Before I traveled to Uganda, many people questioned my decision, wondering what I was going there for, especially as a solo female traveler. Little did they know Uganda is such an underrated adventure travel destination, in my opinion. That’s why I’m sharing my detailed 6-day Uganda itinerary for you to steal if researching and planning a trip feels overwhelming. 

Is 1 week doable? Absolutely. But you must know that the route is packed. If you have a bigger budget than mid-range, you can obviously extend your trip so you wouldn’t feel rushed. But if you don’t have a big budget, don’t worry; I did the exact following Uganda itinerary on a mid-range budget and as a solo traveler.

So, if things like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and going on an African safari are on your bucket list, read along. My Uganda itinerary prioritizes such activities centered around adventurous wildlife excursions, while experiencing a glimpse of Ugandan culture. 

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Uganda Itinerary at a Glance

• Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe and travel to Kibale National Park
• Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale, community walk, and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 3: Morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, then travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, then travel to Lake Bunyoni
• Day 5: Travel to Kampala, stop at the Equator
• Day 6: Spend the day exploring Kampala
• Day 7: Travel day

Planning Your Uganda Itinerary: Everything to Know Before You Go

• Best time to visit Uganda: The 2 dry seasons are from June to September (long dry season) and from December to February (short dry season). However, the short wet season from October to November is considered the shoulder season, which is also a good time to visit, as the rain means lush green scenery, and there are fewer tourists too, so it’s a win-win. Also, if you’re into bird watching, it’s the arrival time of migratory birds. Just avoid the long wet season from March to May due to heavy rainfall and muddy, slippery forest trails. 
• Visa requirements: Those may differ from one country to another, so you must check the official Uganda Immigration website in advance. As an Egyptian passport-holder, I was eligible for an eVisa, which cost me around USD 50 plus processing fees. 
• Best travel insurance: some travelers make the mistake of thinking they might not need insurance, until they do. And Uganda is one of those places where you absolutely need to be insured. Using SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance helped me feel a lot more at ease about what’s ahead. When you’re heading somewhere with different health risks and planning lots of outdoor excursions, travel insurance is one thing you don’t want to leave until the last minute. So get insured now!
• Required vaccinations: A Yellow Fever Certificate is required to enter and leave Uganda. Head to your local public health department center, tell them where you’re traveling, and they’ll give you all the required vaccinations, along with the yellow fever vaccine. The ones I received were for yellow fever, meningitis, Ebola, and they also gave me malaria-preventative pills.
• Rent a car or hire a guide: For the following Uganda itinerary, you will need a car to get around. So you can either rent a car and self-drive or hire a local guide to drive you. What I personally did and what I would recommend is to hire a guide. The drives are so long, and it’s best to reserve your energy for hiking. You also don’t want to waste time getting lost or taking the wrong turn; the locals know their way better. Also, my long conversations with my guide on the road were the best form of cultural exchange I could’ve wished for. 
• Purchase your permits in advance: Activities like gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking require special permits that can only be purchased through booking a local tour operator licensed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. 
• Book your hotels in advance: To guarantee better rates, book your hotel stays in advance. I’ll be listing all the accommodations I stayed at in the detailed itinerary below.
• Book a direct flight: This Uganda itinerary is packed with tiring activities and long transfers, so reserve your energy for the actual trip and book a direct flight to Entebbe rather than an indirect one. Booking this weekly direct EgyptAir flight from Cairo to Entebbe was probably one of the best decisions I made for this trip.
• Download an eSIM: Internet is an absolute must in Uganda. You will need it to navigate and communicate with your guide or back home at the very least. However, the network may sometimes be unreliable in Uganda, so I’d keep two different eSIM apps on my phone just in case. The apps that I frequently use are Airalo and Jetpac. 

My Detailed 6-Day Uganda Itinerary

It’s worth mentioning that the pre-Kampala part of this Uganda itinerary was designed and organized by Buutu Safaris, which I highly recommend and would travel with them again!

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe and travel to Kibale National Park

I arrived in Entebbe late at night, so I spent the night at Cycad Entebbe Guesthouse near the airport, and hit the road early in the morning after resting for a couple of hours. My first destination, Kibale National Park, is 294 KM (~183 miles) away from Entebbe International Airport, so I needed a head start.

