Superfine 12 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

The 12 days Uganda  gorillas & wildlife safari is one of the favorite off-the-beaten-path itineraries any wilderness adventure seeker should not miss on their Uganda Safaris. It introduces you to the captivating destinations, including Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi, Mgahinga National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and Lake Mburo National Park.

Our 12 days Uganda safari offers unique experiences ranging from rhino tracking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, boat cruises, nature walking, lion tracking, canoe rides, and community visits. It is such an enriching travel itinerary that allows you to experience primate and savanna wildlife encounters combined with cultural tours. You will begin and end your tour in Kampala guided by Superfine Safaris

The Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Transfer to Murchison Falls & Zziwa Rhino trek with a guide

Day 2: Captivating Morning Game drive –Afternoon Launch cruise (Explore Victoria Nile)

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park by local expert & using a safari car

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking with Kibale park ranger guide- Visit Bigodi swamp

Day 5: Transfer to Explore Queen Elizabeth NP –Launch cruise (Kazinga channel)

Day 6: Lion tracking –Transfer to Ishasha for Afternoon game drive (Southern sector)

Day 7: Game drive in Ishasha sector –Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Day 8: Mountain gorilla trekking –Visit Batwa Pygmies

Day 9: Golden monkey tracking starting from Ntebeko

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi by safari vehicle –Enjoy canoeing + island tour

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo –Boat ride & Night Game drive

Day 12: Nature walk with Lake Mburo/Game drive – Transfer to Kampala

The Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Transfer to Murchison Falls & Zziwa Rhino trek with a guide

Today, you will have a taste of a delicious breakfast with your favorite spices. Your driver guide will also be present at the hotel premises to pick you up. Depart from the vibrant Kampala city for Murchison Falls National Park, and this will be along the Kampala-Gulu highway. On your way to the premier Murchison Falls National Park, you can make a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Meet the officials for a briefing, and later, the ranger guide will be allocated to take you on a guided rhino tracking.

At Ziwa, you will search for rhinos on foot. It is such an amazing experience to meet these giants in the wild and have a close encounter with them. After a complete immersion at Ziwa, return and you will get to Masindi for a lunch break. Depart from Masindi early, and in the afternoon, you will be at Kichumbanyobo gate to clear with Uganda Wildlife Authority officials. Later, head to the lodge to relax, but before getting there, you will have a great moment at the top of the waterfalls (Murchison).

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge or Heritage Lodge
• Midrange: Paraa Safari Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge

Meals: Lunch plus Dinner

Travel time: 6-7 hours in a 4×4 tour vehicle

Day 2: Captivating Morning Game drive –Afternoon Launch cruise (Explore Victoria Nile)

In a 4×4 safari vehicle and with your camera set, exit your safari lodge for a guided game drive through the Northern side of Murchison Falls National Park. At the slow speed, expect to be wowed by incredible wildlife in their active mood including the Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, elephants, several antelope families, and bird species. After the 2-3 hours of game viewing, you will return to have lunch and relaxation at the lodge.

Transfer to the Paraa Jetty to catch up with an afternoon boat excursion. Today’s afternoon launch cruise takes you along the Victoria Nile River that separates Murchison Falls National Park into two parts and expect to ride till the base of the falls. With magnificent views awaiting for you from the lush riverine forest, aquatic life including hippos, basking Nile crocodiles, to water birds. Return to the Paraa Jetty by boat and meet your driver guide who then will transfer you back to lodge to chill.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge or Heritage Lodge
• Midrange: Paraa Safari Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, plus Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park to discover your favorite primates

Enjoy your breakfast at leisure, and after, you will be off to Kibale National Park. Getting to Kibale will involve driving via Hoima to Fort Portal, and don’t miss the breathtaking views of the rift valley escarpment. Arrive early at Fort Portal, and you can be amazed by the lush greenery, cool weather, and magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges in the background. Settle for a leisurely lunch at the restaurant in Fort Portal and later, exit this tourism city for a final journey to your respective lodge.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp
• Midrange: Chimpundu Lodge or Primate Lodge
• Luxury: Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner + free bottled water

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking with Kibale ranger guide- Visit Bigodi swamp

Set off from your respective accommodations for Kanyanchu, where a briefing on chimpanzee tracking regulations will be done. The Park officials will be available to ensure that you go through a successful verification and later join others (trekkers) in the briefing room. The park ranger guides will be present, and in a group of 6 pax, you will be led by one guide.

The actual trekking through Kibale Forest to see chimps begins at around 8:00 am, and this adventure is expected to extend for 2-4 hours. Have your camera ready with adequate storage capacity because once you have located a chimpanzee community, you will be given an hour to take pictures, observe how the chimps behave, and get entertained by their gestures. After this special moment, you will start walking back to where your trek commenced. But what you should expect is great encounters with other primates, plus birds.

