Embark on an action-packed 12-day safari adventure in Uganda that showcases the best wildlife, primates, and cultural encounters. Begin your journey with Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, followed by a visit to Murchison Falls for a community walk, a thrilling boat cruise, and game drives to spot the Big Five. Explore Kibale Forest for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience and immerse yourself in local communities.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoy cultural experiences, wildlife safaris, and a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, with the unique opportunity to see tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. The safari’s highlight is Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, complemented by a cultural interaction with the Batwa pygmies.
Relax at Lake Bunyonyi, famous for its scenic wonders, before heading to Lake Mburo National Park, known for its dense population of zebras, rich wildlife, and engaging community walks. Finally, experience the iconic Equator line to wrap up this Ugandan adventure. This safari runs year-round and is customizable for all budgets, making it an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s natural and cultural gems.
Upon your arrival at the airport, our experienced Driver/Guide will greet you and embark on a 5-hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park. During this journey, you will enjoy several scenic stopovers to stretch, relax, and appreciate Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes. Your first highlight will be a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a unique destination and one of the few places in Uganda where rhinos can be observed. Wild rhinos once disappeared in the 1980s due to poaching and conflict, but thanks to concerted conservation efforts, the sanctuary now hosts over 25 rhinos, starting from an initial five.
Led by a knowledgeable local ranger, you’ll have the chance to watch these majestic creatures up close, learn about their behaviors, and hear their fascinating stories of survival.
After your rhino encounter, you will proceed to Masindi town for a delicious lunch before continuing your journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, you will hike to the top of the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge, offering panoramic views of the powerful falls and surrounding landscapes. As the day ends, you will take stunning photos and soak in the beauty before heading back to your lodge for the evening.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Red Chilli Rest Camp
Start your day with an early breakfast before setting out on an exciting game drive along the Nyamsiki track, one of the most wildlife-rich areas of Murchison Falls National Park. During this 3-hour game drive, keep an eye out for a variety of animals, including lions, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, wildebeests, reedbucks, warthogs, antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, and an array of bird species. The Nyamsiki track is renowned for having the highest concentration of wildlife in the park, offering an incredible safari experience.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, you will head to the Paraa port and board a boat for an unforgettable cruise along the Victoria Nile, one of the park’s most popular activities. As you sail, enjoy views of the Nile’s riverbanks teeming with wildlife such as Nile crocodiles, hippos, waterbucks, elephants, and buffaloes, as well as a variety of birds.
The boat will take you upstream, providing magnificent views of the iconic Murchison Falls and the lesser-known but equally impressive Uhuru Falls. The cruise ends around 5 p.m., after which you will return to your lodge for some relaxation and refreshments.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Red Chilli Rest Camp
After an early breakfast, you will depart from Murchison Falls National Park and set out on a scenic drive towards Kibale National Park. While the journey is long, the ever-changing landscapes and various points of interest along the way will keep you entertained. You’ll pass through vibrant trading posts, schools, serene lakes, winding rivers, the Bunyoro oil fields, and lush forests.
For lunch, you can choose to stop in Hoima town or continue driving until you reach Fort Portal. Once in Fort Portal, Uganda’s tourism hub and one of the country’s cleanest cities, you will have the opportunity to explore its attractions, including a visit to the King of Toro’s palace a cultural highlight of the region.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops
Your day will begin with an early morning trip to the Kibale Forest headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Kibale Forest is home to approximately 1,500 chimpanzees, with five habituated groups, making it one of the best locations in Africa to observe these intelligent creatures in the wild. After the briefing, you will embark on a forest trek to track the chimpanzees. These fascinating primates are known for their intelligence, using tools such as stones and tree branches to gather food or build nests.
Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will spend about two hours observing and interacting with them in their natural habitat. After this extraordinary experience, you will leave the forest and return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you will have the opportunity to spot a variety of primates and birds. The sanctuary is home to about 12 different primate species, including red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. As you explore the wetland, you will also visit a nearby women’s group that supports local artisans. You will have the chance to browse and purchase handmade products, contributing to the community’s empowerment.
After exploring the wetland and engaging with the local community, you will return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops
After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to the Kasese region, home to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Departing at dawn, your drive will take you past the stunning Rwenzori Mountain ranges, often referred to as the “Mountains of the Moon.” From a distance, you will catch glimpses of the majestic glaciers and snow-capped peaks, offering a breathtaking backdrop.
Upon arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will check into your hotel and enjoy a hearty lunch. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Katwe Salt Mines, where you will learn about traditional salt extraction methods that have been practiced for centuries. Additionally, you will explore the explosion craters, which are some of the park’s most fascinating geological features, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into Uganda’s volcanic history.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
On this day, you will begin with breakfast before heading out on a thrilling morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is renowned for its abundant wildlife, and you will have the chance to spot a variety of animals, including elephants, elands, topis, Uganda kobs, lions, hyenas, leopards, mongoose, and a wide range of bird species. The Kasenyi plains offer a prime opportunity to observe many of Africa’s iconic species, making it a highlight of your 12-day Uganda wildlife safari. After about 3 hours, the game drive will wrap up, and you will return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is teeming with aquatic wildlife, including Nile crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of waterbirds. As you cruise along, you will also have the chance to spot elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and more animals along the riverbanks.
