12 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide from Verdant Safaris and transferred to your luxury hotel in Entebbe. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel, enjoy views of Lake Victoria or take a leisurely walk through the beautiful gardens surrounding your accommodation. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing about your upcoming safari and answer any questions you may have regarding the journey. This first day is intentionally relaxed, allowing you to recover from your international flight and prepare for the remarkable experiences that await you across Uganda’s extraordinary landscapes and wildlife reserves. This is the start of the 12 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari.

Accommodation: Hotel No.5 Entebbe, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Latitude 0 Degrees

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast, you will begin your scenic drive northwards to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, you will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting rhino tracking experience on foot. Accompanied by experienced rangers, you will have the opportunity to observe Uganda’s only wild rhinos at close range in their natural environment. Following lunch, continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls where the mighty River Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically below. The thunderous roar and breathtaking views provide an unforgettable introduction to Uganda’s largest and most celebrated national park.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise

Rise early for an exciting game drive across the northern plains of Murchison Falls National Park. The open savannah is home to elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes and numerous bird species. Your experienced guide will help you spot wildlife while sharing fascinating insights about the park’s ecology and conservation efforts. After lunch at the lodge, embark on a relaxing boat cruise along the River Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you may encounter hippos, crocodiles, elephants and abundant birdlife gathering at the water’s edge. The spectacular scenery and exceptional wildlife sightings make this day one of the highlights of your safari.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Following breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and embark on a scenic drive towards Kibale Forest National Park. The journey passes through charming rural landscapes, traditional villages and extensive tea plantations that showcase Uganda’s natural beauty and cultural diversity. Upon arrival, check into your luxury lodge nestled near the forest and spend the remainder of the day relaxing amidst the tranquil surroundings. Kibale Forest is internationally recognised for its exceptional primate diversity and lush tropical vegetation. The peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery offer the perfect setting to prepare for the exciting chimpanzee tracking experience awaiting you the following day.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest in search of habituated chimpanzees. Guided by expert trackers, you will walk through the rainforest while listening to the sounds of birds and primates echoing through the canopy. Encountering chimpanzees in their natural environment is a fascinating and memorable experience. Besides chimpanzees, you may also see several monkey species and colourful forest birds. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk. This beautiful wetland is renowned for its biodiversity and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about local conservation initiatives and community projects.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today you will continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Africa’s most biodiverse protected areas. The scenic drive passes crater lakes, lush vegetation and dramatic landscapes before arriving at the park. After checking into your lodge, enjoy an afternoon at leisure while admiring panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Later, embark on an evening game drive across the Kasenyi Plains where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and numerous bird species. The diverse habitats found within the park support remarkable wildlife populations and create some of Uganda’s most spectacular safari experiences.

Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in search of predators and other wildlife species that are most active during the cooler hours. You may encounter lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants and large herds of antelopes grazing across the plains. Return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch before embarking on a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George supports one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos. The cruise also offers exceptional opportunities to observe crocodiles, elephants and an impressive variety of birdlife gathering along the shores.

Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector

Following breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and proceed through the Ishasha Sector, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions. You will enjoy a game drive while searching for these remarkable predators often seen resting in fig trees. Continue your journey southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive takes you through scenic highlands and terraced hillsides that reveal the beauty of rural Uganda. Upon arrival, settle into your luxurious forest lodge and prepare for the extraordinary gorilla trekking adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of your safari. Following an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the dense rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, but every moment spent walking through the ancient forest is rewarding. Eventually, you will spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom and interact with one another. The experience of standing only a few metres away from mountain gorillas is profoundly moving and leaves lasting memories that few wildlife encounters can equal.

Accommodation: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah national park. Despite its size, the park is remarkably diverse and is particularly famous for its populations of zebras, impalas and elands. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon at leisure before embarking on an evening game drive through the park’s acacia woodlands and open grasslands. The peaceful environment and beautiful landscapes provide an intimate safari experience and an opportunity to encounter giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs and various bird species.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge, Kigarama Wilderness Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Walking Safari and Return to Entebbe

Begin the day with an exhilarating guided walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger. Exploring the wilderness on foot allows you to appreciate the smaller details of nature and observe wildlife from a unique perspective. You may encounter zebras, giraffes, impalas and numerous bird species while learning about animal behaviour and the park’s ecosystems. Following breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe with a stop at the Equator for photographs and souvenir shopping. Arrive in Entebbe in the evening and enjoy your final night in Uganda while reflecting on the incredible experiences of your safari.

Accommodation: Hotel No.5 Entebbe, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Latitude 0 Degrees

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Departure

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may spend the morning relaxing at your hotel or enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of Entebbe. Your driver-guide will then transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. As your safari comes to an end, you will leave Uganda with unforgettable memories of thrilling game drives, close encounters with mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, scenic boat cruises and the warm hospitality that makes Uganda one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.

Meals: Breakfast

End of the 12 Days Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari.