12 Days Classic Uganda Safari Adventure
The 12 days Uganda safari begins and ends in Kampala the capital city of Uganda. This 12 Days Classic Uganda Safari incorporates one gorilla permit of USD 600 per person in the final cost. The 12 Days Uganda Safari takes you to Bwindi impenetrable national park which is found in the western part of the country, with over 340 mountain gorillas that are half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas.
The safari furthermore takes you to Murchison Falls National Park which is mostly referred to as Kaberega falls which are popular because of the diversity of wildlife and boat cruises, the animal species in the park comprise; lions, elephants, bushbucks, antelopes, kobs, birds and so much more. This 12 Days Classic Uganda Safari also takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is prominent for the Kazinga channel and many animal and bird species including a number of antelope types like the Dukes, reedbuck, Topis, and the Sitatunga. The park is also home to the tree-climbing lions found in the Ishasha region of the park. It is also in the sixth position of the world’s birding destinations with uncommon species like shoe bills among others. The other animal species found in the park include; the chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge, elephants, and kobs among others.
In addition to that, you will also have an opportunity to visit Kibale National Park with its density and diversity of primates and the highest in Africa. The primate species include the golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and olive baboon among the many primates. Finally, lake Mburo National Park is endowed with a number of species like buffaloes waters bucks, zebras, giraffes, and many others.
Highlights – 12 Days Classic Uganda Safari
- Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 4: Engage in Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi wetlands visit
- Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 6: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise
- Day 7: A nature walk within Maramagambo Forest and an afternoon game drive
- Day 8: Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 9: Gorilla trekking- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 11: Game drive and an afternoon boat cruise
- Day 12: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
Detailed itinerary:
DAY 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, then drive to Murchison falls through Luwero town and have a break at Zziwa Rhino sanctuary in order to relish these black and white rhinos, here one pays USD 55 for entrance. The sanctuary was established mainly to protect the rhinos from danger and poachers. The next stop will be in Masindi town for lunch and then head straight to Murchison falls National Park on the hike to the top of the falls to view the beautiful scenery of the waterfalls and the park. Murchison Falls National Park is one the largest national park in Uganda and it covers an area of 3840sq meters. It is endowed with many attractions including wildlife, flora, and fauna ranging from swampy land, and savannah to riparian forests, the wildlife comprises leopards, lions, hyenas, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, crocodiles, hippos, primates like monkeys, and baboons. The park is also home to a variety of bird species which include the rare shoebill stork, lturis Batis, Tit Hylia, forest robin, and yellow-billed, and grey throated. The major tourist activities carried out here are game viewing and boat trips along the Nile River.
Accommodation Options; Para Safari Lodge (Upmarket), Murchison Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge (Moderate), Red Chilli Rest Camp/Heritage Safari Lodge (Basic)
DAY 2: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then go ahead to search for the wildlife species on a game drive, where you get the opportunity to view many different species including; giraffes, lions, elephants, buffaloes, birds and so much more. After this, the tour guide will then take you to have lunch at the lodge as you look forward to enjoying a boat cruise on River Nile.
The boat cruise will give a chance to get close and view the water animals which include over 4000 hippos as well as the Nile crocodiles and elephants at the banks of the river. The Nile Is home to a variety of beautiful bird species like the bee-eaters, colored kingfisher, shoebill stork, and grey throated and yellow-billed birds. The boat ride will take you to the bottom of the Murchison falls, where you will be able to view clearly the mighty waterfalls.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge
DAY 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After having breakfast, we set off to Kibale National Park, you get a chance to pass through lake Albert escarpments which gives you a good view of the beautiful lake. Then make a stop in Hoima for lunch, you have an opportunity to go through many traditional villages where you may even take photos of the hills and the local people doing daily activities. You will then continue to Kibale National Park which is best known because of the great rain forest which is one of its kind in Africa.
The forest is popular for its primate species with chimpanzees being the main tracked species, the park also has three habituated communities that can be trekked. The primate species include the golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and those interested in bird watching Kibale Forest National Park has over 300. It is a spectacular venue for watching numerous primate and bird species in their natural habitats. The swamp is managed and owned by the local people in the community.
On arrival at the park, you will check into the lodge and continue to visit other tourist sites like the crater lakes region and the terraced tea plantations around the hills of Fort Portal. The Crater Lake sits on Lake Nyinambuga where you can have a nature walk as you enjoy the cool breeze of the lake, after this, you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options; Kyaninga Lodge (Super Luxury), Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge (Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/ Mountains of the moon (Moderate), Kibale Forest Camp (Basic)
Meal Plan; Full Board.
DAY 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi wetland visit
Start the day with early breakfast and then head to Kanyanchu by 8:00am and start your chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest National Park. Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to human beings since they share 98% of their DNA with humans. While searching for these beautiful chimps, you have an opportunity to see a variety of primates and animal species including; the LHoests Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red trailed monkeys, grey-cheeked Monkeys, Pottos, bushbabies, etc. You also get a chance to see different species of birds including, the little greenbul, yellow spotted nictor, rumped tinker bird, crowned eagles, green breasted pitta, and black bee spotted eater as well as the elephants which are the mammals.
