Explore Uganda the Pearl of Africa’s Top Safari Attractions
Explore Uganda the Pearl of Africa, on a special 12-day safari adventure just for you and your group. The journey begins in Entebbe and takes you through stunning landscapes of western Uganda. You’ll see remote villages nestled among green hills and fields of crops like cowpeas and string beans stretching far into the distance.
Your destination is Bwindi, where you’ll spend three nights at the wonderful Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge. This eco-retreat will be your home base for exploring Bwindi forest and meeting the mountain gorillas. Spending time with these majestic creatures is a rare and unforgettable experience. You’ll be guided by experts to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
In addition to meeting the gorillas, you’ll also have the chance to learn about the Batwa people, indigenous to the area. A guided walk through the forest will introduce you to their culture and way of life.
Another highlight of your trip is visiting Kibale National Park, famous for its chimpanzees. You’ll have the incredible opportunity to walk with a group of habituated chimpanzees and observe them in their natural habitat. It’s an experience that will leave you in awe of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.
Your adventure doesn’t stop there. You’ll also embark on game drives and boat safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. These parks are home to Africa’s iconic wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffalos, leopards, and crocodiles. Get ready for some thrilling encounters with these magnificent creatures.
Throughout your journey, you’ll stay in comfortable mid-range lodges and camps. All your meals, transportation in a four-by-four vehicle, and permits and entry fees are included in the package. So you can relax and focus on enjoying every moment of your African safari adventure.
The Explore Uganda trip is designed for a private group of six people. Whether you’re traveling with family or friends, this is an adventure you’ll never forget. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
Price Includes
- Local English-speaking guides/driver
- Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
- Accommodation & Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Land transport in 4×4 safari truck with fuel
- Activities & excursions as shown in itinerary
- AMREF evacuation cover, and government taxes
Price Excludes
- Tourist Visa (apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug)
- Shoebill tracking on Lake Victoria – 120 USD pp
- Extra meals, snacks, gratuities, souvenirs, service tips
- Travel Insurance
Day 1: Shoebill Tracking in Entebbe
When you land at Entebbe International Airport, our driver will be there to pick you up. It’s just a short 15-minute ride to your hotel in Entebbe. Before dinner, you’ll meet with our trip specialist for a briefing. If you arrive early, there are things to do around Entebbe. Bird-watchers might enjoy visiting the botanical gardens or Mabamba swamps to see the shoebill, a fascinating bird. You can also explore local markets or modern malls.
You’ll be staying at either Boutique Hotel Number 5 for a luxury experience or Papyrus Guesthouse for a comfortable stay.
Day 2: Transfer from Entebbe to Lake Mburo
After an early breakfast, we’ll embark on a journey to Western Uganda. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful landscapes—vast plains, banana plantations, and cattle farms. We’ll make stops at places like Mpambire to see traditional crafts and the equator for some great photo opportunities. Lunch will be served at Rwakobo Rock Lodge, a wilderness retreat near Lake Mburo National Park.
At the lodge, you can relax in locally-styled cottages with stunning views of the plains. After lunch, you have the option to go on a game drive to see animals like buffalo, impala, and zebras. You can also take a boat safari to spot crocodiles, hippos, and birds, or opt for a horseback safari (extra cost).
Staying at: Rwakobo Rock (mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 3: Transfer from Lake Mburo to Bwindi
Start your day with an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. Then, we’ll head towards Bwindi in Western Uganda, passing through rolling hills, tea plantations, and tropical rainforests. The journey offers breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Upon arrival at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, settle into your luxurious cottage with views of the forest and volcanoes. Take a walk around the community, interact with locals, and learn about the Batwa indigenous community.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After breakfast, a guide will take you to the trailhead for a briefing before you venture into the jungle to find mountain gorillas. The trek can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on where the gorillas were spotted the day before. Remember to be prepared for uneven terrain and thick forest cover.
Meeting mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a unique and moving experience. You’ll have a limited time with them before returning to the lodge. Optionally, you can purchase a permit for the Gorilla Habituation Experience for a longer encounter.
