12 days Uganda safari starts in Kampala and ends in Kampala. It takes you to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park a home to more than half of the mountain gorillas remaining in the world, Murchison falls national park famous for the waterfalls and wildlife, animals in the park include lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, antelopes, giraffes, birds and much more. It will also take you to queen Elizabeth national park for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, game viewing, and lion tracking. Finally, to Kibale forest national park for chimpanzee trekking and lake Mburo national park for night game drive experience and boat ride

12 Days Uganda Safari highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park

Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale forest national park

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi wetland visit.

Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth national park

Day 6: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Day 7: Maramagambo forest nature walk and afternoon game drive

Day 8: Depart for Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Day 9: Gorilla trekking – Bwindi

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park- Walking Safari & Night game drive

Day 11: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Day 12: Return to Kampala

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls national park

Our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning after breakfast to start your 12 Days Uganda Safari with a drive through Nakasongola town with a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking. After tracking drive to Masindi where you will stop for lunch and proceed to Murchison falls national park. Upon arrival, you will hike to the top of the falls and this will give you beautiful views of the falls. You will watch waters being forced into a small gap 7 meters wide and flowing 43 meters down. After you will drive to your lodge, check, have dinner, and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Paraa safari lodge – luxury, Pakuba Safari Lodge – Mid-range, Hornbill Bush Lodge – budget

Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Have a morning breakfast at your lodge, meet your driver for a game drive to search for wildlife species among which include giraffes, bush pigs, waterbucks, buffaloes, leopards, lions, birds, and much more. The driver will take you back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch as you prepare for a boat cruise.

In the afternoon you will go for a boat cruise on the Nile which will allow you to get a closer view of water animals such as hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds like the colored kingfishers, shoebill stork, bee-eaters, grey throated and yellow-billed birds among others. 

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Paraa safari lodge – luxury, Pakuba Safari Lodge – Mid-range, Hornbill Bush Lodge – budget

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale forest national park

After early morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to Kibale forest national park via lake Albert escarpments which will give you stunning views of the beautiful lake. You will have a stopover for lunch in Masindi after which drive passed lake Nkusi joining along lake Kyoga. On your way, you will go through many traditional villages as you enjoy local people farming. You will also have clear views of the rolling hills, Rwenzori mountains, and plantations. 

On arrival at the park, you will proceed and check-in your booked lodge and thereafter proceed to visit the crater lakes region and the tea plantations around Fort Portal. After, return to the lodge have dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Crater safari lodge – luxury, Isunga Safari Lodge, mid-range, Rweteera Safari Park budget.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi wetland visit.

This is the first primate encounter experience on your 12 Days Uganda Safari! Wake up so early take your morning breakfast, drive to Kanyanchu headquarters for chimpanzee trekking briefing. During this briefing, you will be taught about the dos and don’ts of chimpanzee trekking in the Kibale forest. A ranger guide will lead you into the forest to look for these primates and as you search them you will meet other animals such as black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, l’hoest’s monkeys, pottos, grey checked mangabeys, and different bird species. immediately after meeting these chimpanzees, you will be allowed to be in their presence for one hour giving you a chance to observe them play, feed, hunt, jump from one tree to another as you take photos and record moments.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Crater safari lodge – luxury, Isunga Safari Lodge, mid-range, Rweteera Safari Park budget.

Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth national park

Have breakfast early in the morning, check out of the lodge and meet your driver for a transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park one of the most visited national parks in Uganda. Along the way to the park, you will have sights of Rwenzori mountain ranges, beautiful landscape, and homesteads. On arrival at the park, proceed to your booked lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing. The park is home to a variety of wildlife species among which include impalas, buffaloes, lions, kobs, giant forest hogs, and different bird species.  

