12 Day Highlights of Uganda Safari

Discover the very best of Uganda on this 12-Day Highlights of Uganda Safari, an exciting journey through the country’s spectacular national parks, rich wildlife habitats, tropical forests and vibrant cultural landscapes. From tracking rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to exploring the savannah plains of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, this safari offers an unforgettable introduction to Uganda, famously known as the Pearl of Africa.

Your adventure combines thrilling wildlife game drives, a scenic boat cruise on the Nile River, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and an enriching cultural encounter with the Batwa community. You will also explore Lake Mburo National Park, where guided game drives, a boat safari and horseback riding provide different ways to experience Uganda’s wildlife and landscapes.

Organized by Arcadia Safaris, this private Uganda safari includes professional driver-guiding, comfortable accommodation options and carefully planned wildlife experiences. Whether you prefer luxury, mid-range or budget accommodation, this 12-day Uganda wildlife and primate safari can be tailored to your travel preferences.

Safari Highlights:

Pickup from Entebbe International Airport

A complimentary Kampala City Tour

Rhino Tracking at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Game Drives in Murchison Falls National Park

A Boat Cruise to the base of the Falls

Hiking to the Top of the Falls

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Bigodi Swamp Walk and a Community Visit

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

A Boat Trip at Kazinga Channel

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park

Batwa Cultural Encounter in Bwindi

Day and Night Game Drives in Lake Mburo National Park

Horseback Riding inside the Park

Transfer back to Entebbe International Airport

A Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Kampala

After breakfast, depart Kampala and travel north towards Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino-tracking experience on foot. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you will learn about Uganda’s rhino conservation efforts and have the opportunity to observe southern white rhinos in their protected natural habitat.

After your visit to the sanctuary, continue towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park and an outstanding destination for wildlife viewing. Enjoy the changing countryside scenery before arriving at your lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the lodge and enjoy the surrounding natural environment ahead of the following day’s safari activities.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 3: Morning Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise and Visit to the Top of Murchison Falls

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. Accompanied by your professional driver-guide, explore the park’s savannah plains in search of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and, with luck, lions and leopards. The park is also an excellent destination for birdwatching, with a wide variety of resident and migratory species.

Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation before heading out for a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Watch for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants near the riverbanks and numerous waterbirds. Depending on the day’s arrangements and conditions, continue to the designated trail for a guided hike to the top of the falls, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging into the river below. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls National Park and travel southwest towards Kibale Forest National Park. The journey takes you through Uganda’s countryside, with views of rural settlements, farms, trading centres and rolling landscapes along the way. This is a longer transfer day, so an early departure is recommended. 12 Day Highlights of Uganda Safari

Kibale Forest is one of Uganda’s most important primate destinations and is particularly renowned for its chimpanzee population. Upon arrival, check in at your selected accommodation and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Prepare for your upcoming chimpanzee-tracking adventure and the guided nature walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Nature Walk

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by the ranger guides before beginning your chimpanzee-tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Walk through the lush tropical forest in search of chimpanzees, learning about their behaviour, social structures and natural habitat. You may also encounter other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Once the chimpanzees are located, visitors are generally permitted to spend up to one hour observing them, subject to park regulations.

Later, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk through a rich wetland ecosystem surrounded by forest and local communities. The sanctuary is known for its birdlife, butterflies, vegetation and opportunities to spot additional primates. Your guide will explain the area’s biodiversity and the role of community-based conservation. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Kibale Forest and drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife destinations. The route passes through scenic countryside and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, with opportunities to appreciate the region’s changing landscapes along the way. 12 Day Highlights of Uganda Safari

After arriving and checking in at your lodge, enjoy lunch and some time to relax before setting out for an evening game drive, depending on arrival time and park conditions. Explore the savannah in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and other wildlife. With luck, you may encounter lions or other predators becoming active as the day cools. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start the day with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the park’s wildlife-rich plains with your professional driver-guide. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and a range of other species. Lions and leopards may also be encountered, although sightings are never guaranteed. The park’s varied habitats make it an excellent destination for birdwatching and wildlife photography.

After returning to your lodge for lunch and a short rest, head to the Kazinga Channel for a memorable boat cruise. This natural channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and attracts large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and numerous waterbirds. You may also see elephants along the banks and observe local fishing activities in the surrounding area. After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO-recognized conservation area famous for its endangered mountain gorillas. Depending on the route and your selected gorilla-trekking sector, the journey may pass through Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its famous tree-climbing lions, or follow another suitable route through southwestern Uganda.

Enjoy the scenic drive through rural communities, terraced hills and lush landscapes before arriving at your lodge near Bwindi. After check-in, relax and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure. Your guide will help you review the practical preparations required for a forest trek, including suitable clothing, footwear and a daypack.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, proceed to the relevant park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger guides. You will then join a guided trek into Bwindi’s dense montane forest in search of an assigned mountain gorilla family. Trekking duration and difficulty vary depending on the gorillas’ location and the terrain, but the experience offers a remarkable opportunity to learn about these endangered primates in their natural habitat.

Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you will generally have up to one hour to observe and photograph the gorillas in accordance with park regulations. Return to your lodge after the trek and enjoy lunch, depending on the day’s timing. If time and energy permit, continue with a Batwa cultural experience to learn about the traditions, forest knowledge and cultural heritage of the Batwa people, Indigenous inhabitants of the region. If the trek runs late, the cultural visit may need to be adjusted. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Night Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel towards Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy views of southwestern Uganda’s highlands, rural settlements and open countryside as you make your way towards the park. This is a substantial road journey, so an early departure is recommended to allow sufficient time for the transfer and check-in.

Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation and enjoy some relaxation before dinner. If you arrive in time and the park’s schedule permits, head out for a guided night game drive. With the assistance of a ranger, search for nocturnal wildlife such as hyenas, genets and other animals that become active after dark. You may also encounter zebras, impalas and other species along the tracks. If the transfer delays your arrival, the night drive may need to be rescheduled subject to availability.

Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 11: Morning Game Drive and Boat Safari on Lake Mburo

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, a beautiful savannah and woodland reserve known for its zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffaloes and diverse birdlife. Explore the park’s tracks with your driver-guide, learning about its wildlife and habitats while looking for animals in the cooler morning hours.

Later, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Mburo, where the lake’s shoreline provides opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds. The calm waters and surrounding scenery offer a different perspective on the park’s ecosystem. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight, ready for your final safari activity the next morning.

Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 12: Horseback Riding and Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

After breakfast, enjoy a guided horseback riding experience in the Lake Mburo area, subject to availability and the operator’s safety requirements. This activity offers a distinctive way to appreciate the park’s open landscapes and wildlife surroundings. Wildlife sightings vary, and the experience is conducted according to the designated riding routes and guide instructions. 12 Day Highlights of Uganda Safari

After the ride, return to your lodge for check-out and begin the journey to Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your international flight departure time, lunch and any necessary rest stops will be arranged along the way. We recommend scheduling an early ride and allowing a generous road-transfer buffer before your flight. If your departure is early, an additional overnight stay may be more suitable. This brings your 12-Day Highlights of Uganda Safari with Arcadia Safaris to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of Uganda’s wildlife, primates, landscapes and cultural heritage.

Destination: Entebbe International Airport
Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

PRICE INCLUDES

• Round Trip Airport Transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
• Private Transportation in 4×4 Safari Cars
• Meals Specified on a Full Board basis
• Accommodation with Ensuite Facilities
• Applicable Park Entrance and Activities Fees
• English Speaking Professional Driver-Guide
• Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees
• Chimpanzee Tracking Permit Fees
• All Hotel and Lodge Pickups and Drop-off
• All Applicable Taxes
• Bottled drinking water and Fruits while on safari
• Activities as stipulated in the Itinerary (except those stated as “optional”)

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
• International Flight Fares (unless requested)
• Country Entry Visa
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Telephone Charges
• Laundry Services
• Bar bills and all Alcoholic drinks
• Souvenirs, Gifts and Tips
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• All related medical tests and vaccinations

SAFARI COST: (Rates are Per Person)

We appreciate you choosing us. Let’s explore the wild together!