Bigodi wetland will be visited in the afternoon, and expect to explore more primates and birds. The Bigodi wetland tour also offers insight into the community-based tourism and learn this project has transformed the residents in the area.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp
• Midrange: Chimpundu Lodge or Primate Lodge
• Luxury: Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner + free bottled water

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP –Launch cruise along the Kazinga channel

After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive off from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park through Kasese town. On your way, expect to make a stopover at the Kikorongo Equator crossing. Later, you will continue to the lodge where lunch will be offered before you catch up with the boat or launch cruise on the Kazinga channel. The Kazinga boat cruise allows you to enjoy encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds, and then you return to the lodge for relaxation.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Simba Camp, Kazinga Channel Resort, or Bulbul Safari Lodge
• Midrange: Mweya Safari Lodge or Enganzi Game Lodge
• Luxury: Elephant Plains or Buffalo Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 6: Lion tracking –Transfer to Ishasha for Afternoon game drive

Leave the lodge early to enjoy a guided lion tracking experience through Kasenyi Plains. The lion tracking will be done with an expert, and you will be searching for collared lions in the Northern section of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Get to explore more about lions, take pictures, and later, you will return to enjoy lunch at leisure.

After lunch, you will be transferred to Ishasha for you to engage in the afternoon game drive. At Ishasha, you will have adequate time to search for the tree-climbing lions and other numerous wildlife species, plus birds.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Enjojo Lodge
• Midrange: Ishasha Jungle or Embogo Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, plus Dinner

Day 7: Game drive in Ishasha sector –Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Start the day with an early morning breakfast and later, embark on the exciting game drive through the Ishasha sector. Today marks the 2nd game viewing session in Ishasha, and expect to encounter more wildlife, including early risers. After the Ishasha game drive, you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the highest concentration of mountain gorillas resides.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Ride 4 a Woman
• Midrange: Mahogany Springs Lodge
• Luxury: Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner + a free bottled water

Day 8: Mountain gorilla trekking –Visit Batwa Pygmies

Expect to leave your lodge early so that you can meet the park officials at the Buhoma sector or any of the southern sectors. This is to let you be clear with the park management early, then get briefed on the rules to follow when trekking gorillas, and later, the park ranger guides will be allocated. Your actual trek will start at around 8:00 am and takes about 2-6 hours, which also covers an hour for up close with a troop/group of gorillas.

You will return to the park offices, and gorilla trekking certificates will be provided to each visitor. The driver guide will be present to transfer you back to the lodge for relaxation and to have lunch at leisure. To end your day perfectly, you will pay a visit to the Batwa pygmy community for you to experience the best of a cultural encounter with the Batwa, the forest dwellers, and a few indigenous people left in Uganda.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Ride 4 a Woman
• Midrange: Mahogany Springs Lodge
• Luxury: Bwindi Lodge or Buhoma Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner +free bottled water

Day 9: Golden monkey tracking starting from Ntebeko

Wake up early to prepare and leave Bwindi for Mgahinga. At Mgahinga, you will be briefed about the golden monkey tracking rules. The park ranger guide will lead you on a search for golden monkeys, and this is expected to last for 2-4 hours including an hour for up close with a troop of these amazing apes.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Amajambere Iwacu Camp
• Midrange: Ichumbi Lodge Kisoro
• Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge or Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi by safari vehicle –Enjoy canoeing + island tour

After a sumptuous breakfast, depart from Mgahinga for Lake Bunyonyi –Uganda’s deepest Lake and home to 29 Islands. At Lake Bunyonyi, expect to enjoy a canoe ride and explore some of the tropical islands. Return to have a leisurely time at the lodge.

Accommodations to stay

• Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
• Bird-nest @ Bunyonyi Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Full board)

Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo –Boat ride & Night Game drive

After a leisurely time, start your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. This is one of Uganda’s smallest Parks and home to a huge profusion of zebras and impalas. Arrive early for you to enjoy lunch, then rest before embarking on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Enjoy a wide range of aquatic species, including hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Return from the Lake Mburo boat ride, relax, then end the day with a night game drive as you catch up with lots of nocturnal species.

Accommodations to stay

• Budget: Eagle Nest or Rwakobo Rock
• Midrange: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge or Arcadia Cottages (Lake Mburo)
• Luxury: Kigambira Safari Lodge or Mihingo Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner –(full board)

Day 12: Nature walk with Lake Mburo/Game drive – Transfer to Kampala

You may opt for a guided nature walk or an early morning game drive. Each of these experiences guarantees you a captivating encounter, and after, you will return to Kampala/Entebbe City through the Mbarara-Masaka route. On the way, you can make a stopover at the equator in Kayabwe for relaxation and a lunch break. From Kayabwe, continue to Kampala for relaxation in your pre-booked hotel.

End of 12 days Uganda safari

Safari Inclusions

• The park entrance fees
• Gorilla permits
• Chimp & golden monkey permits.
• All ground transportation and driver guide services
• All meals and accommodation
• A free bottle of drinking water on a trip

Safari Exclusions

• Visas
• Passport expenses
• Tips or gratuities
• Laundry services as requested by you
• All optional safari activities
• Travel Insurance
• Telephone bills.
• All beverages or alcoholic drinks