This 12 days Uganda safari is one of the best safaris to consider when planning to visit Africa and particularly Uganda – the pearl of Africa. This safari will start from the airport in Entebbe and end in Entebbe as it takes you to Kampala which is also the capital city of Uganda where you will do a city tour that will enable you to explore attractions in the city such as the king’s palace and later transfer to Murchison falls national park with a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino trekking and then proceed to the park for a game drive and boat cruise.
From there, the tour will proceed to Kibale national park for chimpanzee trekking and hiking top of the world and continue to Queen Elizabeth national park for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel and a game drive after which drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park for the mighty gorilla trekking and a cultural experience of the Batwa. Drive to lake Mburo for a boat cruise and relax as you prepare for departure to Kampala having a stopover at the Equator in Kayabwe.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at the airport and city tour
Be prepared for a pick up by your driver guide at the airport as soon as you arrive who will give you a short briefing about the tour that will consist of the rules and regulations to follow while on the safari. After briefing, drive to Kampala for a city tour and visit the kabaka’s palace and his royals and then head to the oldest market in Nakasero where you will buy some souvenirs like crafts and much more. Drive to your booked hotel in Kampala for dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
On the morning of your second day of this safari, wake up early to catch up with time and be given your breakfast after which drive to Murchison falls national park having your stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhino trekking.
Meet your ranger guide for a briefing and then move to the starting point for Rhino trekking. The activity usually takes 2-3 hours and an additional one hour in their presence as you are taking photos and videos. Drive to your lodge for evening meals and night stays.
Day 3: Morning game drive and evening boat cruise
Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge and then drive heading to the park for a morning game drive an activity that will open you an opportunity to have a look at different Savanah animals such as African Elephants, olive baboons, buffalos, giraffes, Uganda kobs and many but to mention a few. Retreat back to your lodge for lunch.
In the evening of the same day, drive heading for another interesting activity which is a boat cruise which is usually done on the river Nile at Paraa which is the starting point for all cruises while in this area. The cruise usually takes 2-3 hours and visitors have a high chance of spotting both aquatic and terrestrial animals which live in the water like hippos, and crocodiles and those which don’t stay in the water like buffalos, giraffes and many more. Return to your lodging facility for dinner.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
On the fourth day of your safari, have breakfast well served at your lodge and head to Kibale national park – the primate capital of the world. On your way to this park, have a stopover in Hoima city where you will have lunch. Proceed with your journey and take a second stopover in fort portal from where you will drive and check in at your lodge for dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and hike to top of the world
This is the day you have been waiting for. Begin it with a well-served breakfast at your lodge and then drive to the park’s main offices for payment and briefing from the park officials. After the briefing drive to the starting point where you will meet your ranger guide well-armed who will later lead you to the forest for trekking.
The activity usually takes 2-7 hours but the time frame normally depends on the location of these animals. As soon as you reach them, an hour will be given to you in the presence of these giant apes. Return to your lodge for lunch
On the evening of this day, a guide from Isunga community will pick you up from your lodge and lead you to the top of the world for a hike. While on this walk, meet some of the crater lakes since the area lies under the Ndali Kasenda craters. After reaching the top of the world, you will have a chance of viewing three crater lakes all on the same line, a view of Kibale national park and tea plantations. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stays.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park and evening game drive
Enjoy your delicious breakfast at the lodge and then drive heading to Queen Elizabeth a journey that will take you 1-2 hours’ drive. Proceed with your drive and head for an evening game drive where there is a chance of spotting some animals such as Elephants, the rare lions and many Savanah animals grazing in the park.
Day 7: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga channel
Be given your morning meals and then after the drive head for a morning game drive which is usually done on Kasenyi plains or in the Ishasha sector where you have chances of viewing a number of wild animals such as buffalos, spotted hyenas, African elephants, leopards, Uganda kobs, lions and many more. Head back to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon of this day, drive heading for an evening boat cruise which usually takes 2-3 hours on the Kazinga channel which will give you a relaxing way to view wild game such as crocodiles, hippos, elephants, antelopes and some water birds like pelicans, kingfishers and many more. Return to your lodge for your dinner.
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park passing via Ishasha sector.
On the eighth day of your 12 days Uganda safari, have your breakfast and after the drive head to Bwindi Impenetrable national park the home of the endangered mountain gorillas passing through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will have chances of spotting the rare tree climbing lions and other incredible mammals.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience
This is quite another interesting day which you have been waiting for. Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge and then drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park headquarters where you will present travel documents and get a briefing. The briefing session will mainly focus on the way to behave while out trekking.
Immediately after briefing, your ranger guide will take you to the forest and start looking for these giant animals an activity that usually lasts for 1-8 hours depending on their movements made as they are looking for food.
Note that as soon as you land on these large primates, an additional hour will be given to you in their presence that will open you a chance to reach them close and take photos at a close range. Walk back to the starting point for a trekking certificate after which head to the lodge and relax.
In the evening, head to the community for a cultural experience with the Batwa who are also believed to have been forest inhabitants. A Twa guide will explain to you all the information about the political, social, economic and religious settings of this group. After drive back to your lodge and enjoy dinner.
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
On this 10th day of these 12 days of Uganda safari, enjoy a morning meal with a cup of coffee and then drive to another interesting place, Lake Mburo national park where you will have views of the park, animals and green vegetation cover. Check-in at your lodge for dinner and spend a night there for the best of your leisure.
