Signature Safari

12 Days Uganda Safari

Discover Uganda’s incredible biodiversity and stunning landscapes on this 12-day safari, visiting Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Murchison Falls National Parks, plus the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This wildlife-rich itinerary offers gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, thrilling game drives, and boat safaris to spot iconic animals like tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and a wide variety of birds and reptiles such as Nile crocodiles. Alongside the wildlife adventures, enjoy cultural experiences including village walks and city tours of Kampala or Entebbe, making for a well-rounded and unforgettable journey.

Uganda Safaris Uganda

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About this tour

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Your unforgettable Uganda safari begins upon arrival at Entebbe, the country’s main gateway situated on the serene shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Your guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your lakeside hotel. Here, you can relax and recover from your journey. During this time, your guide will provide you with important information about the tour logistics and answer any questions to prepare you for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic 9-hour drive (about 512 km) southwest towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, stop at the Equator monument in Kayabwe for memorable photos and visit Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara for lunch. The final stretch takes you through the breathtaking Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa,” arriving at your lodge near the edge of Bwindi Forest. Prepare for gorilla trekking by organizing your gear: comfortable clothing, camera, insect repellent, passport, snacks, and water.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Experience Wake early to attend the morning briefing at the visitor center, where Uganda Wildlife Authority guides will allocate you to a gorilla family based on your fitness level. The trek can last from one to five hours depending on terrain and gorilla location. Hiring a porter is recommended to ease the hike. Once you locate the gorillas, enjoy an unforgettable one-hour observation of their social behaviors like feeding and grooming. Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. Later, embark on a relaxed community walk to meet local people including the Batwa pygmies. This cultural experience offers insight into traditional lifestyles and an opportunity to support local livelihoods through handicrafts and produce.

Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking and Optional Batwa Trail

Travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, part of the Virunga massif, famous for its golden monkeys. Trekking in bamboo forests at elevations between 1,800 to 3,300 meters is less strenuous and equally rewarding as you observe these playful primates for one hour. Afterward, you may choose to explore the Batwa trail accompanied by Batwa pygmies, learning about their ancient forest traditions and sustainable livelihoods. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Travel approximately 4 to 6 hours from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Experience the dramatic transition from lush highlands to the expansive Great Rift Valley floor. Enter via the Ishasha sector, famed for tree-climbing lions, then continue to the Kasenyi plains. This diverse park is home to 96 mammal species and over 600 bird species, although zebras, giraffes, and impalas are absent here.

Day 6: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise E

njoy an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains, seeking elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, lions, leopards, and hyenas. After lunch, embark on a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Here you’ll encounter thousands of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife including African fish eagles. Optional evening night drives provide a chance to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale National Park Depart for Kibale Forest via the scenic Katwe explosion crater fields, stopping at the Equator at Kikorongo for photos. Kibale is a biodiversity hotspot with 13 primate species, including over 1,400 chimpanzees, as well as a rich bird population of 370 species, six endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley. Check into your lodge and prepare for chimpanzee trekking the following day.

Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk Begin early at Kanyanchu visitor center for a morning chimpanzee trek to observe these fascinating primates at their most active. Alternatively, afternoon trekking offers a chance to see chimps resting. Complement your wildlife experience with a walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to 8 primate species and over 200 bird species. This community-managed wetland is vital for conservation and sustainable tourism. Return to your lodge for overnight.

Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Drive approximately 6 hours to Murchison Falls National Park, enjoying views of Lake Albert, the Butiaba escarpment, and Congo Blue Mountains. The park is famous for the mighty Murchison Falls, where the Nile plunges 40 meters into the “Devil’s Cauldron,” creating spectacular rainbows. Stay on the northern savannah side, home to over 77 mammal species, including half of Africa’s Nubian giraffes, elephants, lions, and more. The southern sector houses Budongo Forest, rich in primates. Overnight at the lodge in the northern sector.

Day 10: Morning Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Start with an early game drive exploring Pakuba, Victoria, and Albert Nile delta swamp tracks, spotting wildlife including predators and herbivores. In the afternoon, enjoy a 17 km boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and many bird species such as African fish eagles and kingfishers. Experience the raw power of the falls up close before returning to the lodge.

Day 11: Rhino Trekking at Ziwa and Transfer to Kampala Begin with a morning game drive, then visit the top of Murchison Falls for panoramic views. Proceed to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda’s only rhino sanctuary, where you’ll track southern white rhinos on foot alongside rangers. The trek offers an intimate encounter with these magnificent animals. Afterward, continue to Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital, for overnight.

Day 12: Departure from Entebbe Transfer to Entebbe International Airport in time for your departure flight. If time permits, explore local attractions such as the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Entebbe Zoo) or the Botanical Gardens. Your guide will ensure a smooth trip to the airport as you conclude your unforgettable Uganda safari.

Cost of Safari

Pricing varies by travel dates, accommodation class, transport, and group size. Contact us for a tailored quote.

Price From: USD 2,500.00

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