Largest Lake In Africa: Lake Victoria Circuit Itinerary

Driving around Lake Victoria; Africa’s biggest fresh water lake is one of the adventures that awaits everyone who intends to explore the best of East Africa. From gorilla trekking in Uganda to the great migration in Serengeti Tanzania, and Masai Mara Kenya. Though this is one of the most rewarding trips East Africa has to offer, it would require you to have a solid car. Most car rental agencies often recommend a Hilux, Land cruiser V8 or a Land cruiser GX.

Here is an idea for what you can benchmark on to make your own Lake Victoria circuit itinerary.

26 Days Lake Victoria Circuit Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport, the car rental agency will deliver the car to you.  After receiving your car, you can opt to explore Entebbe town, with a visit at Entebbe botanical gardens and Entebbe Zoo. Overnight in Entebbe

Accommodation options

• 2 Friends Beach Hotel – Comfortable beachfront hotel.
• Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe – Modern hotel near the airport.
• Khotels Entebbe
• Lake Victoria Hotel 

Day 2: Entebbe to Lake Mburo National Park 

After your breakfast at your hotel or Lodge in Entebbe, you will transfer from Entebbe to Lake Mburo National park. You can opt for an evening game drive or simply relax and do the game drive the following day. Overnight in Lake Mburo National park.

Accommodation options

• Mihingo Lodge – Luxury tented lodge with stunning views.
• Rwakobo Rock – Eco-friendly lodge with rustic charm.

Day 3: Explore Lake Mburo National Park

Before your breakfast, you will set out for a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National park. It is after the morning game drive that you will return at your lodge for breakfast. After your breakfast, you can set out for a walking safari until lunchtime. You can then spend the afternoon relaxing. You can also do a night game drive in Lake Mburo national park.

Accommodation options

• Mihingo Lodge – Luxury tented lodge with stunning views.
• Rwakobo Rock – Eco-friendly lodge with rustic charm.

Day 4: Lake Mburo to Mbarara

Upon finishing your breakfast, you will transfer to Mbarara. Rest in the day so that you may experience western Uganda night life in Mbarara town. Overnight in Mbarara.

Accommodation options

• Lakeview Resort Hotel

Day 5: Mbarara to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After your breakfast at your hotel in Mbarara, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park via Rubirizi. In case you are interested in chimpanzee tracking, it is on this day that you can do chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest before proceeding to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation options

• Mweya Safari Lodge – Upscale lodge with fantastic views.
• Enganzi Game Lodge – Mid-range option close to the park.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Before your breakfast at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth national park, you will set out for a morning game drive. After the morning game drive, you will have your packed breakfast or head back to your lodge for a mid morning breakfast. In the afternoon, you will set out for an afternoon boat trip after which you will relax at your lodge. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation options

• Ishasha wilderness camp

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

You will set off very early morning game drive in Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National park. The main agenda here is to encounter the tree climbing lions though they are quite rare to find since they are always on the move in search for food. After your game drive in ishasha sector, you will then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Overnight in Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Accommodation options

• Buhoma Lodge – Luxury eco-lodge near the park entrance.
• Gorilla Mist Camp – Mid-range lodge with comfortable accommodations.

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

If you reserved gorilla trekking permits for this day, you will set out for gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. If you do not have gorilla trekking permits, you can go for a guided forest walk in Bwindi impenetrable national. Overnight in or near Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Accommodation options

• Buhoma Lodge – Luxury eco-lodge near the park entrance.
• Gorilla Mist Camp – Mid-range lodge with comfortable accommodations.

Day 9: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

On this day, you will transfer to lake Bunyonyi. Besides enjoying the scenery at this island, you can also enjoy a boat trip at lake Bunyonyi. Overnight at lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation options

• BirdNest Resort – Beautiful lakeside resort.
• Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort – Rustic resort with great lake views.

Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi to Nyungwe National Park (Rwanda)

On this day, you will cross the Gatuna border of Uganda and Rwanda and continue straight to Nyungwe forest national park. Because of the long transfer, you can just relax once you reach Nyungwe forest national park. Overnight in or near Nyungwe forest national park.

Accommodation options

• Nyungwe House – Luxury lodge with breathtaking views.
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel – Mid-range hotel with good amenities.

Day 11: Nyungwe National Park

On this day, you will explore Nyungwe National Park. Here, you will have an opportunity to compare to chimpanzee tracking in Rwanda with chimpanzee tracking experience in Uganda. There are mainly two activities that are the most recommended in this forest; chimpanzee tracking and canopy walk. Overnight in or near Nyungwe.

Accommodation options

• Nyungwe House – Luxury lodge with breathtaking views.
• Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel – Mid-range hotel with good amenities.

