12 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Encounter and Cultural Safari

12-Day Best of Uganda Safari Itinerary – Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Big Game & Culture

Embark on a thrilling 12-day Uganda safari that encapsulates the country’s most iconic wildlife experiences, primate encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. This unforgettable journey begins with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, followed by game drives and a boat safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Explore the lush Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking, and venture into the rich biodiversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. The ultimate highlight awaits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you’ll trek endangered mountain gorillas and engage with the Batwa pygmy community. Relax by the serene waters of Lake Bunyonyi, continue to the wildlife-rich Lake Mburo National Park, and conclude your adventure with the iconic Equator experience.

Day 1: Arrival – Ziwa Rhino Tracking & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Upon arrival, your professional driver-guide will greet you and begin the scenic 5-hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, you’ll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to see wild rhinos in their natural habitat. This sanctuary, established to reintroduce rhinos after their extinction in the 1980s, now boasts over 25 individuals.

Guided by a knowledgeable ranger, you’ll track rhinos on foot, observe them up close, and learn about conservation efforts. Afterward, stop in Masindi town for lunch before continuing to the park. Upon arrival, hike to the top of Murchison Falls for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the world’s most powerful waterfall. Later, check in at your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp

• Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive & Nile River Boat Cruise – Murchison Falls

Rise early for a thrilling morning game drive along the Nyamsika Plateau. Spot elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, and abundant birdlife. This area is renowned for its high wildlife concentration.

Return to the lodge for lunch, then head to Paraa Jetty for a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. Cruise past hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and waterbucks, and marvel at the base of Murchison and Uhuru Falls. The cruise offers excellent photo opportunities and a serene wildlife experience.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 1

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Scenic Drive through Western Uganda

After breakfast, begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its primates. Enjoy the ever-changing landscapes: verdant plantations, local villages, the Bunyoro oil fields, and the Great Rift Valley.

Stop for lunch in Hoima or Fort Portal, and if time permits, visit the Tooro Kingdom Palace. Fort Portal, known for its cleanliness and scenic beauty, is the tourism capital of western Uganda.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

• Luxury: Turaco Treetops Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Experience – Kibale

After breakfast, head to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a pre-trek briefing. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, and it’s the best place in Africa to see them in the wild. With the guidance of expert rangers, trek into the forest to observe chimps in their natural environment – playing, grooming, feeding, or nest-building.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area teeming with birdlife and primates. Learn about local women’s crafts initiatives and support them by purchasing handmade souvenirs.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 3

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Rwenzori Views

After an early breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing the majestic Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon). Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at the lodge.

In the afternoon, explore the Katwe salt mining village and nearby explosion craters, offering insights into the region’s volcanic past and traditional salt extraction.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Bush Lodge

• Mid-range: Parkview Safari Lodge

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 6: Game Drive in Kasenyi & Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel

Start your day with a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, rich with wildlife such as lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, antelopes, and Uganda kobs. The drive provides excellent opportunities for spotting predators on the hunt.

After lunch, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lakes Edward and George. This is one of Africa’s densest concentrations of hippos, with crocodiles, waterbirds, and elephants often spotted along the shores.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Day 7: Maramagambo Forest Walk & Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, go on a guided nature walk in Maramagambo Forest, home to chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, pottos, bats, and an array of bird species. Learn about the ecosystem’s rich biodiversity and visit the famous bat caves.

Return for lunch and a rest, then head out for an evening game drive across the Kasenyi and Kazinga plains, increasing your chances of spotting elusive nocturnal species.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha – Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, travel south through the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions often seen resting in fig trees after their morning hunt. Stop for a wildlife viewing session and lunch in Kihihi town before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp

• Mid-range: Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge

• Luxury: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience – Bwindi

Today marks the highlight of your safari. After breakfast, attend a gorilla trekking briefing and be assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families. The trek can take 1–4 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once found, you’ll have one magical hour to observe and photograph these gentle giants.

After lunch, enjoy a cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies, former forest dwellers who now share their traditions through music, dance, storytelling, and crafts. Gain deep insight into their hunter-gatherer past and current lifestyle.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 8

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara

Depart Bwindi and journey through the scenic Kigezi Highlands. Stop in Mbarara for a traditional Ugandan lunch and continue to Lake Mburo National Park. After checking in, enjoy a night game drive, a unique chance to see nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, and bush babies.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Rwonyo Camp

• Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock

• Luxury: Mantana Tented Camp

Day 11: Morning Game Drive & Lake Mburo Boat Cruise

Wake up for a morning game drive to see zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, oribis, and more. Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savanna park but boasts rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes.

After lunch, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, ideal for viewing crocodiles, hippos, and diverse bird species such as African fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 10

Day 12: Nature Walk or Horseback Safari – Equator Stop – Return to Entebbe

Enjoy a final nature experience on foot, horseback, or quad bike – unique activities exclusive to Lake Mburo. After this, begin your return journey to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator in Kayabwe. Participate in the classic photo opportunity and browse souvenir shops for handcrafted gifts.

Enjoy lunch en route before arriving in Entebbe for your evening departure or overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Availability & Suitability

This 12-day Uganda safari is available year-round and is suitable for all budgets. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, cultural explorer, or first-time safari traveler, this itinerary delivers an unforgettable experience through Uganda’s iconic natural and cultural treasures.