The primates are located by listening to their pant hooting calls and then hurry to the place where they are calling from. Then you get a chance to observe them play, feed, socialize and jump around trees.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Meal Plan; Full board
DAY 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is a three hours drive from Kibale National Park. This was named after Queen Elizabeth II. The park is also prominent for various wildlife species and primate species which include the impalas, kobs, forest hogs, elephants, buffaloes, tree-climbing lions, and the cape buffalos, it is also endowed with diverse ecosystems which include sprawling savanna, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes among others.
On your arrival at the park, you check in and prepare to engage in a game drive within the park and spend the afternoon viewing different wildlife species which include lions, kobs, elephants, buffaloes, and more.
Accommodation Options; Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge/Katara Lodge (Upmarket), Twin Lakes Lodge (Moderate), Bush Lodge in Tents/ Mweya Hotels (Basic).
Meal Plan; Full Board
DAY 6: Game drive and boat cruise
After your tasty breakfast, you then head to the Ishasha sector for the tree-climbing lions, you’re more likely to see them here than any other place in Africa. While you park under the tree, it’s stunning observing them as they periodically gaze down at you, then back out over the horizon. In the heat of the day, and with stomachs swollen full of food, they occasionally reposition themselves in the trees. It is truly an amazing sight to behold! Continue with the game drive where you are to see many other savannah animals including elephants, buffaloes, Kobs etc, then go back to your lodge for lunch after which you will go for the afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga channel. This waterway joins Lakes Edward and George and is filled with schools of hippos, buffaloes, elephants at the banks, and a wonderful diversity of birds. Because of the different habitats of the lakeshores and the broad Savannah, the variety seems endless. Catch a glimpse of water birds diving for fish, the Marabou stork, bee-eater, and cheeky bronze-tailed starling as well as the majestic crowned crane. Retire to your lodge for Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: A nature walk within Maramagambo Forest and an afternoon game drive
Wake up early and proceed for a walk through the Maramagambo forest which is the second-largest forest in the country. This forest is home to a variety of primates and many different wildlife species like butterflies, birds, bats, elephants, and chimpanzees which are found in Kyambura Gorge within the forest.
The walk will also take you to the volcanic caves which are home to thousands of bat species and the predator pythons, these pythons feed on the bats which leave in the cave. The walk will take you to the crater lake and the Kyambura gorge where the chimpanzees live. After the walk, you will enjoy lunch and then proceed for the game drive through the lshasha region where you will be able to view the tree-climbing lions and many other animal species including the birds, buffalos, elephants, kobs, monkeys, and more.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge
Meal Plan; Full Board
DAY 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After having breakfast, we take off to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park which is home to the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas. The park is gifted with different wildlife species like buffaloes, elephants, monkeys, butterflies, and bird species like Kivu ground thrush, bar-tailed trogon, and white-tailed blue monarch among others. On arrival, you will have a briefing and then head to enjoy the fullness of the mist forest while trekking. Trekking takes about 1hour to 8hours based on the location of the gorillas, you will be permitted one hour with the gorillas after finding them.
Accommodation Options; Mahogany Springs/Silverback Lodge (upmarket), Lake Kitandara Camp/Bakiga Lodge (Moderate), Buhoma Community Camp/Trekker’s Tavern (Basic)
Meal Plan; Full Board.
Day 9: Gorilla tracking
Have breakfast very early morning, take packed lunch, and head to the park headquarters. You will have a briefing before continuing to the forest for the tracking experience. This may take between 6-8hours and once you meet the gorillas, you will see be amazed by the way they feed their young ones, feed, and play. Spend an hour with them then retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
In the morning, have early breakfast then set off to Lake Mburo National Park, which is the smallest savannah national park in Uganda. It is home to three hundred thirty-three species of birds and animals like buffaloes, Oribis, Kobs, Warthogs, and Zebras among others. Upon your arrival, you will check-in at the lodge then head for a guided nature walk through the park then have dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation Options; Mantana Tented Camp/Mihingo Lodge (Up-Market), Rwaboko rock/Lake Mburo Safari Lodge (Moderate), Rwonyo Camp (Basic)
Meal Plan; Full Board
DAY 11: Game Drive and afternoon boat cruise
Breakfast in the morning and next embark on a game drive through the park where you will view the amazing sights and wildlife such as the impalas, antelopes, kobs, and also the different bird species making your tour memorable. Thereafter head to the lodge for lunch and prepare for an extraordinary experience on the boat cruise along the lake where you will get to gaze or view a lot of wildlife at banks like crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, and buffaloes. You will also come face to face with the breathtaking flora and fauna of the lake and when it comes to the birds, you view the African Fish Eagles, Blue-headed Weavers, Rufuos long-tailed starlings, hammer kobs among others.
Dinner and overnight at a lodge of your choice
Meal Plan: Full Board
DAY 12: Transfer to Kampala
Have breakfast at leisure then leave for Kampala arriving early evening.
End of the 12 Days Uganda Safari
