Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe or Kampala

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your safari guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short city tour, relax by the shores of Lake Victoria, or simply unwind and prepare for your upcoming journey through Uganda’s wild heart.

Recommended Hotels:

• Luxury: Hotel No.5 Entebbe or Serena Kampala Hotel

• Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel or Fairway Hotel

• Budget: Airport Guesthouse or Forest Cottages Kampala

Day 2 – Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Continue to Murchison Falls

After breakfast, begin your journey north toward Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild. With an armed ranger, you’ll take a guided walk to observe these endangered giants in their natural habitat. The sanctuary is also home to antelopes and bird species, making for a great start to your safari.

Afterward, continue to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping in Masindi for lunch. Arrive at your lodge in time for dinner, with the distant roar of the falls in the background.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Fort Murchison Lodge

• Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge or Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 3 – Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Nile

Rise early for a morning game drive across the savannah plains north of the Nile. You’ll spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Jackson’s hartebeest, and if lucky, the elusive leopard. The open plains and rising sun create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable photographs.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. This scenic ride is filled with wildlife — crocodiles sunning on the riverbanks, hippos wallowing in pods, and elephants quenching their thirst at the shoreline. At the base, the thunder of Murchison Falls grows louder as the Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge. For those seeking adventure, an optional hike to the top of the falls offers breathtaking views.

Day 4 – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive south toward Kibale National Park, known as the “Primate Capital of the World.” The journey passes through lush countryside, tea plantations, and crater lakes, offering beautiful photographic stops along the way. Arrive in Fort Portal in the evening, a picturesque town at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, and check into your forest lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge or Crater Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Turaco Treetops or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

• Budget: Kibale Forest Camp or Rweteera Safari Park

Day 5 – Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk

After breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a pre-tracking briefing. You’ll then set off with experienced rangers to track one of Kibale’s habituated chimpanzee families. The trek through dense forest reveals a world alive with sound and movement — monkeys jumping through the canopy, colorful butterflies fluttering, and the distant pant-hoots of chimps echoing through the trees.

Once found, you’ll spend an hour observing the chimpanzees’ fascinating behavior — grooming, playing, or swinging effortlessly between branches. After lunch, take a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project rich in birds and primates. Return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxed evening.

Day 6 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse reserve, renowned for its big game, volcanic craters, and lush savannah landscapes. Arrive by midday, check into your lodge, and enjoy lunch before embarking on an evening game drive through the Kasenyi plains. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, lions, and antelopes against the dramatic backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge

• Mid-range: Enganzi Game Lodge or Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

• Budget: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge or Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 7 – Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin your day with another game drive as the sun rises over the savannah. Predators are most active at this hour, offering a chance to see lions hunting or leopards retreating into the trees.

After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s richest wildlife viewing areas. The channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward, attracting hundreds of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous bird species. This is one of the most memorable experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 8 – Transfer to Ishasha Sector for Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, drive south through the park to the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare population of tree-climbing lions. If lucky, you’ll spot them lounging in fig trees — a unique and unforgettable sight. Enjoy a picnic lunch and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening to check into your lodge nestled amidst the forested highlands.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge or Gorilla Forest Camp

• Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Mist Camp

• Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 9 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Wake up early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. With your ranger guides, you’ll venture into the dense rainforest to track one of the habituated gorilla families. The trek can be strenuous, but the moment you find them — a silverback watching over his family, mothers caring for young, and juveniles tumbling playfully — is truly life-changing.

You’ll spend one magical hour observing the gorillas before trekking back. Return to your lodge for lunch, relaxation, or an optional cultural walk to meet the Batwa people, the forest’s original inhabitants.

Day 10 – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation

After breakfast, leave Bwindi for the scenic highlands of Kabale, home to the enchanting Lake Bunyonyi — meaning “Place of Many Little Birds.” This is one of Africa’s deepest and most picturesque lakes, dotted with over 20 small islands. Upon arrival, check into your lakeside lodge and spend the day at leisure — swimming, canoeing, or simply relaxing as you enjoy the serene beauty of the lake and its birdlife.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Birdnest Resort Bunyonyi or Arcadia Cottages

• Mid-range: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort or Bunyonyi Overland Resort

• Budget: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat or Crater Bay Cottages

Day 11 – Return to Lake Mburo National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, drive northeast to Lake Mburo National Park, a small but beautiful park known for its zebras, impalas, elands, and abundant birdlife. Upon arrival, enjoy a short game drive or an optional afternoon boat ride on Lake Mburo. As the sun sets, take a guided nature walk or night game drive to spot nocturnal wildlife.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

• Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock Lodge

• Budget: Eagle’s Nest Camp

Day 12 – Morning Game Drive & Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Start the day with a morning game drive before departing for Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, stop at the Equator for photos and souvenirs. You’ll arrive in the evening, marking the end of your unforgettable 12 Days Uganda Primate & Big Five Safari — a journey through jungles, rivers, and plains that truly defines the magic of Uganda.