12 Days in the Wild

A safari in Uganda offers travelers the opportunity to discover a land of pristine natural beauty. Described as “the Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, Uganda offers some of Africa’s finest geographical and natural beauty, making it a tourist haven.

Home to the greatest concentration of primates on the planet (including half the world’s mountain gorilla population), the source of the mighty River Nile and magnificent all year snow-capped peaks on Rwenzori Mountain, Uganda is an adventure enthusiasts’ paradise. Bird-watchers and big 5 animal lovers alike agree, this country is a true African gem waiting to be discoved
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Here are our top picks of safaris through Uganda, that cover the very best that this amazing country has to offer. All completely customisable to your needs of course!

12 Days Wildlife Safari exploration around Uganda

YOUR 12 DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival Entebbe Airport, pick up and transfer to the accommodation.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, the travel expert ug assigned English-speaking professional driver-guide will receive and welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will be transferred to the booked accommodation (Kampala or around Entebbe town)

Day 2: Drive to Jinja (early) and enjoy full day rafting on the Nile and later relax.
Be up early and at about 6 or 6:30am, you will hit the road to Jinja where you will enjoy a full day white water rafting on the Nile. What better way to start your safari than to experience this most exciting, exhilarating, mind-blowing adventure on the Nile firsthand! Get wet, get wild, get rafting. In fact, no experience is required to undertake this unforgettable adventure on the Nile. Thereafter, proceed to the booked accommodation.

Accommodation: Nile Porch (Budget/Low-cost) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 2-3 hours.

Day 3: Transfer to Murchison National Park. If time allows, proceed for some game drive.
After breakfast, the assigned driver-guide will pick you and hit the road to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. There will be a stop for lunch en route. Continue to the park and check in to your accommodation to relax for the Evening. Optional: If interested and time allows, you can proceed for a late afternoon-evening game drive.

Accommodation: Fort Murchison-Moderate | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 6-7 hours.

Day 4: Sunrise game drive, afternoon boat trip plus top of the falls walk.
Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. Optional (extra cost): Hot-air balloon safari at ($380 pp) in place of game drive.

After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. Continue with a hike (approx. 45 minutes) to the top of the falls. The hike may be a bit strenuous but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Miss it only if you must. Return to your accommodation and have a relaxed evening.

Accommodation: Fort Murchison (Moderate) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Exit Murchison and transfer to Kibale NP. Visit crater lakes if time permits.
After breakfast at your accommodation, depart right away for Kibale Forest National Park – popular for its primates like the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae). The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic – passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations that characterize this part of Uganda. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check in and relax. Optional (at extra cost): If interested and time allows, you may go for; crater lakes excursion, Bigodi swamp walk, or visit The Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves for some cultural/historical insights.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Lower Mid-range) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Drive Time: Approx. 7 hours.

Day 6: Chimp tracking Kibale Forest, lunch and transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.
Have breakfast and head to the rangers’ post where you will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will take you chimp tracking (Kibale Forest) and you will be left amazed by the presence of primates here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence. You will return to the lodge for lunch and thereafter you will head out for Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive in the late afternoon and check into the booked accommodation.

Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge (Budget/Low-cost) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: 2-3 hours.

Day 7: Morning game drive Kasenyi plains, afternoon boat along the Kazinga Channel.
Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.

After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. Optional (no cost): From the boat trip (if interested), you can proceed for a brief late afternoon-evening game drive before returning to the lodge.

Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge (Budget/Low-cost) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Exit Queen and transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions.
Have breakfast then set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular!

Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population) including several habituated groups, which you will trek. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Low-cost) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: Approx. 5-6 hours.

Day 9: Gorilla trekking Bwindi, drive to Mbarara City and overnight at the booked hotel.
Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, check out and embark on a transfer to Mbarara City.

Accommodation: Nyore Hillside Retreat (Budget/Low-cost) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: Approx. 4 hours.

Day 10: Drive to Bukakata Landing site, board a ferry to Ssese Islands.
Enjoy your breakfast and thereafter, embark on a drive (about 3hrs) to Bukakata Landing Site, Masaka. From there, you will catch a ferry destined for Ssese Islands, Kalangala District. From the ferry, you will be driven to the booked accommodation and begin enjoying the beauty of Ssese Island. You may move out and stroll along the sandy beach of Lake Victoria and then return for dinner.

Accommodation: Brovad Sands Lodge (Moderate/Mid-range) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours.

Day 11: Full day at your disposal – chilling and enjoying the Ssese Island’s beauty.
This day is at your disposal. You may choose to just relax at the comfort of your accommodation or go out for some activities. If intending to move out, you may consider any of the following activities (offered by the lodge); fishing, swimming, boat ride, forest walk, quad biking among others depending on interest. Enjoy Ssese Island and Brovad Sands Lodge.

Accommodation: Brovad Sands Lodge (Moderate/Mid-range) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Catch a ferry (8am) to Nakiwogo – Entebbe, and connect to the Airport.
Be up early, have breakfast and move out to catch a ferry destined for Nakiwogo – Entebbe. The ferry arrives at Nakiwogo between 11:30am and 12 noon. From there you will connect to the Entebbe Int’l Airport to catch flight out. Optional (extra cost): Just in case you have a late flight and you would like to do some activity before going to the airport, then you may consider any of the following; tour to Entebbe Botanical Gardens (if interested in birds and primates), excursion to Mabamba swamp in search of shoebill stork, the Lake Victoria sunset boat cruise.