Day 12: Nyungwe to Akagera National Park (Rwanda)

On this day, you will transfer from Nyungwe forest national park to Akagera National Park. Once you reach Akagera national park you will relax a beat and then set out for an evening game drive in Akagera national park. Overnight in or near Akagera National Park.

Day 13: Akagera National Park

You will spend this full day exploring Akagera National Park. You will do both morning game drives and evening game drives. Overnight in or near Akagera National Park.

Accommodation options

• Ruzizi Tented Lodge – Upscale tented lodge within the park.
• Akagera Game Lodge – Comfortable lodge with great views of Lake Ihema.

Day 14: Akagera to Bukoba (Tanzania)

On this day, you will set out on your journey from Akagera national park to Bukoba. However you will not be able to reach Bukoba on this same day. Therefore you will have to find accommodation after crossing the border.

Day 15: Bukoba

On this day, you will arrive in Bukoba. You will simply spend the rest of the day relaxing. If you have some time, you can explore Bukoba town. Overnight in Bukoba

Accommodation options

• Bukoba Kolping Hotel – Comfortable hotel with good amenities.
• Walkgard Lake View Hotel – Great views of Lake Victoria.

Day 16: Bukoba to Mwanza (Boat)

On this day, you will transfer from Bukoba to Mwanza by boat Boat. Overnight in Mwanza.

Accommodation options

• Malaika Beach Resort – Luxury resort on the shores of Lake Victoria.
• Hotel Tilapia – Comfortable hotel with good amenities.

Day 17: Mwanza to Serengeti National Park

On this day, you will transfer from Mwanza to Serengeti national park. If you find the journey quite long, you can simply spend the evening relaxing. If you are not too tired, you can do an evening game drive.

Accommodation options

• Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge – Upscale lodge with great views.
• Serengeti Sopa Lodge – Comfortable lodge in a good location.

Day 18: Serengeti National Park

You will spend this day exploring part of Serengeti national park. You will do both morning and afternoon game drives. Overnight in Serengeti.

Accommodation options

• Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge – Upscale lodge with great views.
• Serengeti Sopa Lodge – Comfortable lodge in a good location.

Day 19: Serengeti to Arusha

• On this day, you will do a morning game drive in Serengeti national park after which you will transfer to Arusha for your overnight stay.

Accommodation options

• Mount Meru Hotel – Luxury hotel with excellent facilities.
• Kibo Palace Hotel – Comfortable hotel with modern amenities.

Day 20: Arusha to Masai Mara (Kenya)

On this day, you will transfer from Arush to Masai Mara in Kenya. If you are not tired, you can do an evening game drive in Masai Mara national park. Overnight in Masai Mara.

Accommodation options

• Mara Serena Safari Lodge – Upscale lodge with amazing views.
• Ashnil Mara Camp – Luxury tented camp in a prime location.

Day 21: Masai Mara

You will spend thisfFull day exploring Masai Mara. You will do both morning and afternoon game drives in this reserve. Overnight in Masai Mara.

Accommodation options

• Mara Serena Safari Lodge – Upscale lodge with amazing views.
• Ashnil Mara Camp – Luxury tented camp in a prime location.

Day 22: Masai Mara to Kisumu

On this day, you will transfer from Masai Mara to Kisumu. Explore the town and just relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Kisumu

Accommodation options

• Acacia Premier Hotel – Modern hotel with great amenities.
• Imperial Hotel – Comfortable hotel in the city center.

Day 23: Kisumu to Sipi Falls (Uganda)

On this day, you will transfer from Kisumu to Sipi falls. On that same day, you will visit Sipi falls in the evening. Overnight near Sipi Falls.

Accommodation options

• Sipi River Lodge – Beautiful lodge with views of the falls.
• Lacam Lodge – Rustic lodge with comfortable accommodations.

Day 24: Sipi Falls to Jinja

After your breakfast, you will transfer to Jinja. You can spend the afternoon just relaxing at a lodge or hotel at the banks of river Nile. Overnight in Jinja.

Accommodation options

• Wildwaters Lodge – Luxury lodge on an island in the Nile.
• Nile Porch Lodge – Comfortable lodge with great views.
• Haven Lodge– Riverside Lodge

Day 25: Jinja

On this day, you will set out for activities in Jinja. Among these include but not limited to rafting adventure in Jinja. Overnight in Jinja.

Accommodation options

• Wildwaters Lodge – Luxury lodge on an island in the Nile.
• Nile Porch Lodge – Comfortable lodge with great views.
• Haven Lodge– Riverside Lodge

Day 26: Jinja to Entebbe

This is the final day of your trip. You will spend the night in Entebbe. You can transfer from Jinja to Entebbe at your convenience.

Accommodation options

• 2 Friends Beach Hotel – Comfortable beachfront hotel.
• Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe – Modern hotel near the airport.
• End of trip.