12-Day Safari & Gorilla Trekking Package
Begin your incredible journey by flying into Entebbe, where your unforgettable 12-Day Safari and Gorilla Trekking Adventure begins. The following day, prepare for a scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, with a captivating stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to participate in a guided rhino tracking experience, offering a chance to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Continuing your adventure, you will traverse towards the lush landscapes surrounding Kibale Forest, renowned for its rich biodiversity and primate populations. Enjoy an excursion in the Bigodi Wetlands, a vibrant ecosystem where you can spot an array of bird species and maybe even some playful monkeys.
From Kibale, you’ll make your way to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the impressive vistas and diverse wildlife await. The park is famous for its picturesque landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the unique chance to partake in a thrilling boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where you can see hippos wallowing and elephants bathing.
Next, your journey leads you to the breathtaking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you will venture through the dense jungles in search of the elusive mountain gorillas. The trek can be challenging, but the reward of observing these gentle giants in their natural environment is truly mesmerizing.
After an exhilarating gorilla trekking experience, take some time to unwind by the serene shores of Lake Bunyonyi, with its stunning islands and tranquil waters—perfect for relaxing or even taking a canoe ride. Your adventure doesn’t end there; you’ll also visit Lake Mburo National Park, where you can explore its unique landscapes and diverse wildlife, including zebras and elands.
Finally, you will conclude your African safari experience with a return transfer to Entebbe Airport, taking with you unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for the beauty of Uganda’s nature and wildlife.
Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe International Airport and then Transfer to your Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our Vibrant Holiday Safaris Professional Driver guide will receive and welcome you to the Pearl of Africa. He will brief you about your 12-Day Safari & Gorilla Trekking Package and thereafter, he will transfer you to your Hotel. You will check in and take your rest – recovering from the long flight and adjusting to time difference. In case you reached early and are interested in some activity, you may consider an excursion to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens to sight a few primates and birds. Otherwise, check in for rest and relaxation.
Location: Kampala
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Latitude 0 Degrees
Mid-Range: Fairway Boutique Hotel
Budget: Via Via Entebbe
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Travel to Ziwa for rhino tracking and proceed to Murchison Falls National Park
After an early breakfast, you will set off to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Once there, you will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, head to Masindi where you will have a lunch stop. After lunch, embark on a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. If interested and time allows, you can proceed for a late afternoon-evening game drive expecting to encounter more mammals and probably find some on move hunting for dinner. Return to the lodge, dinner and overnight.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip upstream to the bottom of falls
After breakfast, you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive including giant kingfisher, marabou stork, lapwings. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your accommodation and relax.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Drive to the top of the falls and transfer to the edge of Kibale Forest NP
After breakfast, we’ll head to the top of Murchison Falls to fully appreciate its stunning beauty. From there, we’ll take a drive to our accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park. The journey is long but very scenic, taking us through charming villages, lush green areas, and hills filled with tea plantations that are typical of this region in Uganda. The views along the way will be breathtaking!
When we arrive at our place to stay, you’ll have time to check in and unwind from the long day. If you’re interested in a little adventure, there’s an optional excursion to visit some beautiful crater lakes for an extra $15. You’ll get to see many small lakes surrounded by gentle hills, all offering fantastic views. Otherwise, feel free to just relax and enjoy your time at the accommodation. Have dinner and overnight.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Chimpundu Lodge
Mid-Range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Bigodi wetlands excursion and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game drive
After breakfast, you will proceed for the Bigodi wetlands excursion. The Bigodi wetland boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the area is the Great Blue Turaco and others including yellow breasted pitta, brown chested Aletha, yellow ramped tinker bird and crowned eagle.
From Bigodi, we shall embark on a transfer (about 2hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will reach Queen early enough to have lunch, rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kobs, warthogs, elephants, lions and buffaloes to mention but a few. Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). Return to the accommodation and take your rest.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve – Afternoon boat trip on Kazinga Channel – evening game drive
After an early morning breakfast on day 6 of this 12-Day Safari & Gorilla Trekking Package you drive out to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The Forest is home to habituated Chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also over 379 bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Sunrise game drive in Kasenyi plains and Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha sector for Tree Climbing Lions
Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to Ishasha sector in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is undeniably memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi National Park (Buhoma sector). Once at the lodge, we can choose to just relax OR (at extra cost 15$) move out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Engagi Lodge
Mid-Range: Buhoma Haven Lodge
Budget: Bwindi Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Bwindi Forest walk/hike – waterfalls trail and transfer to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi
After breakfast, you’ll head out for a guided walk in the forest along a trail that leads to beautiful waterfalls. This is a great way to explore the dense forest that is often considered hard to navigate. Starting from Buhoma, you’ll follow the Munyaga river trail, which takes you to stunning and untouched waterfalls—an experience you won’t want to miss. During the walk, you might see various plants and animals, including black and white colobus monkeys and sometimes blue monkeys.
Once the walk is finished, you’ll return to your accommodation to check out and then travel to the Ruhija area of Bwindi, where we’ll go gorilla trekking tomorrow. Since it will be a physically demanding day, we suggest taking some time to relax this afternoon and keep the energy for the next day. Have dinner and overnight.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Bakiga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
Breakfast at around 6am and prepare for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience. Proceed to the visitor’s center for briefing about gorilla trekking dos and don’ts. Dressed appropriately with a bottle of water, camera set with no flash, embark on the search for the majestic mountain gorillas in the jungle of Bwindi forest. The search takes around 30 minutes to 6 hours to find the allocated gorilla family. On finding them, you have a full hour watching them play, nest feed and enjoying their daily life in their nature habitat making the safari enjoyable, magical and worth every effort. After the trek, receive your certificate as a memory for your gorilla trekking safari.
Have lunch, Check out and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day.
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi
Mid-Range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Relaxation while enjoying the stunning beauty of Lake Bunyonyi
After days of long drives and of course the strenuous gorilla trekking (previous day) in Bwindi, this day is at your disposal for relaxation. All meals will be served at the accommodation. Optional (at extra cost): Should you wish to go out for an activity, you may consider the following; Historical Islands’ tour, visit to the Batwa/pygmies’ community, Nyombe swamp excursion, Mountain Bike cycling, Zip lining, canoeing or kayaking on the lake. The activity can be arranged onsite with the help of your driver-guide. Enjoy your stay.
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi
Mid-Range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for evening game drive
After breakfast, you will set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topi, impalas, Uganda kob and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night. #Optional (extra cost 50$): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Mid-Range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Mburo Eagle’s Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Morning walking safari and transfer back to Entebbe for your departure flight
On the final day of the 12-Day Safari & Gorilla Trekking Package, you will enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelope, Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport to catch flight.
Location: Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of tour
Tour includes
Accommodation on full board
Transportation to and from Kampala or Entebbe
gorilla trekking permits
Chimpanzee trekking permits
Park entry fees
All mentioned activities
Bottled drinking water
English speaking driver guide
Tour excludes
International flights
Visa
Insurance
Laundry
Alcoholic beverages
Accommodation on final day
All expenses of personal nature