12 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari

This 12-day Safari in Uganda offers you the best of Uganda rich wildlife abundance, beautiful scenery and a unique cultural experiences. You will trek Gorilla in Bwindi NP, track chimpanzees in Kibale NP, and enjoy views of Africa’s Big Five – elephants, Rhinos, leopard, lions and buffaloes, among others, in addition to several bird species living in the forest lands of Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. The thunderous Murchison Falls on River Nile (the longest river in the world) will be spectacle to remember while the crater lakes area will also be worth visiting.

Cost Of 12 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari

The average cost of a 12‑day Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari—covering Murchison Falls, Kibale chimp trekking, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi gorilla trekking, Lake Mburo and adventure time in Jinja—runs about US $3,800 to $5,300 per person for a mid‑range private tour with two travellers.
Because vehicle and guide costs are shared, groups of four to six typically pay ≈ US $3,100–3,600 pp, whereas luxury fly‑in versions can top US $6,500 pp. The above figures already include the US $800 gorilla permit, the US $250 chimpanzee permit, park fees and mid‑range lodges, but exclude international flights, visas, tips, beverages and personal purchases
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Safari Activities: Game drives, Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Chimpanzee tracking, Gorilla trekking, Launch Cruise, views of the tree-climbing Lions, white water rafting

Optional Activities: Bigodi Swamp Nature walk, Batwa Cultural Tour, horseback riding, Quad biking and bungee jumping

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP, Rhino Tracking

Day 3: Game Drive & Launch Cruise

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Nature Walk (optional)

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Game Drive, Transfer to Ishasha

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park

Day 9: Gorillas Trekking, Batwa Cultural Tour

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 11: Transfer to Jinja through Kampala

Day 12: White Water Rafting, Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda

On Arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be received by the safari driver-guide who will transfer you to hotel as well as brief you about this 12 Day Safari adventure in Uganda. You will enjoy views of Lake Victoria the largest freshwater lake in Africa en-route.

Journey time: 1 hour

Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner (Depending on arrival time)

Accommodation

Luxury: Imperial Hotel, Serena Hotel
Mid-range: Speke Resort Hotel, Emin Pasha Hotel
Budget facility: Namirembe Guest house, Acardia Cottages

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP, Rhino Tracking

After breakfast early morning, the driver guide will pick you up and begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park along a scenic drive. You will stopover at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where you will track Rhinos on foot for about 90 minutes, have lunch in Masindi and then eventually proceed to the park.

Once in the park, you will transfer to the top of the falls where you will enjoy views of the waters of the Nile squeeze through a narrow 7-meter gorge and drop over a 40 meters cliff below.

Travel time: 5 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari lodge
Budget facility: Fort Murchison in tents

Day 3: Game Drive & Launch Cruise

Today early morning you will set out on an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls NP the largest national park in Uganda during which you will be rewarded with views of different animals such as buffaloes, giraffes, Lions, elephants, Leopards, hartebeest, among others and different types of birds. You will then return to your accommodation for a late breakfast, relax and lunch.

Later in the afternoon, go for a 2 hours Launch cruise on the river Nile to the ‘Devils Cauldron’ found at the bottom of the waterfalls where you will enjoy great views of the Murchison falls and also see several animals like the giant Nile crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and birds on the river banks.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari lodge
Budget facility: Fort Murchison in tents

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast you will begin the long drive heading southwards to Kibale Forest National Park also known as the primate’s capital in East Africa. The park is home to 13 different primate species including the colobus monkeys, the red tailed and blue monkeys; however the main attraction here are the chimpanzees which share 98% of their DNA with man. On arrival, check into your accommodation for dinner and the night’s rest. Along this scenic country you will drive through several towns, village settlements, farms and plantations that cover the rolling hills.

Journey time: 7 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Mid-range: Turaco Treetops
Budget: Chimpanzee guest house

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Nature Walk (optional)

Today you will begin the day early morning to enjoy one of the highlights of this safari –Chimpanzee Tracking. By 8:00am you will arrive at the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park guides about the do’s and don’ts of this activity. You will encounter several birds, butterflies, and small monkeys in the forest during the tracking which takes between 2 to 3 hours before finding the chimps. When you locate them you will you will take photographs and observe these very playful chimps.

