Embark on an unforgettable 12-day Uganda safari, designed to showcase the “Pearl of Africa’s” incredible diversity, from the Big Five and majestic primates to stunning landscapes and vibrant cultures.
Overview
This immersive 12-day luxury Uganda safari offers an unparalleled adventure for travelers eager to experience the best of East African wildlife and natural beauty.
Journey through Uganda’s most celebrated national parks, including the thunderous Murchison Falls, primate-rich Kibale Forest, the wildlife haven of Queen Elizabeth, and the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to mountain gorillas.
This carefully curated itinerary promises thrilling game drives, captivating primate treks (including gorilla and chimpanzee tracking), serene boat cruises, and engaging cultural encounters, making it a perfect Uganda safari for those seeking a comprehensive and luxurious exploration.
Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, transfer to Kampala.
- Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Day 3: Morning game drive and boat cruise on the Nile River.
- Day 4: Visit the top of Murchison Falls, transfer to Kibale National Park.
- Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary walk.
- Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth, evening boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.
- Day 7: Morning game drive through Ishasha, transfer to Bwindi.
- Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Day 9: Second gorilla tracking experience, transfer to Kisoro town.
- Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, optional horseback riding.
- Day 11: Morning game drive, nature walk, and boat cruise in Lake Mburo.
- Day 12: Transfer to Kampala with an Equator stopover, departure.
Itinerary
Upon your evening arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide. You will then be transferred to your reserved hotel in Kampala for check-in.
The evening is at leisure to freshen up, enjoy dinner, and rest, preparing for the exciting adventures that await you.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Forest Cottages
- Gold: Cassia Lodge
- Platinum: Kampala Serena Hotel
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park. En route, you will make a crucial stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an engaging rhino trekking experience.
This allows you to walk with a guide to observe these magnificent rhinos in their natural habitat for approximately 1.5 hours. Following this, you will proceed to Masindi town for a delicious lunch.
Afterward, continue your journey into Murchison Falls National Park, arriving at your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Heritage Safari Lodge or Red Chilli Safari Lodge, Parkside Safari Lodge
- Gold: Murchison River Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Platinum: Paraa Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge
Rise early for a thrilling morning game drive on the Northern Bank of the Nile River. This early start increases your chances of spotting nocturnal predators returning from their hunts and other wildlife as they become active.
In the diverse Nyamsika Plateau, you can expect to see an array of animals, including Cape buffaloes, graceful giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and hartebeests.
After an exhilarating drive, return to your lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon, embark on a captivating boat cruise on the Nile, heading towards the base of Murchison Falls.
This leisurely cruise offers exceptional opportunities to view aquatic animals such as crocodiles and hippos basking along the riverbanks.
You'll also encounter a rich birdlife, including various kingfishers, cormorants, saddle-billed storks, the elusive shoebill stork, pelicans, bee-eaters, Egyptian geese, and Goliath herons.
After the cruise, return for lunch. In the late afternoon, you may opt for a visit to a nearby local community to witness how locals earn a living through handicrafts and carving. Dinner and relaxation at the lodge.
After breakfast, your journey takes you to the exhilarating top of Murchison Falls. Here, you'll witness the sheer power of the Nile River as it gushes through a narrow 7-meter gorge, plunging 43 meters into a pool below.
The force of the water often creates a stunning rainbow, offering fantastic photographic opportunities. You can hike to different viewpoints to appreciate its raw beauty. After this magnificent experience, you will meet your vehicle and embark on a picturesque journey to Kibale National Park, known as the "Primate Capital of the World."
This approximately nine-hour drive will take you through beautiful countryside, showcasing rural life and agricultural landscapes. Enjoy lunch en-route before arriving at your lodge in Kibale for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
- Gold: Kibale Forest Camp
- Platinum: Primates Lodge
Start your day with an early breakfast before heading to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing at 08:00 AM. Here, you'll learn about the guidelines for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, home to 13 primate species, making it a truly remarkable ecosystem.
The chimpanzee trek typically lasts between two to three hours, offering incredible close-up encounters with these intelligent apes as they move, feed, and interact in their natural habitat. You may also spot other primates, diverse bird species, and colorful butterflies.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
This community-based eco-tourism initiative offers fantastic opportunities for birdwatching and spotting various monkey species swinging through the trees. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast and packing up, you will depart Kibale for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a journey of approximately three hours, depending on your starting point.
Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge. In the afternoon, embark on a memorable boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This channel is a haven for wildlife, with large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species.