One thing worth mentioning from my journey is how much I absolutely loved how the landscapes kept changing throughout the ride. I mean, green doesn’t always mean the same thing. We traveled through farmland, tea plantations, rainforests, and savanna. I was honestly in awe of how beautiful Uganda turned out to be the entire time!

After the long, yet stunning ride from Entebbe to Kibale, I arrived at my first hotel, Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge, which ended up being one of my favorite stays on the whole trip. I enjoyed the sunset from my private balcony overlooking the rainforest, rested up a bit, took a hot shower, and then had one hell of a delicious dinner before I called it a night and went to bed. After all, I had to be well rested for my first big adventure the following day!

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale, community walk, and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Stop 1: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park

I woke up the next morning super early to embark on my first adventure on my Uganda itinerary, and possibly the longest day of my trip. 

Quick story: When I was a little girl, I watched Dunston Checks In, and it had me obsessed with the idea of having a pet chimpanzee! Obviously, I was just a child, and I didn’t know any better at the time, and that this was nothing but a wild fantasy. Anyhow, I think I made this little girl a bit happier when I went to Kibale specifically for chimpanzee tracking!

If you don’t know what chimpanzee tracking is, it’s a guided wildlife experience where people hike through a rainforest to track and observe habituated wild chimps in their natural environment. 

I was so lucky because it was such a sunny day, so the chimps didn’t hide in the trees and most encounters were on the ground!

As for the hike itself, the terrain in Kibale is relatively fine. It’s considered a moderate hike because of the muddy, slippery slopes, often covered with uneven tree roots and dense vegetation. In my unfortunate case, a section of our route was boggy, and we had to hike through swamps! I was ankle-deep in the mud, my feet got stuck multiple times, and I came out of the rainforest smelling like sulphur. But once we reached those amazing creatures, it was all absolutely worth it!

The thing is, you can’t really guess the exact level of difficulty or elevations because you’re tracking wild animals, and chimps are pretty active ones that move a lot. They’re also pretty unpredictable; one second they’d be literally posing for you, and the other, they’ll suddenly be screaming, jumping up and down, slamming tree trunks, and vocalizing. No matter how brave you are, they will startle you, so it’s important to walk in with the right expectations to try and keep it together as much as you can. Of course, I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to refrain from imitating the animals or vocalizing back at them for your own safety. 

And speaking of safety, it’s worth mentioning that you’re obliged to wear a surgical mask as soon as you enter the chimps’ territory, mostly for their protection. If you don’t know, humans and chimpanzees share roughly 98.8% of their DNA! This means diseases can be transmitted from humans to chimps and vice versa. While we humans can easily get treatment and go to the hospital, these animals can’t. That’s why we must keep a safe distance of at least 7 meters (~7.6 yards) and wear a mask whenever in their presence. 

Stop 2: Afternoon community walk in Bigodi Village

After my chimpanzee tracking adventure, I was supposed to head to my next destination, but I made an impromptu stop and paid a visit to the Bigodi Village in an attempt to learn more about the local culture. I didn’t have the time to finish the whole walk, but if you have the time, I highly recommend you dedicate a section in your Uganda itinerary to this.

First things first, the views of the Kibale Rainforest were absolutely stunning! My local guide was telling me how the villagers don’t need to buy permits to go see the chimps because they often come to pay them a visit! Well, they end up stealing their bananas from time to time, though…

FUN FACT: Did you know that bananas were one of the main crops in Uganda, specifically matooke (the cookable type)? Both bananas and coffee (Arabica and Robusta) are top crops, and they grow really well together. So, throughout our walk, we kept passing by coffee and banana plantations. 

As I mentioned before, my walk was cut short because I had to have lunch and hit the road again. The typical community walk usually takes you to 4 locals’ houses: the coffee maker, the village healer, the basket-weaving women, and the Banana Man. I managed to visit the last 2, so let me briefly tell you about my experience.

The Banana Man experience was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had on the trip, which I honestly didn’t expect at first. He’s the Bigodi community’s designated brewer, and he inherited his father’s craft of making banana juice from scratch, using his own hands and everything banana: the fruit itself and its leaves. He also makes banana beer and gin, and the process is so impressive that you have to see it for yourself!

