Day 1: Pickup from Kampala/Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Your 12-day Uganda safari adventure begins with an early morning wake-up and breakfast in Kampala or Entebbe. You’ll meet your guide/driver for the first time, who will brief you on the journey ahead. The safari kicks off with a drive to Murchison Falls National Park, the largest park in Uganda, but not before making a significant stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in their natural habitat. Established to protect the last remaining rhinos from poaching and extinction, this sanctuary plays a crucial role in breeding rhinos to eventually reintroduce them into the wild. The sanctuary is secured by an electric fence and 24-hour security to ensure the safety of the rhinos. Upon arrival, you will receive a briefing from the chief ranger who will guide you through the sanctuary. The sanctuary is not just about rhinos; it also hosts a variety of birds, kobs, waterbucks, leopards, and duikers. During the one-hour visit with the rhinos, you’ll learn about their behavior, conservation efforts, and the challenges faced in protecting these majestic animals. Remember to follow the rangers’ instructions closely, as rhinos can become aggressive if they feel threatened.
After an insightful and exhilarating experience at the sanctuary, you’ll have lunch before continuing your journey to Murchison Falls National Park. This vast park covers 3,840 square kilometers and boasts an incredible biodiversity. It is a blend of savanna grassland, riparian forests, swamps, and woodlands. Home to a plethora of wildlife including lions, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, chimpanzees, and various smaller primates, Murchison Falls National Park is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. The park is also a prime location for birdwatching, with species such as the blue-throated roller, forest robin, Ituri batis, shoebill stork, and the Uganda woodland warbler.
Upon reaching the park, you’ll head straight to the top of the Murchison Falls. Here, the Nile River, one of the longest rivers in the world, forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacular waterfall. The view of the Nile surging through the gorge is truly breathtaking.
In the evening, you’ll head to your accommodation for dinner and rest. Options include Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Moderate), and Red Chilli Rest Camp (Basic).
Day 2: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise
Your second day begins with an early breakfast followed by a morning game drive. This is the perfect time to spot the early risers and nocturnal predators returning to their dens. Expect to see buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, lions, and a variety of antelopes. The game drive will provide numerous opportunities to witness the rich wildlife of Murchison Falls National Park in action.
After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation before embarking on an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile. This boat cruise is a highlight of the safari, taking you close to one of Africa’s largest concentrations of crocodiles and hippos. Birdwatchers will find the cruise particularly rewarding, with chances to see the shoebill stork, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and various other bird species.
Dinner and overnight stay will again be at Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Moderate), or Red Chilli Rest Camp (Basic).
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Visit the Crater Region
Day three begins with an early breakfast before embarking on a journey to Kibale National Park. This long drive is scenic, passing through the western arm of the East African Rift Valley, featuring stunning escarpments, lush banana plantations, diverse birdlife, and vibrant local villages. You’ll witness the rural life of Ugandan peasants and the unique Ankole cattle with their impressive long horns.
Lunch will be in Hoima, where you can enjoy a meal and take a break from the journey. After lunch, you’ll continue to Fort Portal, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Uganda, situated near the Rwenzori Mountains. The journey from Fort Portal to Kibale National Park is relatively short. Upon arrival at the park, named after Kibale Forest, known as the primate capital of Africa, you’ll check in at your lodge and refresh before heading out to explore the crater region. This area is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, including tea plantations, Lake Nyinambuga, and several smaller lakes.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Moderate and Basic) or Turaco Treetops (Luxury).
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking – Visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary
Your fourth day starts early with breakfast, followed by a drive to the park office for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Kibale Forest, once part of the vast Central African rainforests, is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees. Three clans are habituated for tourism, each with up to 100 individuals. Chimpanzees share about 98% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. They are highly intelligent but more mobile and less organized than gorillas. Chimpanzee tracking offers the chance to observe these fascinating primates as they feed, play, socialize, and move through the forest. The forest is also home to other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, bush babies, and pottos.
After spending time with the chimpanzees, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a haven for bird watchers and primate enthusiasts. The sanctuary hosts a variety of birds, including the green-breasted pitta and great blue turaco, as well as mammals like baboons, blue monkeys, bushbucks, otters, bush pigs, and mongooses.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Moderate and Basic) or Turaco Treetops (Luxury).
Day 5: Visit the Foot of Mount Rwenzori – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon Game Drive
Your fifth day in Uganda begins with an early morning wake-up and a hearty breakfast. The day’s adventure starts with a scenic drive to the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” the Rwenzoris are one of the most famous and picturesque mountain ranges in the world. As you walk along the slopes, you will enjoy stunning views of the distant snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys, and the unique flora and fauna of the region. This invigorating hike offers a perfect blend of physical activity and natural beauty, making it a memorable part of your safari.
After exploring the Rwenzori Mountains, you will continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited national park. The park is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including tree-climbing lions, chimpanzees, impalas, forest hogs, Uganda kobs, elephants, and cape buffaloes. Its unique landscape, shaped by volcanic activity, includes features like the Kyambura Gorge and numerous crater lakes, adding to its scenic beauty.
Upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will embark on an afternoon game drive. This drive offers the chance to see a variety of animals in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for lions lounging in the trees, herds of elephants grazing, and buffaloes roaming the plains. The game drive will also take you to the Baboon Cliff, where you can enjoy stunning views of the park and the majestic Rwenzori Mountains in the background.