You'll also see large game like elephants and buffalo coming to drink at the water's edge, providing excellent photo opportunities. After the boat cruise, enjoy a relaxed community walk to interact with local people, perhaps even purchasing unique handicrafts.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Bush Lodge
- Gold: Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Platinum: Mweya Safari Lodge
Begin your day with a morning game drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This renowned area is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging majestically in the branches of fig trees.
You will also encounter herds of Uganda kob (a favorite prey for lions), numerous buffaloes, elephants, and possibly the rare shoebill stork.
After the game drive, enjoy lunch at a nearby lodge within this sector of the park. Subsequently, you will drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The journey offers breathtaking views of the "Switzerland of Africa," characterized by terraced hillsides, bamboo forests, and stunning landscapes.
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon for check-in, dinner, and a restful night, preparing for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Broadbill Camp
- Gold: Gorilla Mist Camp / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Platinum: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Today is an extraordinary day: mountain gorilla trekking! After an early breakfast, ensure you have your packed lunch and sufficient drinking water.
You will then proceed to the park headquarters to join other trekkers for a comprehensive briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines.
Divided into small groups, you will venture into the dense Bwindi forest with experienced guides and trackers to find the rare mountain gorillas.
Once located, you will have an unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat, offering incredible photo opportunities.
After your trek, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Today offers the incredible opportunity for a second gorilla tracking experience! Following a similar routine to the previous day, you will trek to find a different gorilla family, allowing for varied observations and more precious memories with these majestic apes.
Having experienced another thrilling encounter, you will then be transferred to the charming Kisoro town, located near the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Here, you will have dinner and an overnight stay, reflecting on your remarkable primate encounters.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel (silver/gold/platinum)
After a delightful breakfast, you will depart Kisoro and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, you will make a fascinating stop at Igongo Cultural Centre, where you can delve into the rich traditions of the Ankole culture.
You'll enjoy a vibrant cultural dance performance and savor a delicious lunch. Afterwards, continue your journey into Lake Mburo National Park.
Upon arrival, check into your reserved hotel. In the afternoon, you have the unique opportunity to embark on a horseback riding safari, allowing you to observe the park's wildlife at a closer, more intimate distance without disturbing them.
Accommodation:
- Silver: Eagles Nest Camp
- Gold: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
- Platinum: Mihingo Lodge
Wake up early for another exciting day in Lake Mburo National Park. After breakfast, set off for a morning game drive, traversing the park's diverse landscapes.
You'll encounter a variety of wildlife, including graceful zebras, warthogs, elands, impalas, topis, and numerous antelope species amidst beautiful vegetation.
After the drive, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Mburo, which offers stunning views of the park from a different perspective.
This two-hour cruise allows you to spot aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles, as well as a wide array of water birds. Return to your lodging for dinner and overnight.
Enjoy a final breakfast at your lodge before beginning your transfer back to Kampala. The journey will take approximately 6 to 7 hours.
A crucial and memorable stop will be made at the Equator, allowing you the unique chance to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. Take plenty of pictures to commemorate this experience and enjoy lunch at this stop.
Depending on your flight schedule, you will either be transferred directly to Entebbe International Airport for your departure or to a hotel of your choice in Kampala for an overnight stay, marking the end of your incredible 12-day Uganda safari.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits (one permit for each activity)
- Boat cruises as per itinerary
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary & national park entry fees
- Accommodation and meals as specified (silver / gold / platinum options)
- Transport in a comfortable, standard safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Cost Excludes
- International Flights
- Uganda Visa fees
- Items of Personal Nature (e.g., laundry, souvenirs, phone calls)
- Tips and Gratuity for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (unless specified)
- Travel insurance
Map
FAQs About 12 Days Uganda Safari
This itinerary offers a unique opportunity for a second gorilla tracking experience on Day 9.
This allows you to visit a different gorilla family, observe varied behaviors, and gain an even deeper understanding and appreciation for these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. It doubles your chances for unforgettable encounters and stunning photographs.
Yes, rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is conducted with highly trained rangers and is very safe.
You will be briefed on safety protocols before the trek, and guides ensure a respectful distance is maintained from the rhinos while providing an intimate viewing experience.
This safari visits parks rich in wildlife. In Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, you have excellent chances of spotting four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo) along with giraffes, various antelopes, warthogs, and more.
Lake Mburo offers unique sightings of zebras, impalas, and elands, alongside buffaloes and topis.
The Bigodi Walk is a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, an ecotourism initiative adjacent to Kibale Forest.
It is a gentle walk offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching (including the great blue turaco) and spotting various primates like red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and baboons, within a beautiful wetland ecosystem.
