This 12-day safari is the most complete Uganda wildlife experience available covering six national parks, two primate encounters, a rhino sanctuary, a Batwa cultural village, a Kampala city tour, and Lake Mburo game drives, all in one seamless journey. Beginning with a rest day in Entebbe to recover from jet lag, you head north to Murchison Falls for the Big Five, the world's most powerful waterfall, and a Nile boat cruise. Heading south you stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to complete the Big Five, then explore Kibale Forest for chimpanzees and Bigodi Wetlands for birding. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a full day of game drives and the Kazinga Channel cruise. The Ishasha Sector's tree-climbing lions escort you towards Bwindi, where a Batwa cultural evening precedes the centrepiece gorilla trek. The return journey passes through Lake Mburo famous for zebras and impalas before a final Kampala city day and departure.
12 Days Best of Uganda Safari with Gorillas
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Overview
Tour plan
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Description
Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Murchison Falls — world's most powerful
- Kazinga Channel launch cruise
- Lake Mburo game drive — zebras & impalas
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
- Victoria Nile boat cruise
- Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
- Bigodi Wetlands community walk
- White rhino trekking at Ziwa Sanctuary
- Big Five game drives — Murchison & QENP
- Batwa pygmy cultural village experience
- Kampala city tour
Tour Plan
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Arrival in Entebbe
Welcomed at Entebbe International Airport by your driver guide, just 20 minutes to the hotel. Transfer, check in, enjoy dinner, and recover from jet lag. Tomorrow's adventure begins in earnest.
Rest and acclimatisation day — Entebbe
A full free day in Entebbe to rest, explore at your own pace, or optionally visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the shores of Lake Victoria. Use this day to prepare your gear and mentally gear up for the safari ahead.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary + transfer to Murchison Falls
Early departure north with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola, Uganda's only place to see white rhinos on foot, completing the African Big Five. Trek the sanctuary on foot with a ranger, have lunch there, then continue to Murchison Falls. Evening game drive on arrival, lions, hyenas, and leopards are the targets at dusk.
Murchison Falls game drive + Nile boat cruise + falls hike
Morning Northern bank game drive: lions, giraffes, oribis, elephants, Jackson's hartebeests, Uganda kobs, and buffaloes. After lunch, board a boat on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and waterbucks crowd the river banks. End the day with a hike to the top of the falls for a panoramic view of the Nile squeezing through a 7-metre gorge in a thundering cascade.
Transfer to Kibale Forest — primate capital of East Africa
After breakfast, drive south to Kibale Forest National Park (5–6 hours) — home to chimpanzees, baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and 13 primate species in total. Lunch en route. On arrival, check in and relax, then take an afternoon walk in the Bigodi Wetlands on the eastern edge of the forest, abundant bird life and monkey species at every turn.
Chimpanzee trekking + Bigodi community walk
Trek deep into Kibale's tropical forest with a guide, crossing streams and navigating dense canopy to locate habituated chimpanzee groups. Watch them play, feed, and groom. You may also spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, butterflies, and canopy birds. Afternoon: Bigodi Village wetland walk, proceeds directly fund local schools and community micro loans.
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP via crater lakes + Rwenzori views
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (2–3 hours) via the scenic crater lakes region dozens of deep blue volcanic lakes set into lush hillsides and with views of the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges (Mountains of the Moon). Arrive at the park for a short game drive on the Kasenyi plains en route to the lodge for lunch and dinner.
Full day Queen Elizabeth — game drive + Kazinga Channel cruise
Full morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth Park: buffaloes, elephants, lions, giant forest hogs, bush bucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, waterbucks, and the rare shoebill stork. Afternoon: 2-hour launch cruise along the 32km Kazinga Channel one of the highest hippo concentrations in the world, alongside Nile crocodiles, African elephants, antelopes, and a spectacular array of waterbirds. Optional afternoon community walk available.
Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha + Batwa cultural walk at Bwindi
Drive through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth NP famous as one of only two places on earth where lions climb trees, resting in fig branches to escape insects and survey the savannah. Lunch in Ishasha, then continue to Bwindi through a dramatic landscape shift from flat savanna to jungle-covered mountains. Evening cultural visit to the Batwa pygmies Uganda's indigenous forest people, enjoy their traditional dances and learn about their ancient way of life.
Mountain gorilla trekking + transfer to Lake Mburo
Early breakfast then briefing at Bwindi park HQ gorilla family allocation, etiquette rules, and tracker introduction. Trek through rainforest and bamboo slopes for 1 to 6 hours (packed lunch) with a UWA ranger. One precious hour with the gorilla family including the magnificent silverback. However tough the terrain, the moment you meet their gaze makes every step worthwhile. Afternoon transfer to Lake Mburo National Park (3–4 hours).
Lake Mburo game drive + return to Entebbe via equator
Morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park Uganda's only park with zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, Cape buffaloes, and over 350 tropical bird species. Then check out and head to Kampala town via the equator line for a fun photographic stopover and lunch. Arrive at Via Via Entebbe hotel in the late afternoon to rest before the final day.
Kampala city tour + departure
A final day exploring Uganda's vibrant capital, Kampala markets, cultural sites, and city highlights with your guide. Then transfer to Entebbe International Airport 2 hours before your departure flight, carrying memories of the Pearl of Africa.
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