12-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari
Twelve days. Four national parks. Every flagship Uganda experience in one extraordinary journey. This is the itinerary for travellers who want to do Uganda properly — tracking rhinos at Ziwa, cruising the Nile at Murchison Falls, trekking chimpanzees in Kibale, spotting tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, trekking gorillas in Bwindi and unwinding on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
Safari at a Glance
| Duration | 12 days / 11 nights |
|---|---|
| Parks & Destinations | Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary • Murchison Falls NP • Kibale Forest NP • Queen Elizabeth NP • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest • Lake Bunyonyi |
| Highlights | Rhino tracking, Nile boat cruise, chimpanzee tracking, Kazinga Channel, Ishasha tree lions, gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi relaxation day |
| Accommodation | Mid-range to luxury lodges, tented camps & lake-view cottages |
| Group size | 2 – 8 people |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Start / End | Entebbe International Airport |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Depart Entebbe after breakfast and drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an evening briefing and rhino orientation. Overnight: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lodge.
Day 2 — Rhino Tracking & Drive to Murchison Falls
Early morning rhino tracking on foot through Ziwa’s savannah. Uganda’s only wild white rhino population. Continue north to Murchison Falls National Park arriving in time for a late afternoon game drive. Overnight: Murchison Falls NP lodge.
Day 3 — Nile Boat Cruise & Murchison Falls
Two-hour boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Watch hippos, crocodiles and over 450 bird species from the water. Afternoon hike to the top of the falls and optional shoebill stork search at the Nile Delta. Overnight: Murchison Falls NP lodge.
Day 4 — North Bank Game Drive, Murchison Falls
Full-day game drive on the north bank of the Nile — the park’s best big game terrain. Lions, leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants and massive buffalo herds. Return via the Victoria Nile car ferry. Overnight: Murchison Falls NP lodge.
Day 5 — Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest
Drive south to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal, passing through the scenic Crater Lakes region. Afternoon guided forest-edge walk. Overnight: Kibale area lodge.
Day 6 — Chimpanzee Tracking, Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee tracking in Africa’s premier primate forest — Kibale hosts over 1,500 chimpanzees. The tracking takes 2–5 hours. Afternoon choice of primate walk, birding or relaxation at the lodge. Overnight: Kibale area lodge.
Day 7 — Kibale to Queen Elizabeth via Crater Lakes
Scenic morning drive south through the Fort Portal Crater Lakes — a patchwork of volcanic craters and tea estates. Afternoon game drive on arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP lodge.
Day 8 — Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Game Drive
Morning game drive on the Kasenyi Plains targeting lion prides and elephant herds. Midday Kazinga Channel boat cruise — hippos, crocodiles, elephants, pelicans and dozens of kingfisher species. Optional Maramagambo Forest walk in the afternoon. Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP lodge.
Day 9 — Ishasha: Tree-Climbing Lions
Full day in Ishasha — southern Queen Elizabeth NP and home to the famous fig-tree-climbing lions. Spend the day game driving through open savannah and fig woodland. Also watch for leopards, topi, Uganda kob and giant forest hogs. Overnight: Ishasha sector tented camp.
Day 10 — Ishasha to Bwindi / Gorilla Trekking
Short scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Lodge check-in, gorilla briefing and afternoon forest walk. Gorilla trek (permit allocated to this day) — trek duration 2–8 hours through dense montane forest. Overnight: Bwindi area lodge.
Day 11 — Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Morning at leisure in Bwindi — optional second gorilla trek (additional permit required) or Batwa Cultural Trail. After lunch drive to Lake Bunyonyi — Uganda’s most scenic lake, dotted with 29 islands. Afternoon canoe paddle or sunset boat trip. Overnight: Lake Bunyonyi lakeside lodge.
Day 12 — Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe
Relaxed breakfast on the lake shore, morning canoe or community walk, then depart for Entebbe (6–7 hours) with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Arrive Entebbe for evening international flights or overnight hotel.
Included
- All accommodation (11 nights, mid-range to luxury)
- All meals — full board throughout
- Gorilla trekking permit (USD 800 per person)
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Rhino tracking fee at Ziwa
- Airport transfers and all ground transport in a 4WD safari vehicle
- All national park and sanctuary entry fees
- Nile boat cruise and Kazinga Channel boat cruise fees
- English-speaking professional driver-guide
- Mineral water during transfers
Excluded
- International flights and Uganda entry visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages and personal items
- Optional activities (second gorilla trek, Batwa Trail, canoe hire)
Book the 12-Day Ultimate Uganda Safari
Gorilla permits and peak-season lodge rooms book up 6+ months ahead. Contact Orugano Safaris now to check availability and hold your dates. Compare with our 11-Day Uganda Primate Safari if you have less time. Full preparation tips in our gorilla trekking guide.