This 12-day safari in Uganda offers a complete road trip through the central and southern parts of the country. Uganda is found in East Africa and is known for primates, wildlife, lakes, forests, and a calm climate. This safari allows you to enjoy game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, swamp walks, canoeing, and cultural visits.
The journey starts and ends in Entebbe and is done by road with a professional driver guide. During this safari, you will visit Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi.
Detailed Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Kampala City Experience
Upon arrival in Entebbe, meet the company representative who will brief you about your 12-day safari in Uganda. Drive to Kampala, the capital city and main business center of the country.
Visit local markets to see daily life and buy small items if needed. Continue to the Uganda National Museum to learn about the country’s history and culture. Visit Gadhafi Mosque and independence monuments. Lunch will be served in the city. Later, drive to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, leave Kampala and drive north to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, passing towns, farms, and villages.
Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking. This is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen on foot. After the activity, continue to Masindi town for lunch. Proceed to the lodge inside or near the park for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Start the day with breakfast, then go for a morning game drive in the park. A ranger guide will help you spot animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and sometimes lions or leopards. You will also see many bird species.
Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and water birds. Watch the river pass through a narrow gorge before forming the falls. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out and drive to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda. The journey takes about 7 to 8 hours with a lunch stop along the way.
Arrive in the evening and check in at the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
Have an early breakfast, then drive to the park headquarters for a briefing before chimpanzee trekking. Rangers explain the rules and safety guidelines.
Enter the forest to track chimpanzees. The trek can last from one to five hours depending on their location. Other primates such as baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys may also be seen.
After lunch, visit Bigodi Swamp for a guided walk. This area supports the local community and is good for bird watching and seeing monkeys. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes about two to three hours and passes farms, crater areas, and villages.
Arrive at the lodge and have lunch. Later, relax or take part in optional activities such as a nature walk or bird watching. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in Kasenyi plains and nearby areas. Look out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, and birds.
Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise offers close views of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Sunrise Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up early for a sunrise game drive. This is a good time to see animals that are active in the early morning, including predators returning from hunting.
Return to the lodge for breakfast, then drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Pass through the Ishasha sector where tree-climbing lions may be seen resting in fig trees. Continue to the lodge near Bwindi. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Start early with breakfast or coffee, then drive to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. Rangers explain trekking rules and assign you to a gorilla family.
Enter the forest with guides and trackers. The trek can take between one and several hours depending on the gorilla location. When you find the gorillas, spend one hour watching them feed, rest, and interact.
After the trek, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and drive to Lake Bunyonyi. The journey takes about three to four hours through highland areas and local communities.
Arrive at the lodge near the lake, check in, and have lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lake. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, enjoy a guided canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi. Visit small islands and learn about their history, including the former punishment island.
The lake is calm and safe for canoeing. Bird watching and photography are common during the activity. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 12: Departure to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, check out and begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Pass through towns, farms, and countryside areas.
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or proceed to your next destination, marking the end of your 12-day safari in Uganda.