After the boat ride, you will return to your lodge to unwind, enjoy dinner, and relax after an exciting day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mweya Bush Lodge
Start your day with an early breakfast before heading to the park offices, where you will register for a guided nature walk through the vast Maramagambo Forest, one of Uganda’s largest forests. Accompanied by a knowledgeable park ranger, you will explore the rich biodiversity of the forest, which is home to a variety of primates, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys, bush babies, and pottos. The forest is also a haven for bird species, reptiles, butterflies, and other wildlife. During the walk, you will have the chance to spot pythons and bats, along with various savanna mammals that occasionally venture into the forest. The nature walk lasts between one and three hours, depending on the pace and interests of the group.
After completing the walk, you will return to your accommodation for lunch and some relaxation. Later in the afternoon, you will head out on another game drive, this time focusing on areas across the Kazinga and Kasenyi plains to spot any animals you may have missed the previous day. This additional game drive offers a second opportunity to observe Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse wildlife.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Bush Lodge
After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel and begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you leave Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will pass through the famous Ishasha sector, known for its unique population of tree-climbing lions. These lions are often spotted resting on fig trees after their morning hunts, an unusual behavior believed to help them avoid ground insects or survey prey from above. You will spend about an hour observing these majestic lions lounging in the trees before continuing your journey.
Your route will take you through Kihihi, a town in southwestern Uganda, where you can stop for lunch. After lunch, you will continue the drive toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Expect to arrive at your accommodation early enough to relax and prepare for the next day’s thrilling gorilla trekking experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge
Your day will start early with breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking. After your gorilla permits are verified, you will be assigned to a specific gorilla group, and with the guidance of park rangers, you will embark on the trek into the dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on the location of the gorillas, the trek can take anywhere from one to four hours, often requiring endurance, but the reward of encountering a gorilla family is truly priceless.
Once you find the gorillas, you will witness them engaging in daily activities like eating, resting, and playing. They typically live in groups of 8 to 25 individuals, led by a dominant silverback. Despite their size and strength, gorillas are known to be gentle and peaceful, allowing you to observe their interactions from a close distance. You will have one unforgettable hour to take pictures and videos as you watch them in their natural habitat.
After your time with the gorillas, you will be guided back out of the forest, where your driver will be waiting to return you to your lodge for a well-earned lunch.
In the afternoon/evening you will visit the Batwa pygmy community. Once forest dwellers of Bwindi and Mgahinga, the Batwa were evicted from the jungles and now struggle with the challenges of life outside their traditional home. During the visit, you will tour their homes, see traditional crafts, visit local medicine men, and experience their unique way of life. The Batwa will share their stories of resilience, entertain you with traditional music, dances, and performances, giving you a glimpse of their cultural heritage and their struggle to adapt. After the visit, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge
Wake up at your leisure and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing for Lake Mburo National Park. As you leave Bwindi, your journey will take you through the picturesque rolling hills and lush landscapes of the Kigezi region. Keep your eyes peeled for stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains, serene lakes, winding rivers, and other natural wonders along the way.
You will stop for lunch in Mbarara, Uganda’s second-largest city and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. This is a great opportunity to sample some local cuisine, such as Matooke, sweet potatoes, cassava, and chicken or meat served with luwombo, all complemented by a refreshing glass of fruit juice.
After lunch, you will continue your journey to Lake Mburo National Park, which is close to Mbarara. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and have some time to freshen up before your night game drive. Lake Mburo is known for having one of Uganda’s highest populations of leopards, making it an excellent location for leopard sightings after dark. Keep an eye out for nocturnal wildlife, including pottos and various bird species that come alive at night.
After an exciting evening exploring Uganda’s nocturnal wildlife, you will return to your lodge for dinner and some well-deserved rest.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock
Start your day early with breakfast while you await your guide for a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. As the smallest savanna park in Uganda, Lake Mburo is renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes. It’s home to the highest concentration of antelope species in the country and is one of only two national parks where you can spot zebras. Additionally, it’s one of the few parks in Uganda where domestic and wild animals coexist harmoniously.
During your three-hour game drive, you will have the chance to see a variety of wildlife, including oribi, buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, elands, and topis. After the drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, get ready for an exciting boat excursion along Lake Mburo. The eastern shores of the lake are teeming with wildlife, including crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, waterbucks, and various antelope species. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting around 300 different bird species, such as fish eagles, kingfishers, and hummerkops. As the day comes to a close, you will enjoy the stunning sunset over the lake, providing a perfect opportunity to capture beautiful photos to share with friends and family.
You will return to your lodge around 5 o’clock for dinner and some well-deserved relaxation after an adventurous day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock
Your adventure concludes with an early morning final nature experience in Lake Mburo National Park. This unique opportunity allows you to explore the park using alternative modes of transportation: you can choose to ride a horse, use a quad bike, or take a guided walking tour. This distinctive experience sets Lake Mburo apart from other national parks in Uganda.
After enjoying your last exploration of the park, you will begin your return journey to Entebbe. On the way, you will stop at the famous equator crossing in Kayabwe. Here, you will have the chance to take memorable photos at the equator marker and shop for handmade souvenirs and trinkets at the artisan shops to take home.
Before continuing to Kampala city and then onto Entebbe for your departure, you will enjoy a meal close to the equator, reflecting on the incredible 12-day journey you have had in Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Not applicable
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