12 Days Uganda Safari

12 Days Uganda Safari : Experience all the highlights in just one Safari! You will visit the most beautiful places and national parks of the country, meet the gorillas and swim in the deepest lake of Uganda!

Day 1: Kampala to Jinja

Day 2: Jinja to Kampala

Day 3: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park

Day 5: Murchison Falls National Park to Fort Portal

Day 6: Fort Portal to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 7: Semliki National Park

Day 8: Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Gorilla Tracking)

Day 11: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary.

Day 1: Kampala to Jinja

After breakfast, travel to Jinja. This trip is a well trodden one, especially on the weekend when thrill seekers from Kampala escape to Jinja, in search of adventure and a chance to be close to the River Nile and Lake Victoria.The journey itself is a pleasant one which will take you through the outskirts of Kampala and in to the more rural areas of the eastern Buganda Kingdom. As you get closer to Jinja you will cross in to the Busoga Kingdom, which is one of the 5 constitutional monarchies in Uganda today. You will also see huge sugar cane and tea plantations in the Lugazi area and have a stopover at Mabira Forest for a short forest walk and to search for forest birds and colobus monkeys.

Accommodation at Nile Village Hotel

Day 2: Jinja Excursions and transfer back to Kampala.

After breakfast, you will start your activities in Jinja. Experience one of the most exhilarating waterfalls along the Nile at Itanda while seeing brave guys swim in them..  It includes challenging legendary rapids in the hands of those who know the river best. Later have a ride of a quad bike! This guided excursion will allow you to explore the tracks and trails beside the Nile connecting small villages and farms. This will give you a great insight into Ugandan rural life and afford you some incredible scenery. At the end of the day you travel back to Kampala after a fun filled day.

Accommodation at Mestil Residences & Hotel or Nyumbani Hotel.

Day 3: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park.

 After breakfast start your journey to Murchison Falls National Park making a stopover at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking (this is the only place in Uganda where you can see the white rhino).Here you will have a guided nature walk to experience the life of the rhinos in the wild. You will have lunch at the sanctuary and enjoy an evening walk after which, you will transfer to your lodge in Murchison.

Murchison Falls is one of the most beautiful national parks of Uganda. One of the main attractions is the Nile, with the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the whole Nile River is forced through a narrow gorge and falls 60 meters.

Accommodation at Fort Murchison Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park.

 In the morning, you set off for a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. On the broad savannah you will be searching for big cats, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, and more as the checklist of mammals reaches 76. You continue browsing the circuits to the delta point for a cocktail of birds for the bird lovers and mammals.

In the afternoon you will go for the boat ride on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls where you get to see the hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and a variety of beautiful bird species along When reaching the falls you will leave the boat and go with a guide to the top of the falls. It is a beautiful hike that takes you to see the falls close. Your guide will pick you up at the top of the falls.  You will proceed to Masindi where you will spend the night.

Note. The hike to the top of the falls includes a steep trail so might not be suitable if you have some health issues, the hike is optional.

Accommodation at Kabalega Resort

Day 5: Masindi to Fort Portal.

The drive that is almost eight hours so you will set off right after breakfast. This will provide you with some stunning views as you pass small African villages, tea plantations and banana plantations within towns like Masindi, Hoima and Kyenjojo. The lovely town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the Fabled Mountains of the Moon and is famous for the many tea plantations and crater lakes.

Accommodation at West End Motel or Kalya Courts Hotel

Day 6: Fort Portal to Kibale Forest National Park.

Tracking the Chimpanzees is a very interesting experience. Get your walking shoes on as we move through bush and jungle to spend one hour with our fascinating relatives. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. Later in the day, we move to the Bigodi Swamp for another, totally different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately two hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates.

Accommodation at previous night.

Day 7: Semliki National Park.

Depart from the hotel after your breakfast to the national park, stopover enroute the viewing points of the escarpments. Semliki is a unique place and the only lowland jungle in East Africa, part of the Congo eco system. A view of the great East African rift valley along Bundibugyo road at different viewpoints, meandering road, the far view of the only long and meandering river in East Africa (R. Semliki), a walk in the park and finally the hot springs at Ssempaya. Enjoy the peacefulness of the forest, look out for the rich birdlife at the swamp and boil an egg in the hot springs that have become an interesting natural attraction. It will be completed with a picnic lunch provided by the guide.

Accommodation as per previous night.

Day 8: Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

In the morning you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a beautiful route via Kasese, with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right side and the green valley on your left. A game drive on your way to the accommodation in the middle of the national park gives us the chance to spot waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. In the afternoon after lunch, you will take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. The afternoon boat ride provides for a great opportunity to view elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari.

Accommodation at Bush Lodge or Park View Safari Lodge.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

After breakfast you have a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha sector in the south area of the park in search of the tree climbing lions. In Ishasha there are 4 prides of lions that climb the trees daily. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best places in Uganda to see the tree climbing lions. The other attraction of Ishasha are the Topis, not found anywhere else in this Park.

Later you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and head towards Bwindi. The scenic route runs through a verdant countryside with traditional homesteads and farms.

Bwindi Impenetrable is a unique jungle, with many monkey species and is one of the few places in the world where you can find Mountain Gorillas!

Accommodation is determined by available Gorilla permit.

Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park.

Another highlight of your safari is meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Hikers will especially love the tracking in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. You will trek through the beautiful nature and spend one hour with the gorillas, a truly unforgettable experience. This Impenetrable Forest is also full of birds, butterflies and plant species plus forest hog, forest elephants, statungas and dikers.

In the afternoon, you can choose to have a guided village walk for a closer meeting with the local community (Batwa group of people) and learn about their way of living as you walk through coffee, tea and banana plantations or you can relax at your lodge.

Accommodation at previous night.

Day 11: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi.

After breakfast you will depart to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda. This area is often called “Little Switzerland of Uganda” and boosts one of the most beautiful parts of the country. After you arrive, relax at your lodge or go for a canoe trip while you watch the beautiful sunset.

After the challenging and strenuous hike in Bwindi, some relaxing moments on the shores of this peaceful lake are most welcomed. The options here are birding, nature walks, swimming or canoeing.

Accommodation at Crater Bay Cottages.

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala / Airport.

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge then depart Lake Bunyonyi for Kampala driving through Enengo gorge – an extension of the East African Rift Valley. Enjoy the scenic views of hills, cattle farms, and tea and banana plantations.

Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa after a stop at the equator. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. We are looking forward to seeing you again!