What I absolutely loved about this experience was Adolf’s, AKA The Banana Man, wit and creativity. I had so much fun at this stop; he didn’t just walk me through his craft; he had me help him make the banana juice from scratch. We drank it, we joked, and we even danced! The whole thing was such a blast. This is why I bought a Banana t-shirt just to support him and his small business. So, while budgeting for this quite affordable community walk, make sure you set some money aside if you’re willing to support these local businesses because they’ll go above and beyond to offer you an immersive experience.

Next, I went to the house where the local women got together to introduce tourists to their basket weaving craft, but first, there was more singing and dancing! They put on a little show to welcome me to Uganda, and they even had me join!

Afterwards, they started showing me how they use papyrus and banana leaves to weave baskets, coasters, and even angel dolls. They also showed me how they dye the papyrus using natural dyes from fruits; this was so impressive! I was instantly reminded of the very same craft in Siwa, Egypt, and honestly, I was constantly amazed by how much both Ugandan and Egyptian cultures were surprisingly similar in many ways.

Stop 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After cutting the community walk short and having lunch in Kibale, we hit the road and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kazinga). 

En route, you’ll stumble upon more amazing views. One viewpoint that’s worth making a quick photo stop for is the breathtaking view of Lake Nyinambuga. 

FUN FACT: Lake Nyinambuga is illustrated on the 20K Ugandan Shellings note. 

On your way there as well, you’ll pass by the Equator, where you can also stop for a quick photo (but I stopped on the parallel road on the way back). You’ll also pass by the famed Lake George and Lake Victoria, which you can squeeze into your Uganda itinerary if you have the time. 

Aside from the iconic landmarks and wonderful views, one of my observations worth mentioning is that you’ll stumble upon countless farm animals, AKA cows, goats, and occasionally, sheep. Uganda is an agricultural country, and all those long rides meant we were going to pass through lots of farmland. But farmland or not, cows and goats, specifically, were everywhere on the side of the road! And I know how silly this might sound, but I’ve become such a huge fan! For some weird reason, I was constantly drawn to them and felt they somehow looked cuter in Uganda! I think I’ve seen more cows and goats than primates or wild animals, in general, during that trip…

Anyhow, as soon as we entered the Queen Elizabeth territory, my childhood Lion King fever dream came to life! I spotted multiple African elephants during sunset, and it was such a wonderful sight. But guess what? This wasn’t even my elephant-related core memory from that trip. What happened later that night was just unbelievable…

After checking in at Bush Lodge, I took a much-needed hot shower, then headed to dinner. Of course, I was escorted by one of the hotel personnel because it was after dark. It’s actually customary in Uganda to be escorted around your hotel if you’re surrounded by wildlife, but in this hotel, in particular, guests weren’t allowed to move freely after dark. I had to be escorted from my cabin to the hotel restaurant and back. The why is the most astonishing part of the stay, to be honest.

You see, Bush Lodge is located inside the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which meant wild animals often roamed freely on hotel grounds, especially elephants, as it was their territory. And that’s exactly why the craziest thing happened at dinner! A gigantic elephant happened to pass through to grab its dinner at the same time! It came through the bushes surrounding the restaurant; I got to see it up close, and it was just out of this world! At this moment, it felt like time froze, and the whole thing felt like an out-of-body experience!

This elephant wasn’t the only visitor, though. I could hear the hyenas growling throughout the night, and when I woke up early in the morning, I could hear the hippos right outside my cabin!

So, would I recommend staying in Bush Lodge? Honestly, aside from the encounter, I didn’t have a great time at the hotel itself. The rooms were nice, the lake view was amazing, but the customer service was horrible, and the breakfast was really bad (dinner was great though). If the staff gets proper training in the future, which I hope they do because some of the staff members were incredibly rude, I would maybe recommend it. For me, customer service is a deal breaker, but if it’s not something you care about, then the wildlife encounters and the views might make it worth it for you. 

Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, then travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The next day, I woke up super early in the morning to dedicate as much time as possible to the game drive, since we hadn’t had the time or energy for a night drive the day before. And we weren’t staying for a second day as my schedule was quite tight, but it wouldn’t be a true Uganda itinerary without a game drive.

