12 Days Explore Uganda Safari

Safari Overview

This 12 safari takes you to Murchison Falls, the Kibale forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi National Park and Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. In addition you will explore the Kasenda Crater Lake area and marvel at the beautiful scenery surrounding Lake Bunyonyi found in Kabale. Among the activities you will enjoy will be game drives, chimpanzee trekking, gorilla tracking and bird watching.

Safari Highlights:

• Rhino tracking
• Game Viewing
• Boat cruises
• Crater Experiences
• Bigodi Walk
• Gorilla trekking
• Batwa Visit
• Canoe at Lake Bunyonyi
• Game Walk

Safari Outline:

Day 1- Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Transfer to the Hotel

Day 2 – Travel to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 3 – Game Viewing and boat cruise on the Nile

Day 4 – Travel to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal in the shadow of the Mountains of the Moon

Day 5 – Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Walk in Kibale National Park

Day 6 –Travel to Queen Elizabeth and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

Day 7 – Game Viewing and Crater Experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 8 – Game drive searching for tree climbing lions of Ishasha and Travel to Bwindi National Park

Day 9 –Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Visit

Day 10 –Travel to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 11 –Travel to Lake Mburo National Park and Game Viewing

Day 12- Walking Safari and transfer to Kampala/ Entebbe

Day 1- Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Transfer to the Hotel

On arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be received by our delegate who will transfer you to your place of accommodation in the capital in Kampala.

Accommodations: Acactus Hotel/ Namirembe Guest house

Day 2 – Travel to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Following an early breakfast, you will drive from Kampala towards the northwest, visit the impressive Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to track rhinos and have lunch along the way. From there you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park, taking a short stop at the top of the falls, to the great Nile make its way through a small 7 meter gorge and thunderous drop to more than 43 meters below.  Dine and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodations: Fort Murchison in tents/ Murchison River Lodge in tents / Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 3 – Game Viewing and boat cruise on the Nile

In the morning you will have a game drive along the Northern banks of the river and with the help of your guide you will see various animals. After, you will return for a late breakfast at the lodge, rest and lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a boat ride to the bottom of the falls and you will see several animals such as hippos, giant crocodiles and birds, and not so far away Uganda kobs, elephants and waterbucks. There will be an optional 1 hour hike to the top of the falls where you will find your driver who will drive you back to the lodge.  Dine and slumber at the lodge.

Accommodations: Fort Murchison in tents/ Murchison River Lodge in tents / Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 4 – Travel to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal in the shadow of the Mountains of the Moon

On this day, you will depart from Murchison Falls NP and head southwest driving through the impressive Albertine Escarpment of the Western Rift Valley; have Lunch en route. Go through Hoima to the beautiful Fort Portal town which is Tooro kingdom’s capital, located in the shadow of Mountain Rwenzori. Dine and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodations: Kibale forest camp tents/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Day 5 – Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Walk in Kibale National Park

Today you will actually spend most of your morning tracking chimpanzees in the forest. These primates are quite mobile and seeing them is not guaranteed however the 4 – 5 hours forest walk will be very rewarding with views of other primates and birds like the hoestes, grey cheeked mangabeys, Red-colobuses, Red-tailed monkeys and the Blue tailed monkeys plus butterflies. Your guide will detail you about the impressive flora and fauna found in this verdant forest.  After lunch, you will visit the Kasenda Crater Lake area or take the Bigodi community initiative swamp walk. Dine and slumber at your lodge.

Accommodations: Kibale forest camp tents/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Day 6 –Travel to Queen Elizabeth and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

After breakfast you will leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will reward you with great views of the Rwenzori Mountain Range as well as game viewing. You will have lunch at your Lodge, located on the peak of the Mweya peninsula. In the afternoon you will have a boat cruise on the famed Kazinga Channel for 2 hours and this will take you past very high populations of hippos, plus other several animals’ drinking water. This boat cruise offers you a great chance for photography, game viewing as well as bird watching. The abundant bird life is multicolored and amazing with more than 550 species. Dine and sleep at your lodge.

Accommodations: Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents  

Day 7 – Game Viewing and Crater Experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The day will begin with a game drive in the morning along the Kasenyi plus Queens Mile to see elephants, mangoose, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, lions, spotted hyenas, waterbucks and warthogs, plus various bird species. This drive will take you up to Lake George and later return for lunch at your lodge. After lunch you will go and explore the Crater Lakes region and later dine and slumber at your lodge.

Accommodations: Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Bush Lodge in tents  

Day 8 – Game drive searching for tree climbing lions of Ishasha and Travel to Bwindi National Park

You will set out with a packed lunch and drive to Bwindi through the Ishasha area of the Park looking for the tree climbing lions which can only be seen in this part of Uganda. Fortunately the terrain is open savannah scattered with acacia and fig trees. You will enjoy your picnic lunch and later continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will dine and slumber.

Accommodations: Travellers Rest Hotel/Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 9 –Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Visit

After breakfast in the early morning, you will head to the park headquarters where you will be briefed before going gorilla tracking. The rainforest is thick and it’s crisscrossed by several animal trails. The joy of finally meeting the gorillas and even spending an hour with them will certainly be very memorable an experience. Generally Gorillas are huge peaceful yet shy animals however you will have a chance to take photographs and observe them play, feed and care for their young. You will later return and dine at your lodge.

Accommodations: Travellers Rest Hotel/Gorilla Friends Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 10 –Travel to Lake Bunyonyi

 In the morning after your breakfast, drive to Kabale through the beautiful terraced verdant hills. This place is known as the “Switzerland of Africa”. You will have a stop for lunch as you enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Bunyonyi. After lunch you will take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi to the numerous islands to sight see as well as view the various bird species. Dine and sleep at your lodge (Full Board)

Accommodations: Hawk’s Eye Lodge/Bunyonyi Overland Tents/Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort/Paradise Eco Hub

Day 11 –Travel to Lake Mburo National Park and Game Viewing

In the morning after a breakfast, you will head to Lake Mburo National Park which is the smallest of Uganda’s national parks, and there you will have a game drive to see elands, topi, impalas, oribi, zebras and cape buffalos; plus a boat ride on the lake. This park is a very stunning birding paradise with 250 bird species such as Carruther’s cisticolas, Papyrus gonoleks and Brown-faced lapwings. Dine and slumber at your lodge.

Accommodations: Eagles Nest Camp

Day 12- Walking Safari and transfer to Kampala/ Entebbe

Early breakfast before embarking on our return to Kampala, You will have a short drive to the Rwonyo park headquarters. This has often been a good chance of seeing hyenas coming back to the water you will see buffalo zebra, impala and topi and with a bit of luck may be even asitatunga, an antelope rarely seen living in the papyrus swamps. Later, in the mid-morning you will transfer back in Kampala reaching in the evening.

Requirements for this Safari:

• A Visa – you can apply for the visa online or very easily get one at the point of entry into the country (airport)
• Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking permits – You can apply and secure these on linebut experience has shown that it is better coordinated when you send money to the tour firm to handle it for you at no extra cost to the standard fee
• Travel &Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
• Physical fitness

Included in the price:

• Airport transfer to/from
• Ground transport
• Gorilla Permit
• Rhinos
• English speaking driver/guide
• Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as described in the itinerary
• Bottled mineral water in the vehicle
• Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
• Activities mentioned in the program
• Permit for chimps trekking

Price Exclusions:    

• International flights
• Visa
• Any optional activities
• Meals and drinks not mentioned above
• Items of personal nature
• Tips