Day 1: Arrival – Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Collect your rental 4×4 (preferably a sturdy vehicle given later terrain). Check-in to a lakeside lodge, relax after the journey. Take it easy: swim, walk the shore of Lake Victoria, enjoy dinner and rest.

Day 2: Entebbe → Lake Mburo National Park

Drive from Entebbe to Lake Mburo (approx 250-300 km, 5–6 hours depending on stops). On arrival check into a lodge/camp close to the park. You’ll now be in your safari mode.

Day 3: Lake Mburo – full day

Explore Lake Mburo via game drive, walking safari or even horseback (unique in Uganda!). Night game drive is also an option. This park is a gentler introduction to safari, before the more remote places.

Day 4: Lake Mburo → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park area via the Highlands

You’ll drive into the scenic Kigezi Highlands (expect steep slopes, beautiful views) en route to the Bwindi region. Plan for a longer driving day (approx 7+ hours depending on route and stops). Stay overnight near Bwindi/Mutanda or similar.

Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Today you undertake the highlight: tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi. With everything set (permit, guide) immerse in the forest and see these amazing animals. After trekking, relax in your lodge/resort.

Day 6: Relax in the Highlands / Lake Mutanda region

Take a slower pace: stay near Lake Mutanda, enjoy optional activities – canoe ride, birding, sunset cruises, nature walks. Recharge before the next heavy travelling.

Day 7: Lake Mutanda → Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP (about 7+ hours). On arrival settle in. In the afternoon you might do a game drive or boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

Day 8: Full day Queen Elizabeth NP

Enjoy game drives across the park, a boat trip on the channel, possibly the northern circuit. Diverse habitats, good wildlife viewing.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth NP → Kibale Forest National Park

Drive from Queen Elizabeth to Kibale (approx ~3–4 hours). Arrive near Fort Portal. In the afternoon you could relax or visit the crater lakes region.

Day 10: Chimp trekking in Kibale

Go for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest (many other primates too!). Afterwards spend the evening comfortably.

Day 11: Kibale → Murchison Falls National Park

Drive east/northwards to Murchison Falls NP (~7–8 hours). Stay overnight near Paraa or the northern gate section. Prepare for serious safari.

Day 12: Full day Murchison Falls National park

Game drives in the northern section (better wildlife). Then a boat trip to the base of the falls, or hike to the top. Enjoy the mighty Nile’s power.

Day 13: More time in Murchison Falls / optional rest day

Use this day as a buffer: either relax or do another drive/boat trip. Useful given your tight schedule and the remote terrain ahead.

Day 14: Murchison Falls → Kidepo Valley National Park

A very long drive (~8 hours) into far-northern Uganda to Kidepo Valley NP — one of Africa’s great wilderness areas. Depart very early. The roads may be rough, especially in rainy conditions, so a 4×4 is essential. Take plenty of water, fuel and allow for margin.

Day 15: Full day Kidepo Valley NP

Explore Kidepo’s vast savannas, game drives spotting buffalo, hartebeest, giraffe, predators. The isolation and scenery are absolutely memorable.

Day 16: Another day in Kidepo / optional hike

Use this day either for rest, optional guided hikes, visit to a local manyatta (with the Karamojong tribe) or simply soak up the wilderness.

Day 17: Kidepo → Moroto (Karamojong region)

Drive from Kidepo through the Karamoja region toward Moroto (~5+ hours). This is more remote, with different landscapes—arid, rocky, dramatic. Good chance to engage with local culture.

Day 18: Explore Moroto / Karamoja culture

Spend the day visiting manyattas, community experiences, or hike the slopes of Mount Moroto. A real contrast to the lush rainforests earlier.

Day 19: Moroto → Sipi Falls (Mount Elgon region)

Drive into the east toward the scenic Sipi Falls (~5 hours). Nestled at the foot of Mount Elgon, this region offers fresh air, waterfalls, and coffee-plantation views—a nice mid-way slowdown before the final stretch.

Day 20: Sipi Falls – hiking, scenery, and relaxation

Enjoy hiking to the falls, take a coffee-tour, soak up the views, relax. A gentler pace day before you head back toward the capital.

Day 21: Sipi Falls → Jinja / Source of the Nile

Drive to Jinja (~4–5 hours). Arrive in the afternoon at the Source of the Nile. Explore Jinja town, river‐front, maybe early evening boat cruise or relax by the lodge.

Day 22: Full day Jinja – adventure & unwind

Choose your adventure: white-water rafting (Nile Grade-5), mountain-bike tours, horse-riding, sunset cruises. Then relax and reflect on your journey.

Day 23: Jinja → Entebbe

Head back to Entebbe (~4 hours). Drop off your vehicle (or arrange pick-up) and stay overnight in Entebbe to relax, buy souvenirs, take a final swim or stroll.

Day 24: Departure

Pack up, check out, and depart. If time allows perhaps a short lakeside breakfast, and reflect on your epic journey through Uganda.

 

Day	Route / Destination	Distance (approx. km)	Drive Time (hrs)
1	Arrival in Entebbe	—	—
2	Entebbe → Lake Mburo NP	280 km	5–6 hrs
3	Lake Mburo NP	—	—
4	Lake Mburo → Bwindi Highlands	290 km	7–8 hrs
5	Bwindi NP	—	—
6	Lake Mutanda / Bwindi area	—	—
7	Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth NP	260 km	6–7 hrs
8	Queen Elizabeth NP	—	—
9	Queen Elizabeth → Kibale NP	160 km	3–4 hrs
10	Kibale NP	—	—
11	Kibale → Murchison Falls NP	410 km	7–8 hrs
12	Murchison Falls NP	—	—
13	Murchison Falls NP	—	—
14	Murchison → Kidepo Valley NP	410 km	8–9 hrs
15	Kidepo Valley NP	—	—
16	Kidepo Valley NP	—	—
17	Kidepo → Moroto	220 km	5–6 hrs
18	Moroto (Karamoja)	—	—
19	Moroto → Sipi Falls	220 km	5 hrs
20	Sipi Falls	—	—
21	Sipi → Jinja	230 km	4–5 hrs
22	Jinja	—	—
23	Jinja → Entebbe	130 km	3–4 hrs
24	Entebbe (Departure)	—	—

| Total Estimated Distance: | ≈ 3,300–3,500 km | Average Drive Time: | ≈ 4–5 hours per travel day |

Since you like longer-drives and self-drive format, keep the 4×4 (especially for Kidepo/Karamoja).

Consider adding buffer days (especially before/after the long drives) in case of road/vehicle delays.

You could reduce one of the remote sections if time is tighter — e.g., skip Karamoja (Moroto) and stay one extra day at Kidepo or Sipi.

Pre-book gorilla and chimp permits (they’re limited).

Make sure your rental vehicle has good off-road capability, full-size spare tyre, good breakdown coverage.

Fuel & supplies: especially in remote north (Kidepo, Karamoja) plan carefully (last reliable fuel stop, carry extra water).

Road conditions: paved major roads are okay, but in rainy season some dirt tracks (especially in the far north) may be difficult.

Accommodation: mix of mid-range and “semi-luxury” based on budget. In remote areas options are limited so book early.

Rest days: Use the Sipi Falls day and the Bwindi / Lake Mutanda day as recovery periods between long drives.

Cultural experiences: In Karamoja region, engage respectfully with local Karamojong communities.

Wildlife & nature: Even though it’s self-drive, consider local guides inside national parks (they know the tracks, behaviour etc).

Navigation: Carry offline maps, have spare phone battery/power bank — remote areas may have limited mobile signal.