My guide and I were traveling in a 4X4 vehicle, so we opted for a self-drive safari experience. My guide, Tony, hired through Buutu Safaris, was quite experienced, and he was in constant contact with the rest of the guides in the park that day. Generally, I loved the guides’ community culture that revolved around them helping out each other and communicating whenever anyone encountered an animal. 

I got to see lots of buffalo, antelopes, and warthogs, which are locally referred to as Pumbas, believe it or not! I also saw so many bird species like the black-headed weaver, yellow-throated longclaw, white-browed coucal, and the grey crowned crane, Uganda’s national bird. There are approximately 1,061 bird species in Uganda, so expect to see a lot of those, even if you’re not planning to go bird-watching.

FUN FACT: The grey crowned crane is considered the national bird of Uganda as its colors match the country’s flag.

Towards the end of our drive, we got so close to spotting a leopard, but it was hiding in a bush, keeping an eye on an antelope in the distance. However, several cars were parked nearby waiting for it to come out, so there’s a chance it was spooked. We were the very last ones to leave; we waited for an entire hour and a half! But later, we thought that if it doesn’t want to come out, then that’s just fine. After all, nature wants what it wants.

That’s a very important thing to bear in mind when attempting your first game drive. You can’t force nature. You might spot so many animals in one day, and none in another. That’s why, for the best chances of animal sightings, people often opt for a multi-day game drive. So, if you have the time and budget for this, I highly recommend you dedicate at least two days. 

Anyhow, I knew this in advance, so I’m not upset. After all, I walked away having spotted 2 out of the Big 5 in one trip, and that was huge on its own! 

After hitting the road a bit later than expected and stopping for lunch, we reached our next destination, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, quite late. But I was already excited because my entire Uganda itinerary was designed around this specific destination and the following morning’s big adventure!

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, then travel to Lake Bunyoni

Stop 1: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

I stayed the night in Gorilla Treetops Lodge, which was quite convenient because it’s only a few minutes away from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest’s Rushaga sector starting point. I wish I’d spent more time there because the views were impeccable! My room was quite lovely, and the food was so good too; I guess the downside was that the new lodge is uphill, and I wasn’t expecting to start hiking the night before. 

Unfortunately, the power went out right before I went to bed the previous night, and when I woke up, the generator hadn’t been working, so my gadgets weren’t charged! A lot of hotels and lodges in Uganda are switching to solar power as an attempt to be more eco-friendly. 

Anyhow, this was a disaster because I didn’t just need to charge my camera, but I needed to charge both my phone and power bank as well! Luckily for me, Alex, the hotel manager, came to the rescue and gave me a power bank with multiple outlets so I could charge everything. He joined me and my guide for the morning orientation as well, so I had plenty of charging time. I absolutely love a hotelier that actually knows how to manage a crisis. So, kudos to Alex for saving the day!

The orientation for gorilla trekking at Bwindi was much more informative, interactive, and entertaining than the one in Kibale. The part I appreciated the most was the thorough explanation of the Batwa community’s involvement and role in the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas and how gorilla trekking is contributing to their livelihoods. 

Prior to the hike, locals advised me to hire a porter, claiming they wouldn’t just carry my backpack, but they’d also help whenever I needed physical assistance on the trail. Honestly, I was very hesitant to do so. I thought hiring a porter would be normal on multi-day treks when someone had to carry bigger bags and camping gear, but the idea of someone carrying my small backpack just didn’t sit well with me at first. Until the head ranger explained the impact of hiring a porter.

Apparently, a lot of the local people depend on this opportunity to make a living. To us, it’s just USD 20 spent on something we often think we might not need, but to them, that’s a job created. And when the local community benefits from the gorilla trekking activities, they become more willing to contribute to the conservation efforts, and the cycle goes on. The challenging nature of the trail also kind of justifies the service. As much as I surprised myself on the trail (that’s a story for a different post), I know for a fact that I would have struggled a lot more if I’d carried my own backpack.

I did consider unloading some weight after my chimpanzee tracking adventure, but since you never know how long you’ll be spending out there (the trek may take as long as 9 hours sometimes), you must pack lunch and enough water. That’s a lot of weight already, aside from your camera and lens, which are necessary because, unlike the chimps, I did rely on my camera to spot the gorillas, as the vegetation in Bwindi makes it difficult to get good shots or even see them clearly at times. 