In the evening, you will return to your chosen accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay. Options include Mweya Safari Lodge (upmarket), Park View Safari Lodge (moderate), and Bush Lodge (basic).
Day 6: Morning Game Drive at Kasenyi Sector – Afternoon Boat Cruise at the Kazinga Channel
Day six starts early with breakfast, followed by a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This sector is known for its large populations of lions, elephants, hyenas, and buffaloes. The early morning hours are ideal for spotting nocturnal animals returning to their dens and predators hunting for their first meal of the day. The game drive lasts about three hours, offering ample opportunities to witness the rich biodiversity of the park.
After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation before heading out for the afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward, is one of the best places in Africa for viewing wildlife. As you cruise along the channel, you will see large herds of buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles, as well as countless antelopes and a variety of bird species. The Kazinga Channel is particularly famous for its high concentration of hippos, providing an unforgettable wildlife experience.
Dinner and overnight stay will once again be at Mweya Safari Lodge (upmarket), Park View Safari Lodge (moderate), or Bush Lodge (basic).
Day 7: Visit Maramagambo Forest for Nature Walk – Game Drive through Ishasha
On the seventh day, after breakfast, you will visit Maramagambo Forest for a guided nature walk. Maramagambo is one of Uganda’s largest forests and is home to a variety of wildlife, including bats, chimpanzees, birds, and butterflies. During the walk, you will explore a large volcanic cave that houses thousands of bats, where pythons can often be seen feasting on them. There is a secret viewing platform that allows you to observe the bats and pythons safely. The nature walk also takes you to Lake Kimeranjo, which, according to local legend, once swallowed an elephant, and to a large crater lake in the area.
After exploring Maramagambo Forest, you will visit the Kyambura Gorge, a remarkable underground forest that is home to a community of chimpanzees. This chimpanzee community has been isolated for years due to deforestation, but efforts are underway to create a corridor connecting them to other forest communities.
In the afternoon, you will proceed to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which can often be seen resting in the branches of large fig trees. You will also have the opportunity to see elephants, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, primates, and a variety of bird species.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mweya Safari Lodge (upmarket), Park View Safari Lodge (moderate), or Bush Lodge (basic).
Day 8: Morning Game Drive through Ishasha Sector – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast on day eight, you will embark on a final game drive in the Ishasha Sector, giving you another chance to see the tree-climbing lions and other wildlife. The scenic beauty of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with its diverse landscapes and natural features, will make this drive an enjoyable experience.
Following the game drive, you will continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening. Depending on the time, you may take a leisurely walk around the lodge or ask your guide to show you around. Alternatively, you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you prepare for the exciting gorilla trekking adventure the next day.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (upmarket), Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge (moderate), or Rushaga Gorilla Camp (moderate and basic).
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Visit the Batwa People
Day nine is likely to be the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park offices for a briefing on gorilla trekking. The briefing will cover the rules and expectations for the trek, and you will be assigned a habituated gorilla group based on your fitness level. Walking sticks will be provided, and porters can be hired to carry heavy bags or equipment.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The trek through the dense forest can be challenging, but encountering the gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will spend one hour with the gorillas, observing their behavior and taking photos. The sight of the silverback and his family in their natural habitat is truly awe-inspiring.
After the trek, you will return to the park offices to receive your certificate of participation. You will then return to your lodge for lunch and refreshments. In the evening, you will visit the Batwa Pygmies, an indigenous community that has lived in the Bwindi Forest for centuries. The Batwa will share their traditional knowledge, culture, and way of life, providing a unique cultural experience.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (upmarket), Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge (moderate), or Rushaga Gorilla Camp (moderate and basic).
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Guided Nature Walk/Walking Safari – Night Game Drive
On the tenth day, after breakfast, you will begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive will take you through southwestern Uganda, a region known for its stunning scenery and often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.” Along the way, you will make stops at key landmarks for photo opportunities and a visit to the Igongo Cultural Centre.
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, covering about 371 square kilometers. Despite its size, it is home to over 300 bird species and various animals, including zebras, buffaloes, warthogs, oribis, and kobs. The park is also the best place in Uganda to see leopards and zebras.
Upon arrival, you will go on a guided nature walk, offering a close-up view of the park’s wildlife and beautiful landscapes. In the evening, you will embark on a night game drive to see nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, and night birds.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mantana Tented Camp (upmarket), Rwaboko Rock (moderate), or Rwonyo Camp (basic).
Day 11: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise
Day eleven starts with breakfast and a morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. This park has the highest concentration of antelopes in Uganda, thanks to the absence of large predators. During the game drive, you will see kobs, zebras, warthogs, elands, waterbucks, oribis, klipspringers, impalas, and various types of antelopes. Birdwatchers will also enjoy spotting a variety of bird species.
After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and refreshments. In the afternoon, you will go on a boat ride on Lake Mburo. This boat ride offers close encounters with crocodiles, hippos, and several water birds. You may also see other park animals coming to the lake to drink.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at Mantana Tented Camp (upmarket), Rwaboko Rock (moderate), or Rwonyo Camp (basic).
Day 12: Final Game Drive – Equator Crossing – Transfer Back to Kampala
On the final day of your safari, you will wake up early for a final game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. After the game drive, you will begin your journey back to Kampala. Along the way, you will stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe along Masaka Road. The Equator crossing is a popular tourist spot where you can take photos and learn about the geographical significance of the Equator.
You will arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the late afternoon. The driver will drop you off at your desired location, marking the end of your incredible 12-day Uganda safari adventure.
