2 Weeks in Uganda - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Tour: National Parks & Cultural Highlights

Animal lovers will enjoy the wildlife encounters on this national parks tour. Highlights include searching for hippos on a boat ride to the source of the Nile, a chance to see the Big Five on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, a bird-watching walk in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and a horseback safari in Mburo National Park.

Start with a walk in Entebbe Botanical Gardens, followed by admiring the sunset at the Entebbe Pier. From there, travel to Kampala and learn about Ugandan history at the Uganda Museum, then try luwombo (a traditional dish of meat, peanuts, and beans wrapped in a banana leaf). Next, your driver will take you to Jinja, where you'll observe village life and wildlife (keep an eye out for hippos!) on a cruise to the source of the Nile River. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park for a chance to see lions, elephants, and more on a game drive, then on to Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary for a bird-watching walk. 

Track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park on Day 7 and enjoy lunch with a local family at Tinka's Homestead before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you'll hike to the twin lakes of Mirambi and Katinda and embark on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. The following day, observe gorillas in their natural habitat on a trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, then learn about Batwa culture on a village visit. Lastly, you'll visit Mburo National Park for a horseback safari and an up-close experience with cattle farming before your driver brings you back to Entebbe for departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Active Uganda Adventure

Slowing the pace, energetic travelers will appreciate the opportunities for active adventures on this outdoorsy itinerary. You'll zipline in the Mabira Forest Reserve, go whitewater rafting and bungee jumping on the Nile, tackle a three-day hike up Mount Elgon, and experience chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Central Nature Reserve. You'll also get to know the culture and people of Uganda through interactions that include storytelling by the Sabiny people, a hike and lunch at a coffee plantation, and a visit with the Kataara women, who will share more about their poverty alleviation group.

Dive into Ugandan arts and cuisine with some shopping for artisan-made items at Entebbe Crafts Village, followed by a market visit where you can try street eats such as rolex (a chapati roll filled with eggs, tomatoes, and onions). The next morning, soar through the treetops on a zipline adventure in the Mabira Forest Reserve, then get your adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting and a bungee jump over the Nile. From there, you'll move west to Kapchorwa on Day 5, where you'll enjoy storytelling by the Sabiny people who have resided in caves for centuries. Then, harvest coffee beans on a hike to a coffee plantation. 

Trek to Sipi Falls for an abseiling excursion before heading to Mbale, the starting point for your three-day hike up Mount Elgon that will take you through forests and alpine meadows to overnight camps amid volcanic rocks and cave systems. Your next stop is Kampala for a visit to Kabaka's Palace, the residence of the Buganda tribe's king since 1885, and souvenir shopping in the craft market. Then, you're off to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can witness nocturnal wildlife on an evening game drive before wrapping up your trip with chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Central Nature Reserve. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Culture & Wildlife Tour of Uganda

This culture and wildlife tour is another excellent option for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts interested in learning about Uganda's people and culture. Ride a boda-boda in Kampala, track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, participate in cattle herding with the Karamojong people, learn traditional dances of the Ik Tribe in the Morungole Mountains, weave baskets in a Tooro village, and meet rescued chimps at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. 

Your first day provides an intro to Uganda's history, culture, and cuisine with a ride on a boda-boda (bike or motorbike taxi), a stop to taste local street food, and a guided tour to Kampala's significant sites like Kabaka's Palace. The following day, your driver will take you to Jinja, where you can choose how to spend your time, perhaps bungee jumping from the Owen Falls Dam, joining a quad bike tour along the Nile, or visiting the Jinja War Cemetery to pay your respects. Then, you'll harvest beans and learn the art of coffee making on a plantation tour before heading north to Moroto, home to the Karamojong people.

In Moroto, partake in local activities such as cattle herding in a traditional village. Continue to Kidepo Valley National Park, where you'll learn about the flora and fauna on a guided walk, then participate in traditional dances with the Ik Tribe in the Morungole Mountains. Your next stop is Murchison Falls National Park for a game drive and a hike. Then, on Day 11, a walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary brings you to a Tooro village, where you'll weave baskets and learn about medicinal plants. Finally, return to Entebbe and meet rescued chimps at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Epic Uganda & Rwanda Adventure: Entebbe to Kigali

This faster-paced two-country adventure is ideal for travelers eager to encounter primates and other wildlife in Uganda and Rwanda. You'll trek for gorillas and golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, meet white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, search for shoebill storks on the Nile Delta, look for great blue turacos in Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, and go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park. You'll also have a chance to learn about Rwanda's sobering history at the Kigali Genocide Memorial and connect with local culture at various villages and markets along the way. 

Ease into your adventure with a sunset walk along Lake Victoria on arrival in Entebbe. From there, stop by Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in the country where you can see the white rhino up close, en route to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you'll keep an eye out for the shoebill stork as you cruise the Nile Delta. Then, track chimpanzees through Kibale National Park before looking for the great blue turaco and other birds in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you'll visit the salt flats at Lake Katwe and spot tree-climbing lions during game drives.

Cross the border into Rwanda's Virunga Mountains. Your first stop is Musanze, where you'll sample street food before setting off on a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park to search for golden monkeys. Next, head to Nyungwe Forest National Park, home to one of the oldest rainforests in Africa and more chimpanzee trekking. Finally, you'll arrive in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, where you'll learn about the country's history at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, check out the city views from the Nyamirambo neighborhood, and barter for souvenirs in Kimironko Market. Learn more

More Great Uganda Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Uganda? Check out these other Uganda itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.