That’s just my experience, though. You’re more than free to do whatever you feel is right for you. I just thought it was worth assuring you that when the locals or rangers tell you that some people regretted not hiring a porter after returning, it’s not a tourist scam. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. 

Moving on to the actual experience, the trail itself is unpredictable because you can’t really guess how long it will take you to reach your designated gorilla family, nor which parts of the trail you’ll be passing through. But the general consensus is that the trail in Bwindi can be quite steep, muddy, slippery, and covered with dense vegetation. That’s why having hiking sticks with you is non-negotiable!

At first, I was honestly a bit intimidated by the trail, even though I work out 5 times a week and I’ve incorporated certain exercises for it into my workout plan in the weeks leading up to the trek. However, during the hike, even when I was struggling, I was honestly enjoying the challenge. And of course, the moment you reach the gorillas, time freezes, and suddenly, you’re in awe for the entire hour you spend with them. It’s such a peaceful, magical moment. Even though I have to admit, I was lightly hit by a blackback gorilla at a certain point, but again, that’s a story for a different post! 

It took my group 2 hours to reach our designated family; we spent an hour with them, and the descent took us an hour and a half. But again, this is not fixed; every group was assigned a family of gorillas, and each was located in different parts of the forest, so the duration and difficulty of the trek will vary from one group to another. I remember that 30 minutes in, we spotted another group who had already found their gorillas, and our trackers were still searching at the time. 

Stop 2: Lake Bunyoni

After a long, tiring, yet breathtaking journey, we hit the road again and went to Lake Bunyoni. Honestly, I didn’t feel like sightseeing or going on afternoon boat rides. To me, this stop was all about relaxing and resting up after a few days of waking up before sunrise, long drives, and strenuous activities. This was something this Uganda itinerary needed, and Arcadia Cottages was the perfect place to do so!

The lake views there are just stunning! Upon arriving, I took a hot shower, changed, and headed to the bar/restaurant at the hotel for a cup of coffee. I remember taking a book and my AirPods, but believe it or not, I just wanted to stare at the view. It’s the kind of view that makes everything else go quiet, if you know what I mean. 

It’s also worth mentioning that customer service there was top-notch, the rooms are quite lavish, and the food is amazing! If I had the time, I would’ve absolutely loved to stay one more night there. 

Day 5: Travel to Kampala, stop at the Equator

This was the longest travel day on this Uganda itinerary as we had to drive from Lake Bunyoni all the way to Kampala. The road distance covered is approximately 443 to 450 KM (275 to 280 miles), and that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a short ride. You see, highways in Uganda aren’t that wide, so you’re expected to drive slower than in other destinations with wider roads. So, this specific drive typically takes 7 to 9 hours depending on traffic, road conditions, and of course, stops. 

That’s why I made my Equator stop during this leg of the journey. After having lunch, I went to take a few shots next to the Equator sign, but I also got to witness a super cool experiment where the locals show you how water spins in different directions depending on which side you’re on! It’s quite fun, and it’s not even expensive. 

Also, on the road, I spotted not one, but 2 of the rare Shoebill Storks! I got lucky and didn’t have to book a Shoebill bird-watching tour.

Upon reaching Kampala, the big city traffic hit hard! I checked in at the Bushpig Backpacker Hostel, and even though I had initially intended to go out and experience Kampala’s nightlife scene, I was too tired and settled for chilling at the hostel bar instead. 

With plenty of time on my plate, I figured I should do some further research and plan my next day in the city. I wanted to experience the city culture firsthand, so I wasn’t really keen on visiting sights like the Gaddafi Mosque or the Kabaka Palace. I was intrigued by the Kasubi Tombs and thought I’d visit if I had the time. But my idea of cultural exchange is a bit different. 

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while, you probably know how much I love Afro dance and that I used to take classes regularly. That’s why the first thing I did was look up dance studios in Kampala, but sadly, I didn’t find any Afro classes on the day I was there. I was also interested in the boda boda tour, and I wanted to visit a local market to buy some souvenirs and gifts. 

On the way to Kampala, my guide suggested I’d go get my box braids redone! I was ready to go back to my curls before my trip, but I thought I’d extend my time wearing braids for practical reasons. My big curls wouldn’t have survived Uganda’s humidity or the muddy trekking adventures, and keeping the braids during the trip was one of the best decisions I made. And even though getting them redone wasn’t something I’d planned, it sounded like a good idea (at first). So, I did some digging, found a hair salon nearby, and booked an appointment for the next morning. 

Day 6: Spend the day exploring Kampala

Or at least that was the plan…

My initial plan for this Uganda itinerary was to go to the salon in the morning, spend a “few hours” getting my hair redone, then see how much time I had left for other activities. I knew I had to go to the African Craft Market for sure, and I had a lead for a pub crawl that was supposed to take place that night. 

So, I woke up early, but after the sun had already risen (finally), I had breakfast and requested a boda boda via Bolt. My inner critic/responsible traveler freaked out a little because they don’t offer a helmet like in Bali, but I went with the flow because I had an appointment to catch. 

I walked in at 9 AM, thinking I’d finish in the early afternoon, but I was wrong. We started with undoing my box braids; there were like 5 or 6 people working on my hair, so it only took around an hour and a half. That’s honestly great because when I undo them on my own back home, it takes me 6 full hours! The next step was supposed to be washing and a hair mask, but this phase took longer than I had expected because the woman working on my hair first detangled my hair while dry (curly heads would understand), and then detangled it again while washing twice, before and after the mask. 

Another step that was unaccounted for was blow-drying my hair; I almost cried, to be honest, because I’ve been heat-free for 7 or 8 years! But I get why this step was necessary. We then started pleating my hair by noon, and little did I know how long that was going to take. The process usually takes 3 hours back home, but there, it took 6 hours! I’m honestly not sure whether the smaller braid size and the goddess braids style we went for were the reason. Anyhow, if I’d known in advance, I honestly wouldn’t have done it, especially because the process hurt; it never hurt me before. For an ADHD-er like me, sitting in a chair for 9 hours, getting my hair pulled up, and experiencing all the sensory overload in the world felt like a nightmare I just wasn’t prepared for. 

But I like to look at the bright side; I walked out with pretty hair, and I lowkey think I did look like a goddess, if I’m being honest. Sure, the extra curls gave me one hell of a sensory overload, and it took me about a week to actually get used to them, but that’s alright. 

The real issue is that I ended up paying an arm and a leg for this whole thing. I did know it was probably going to be more expensive than back home, but I thought it was going to be just a splurge. Little did I know I’d be paying quadruple the amount I had in mind! Was it my fault for not asking for a figure in advance? Absolutely. I’m usually more thorough than that, but I blame it on being exhausted for almost a week. I will not disclose the amount simply because I’m way too embarrassed to. 

Could my day get any worse?

The sun was already setting by the time I was heading out, and even that wasn’t a smooth process. You see, the POS machine at the salon wasn’t working, so we had to go to a currency exchange office in the same building, an ATM, and a whole debacle. In my defense, though, I told the salon owner the night before that I could only pay by card because I didn’t have enough cash, since it was the end of my trip. I almost canceled the appointment when he told me his machine wasn’t working, but he claimed he had a solution. Let’s just say his solution cost me more time. 

At this point, I was starving, frustrated because the market was closing, and my anxiety was through the roof because my internet decided to stop working for some odd reason. The salon guy gave me a hotspot internet so I could request a ride, but in the midst of all of this chaos, I took the wrong ride! Yes, I rode some random boda boda that was quite similar to the one I’d ordered and only realized when we arrived at our destination because the driver demanded I pay him!

I walked into the market as everyone was closing, so all the sellers were on top of me. As if I needed one more reason to be more anxious… I bought a few souvenirs that I didn’t want to travel without and was ready to leave. The problem was that my internet was still acting out! Luckily, the local women working at the stores wanted to help out, and one of them requested a ride for me via an app on her phone, because it was unsafe to get a self-boda after dark. 

Anyhow, I took the boda boda back to my hostel, had lunch at 9 PM at the hostel bar, packed my bags, and took a 2-hour nap before I left for the airport. 

Day 7: Travel day

My flight was at 5:30 AM, so I had to leave for the airport the night before. 

Did I regret the last day in my Uganda itinerary? Well, a part of me wishes I’d done things differently, especially because I’ve been traveling solo for more than an entire decade and I should know better! But I don’t really regret it. I was kind to myself because I know I was just too tired to think straight, and I ended up getting a funny story out of it. Plus, I was bound to have one bad day after one hell of an incredible, unforgettable trip.

