12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari

12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari takes you to the best tourist destinations in Uganda, where you will encounter breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, primates, and cultural experiences. It involves visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kibale National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. While at Bwindi, you will track the endangered mountain gorillas and visit the Batwa Pygmies, commonly known as the “forest custodians,” for a cultural tour. Uganda has half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas, with the majority found in Bwindi. You will also visit Murchison Falls National Park to witness the spectacular waterfalls and go for a boat cruise and game drives.

Day 1: Arrival—Transfer to your booked hotel

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet and greet our company representative and transfer to your booked hotel. Freshen up, and later meet our company guide to brief you about your 12-day best of Uganda wildlife, gorilla trekking, primate trekking, and cultural safari. Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel (mid-range)

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Full Day Kampala City Tour

Have breakfast, and later go for a Kampala City Tour to explore and learn more about the religious, cultural, and historical attractions of Uganda. Among the places to visit are Kabaka’s Palace, Kasubi Tombs, Gaddafi Mosque, Nakasero Market, and Old Taxi Park, among others. You will also have a taste of the local food “Rolex,” fresh fruits, and others. At the end of the day, you get a true taste of the city of Kampala!

Accommodation: Fairway Hotel & Spa Kampala (mid-range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Visit Ziwa Rhino-Drive to Murchison Falls National Park—Visit the top of the Murchison Falls—Night Game Drive

Rise up early in the morning to have breakfast (6:30 am), then check out of your hotel to start your adventurous road trip to Murchison Falls National Park with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to encounter white rhinos on their feet with the help of your site ranger guide and spend one hour with them.

Retire for lunch, and then proceed with your drive to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival at the park, before checking into your booked lodge, visit the top of the Murchison Falls to enjoy the spectacular views of the whole River Nile from Lake Victoria going through a tiny gorge of only 7 meters wide that makes it violent and causes a verbal burble of the falls as they drop into a 43-meter pool of water, which is so lovely and adventurous. Later, proceed to your booked lodge for dinner, and afterward head for a night game drive to encounter nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, porcupines, and civets. Experience the jungle nightlife before returning to your lodge for the night and conclude your day 3 of 12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-Range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4: Morning Game Drive Safari, Afternoon Boat Cruise Along the River Nile Delta—Evening Game Drive

Wake up early for a cup of coffee and head to the northern sector of the park with a packed breakfast for a superb game drive in search of several animals such as Cape buffalo, elephants, Uganda kobs, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson hartebeest, lions, oribis, common warthogs, and some primate species. A leopard may be spotted on a lucky day. Have a short break to enjoy your full breakfast, and later proceed with your game drive to fully explore the park and be able to spot several wildlife species.

Later, in the early afternoon, leave the jungle and go for lunch, and then drive to the Paraa gathering point for an afternoon boat cruise safari on the Victoria Nile. The boat cruise safari goes upstream from the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the Murchison Falls, stopping a few meters from the Devil’s Cauldron of the falls, which will give you an amazing view of the falls and show you how the River Nile drops into a pool. Expect to see several water mammals and birds like hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, and some birds like the Goliath heron, Egyptian Goose, Geese, African darters, hornbills, kingfishers, cormorants, bee-eaters, and pelicans, among others.

After the boat cruise, go for yet another exciting evening game drive. This safari is so adventurous and boasts more chances of meeting several mammals and birds of the park, such as lions, leopards, porcupines, civets, spotted hyenas, and grazing hippos, among others, and on a lucky day, you may see them in the act of hunting, which is one of the greatest jungle experiences. After, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-Range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5: Murchison Falls National Park—Drive to Kibale Forest National Park—Afternoon Bigodi Sanctuary Swamp and Community Tour