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge – luxury, Buffalo Safari Lodge – Mid-range, Pumba Cottages – budget

Day 6: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast, meet your driver for a game drive in the park where you will see animals such as elephants, warthogs, buffaloes, lions, elands, giraffes among others. Later return to the lodge, relax and have lunch. in the afternoon set out for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel a body that connects lake Edward to George where you will see several animals such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, as well as water birds.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge – luxury, Buffalo Safari Lodge – Mid-range, Pumba Cottages – budget

Day 7: Maramagambo forest nature walk and afternoon game drive

Wake up in the morning for a relaxed breakfast after which proceed for a walk through the Maramagambo forest which is one of the largest forests in Uganda. The forest is home to several primates such as chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and different bird species as well as two nocturnal primates the bush babies and the pottos. This nature walk will take you to volcanic caves which act as a home to several bird species. it will also expose you to blue lake Kimeranjo which was named after swallowing an elephant. Lastly, it will take you to the crater lake and Kyambura gorge where chimpanzee trekking takes place. Walk back to the lodge and have lunch.

After enjoying lunch, you will head out for a game drive through the Ishasha sector where you will have an opportunity to see tree climbing lions and several park animals such as monkeys, kobs, elephants, buffaloes as well as birds.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge – luxury, Buffalo Safari Lodge – Mid-range, Pumba Cottages – budget

Day 8: Depart for Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

After morning breakfast, check out of your lodge and meet your driver for a transfer to Bwindi forest a home to mountain gorillas covering an area of 33sq. km. you will check out of the park via the Ishasha sector for a chance to see tree-climbing lions, also enjoy several spectacular landscapes on your way. Arrive in the park, check in your lodge, and have lunch. in the afternoon you can go for a guided nature walk, later dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge – luxury, Bakiga Lodge – Mid-range, Ride 4 a woman – budget

Day 9: Gorilla trekking – Bwindi

Today is the main highlight of your 12 Days Uganda Safari! Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast and get your packed lunch ready with you thereafter meet your driver for a drive to the park headquarters. At this place, you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking in their natural habitat. You will later be led by a ranger guide into the mist forest to search for these giant gorillas and along the way, you will meet some of the park’s animals among which include elephants, monkeys, buffaloes, and different bird species. when you meet the gorillas, you will be permitted one hour around them getting to know their behaviors, watching them do daily activities, taking photos, and recording moments. Trek back to the starting point get your gorilla trekking certificate, meet your driver and drive to the lodge. In the evening you can opt for a guided nature walk or a community visit to Batwa.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge – luxury, Bakiga Lodge – Mid-range, Ride 4 a woman – budget

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park- Walking Safari & Night game drive

After morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and meet your driver for a transfer to Lake Mburo national park which is one of Uganda’s smallest savannah national parks. It was gazetted as a national park in 1983 with a total area of 371 sq. km and a home to over 332 bird species, 63 mammals, and 14 lakes. Upon arrival at the park, you will check-in at your booked lodge, have lunch and in the afternoon, you will go for a guided nature walk around the park and lake start your amazing night drive in search for leopards and other nocturnal animals. On a luck day, you may find them hunting and catching their prey. Dinner and overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge – luxury, Rwakobo Rock – mid-range, Mpogo Safari Lodge budget

Day 11: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise

After morning breakfast at your lodge, meet your driver and set out for a game drive through the park where you will see several animals like the zebras, impalas, kobs, antelopes, hippos, and different bird species. after head back to the lodge, relax, and have lunch. in the afternoon meet your driver for a transfer to lake Mburo for an unforgettable experience on a boat cruise around the lake. While on a boat cruise a lot of animals will be seen such as crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, buffaloes, zebras as well as water birds. later drive back to the lodge. Dinner and an overnight stay.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge – luxury, Rwakobo Rock – mid-range, Mpogo Safari Lodge budget

Day 12: Return to Kampala 

After morning breakfast, check out of the lodge and have the last game drive through the park as you embark on your journey back to Kampala city. You will have a stopover in Masaka for lunch, at the equator for photos and souvenirs. Later arrive in Kampala in the evening get dropped off at your hotel or Entebbe international airport to end your 12 Days Uganda Safari

Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch