12 days Uganda wildlife safari is a long safari crafted uniquely to allow you explore Uganda’s diverse wildlife in different National Parks. The safari includes top destinations in Uganda including Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park that are most popular for the big game safaris, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking, Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking, Lake Mburo National Park which is popular for its huge profusion of zebras and also hosts the rothschild giraffes. Your 12 days Uganda wildlife safari begins and ends in Kampala or Entebbe.
Detailed Itinerary
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park after breakfast in your hotel facility in Kampala. 6-7 hours will be spent on Kampala-Gulu highway with a stopover to be made at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking, after, enjoy lunch at Masindi then proceed to Murchison Falls N/P.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp/Camping/Heritage Safari Lodge
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
After breakfast, drive in your 4WD vehicle along the Northern sector to enjoy a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. This takes 2-4 hours and lets you see variety of wildlife including the rothschild giraffes, cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, antelopes, birds and for lucky ones, sight leopards in their hideouts then retreat for lunch at the lodge.
After relaxation, you will be part of exciting afternoon boat cruise on the Nile as you head towards the bottom of the falls. Expect to sight diversity of waterbirds, hippos, crocodiles along the River banks and today, you may proceed to the top of the falls on 45 minutes walk.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp/Camping/Heritage Safari Lodge
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Leave Murchison Falls for Kibale National Park a home to all 13 primate species, 1500 chimpanzees and this will be after breakfast. Drive through Hoima about 7-8 hours to Kibale with lunch be had at the hotel in Fort Portal city.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Isunga Lodge
Midrange: Chimp Nest/Chimpanzee Guesthouse
Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge
Participate in chimpanzee tracking starting at 8:00am after breakfast at the lodge and briefing at Kanyanchu Tourist Center. Lasting for 2-4 hours, your chimpanzee trek lets you enjoy a close encounter with eastern chimpanzees for 1 hr while in the wild. Variety of other primates won’t be missed too plus birds, flora, butterflies etc then retreat from the jungle to have lunch and relaxation.
Later, you will be visiting Bigodi Wetland for a guided walk to enjoy view of more primates, birds, flora and others. Walk back, board your vehicle and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Isunga Lodge
Midrange: Chimp Nest/Chimpanzee Guesthouse
Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda’s only destination where tree climbing lions thrive. This will be 3-4 hrs journey, navigating via Fort Portal City and have lunch, relaxation at the comfort of your lodge.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Mweya Hostels/Bush Lodge Bandas/Tents
Midrange: Twin Lakes Lodge/Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mazike Valley Lodge/Mweya/Katara Lodge
Wake up early for breakfast, after, engage in a game drive in the morning via Kasenyi sector an area rich with bush elephants, cape buffaloes, birds, lions, antelopes, leopards etc. Retreat from you 2-4 hours’ game drive, settle for a leisurely lunch and later, go for a boat cruise on Kazinga channel to see hippos, crocodiles, water birds etc.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Mweya Hostels/Bush Lodge Bandas/Tents
Midrange: Twin Lakes Lodge/Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mazike Valley Lodge/Mweya/Katara Lodge
After breakfast, go enjoy the Maramagambo Forest walk to explore variety of forest birds, bats, primates, butterflies, pythons as they prey on bats etc. Later, proceed to enjoy lunch and after, a game drive be enjoyed along the Ishasha sector. At Ishasha sector, you will be viewing the tree-climbing lions, plus hundreds of other mammals, birds etc.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Mweya Hostels/Bush Lodge Bandas/Tents
Midrange: Twin Lakes Lodge/Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mazike Valley Lodge/Mweya/Katara Lodge
Depart Queen Elizabeth National Park for Bwindi after breakfast. Drive via Ishasha sector once again to look out for more tree climbing lions then continue to Bwindi National Park where you will participate in gorilla trekking the next day.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Trekker’s Tavern/Buhoma Community Camp
Midrange: Silverback Lodge/Engagi Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge/Mahogany Springs/Buhoma Lodge
Day 9 of 12 days Uganda wildlife safari will begin with an early morning breakfast and after, a briefing on gorilla trekking rules at Bwindi Park offices/trail-heads. You will have a gorilla family to track starting at 8:00 am and expect to take 2-6 hours which includes one hour with gorillas then you walk back. The addition of a community walk in the Batwa community will be enjoyed in the evening if time permits.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Trekker’s Tavern/Buhoma Community Camp
Midrange: Silverback Lodge/Engagi Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge/Mahogany Springs/Buhoma Lodge
Enjoy an early morning breakfast and after, drive to Lake Mburo National Park for about 6-7 hours. Lake Mburo NP is 371sq. km and protects a variety of animals including antelopes, birds, zebras, buffaloes, and warthogs. Relax at the comfort of your safari lodge and you may undertake a guided nature walk along the park in the evening.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Rwonyo Camp
Midrange: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/Rwakobo Rock
Luxury: Mantana Tented Camp or Mihingo
Enjoy breakfast in the morning and after, embark on an exciting game drive along the savannas of Lake Mburo National Park. The possible animal species include zebras, impalas, buffaloes, lions, birds, giraffes, Kobs, elands and others. Get back for lunch and then set off for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, expecting to view crocodiles, hippos and hundreds of water birds.
Accommodation choices
Budget: Rwonyo Camp
Midrange: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge/Rwakobo Rock
Luxury: Mantana Tented Camp or Mihingo
Leave Lake Mburo National Park after breakfast and an early morning game drive. Drive via the park to Kampala, make a stopover at the Equator where you will experiment, take pictures then proceed to Kampala or Entebbe.