the trees, and of course the boldest species; baboons! They are all there! A professional ranger with extensive knowledge on the park and its inhabitants will join you in your car so you can ask your guide to search for specific birdlife or wildlife.

Accommodation Options; Mweya safari lodge (Luxury), Park View Lodge (Midrange), Simba safari lodge, Ihamba safari lodge, Pumba Safari cottages (Budget)
Meal Plan; Full Board

After an early breakfast, you go for a long game drive in time to see the sun rise. The morning is the best time for a game drive as the African animal kingdom tends to be most active when during the golden hours of the first sunlight touching the savannah. You will continue with the search for all the wildlife; elephant, buffalo, lion, waterbuck, leopard, Uganda kob, warthog and do not forget about the birds and the primates.
Later after lunch in the afternoon, you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see: Buffalo, Crocodile, bathing Elephant, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. After the boat-safari you drive back to the lodge as above for dinner and an overnight stay.

Early in the morning you will go for a hike in the Kyambura gorge; another gem in the far eastern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This gorge is also called the “Valley of Apes” and is another world on its own. Drained by River Kyambura it now has a rich wildlife bio-diversity, including a family of 16 chimpanzees and many bird species. The view from the top is very impressive as you look down a gorge filled with lush green tropical vegetation amidst an impressive valley. A hike through the gorge gives you the opportunity to see chimpanzees and other types of primates including red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus, baboons and vervet monkeys. This green-riverine forest also offers shelter to several forest birds. This landscape is among the most impressive in Uganda and absolutely worth visiting. After the hike you will drive in about 2, 5 hours to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This part is famous for its’ tree-climbing lions. While lion cubs around the world frequently climb trees for fun, adults rarely do. However, these lionesses enjoy spending the hot afternoons snoozing in fig trees to get away from the tsetse flies and to enjoy a cool breeze. This is the most memorable sight in the park as you have never seen such photogenic lions posing for your camera before. During a game drive you will try your luck! Meanwhile don’t miss the stunning scenery and superb birdlife in this southern remote section of the park either. There after check in to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options Ishasha wildness camp, Enjojo Lodge
Meal plan Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today you will drive to Kisoro in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch you will stop at a local restaurant on the road. Mutanda Lake Resort offers one of the best views in Uganda! Perched on a peninsula in Lake Mutanda, isolated in the shadow of the Virunga Mountain Range, this lodge offers comfortable accommodation in a very unique corner of the country. Situated between Kisoro town, Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks the Resort makes a perfect base for a gorilla trekking, volcano hikers, and bird-lovers as well for those looking for a secluded magical place in nature. Don’t forget to take your chance to dip in the lake as it is Bilharzia free, so safe to swim, peddle board or canoe amongst the locals going about their daily business on the lake! The sunset scenes are spectacular so make sure to be on one of the verandas (with a sundowner drink in hand) at that time. Journey Time 8 hours
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This day will be the big day… Prepare yourself early after break for an encounter with one of the Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare Mountain Gorilla for most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a highlight for many visitors as this is where they will be visiting the home of the gentle giants. The park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests lies on the mist-covered hillsides. This magnificent forest dates back over 25,000 years, even surviving the last Ice Age (most forests disappeared). Bwindi forest has an incredible diversity of flora and fauna and is the only forest in Africa which can make claim to host both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In fact, half the worlds’ population of gorillas live here divided over nine habituated family groups. Also 5 other primate species, 120 species of mammal, over 220 butterflies and 360 birds species call Bwindi home. This is the place to see the critically endangered mountain gorillas up close for your very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ moment. The gorillas you will trek belong to one of nine family groups who can tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day. Your trek will be an exciting (for some also challenging) journey along forested (sometimes slippery) slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gentle giants. En-route, your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity. Think of dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. The time to complete the gorilla trekking can be as little as 2 hours to as much as 8 hours! Once the family of gorillas has been located, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour observing them. Coming face-to-face with the mountain gorillas is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a fantastic part of your tour you will definitely remember for the rest of your life.
Accommodation Mutanda Lake Resort
Meal Plan Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today you can choose to unwind from your trip at this stunning location. You can as well opt for some wonderful optional activities from the lodge. The south-western part of Uganda is known as ”Little Switzerland”, a lush, mountainous region dotted with freshwater lakes, which makes it the perfect base for a number of activities beyond gorilla tracking. The area is great for walking, hiking, mountain biking, cultural village tours, and bird watching or water sport activities.

Early morning after breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo, a small but rich National park seated on an area of 371 sq km. Lake Mburo National Park is home to a big number of animals and this is the only place in southern Uganda to see zebras and the only park in the country with impalas, slender mongoose and giant bush rats. You can also look for hyenas, leopards, topis, elands and the beautiful Rothschild’s giraffes, not to mention the lake itself which is teeming with hippos and crocodiles! On your way, you will go through the rolling terraced hills of Kabale, having a stop in Mbarara for lunch. After, continue reaching the park in the late afternoon. Have a 2 hour boat cruise on the lake and later have dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation Options; Mihinga lodge (Luxury), Rwakobo Rock (mid-range), Eagles Nest lodge (budget)
Meal plan; full board

Lake Mburo N.P. is one of the two parks in Uganda where it is permitted to go for a safari walk with an experienced ranger. Footprints and animal droppings tell which animal has been here and how long ago. It is exciting to approach the wildlife at such close range. This activity is included this morning. Get active and get close to zebra, gazelle, Eland and sometimes even giraffe! After your activity you will get back to the lodge (between 9 and 10am). From here you will have breakfast and then head back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport). Have a stopover at the equator, the best place for your souvenir shopping. Your driver/guide will take you to your accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe or to Entebbe Airport (this is only possible if your departure flight leaves at 8 pm or later). Accommodation for tonight is not inclusive in the itinerary. In case you wish us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala and/or Entebbe, please let us know. Journey Time 5 hours to Kampala / 6 hours to Entebbe.
Accommodation: not included
Meal Plan: Late breakfast