Your day 5 of 2-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari will start with a fantastic breakfast, check out of your lodge, and slowly drive through the park, across the Nile River, towards Kibale Forest National Park. Along the way to Kibale Forest National Park, you will enjoy the spectacular views of the tea estates, several forests, and the shadow of the legendary Rwenzori Mountain that forms a mystical backdrop to the beautiful volcanic landscape. Have a stopover in Fort Portal City for lunch, move around the city on foot, and later continue with your journey to check in at your booked lodge. Later, drive to Bigodi Swamp for nature walks and a community experience. The Bigodi Walk will take you through the nearby community to interact with the local people and learn how they live in harmony with wildlife species, as well as how they do their daily activities without using modern technology, such as making nice gins from bananas, delicious coffee, and arts and crafts. Return to your lodge after the walk for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (mid-range)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking Experience—Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park—Visit Katwe Salt Mining Community

After breakfast, meet your safari guide and transfer to the park information offices to join other guests for a briefing about the dos and don’ts to follow while looking for chimpanzees in the forest and how to behave around chimpanzees. Then embark on your guided forest walk to search for the intelligent chimpanzees, the closest living relatives sharing 98.8% of human DNA. During your forest walk, you may encounter several wildlife species, including mammals, primates, and bird species, among others.

Once you meet the chimpanzees, you will spend a full hour watching them play in the tree branches, feeding and taking care of their babies, and taking as many photos as you want. Retire for lunch and relax, and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park to check in at your booked lodge.

Accommodation: Bush Lodge (Banda), Buffalo Safari Lodge (Upper Mid-Range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 7: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, and spend the evening at leisure.

Wake up for breakfast and meet up with the driver guide to transfer to Kasenyi Plains for the morning game drive. During the game drive, you will see animal species such as bushbucks, Uganda kobs, elephants, reedbucks, leopards, lions, buffaloes, warthogs, and several bird species. Later, drive back to your lodge for lunch, relax, and later depart for an afternoon boat cruise safari along Kazinga Channel, the main water stream that goes through the park and connects Lake George and Lake Edward. A boat cruise safari on the Kazinga Channel is one of the highly recommended adventurous activities for visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which brings you very close to several mammals such as hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and several water birds. Later, return to your lodge to spend the evening relaxing and conclude your day 7 of 2-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari.

Accommodation: Bush Lodge (Banda)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 8: Drive to Ishasha sector to search for the tree-climbing lions—evening game drive

After having your tasty breakfast, visit the Katwe community, which is surrounded by the salty Lake Katwe and whose main economic activity is salt extraction from the lake. This is one of the most famous communities due to the traditional salt mining activities that have been practiced since the 16th century. While at the Katwe Salt mining community, you will have a chance to take part in salt mining, and your local safari guide will give you information about how they have managed to maintain their salt mining activities for decades. After the community tour, drive to the Ishasha sector, located in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, for yet another exciting game drive safari in search of wildlife species.

You may have a chance to see the day’s highlight of the tree-climbing lions and several other big game mammals. Retire for a lunch break at your booked lodge. In the evening, you will head back in search of the tree-climbing lions, as they always sprawl on trees to scan their territory for spotting prey, escape the scorching sun/heat, and also avoid biting insects such as tsetse flies, among others. Retire and spend your evening at leisure, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Accommodation: Topi Lodge (mid-range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 9: Morning game drive in Shasha Sector for the tree-climbing lions—visit the Batwa Pygmies.

Your day 9 of 2-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari will start with a hearty breakfast, and embark on your morning game drive as you search for the missed-out wildlife species, such as big game mammals such as lions, buffaloes, elephants, and several antelopes. After, retire for lunch and then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In the evening, visit the Batwa community and explore the unique culture of the Twa people (forest pygmies), the earliest inhabitants of the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. With the help of the Twa guide, you will interact with the Batwa elders as you learn about their social lifestyle and hunting skills and get entertained by their cultural performances. You will get information about how they managed to survive and live in harmony with wildlife species, among others.

The Batwa cultural experience in Uganda is a unique experience for tourists who love exploring the true identity of the African culture. The Batwa people (pygmies) were once people of the forest, commonly known as forest custodians, living in the jungle alongside animals. They found comfortable homes in the forests of Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which are home to various wildlife. The Batwa were good forest hunters and used local herbs to treat their illnesses. They lived in caves and sacred huts and wore leaves and skins from animals like bushbucks and duikers. Retire and head to your booked lodge for dinner and an overnight stay and conclude your day 9 of 2-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari.

Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge (mid-range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 10: Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience—Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

Have a heavy breakfast, and arrange the necessary gear in preparation for mountain gorilla trekking, such as a camera, binoculars, and insect repellents. Get well-dressed in a recommended style for mountain gorilla trekking, like long khaki/jean trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, heavy-duty gloves, and round hats. Have a heavy breakfast, get your packed lunch boxes, get enough drinking water, and meet your safari guide to be transferred to the park information offices to join other guests to be briefed about mountain gorilla trekking dos and don’ts, how to behave in the presence of mountain gorillas, and the expectations. be allocated a mountain gorilla family to track, a UWA ranger, and the forest guide. We would recommend you hire a porter to help you carry your packed bag and your other items that you would need during mountain gorilla trekking. After the pre-mountain gorilla trekking session, start your forest walk in search of the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

The time taken before encountering your allocated mountain gorilla family is not known; however, it may be between 45 minutes and 4 hours, depending on the movements and location of the gorilla family. Therefore, you should be physically and mentally prepared to walk a long distance through the forest that is made of hills and with no clear walking trails that are only made at that particular time of tracking by your guide, depending on the direction which can easily lead you to the location of the gorilla family. That is why it is recommended to carry enough water to keep you hydrated and snacks to keep you with enough energy since you use a lot of energy when walking through the forest in search of the mountain gorillas.

Once you encounter the mountain gorilla family, the excitement of seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat will outweigh the hardship you went through while searching for them. A mountain gorilla family can be made of several members, such as the giant silverback, who is always the head and protector of the family, mothers, infants, and juveniles. Take your lunch, relax, and then drive to Lake Bunyonyi to relax, where you will enjoy a boat ride or canoeing experience on the spectacular Lake Bunyonyi.

Accommodation: Keije Resort Bunyonyi (Mid-Range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 11: Morning Boat Canoeing—Drive to Lake Mburo National Park—Evening Game Drive Safari

On your day 11 of 12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari you will wake up at your convenient time, be served breakfast, and then go for a morning boat canoeing safari on Lake Bunyonyi to explore different islands. Each of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi has its own unique and interesting story behind it, which your guide will narrate to you during the canoeing safari.

After this experience, start your journey to Lake Mburo National Park with a stopover at Ishanyi Food Center for lunch. Return to the park to check in at your booked lodge and later start an evening game drive in search of wildlife species such as leopards, spotted hyenas, impalas, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, elands, topis, civets, African rock pythons, porcupines, bush babies, and other antelope species, among others. Later, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (Cottage) (Mid-Range)

Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 12: Morning walking safari—drive back to Entebbe International Airport.

Wake up early in the morning to have breakfast, have all your travel bags loaded into your safari vehicle, check out of the lodge, and go for an early morning walking safari in the park to view animals at a close range, like zebras, impalas, and giraffes, and the shyer ones, like the elands, among others. After starting your drive to Entebbe with a stopover at the Uganda Equator for the water experience and lunch. You may visit some craft shops to buy some souvenirs designed entirely in Ugandan local art. After, proceed with your journey to Entebbe to catch up with your flight back home.

Meal plan: Breakfast/Lunch

12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari Inclusion

• Park fees (for non-residents)
• Airport transfers (pick-ups and drop-offs)
• All ground transport using a 4×4 standard safari vehicle
• Gorilla trekking permit per person
• Fuel for 12 days
• Drinking bottled water for 12 days
• Chimpanzee trekking person per person
• All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
• All meals and en route meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
• All activities mentioned in the itinerary
• A professional English-speaking driver/guide
• All government taxes/VAT
• All city tour experiences
• All cultural and community visits, landmarks, and the Batwa experience

12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Primate, and Culture Safari Exclusion

• International flights (from/to the client’s home country)
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• Tips
• Optional activities (gorilla tracking $800 and chimp $250)
• Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, and other personal items)
• Government-imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees