12 Days Uganda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, Community Tours

12 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI OVERVIEW.

12Days Uganda Safari Tour is a wonderful 11 nights/12 days Uganda tour offering Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing to Uganda wildlife safari parks, scenery viewing and community tours. This 12 days Uganda Safari trip involves tracking white Rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary, recreational boat cruises River Nile and Kazinga Channel with impressive views of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos, Wild game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park including the elephants, buffaloes, lions ( & tree climbing lions), Impala, Zebras, Rothschild giraffes, leopards among others, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

12 Days Uganda Safari Tour – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS.

• Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
• Day 2: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise
• Day 3: Transfer to Hoima. Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens en route
• Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal and do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling
• Day 5: Do morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale NP and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
• Day 6: Transfer to Semliki. Visit Sempaya Hot Springs and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 7: Do morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos at the 45km long Kazinga Channel
• Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions
• Day 9: Do gorilla trekking in the impenetrable Bwindi and relax at the lodge
• Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat cruise and relaxation
• Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & do an evening game drive
• Day 12: Do a morning game walking safari and transfer back to Kampala

12 Days Uganda Safari Tour – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY.

Day 1 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route

After breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park in the north of Uganda 311km about 5 hours drive. You drive through the amazing flat landscapes of Nakasongora before branching off at Nakitoma for 7 km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is home to White Rhinos and thus offers impressive Rhino tracking. After this activity, continue on the drive to Murchison Falls National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).

Day 2 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Do morning game drive, afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls

After an early morning cup of tea at the lodge, head to the park for a morning game drive which tends to last 3-4 hours exploring the park’s wilderness in detail. The activity is conducted in the northern section of the park which is a common dwelling ground for counts of wildlife including lions, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, elephants, Buffaloes, Jackson Hartebeest, Oribis, Kobs among others. Retreat from the activity back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Paraa Jetty for an afternoon Nile launch cruise departing at 2 pm to the bottom of the falls. The boat offers you opportunities of encountering Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and the vulnerable shoebill stork not forgetting other wild game drinking water on the river banks. The stretch to the bottom of the falls and the eventual hike to the top of the falls exposes to the thunderous roar of the Nile River which is the longest in the world as it squeezes its self to pass through a less than 8m ravine forming a plume of spray marked by a trademark rainbow as it falls 43m below to what has been termed as the Devils Cauldron. Retire from the 3-hour activity for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).

Day 3 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Transfer to Hoima. Visit Kibiro Salt Gardens en route

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Hoima. You will drive through the impressive scenic landscapes of the Albertine rift before making a stop at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs en route on the shores of Lake Albert. You explore the traditional means of salt extraction and how local people have made a fortune out of this natural feature. The hike to the salt gardens is also an experience of its own. Retreat from the activity and continue to Hoima for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontiki Hotel

Day 4 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Transfer to Fort Portal and do Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Fort Portal Area about 5 hours drive passing through rural landscapes of Kagadi district before approaching Kyenjojo and eventually Fort Portal town. You settle for lunch and then drive back to Mpanga tea estates for a thrilling bicycle cycling encounter. Cycling through the undulating tea landscapes with impressive scenery and chatting with the estate staff as the pluck tea where you can also participate in the experience. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Luxury / Upmarket), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guest house (Budget / Basic).

Day 5 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Do morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale NP and afternoon Bigodi wetland walk

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center at 8 am to catch up with the briefing session about the chimpanzee trekking experience. After the briefing, you head to the forest of Kibale in search of common Chimpanzees. Hiking through amazing forest landscapes marked with lush flora which is inhabited by a range of bird species, and wildlife including other 12 primate species such as Black and white colobus monkeys. The chimp trek takes 2 -5 hours and involves one full hour of direct encounter with chimps as they forage, play, make pant hooting calls and socialize. Retreat from the activity and return to the starting point. You enjoy your packed lunch and then embark on the transfer to Bigodi Wetland for an afternoon walk. The 2 hours guided walk exposes to a range of bird species as the wetland has 138 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco. The wetland also has impressive swamp animals like Sitatunga Antelope. Retreat from the activity and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Luxury / Upmarket), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guest house (Budget / Basic).

Day 6 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour. Visit Sempaya Hot Springs and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Semliki National Park driving through Fort Portal town and eventually continuing to Semliki. Upon arrival, you undertake the Sempaya Nature Walk exploring the hot springs at Sempaya both male and female. The walk does not exceed 4 hours and then you transfer back to Fort Portal for lunch and then embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).

Day 7 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Do morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos at the 45km long Kazinga Channel

After an early morning cup of coffee, embark on the game drive in the rolling savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park extending to the Kasenyi tracks exploring the parks unique landscape dotted with counts of wildlife including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, jackals among others. The activity lasts 3 – 4 hours after which you return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you transfer to Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise along the Paradise of Hippos. The Kazinga Channel which stretches to 45km in length at one time had great concentrations of Hippopotamus in the region which prompted the management to carry out the great Hippo culling of the 1960s. You enjoy the view of the Nile crocodiles not forgetting another wild game drinking on the channel shores, Retreat from the 2-hour activity, di a game along the channel track as you head to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).

Day 8 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do game drive in Ishasha in search of tree climbing lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwest of Uganda. You have a game drive in the Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions along with other wild game. The tree climbing lions tend to lie on fig tree branches in the mid-morning sun. After this encounter, continue on the drive to Bwindi arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic).

Day 9 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Do gorilla trekking in the impenetrable Bwindi and relax at the lodge

Wake up for a stimulating breakfast before gathering at the respective park headquarters at 8 am for a briefing about gorilla trekking and allocation of the respective gorilla family to track. You head to the Bwindi forest with its remarkable mist in search of the worlds critically endangered mountain gorillas. The trekking encounter takes you through impressive hikes exploring the rewarding forest landscapes that are marked with rugged terrain which is at times challenging to explore. The duration of the activity is between 2 -8 hours inclusive of one (1) hour direct encounter with these species as they forage, socialize and make their playful tactics with the frightening eyes of the Silverback. You are free to take as many photos as you wish before you retreat from the activity to return to the starting point. After this encounter, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic).

Day 10 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat cruise and relaxation

After a relaxed breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a whole day encounter on the lake. You explore the scenic landscapes of the lake and reach out to some of its 29 Islands amidst the rolling hills of Kigezi. The 5- 6 boat cruise is a rewarding adventure worth undertaking. You return to the lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxed. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Bird nest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange / Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget / Basic).

Day 11 of the 12 Days Gorilla Safari Uganda & Wildlife Safari tour in Uganda: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & do an evening game drive

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park 199km about 4 – 5 hours drive passing through impressive countryside landscapes of south western Uganda before approaching Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town for traditional lunch. You will proceed for 33km to Lake Mburo National Park for an evening game drive activity exploring the parks savannah landscapes with impressive fauna. Retie for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange / Standard) or Eagles Nest (Budget / Basic).

Day 12 of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour: Do a morning game walking safari and transfer back to Kampala

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling game walking safari after the sunrise to explore the impressive savannah acacia landscapes with rolling hills marked with protruding Kopje rocks and ancient Precambrian rocks that have existed in the area for over 500 million years past. The animals that can be encountered include; Impala antelope which only exist in Lake Mburo NP, Burchells Zebra, Rothschild Giraffes, Topis, waterbucks, warthogs, among other wildlife. Retreat from the 3 -4 hour activity and embark on the transfer back to Kampala 240km about 4 hours drive. You will make a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photoshoots.

End of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour

Your Safari Route

General Safari Inclusions

• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

General Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)