In the evening, you can take a guided walk to meet the Batwa community and enjoy a campfire and local songs back at the lodge.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 5: Optional Activities
This day offers a variety of optional activities:
- Relax at the lodge, join a cooking class, or interact with locals.
- Go for a second gorilla trek if you have a permit.
- Experience traditional dug-out canoeing at Lake Mutanda.
- Take a forest walk or enjoy a sundowner picnic with stunning views.
Staying at: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), and Dinner.
Day 6: Hiking across Bwindi
Today’s highlight is a hike through Bwindi jungle, guided by a local expert. You’ll hear ancient tales and might encounter forest inhabitants like chimps and elephants. After the hike, we’ll head to Ishasha savannah plains to see tree-climbing lions before reaching Kataara Lodge for dinner.
Staying at: Katara Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park
This part of the Explore Uganda itinerary is all about getting close to Africa’s big animals. You’ll go on a morning or evening game drive and a boat safari on Kazinga Channel. This channel is famous for having lots of hippos. On the game drive, you’ll see big herds of elephants and buffalo. You’ll also spot interesting antelope species like Uganda kob, topi, and bushbuck. The giant forest hog is also easy to spot. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards too!
The boat safari on Kazinga Channel starts at 2:00 PM. You’ll see elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, Uganda kob, and lots of hippos. Look out for big water monitor lizards and crocodiles too. You might even spot a giant forest hog, leopard, or lion. The best time to see predators and other animals coming to drink is in the late afternoon.
You’ll stay at: Katara Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Packed), Dinner
Day 8: Morning Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Transfer to Kibale Forest
If you’re up for more exploring, you’ll go on a morning game drive in the northern tracks of Kasenyi to see what you missed before heading to Kibale.
After driving with the Rwenzori ranges in the background for 2-3 hours, you’ll arrive at Kibale Forest and check-in at Primate Lodge. In the afternoon, you’ll trek to the ‘Top of the World’ for amazing views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, tea plantations, and local villages.
Turaco Treetops Lodge offers a rustic style with beautiful views of the dense rainforest. You can relax in the main lounge area and listen to red-tailed monkeys in the trees. In the evenings, cozy fires are lit, and you might catch a traditional dance performance. The highlight of the lodge is jungle hikes to track chimpanzees.
You’ll stay at: Turaco Treetops (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Packed), Dinner
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Wake up early and head to the visitors’ center by 8:00 for another primate viewing adventure. Kibale is famous for its many primates, especially chimpanzees. There are over 1500 chimpanzees in the park, along with other primate species like L’Hoest’s monkeys and red colobus monkeys.
On your trek, you might see black & white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. But your main goal is to find a troop of chimpanzees.
Guided by an expert tracker, you’ll venture into the jungle in small groups. The trek can last from 2 to 6 hours, depending on where the chimpanzees are. Afternoon excursion to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is also included.
You’ll stay at: Turaco Treetops (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Packed), Dinner
Day 10: Transfer from Kibale Forest to Murchison Falls
After breakfast, you’ll drive 400 km north to Murchison Falls National Park for about 7 – 8 hours. The park is home to the dramatic Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile River plunges 45m.
You’ll check in at Murchison River Camp in time for dinner. The lodge offers views of the Nile River and the park’s savannah plains. You can enjoy panoramic views from the lodge bar and restaurant.
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Murchison Falls National Park
You’ll go on an early morning game drive to the Victoria Nile Delta for a boat trip. This area is full of birds and wildlife, including endemic species like the Rothschild’s giraffe and the Shoebill stork. You might also see buffalo, elephants, lions, antelopes, giraffes, leopards, and rare Pata’s monkeys.
In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip to the Murchison Waterfalls and hike to the top for a fantastic panoramic view.
Accommodation: Murchison River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Murchison Falls – Ziwa Rhinos – Entebbe
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track Uganda’s only rhinos in the wild. The sanctuary is also home to many bird species and other animals like leopards, hippos, and crocodiles.
Then, you’ll head to Entebbe to prepare for your flight back home.
Accommodation (Optional): Papyrus Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed)