How to Customize Your Uganda Itinerary

This Uganda itinerary is not set in stone; you can definitely do things a little differently if you have more time or budget. That said, here are a few adjustments I’d make to this Uganda itinerary if I were you, given you have more time on your plate and a higher budget:

• Dedicate at least 2 days to the game drive for higher chances of spotting more animals. 
• Spend one more day in Lake Bunyoni. Aside from the mind-blowing views and nature there, this Uganda itinerary is quite fast-paced, so having one more rest day in the middle was much-needed.
• Stay one more day in Kampala. I would’ve absolutely loved to see the Kasubi Tombs, experience nightlife in the city, and go to the markets during the day. Kampala is a busy city, so I would recommend experiencing it at a slower pace so it wouldn’t be too overwhelming. 
• If I had the time and energy, I wish I had gone to Jinja. The city’s known for being Uganda’s adventure capital, but personally, that wasn’t why I wanted to go (I had enough adventure at this point). As an Egyptian, I would’ve loved to see the source of the Nile, and that’s in Jinja! You can totally do this as a day trip from Kampala. 
• With much more time and a higher budget, you can also extend your trip and go to Murchison Falls National Park and see Lake Victoria. But for me, that’s just one more reason to return to Uganda!

Uganda Itinerary Essentials: What to Pack for a Seamless Trip

DON’T FORGET Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is non-negotiable specifically when you travel to a destination with different health risks, like Uganda. Using SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance helped me feel a lot more at ease about what was ahead. And with lots of outdoor excursions planned as well, opting for the adventure add-on that covers adventure travel injuries is a great idea. 

Use my code for FREE Electronics Theft coverage: CURLSENROUTE10

Clothing & accessories

• Comfortable, lightweight clothing that can be layered. Think tank tops and long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved Dri-FIT T-shirts, and windbreaker/rain jackets, etc.
• Fleece jacket or sweater; mornings and evenings can be cool.
• Long hiking pants and lightweight long-sleeved T-shirts for trekking to stay protected from insects and vegetation.
• A sturdy pair of waterproof hiking boots (my Merrell Alverstone Mid GTX was a life-saver on those challenging trails).
• Moisture-wicking high socks.
• Sliders for hotel and long travel days.
• Light waterproof rain jacket or windbreaker with a hood.
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses

*P.S. Avoid wearing bright colors and opt for earthy colors like beige, grey, olive, or khaki during gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, as bright colors disrupt the wildlife.

Gear

• Hiking sticks for chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking (they’re an absolute necessity).
• Hiking gaiters (those are a must to protect you against fire ants and for muddy trails in Kibale and Bwindi).
• Small backpack/daypack for the hikes.
• Light gloves for gorilla trekking, as you may need to hold onto vegetation. You can also use lightweight gardening gloves; they’re cheap and so practical!
• 2 reusable water bottles (1L each) or a hydration bladder.
• Binoculars for the wildlife safari, if you have them. They’re not a necessity; my long-range camera lens was a smart alternative. 
• Mask for primate encounters.

Toiletries

• Mosquito/insect repellent with DEET
• Sunscreen
• Essential medications and any prescriptions. Check what’s in my travel meds pouch here. 
• Electrolytes or hydration sachets.
• Muscle relaxant 
• First-aid kit
• Basic toiletries you’re most likely to pack on any trip. 
• Dry bag or waterproof bag to protect electronics and/or keep wet/dirty clothes separate.

Tech

• Camera/phone + chargers (I took my photos using my iPhone 16 and Canon 600D with the standard 18-55mm lens and the telephoto 75-300mm lens)
• Power bank
• Universal travel adapter
• Portable lightweight tripod with a controller (for solo travelers like me).
• Anti-theft crossbody phone strap
• Travel eSIM. This is a must for navigation and communication. 

Final Thoughts

All I can say is that Uganda definitely exceeded my expectations! It’s a lot more than just the gorilla trekking experience that it’s mostly famous for, and I ended up falling in love with many more aspects of it. It’s one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to, so if you want an introduction to it, this Uganda itinerary is your best way to experience it as a first-time visitor. 

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