12 days Uganda safari
Explore the best destinations of Uganda in the 12 days Uganda safari. The trip will start and end in Kampala/Entebbe and the places to visit include Jinja for water rafting experience, Murchison falls national park, Kibale forest national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and finally the home of the world’s highest population of the endangered mountain gorillas – Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Highlights of the safari
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Jinja
Day 2: White water rafting experience
Day 3: Drive to Murchison falls national park
Day 4: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and Visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 9: Full day game drive in Ishasha
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Day 11: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience
Day 12: Drive back to Entebbe
12 days Uganda safari detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer from Kampala to Jinja
On the first day of the 12 days trip, you will be picked up from the airport or hotel by your safari guide/driver and embark on your journey to Jinja district. You will have several stopovers including at the Equator for photography, Mabira forest for a forest nature walk and others depending on your departure time. You will have your dinner and overnight at any hotel of your choice in Jinja
Day 2: Morning water rafting on the Nile
In the morning after breakfast, you will prepare for a thrilling adventure on River Nile. Before the experience, you will get a pre-safety training from the rafting guides. After, you will proceed with a full day white water rafting on the Nile.
Day 3: Drive to Murchison falls national park
In the morning after breakfast, you will set off to Murchison falls national park the home of the world’s most powerful waterfalls in Masindi district. The park stands as the largest national park in Uganda and it is known for hosting the 4 of the 5 big African animals- Lions, leopards, elephants and African buffaloes. During the drive, you will sight amazing features like tea and banana plantations, lakes, traditional features and others. You will also have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for black and white rhino tracking and after proceed to the national park. Arrive and check in at the lodge of booking in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight
Day 4: Game drive, boat cruise and hiking the top of the falls
Wake up very early for the beautiful sunrise in the wild with your packed breakfast and also look for the early hunters – lions, leopards and hyenas as they are returning to their habitats. You will spot other animals including zebras, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, Uganda kobs, topis, giraffes and many others. From here, you will return to the lodge for refreshment and lunch as you wait for the afternoon boat cruise.
The boat trip in Murchison falls national park takes place on Victoria Nile and it is the best way of spotting various animals like Nile crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, and variety of water birds along the shores. From the two hours boat trip, you will hike to the top of the falls where you will view an 8meter gap where water squeezes itself before forming the powerful waterfalls.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale forest national park
Have early breakfast and embark on a long journey drive to Kibale national park for chimpanzee trekking experience. Arrive at the park in late evening and check in at the lodge of your choice for dinner and overnight
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland visit
In the morning after breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters with your packed lunch and water for briefing about the rules and regulations of the experience. You will be allocated to the chimpanzee family to track by the help of the range guide. On seeing the chimpanzees, you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them while taking their pictures and videos.
After the tracking, you will refresh at the lodge and then go for a nature walk at Bigodi wetland sanctuary. The wetland is known for hosting several primate species and a number of birdlife. After, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Wake up for your breakfast and prepare for a transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park the second largest national park in Uganda after Murchison falls. The park is known for hosting the four of the 5 big African animals with an include of the rare tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector. The park not only habitat the mammal species but also several primates like chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge. The drive to Queen Elizabeth national park will expose you to several beautiful features while on the way including the tea and banana plantations, crater lakes and the amazing views of the Rwenzori ranges. Arrive at the lodge in the afternoon for lunch and later proceed with an afternoon game drive in Kasenyi. The game drive will expose you to a number of animals like leopards, elephants, zebras, warthogs, topis, Uganda kobs and others.
Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise
Wake up early for a beautiful sunrise in the wild and proceed with an early morning game drive with your packed breakfast so as to spot the early hunters like lions, leopards, hyenas and others. You will also watch other animals like waterbucks, bush bucks, elephants, buffalos and others. After the game drive, you will drive back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go for an interesting boat cruise at Kazinga channel where Lake Edward and George connects. The experience will expose you to several wildlife species such as water animals like crocodiles, hippos, buffalos plus large population of elephants around the waterbody. The ride on the calm waters will also enable you to see an array of birds along the shores. After the boat cruise, you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Day 9: Full day game drive in Ishasha sector
After the early morning breakfast, you will drive to Ishasha sector with your packed lunch for a full day game drive. The sector is known for hosting the rare tree climbing lions and many others like elephants, leopards, zebras, buffalos, hyenas and many others. From there, you will proceed to the lodge of your booking in Ishasha for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
From Ishasha, you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable national park after breakfast for gorilla trekking experience. The drive will expose you to several amazing features on the way and upon the arrival in the late afternoon, you will check in at the lodge of your booking for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Gorilla trekking experience and Batwa cultural experience
After breakfast that early morning, move to the headquarters of the park for briefing with your packed lunch. After, enter the forest for gorilla trekking guided by the Park rangers. You are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorillas though trekking as a whole might take 2 to 8 hours.
Later in the evening take a walk in the Batwa community for some cultural encounters from the Batwa people like the traditional dances among others.
Day 12: Drive back to Entebbe for departure
Wake up for breakfast and check out of the hotel for the long journey back Entebbe for your departure flight.