In the afternoon after lunch at your lodge, there will be an optional guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is a community initiative and there your will see several birds, primates, small animals and even interact with some of the locals. Proceeds from this nature walk are used by the locals for community development in form of building schools and other initiatives.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Mid-range: Turaco Treetops
Budget: Chimpanzee guest house

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will have breakfast and then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park driving through the beautiful countryside. You will enjoy views of the crater lakes and the snow-capped mountain Rwenzori. Once in the park, you will drive to your accommodation enjoying a small game drive on the way.

After a nice lunch at the lodge, you go for a 2 hours boat cruise on the Kazinga channel a natural water way that connects Lakes George and Edward. You will see several birds and animals such as elephants, hippos and buffaloes making it perfect for photography.

Travel time: 2 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Mid-range: Twin Lakes Lodge
Budget: Elephant Hab Lodge

Day 7: Game Drive, Transfer to Ishasha

Early morning, head to the Kasenyi plains where you will see different animals freely playing in their natural habitat among which are water bucks, Lions, Elephants, Uganda kobs, Buffaloes, Kobs, and many others. After you will continue to the Ishasha Sector found in the southern part of the park which is mostly known for its resident population of the unique tree climbing lions. You will search for these lions which you will likely find resting in the tree branches of the huge acacia trees. You will aslo see see other animals in this area.

Travel time: 2 hours

Accommodation

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness camp

Mid-range: Ishasha Jungle lodge
Budget: Enjojo Lodge

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park

You will have a final breakfast in Queen Elizabeth National Park and begin the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home of the endangered mountain Gorillas. You will drive through the beautiful kigezi highlands where you will see Uganda’s beautiful terraced hills. You will have lunch en-route and later arrive in Bwindi where you will have dinner and spend the night.

Travel Time: 2 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range: Buhoma Haven Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Lodge
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Buhoma community rest camp

Day 9: Gorillas Trekking, Batwa Cultural Tour

By 8:00am you will be at the park headquarters after an early breakfast and thepark guides will brief you about gorilla trekking. In groups of 8 you will set out led by the guide and armed rangers you will hike through the dense forest as you search for these endangered peaceful giants. You will encounter birds, monkeys and butterflies her before finally meeting the habituated gorilla family. You wil spend an hour in the midst observing and taking photos of them.

Later in the afternoon, there will be an optional cultural tour to the Batwa pygmies who will entertain you with songs, drama and vibrant dance. You will return for dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range: Buhoma Haven Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Lodge
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Buhoma community rest camp

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

You will be picked from your accommodation after breakfast and begin the drive to Lake Mburo national park driving past large plantations, rolling hills, farms and enjoy the greenery. You will have lunch en-route and arrive in the park late afternoon for a boat ride on the lake or a guided nature walk.

Travel time: 4 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Mid-range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Eagles Nest

Day 11: Transfer to Jinja through Kampala

Breakfast will be had early morning before a game drive in the park to see some of the different animals such as the large numbers of zebras found in this park, and after, start on the long journey to Jinja – the tourist adventure capital driving through Kampala. Lunch will be en-route and if time allows you will have a photograph moment at the equator.

Travel time: 7 hours

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation

Luxury: Wild waters Lodge
Mid-range: Haven Lodge
Budget: Nile River Camp

Day 12: White Water Rafting, Departure

Today you will get a chance to enjoy a thrilling adventure on River Nile (the longest river in the World) whose source is found in Jinja from where it begins its long journey through several countries across the African continent northwards and then eventually pours into the Mediterranean Sea. After an early breakfast, transfer to the place where white water rafting adventures begin; an activity that you will do for the entire day. Later the safari driver-guide will transfer you to Kampala to a hotel of your choice or to Entebbe international airport for your departure flight, and bid you farewell.

Some of the optional activities you can enjoy in Jinja include: horseback riding, Quad biking and bungee jumping

End of Safari

Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch