Luxury Uganda Safari: Wild Places Africa

Tourism is relatively new in Uganda and accommodation range is more limited than some other African destinations, with many of the lodges being located near to national parks to offer close proximity and ease of access to wildlife. Many of the camps and lodges afford incredible views over Uganda’s cloud forest are situated in the heart of the parks. We also offer mobile tented camping safaris and can select the ideal accommodation to perfectly suit your Uganda safari itinerary in 2022/23.

Apoka Lodge

The jagged hills, the golden grasses, the plains dotted with wildlife, the soft glowing light is Kidepo. This is Uganda’s most remote park, far away from city life. The vast golden green plains punctuated with craggy, rocky outcrops, reveal an even bigger sky at night. Under a canopy of impossibly bright stars, this is where we are reminded that the earth is round.

The rooms at Apoka have been built with comfort in mind. Everything is handmade by local craftsmen, everything is large and capacious. 10 expansive rooms with natural canvas walls surround a rocky kopje with endless views across the Savannah. With inside sitting rooms and private verandas there are plenty of places to relax, read and sprawl.  Big hand – hewn beds with soft duvets are draped with mosquito nets, hand-woven woolen carpets, extra-large plush towels, over-sized dressing gowns you may be as far away from the city as you’ll ever be, but you won’t miss a thing.

Wildlife in Kidepo is abundant. Lions, leopard, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, zebra (this is Uganda’s only park where giraffe and zebra are found together), possibly Africa’s largest herds of buffalo, hartebeest, water buck, bush buck, warthog…the list is endless. Better still, much of it can be seen from the privacy of your veranda or your outdoor bathtub, but the best way to see the wildlife is up close: on foot, or in one of our open-top Land cruisers.

Step outside to a sheltered terrace and slip into your own outdoor stone bathtub, big enough to fit the whole family. The swimming pool at Apoka Lodge deep and cool has been carved out of the big rock. This is the kind of pool that makes you want to jump in, splashing and yelling, feeling like a kid again.

Semliki Safari Lodge

Staying at Semliki is like stepping back in time. It evokes the spirit of the old explorers, it piques curiosity and inspires discovery. Semliki is secluded and intimate. With a maximum of 18 guests you are promised excellent service and attention to detail…and an unforgettable experience.

Guests stay in golden-hued tents with gleaming hardwood floors. Staying under canvas is one of the most romantic and exciting things to do in on safari in Africa. You hear the sounds, you feel the wind, and you smell the rain before it comes. But this isn’t roughing it either: the tents are protected by a thick thatch roof and feature en-suite bathrooms with running water, hot showers and flush toilets. Tea or coffee is brought to you in the morning so you can lie in bed or sit on your veranda and drink in the view before the day begins.

The main lodge with its soaring thatched roof is where our guests gather round the chunky dining tables or sprawl in the comfy armchairs and sofas telling stories and sharing experiences. Lit by lanterns and open to the elements on one side, at Semliki you really feel like you are touching the wild. Get out and walk there are miles of trails cut through the Riverine forests that crisscross the savanna.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Set on a forested ridge near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts eight spacious cottages built from volcanic stone. Spectacular views stretch all the way to the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda, as well as across the border into the Congo, where the glow of Nyiragongo Volcano can be seen on a clear night.

Warm and welcoming, each cottage features a bedroom, en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower and separate lounge. Comfortable chairs on the outdoor verandas provide the perfect vantage point to admire the unforgettable vistas of the forest below. Blazing fireplaces create a cozy glow as evening falls.

Meals are prepared using the freshest local ingredients and served in front of a roaring fire in the dining area or in the privacy of your stone cottage. The lodge is situated within easy walking distance of the trail where guests can begin their gorilla trekking adventure. Guided forest walks and bird watching expeditions explore the surroundings, while local community visits give a glimpse of traditional life.

Luxury Uganda Safari: Wild Places Africa – 12 Days

Therefore, the suitable safari itinerary to take you will show you the most interesting parks from Kidepo, Semliki and Bwindi. Stay in luxury safari camps that are set at the edge of the parks and are eco-friendly, and blend with nature!

Day1&2: Entebbe – Kidepo Valley National Park

Fly to Kidepo Valley National Park and upon arrival you will be picked up by the guide and transfer to the lodge. Refresh and after you will have game drive in the an open safari vehicle.

Next day you will wake up early with morning coffee and then go for the dawn game drive. Return to the lodge and refresh, have lunch as you wait for your evening game drive again looking for more wildlife species that were missed on the morning game drive. Dinner and overnight stay at Apoka Safari Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day3&4: Kidepo Valley National Park – Murchison Falls National Park

After your breakfast, meet with our safari guide and embark the safari jeep and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Next day dawn game drive in various tracks looking for the other big5 and after return to the lodge for refreshment. Lunch and after lunch go for the boat cruise along the River Nile towards the bottom of the falls. This boat cruise experience offers much more to see at the shores of the River. Dinner and overnight stay at Nile Safari Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day5: Murchison Falls National Park – Kibale Forest National Park

Breakfast, after embark the safari jeep and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. Lunch and then drive to Kyaninga Lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: F/B

Day6: Kibale – Semliki National Park

Breakfast, enter into the rain tropical forest and experience the chimpanzee trekking. Lunch, after transfer to the Semliki National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Semliki Safari Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day7: Semliki National Park

Breakfast, go for game drive and after return to the lodge and refresh and relax at the lodge.

Day8&9: Semliki – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Check in at Elephant Plains Lodge and then in the evening take an amazing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Dinner and overnight stay at Elephant Plains Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Next day take the dawn game drive at the Kasenyi mating ground. After transfer to the Ishasha Southern Sector and evening go for the game drive looking again for the tree climbing lions. Dinner and overnight stay at Ishasha Wilderness Camp. Meal plan: F/B

Day10: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Forest National Park

Breakfast, en-route game drive and after transfer to Bwindi and check in at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day11: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Breakfast, enter into the rain tropical forest and experience the gorilla trekking. Take unforgettable photos and videos and after 01 hour return to the park offices for the gorilla trekking certificates. Dinner and overnight stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day12: Bwindi – Entebbe – Departure

Breakfast, transfer back to Entebbe. Departure! End of services

Option 02

Exclusive Volcanoes Lodges  Safari – 07 Days Luxury Gorilla Tour in Uganda

Day1: Entebbe – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

• Breakfast, after fly to Kisoro. Meet and transfer to Mount Gahinga Lodge. Lunch and relax at the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: F/B

Day2: Gorilla Trekking Experience

• Have breakfast, go gorilla trekking in the mist and return to the lodge for refreshment and meals. Evening relax at the lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day3: Mgahinga – Bwindi

• Breakfast and after with en-route view of the scenic landscapes transfer to Bwindi. Check in at the Bwindi Lodge and refresh, relax at the lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day4: Second Gorilla Trekking Experience

•  Breakfast, after go gorilla trekking in the impenetrable forest. Return to the lodge for refreshment and relax to the lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day5: Bwindi – Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Breakfast, after transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha Southern Sector looking for the African rare tree climbing lions and then drive to the Mweya Peninsula. Dinner and overnight stay at Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Meal plan: F/B

Day6: Game Drive & Boat Ride

• Dawn game drive looking for the early riser wildlife and other African animals. Return to the lodge for lunch and then in the afternoon go for the boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel that connects the Ramsar Lake George into Lake Edward. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Meal plan: F/B

Day7: Queen – Entebbe – Departure

•  Breakfast, transfer back to Kampala – Entebbe. Departure!