12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari Experience with Deks Safaris and Tours

The 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari Experience with Deks Safaris and Tours is a carefully designed adventure that captures the very essence of the Pearl of Africa. This exclusive journey combines Uganda’s rare wildlife encounters, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural heritage in one seamless package. From the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the golden savannah plains of Kidepo Valley, every destination introduces a unique layer of discovery.

Your 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari adventure begins with a flight to Kisoro, placing you at the doorstep of Bwindi’s Rushaga Sector. Here, you enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime gorilla habituation experience, spending four extraordinary hours with these gentle giants, followed by immersive community encounters with the Batwa people. The safari then transitions into the classic savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos dominate the scene. Boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and thrilling game drives ensure endless excitement.

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale

Kibale Forest adds another dimension with chimpanzee habituation, offering close encounters with our closest relatives, while Murchison Falls showcases both breathtaking waterfalls and abundant game along the Nile Delta. Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary, breathtaking hikes to the top of Murchison Falls, and cultural immersion experiences further enrich the safari.

The 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari adventure culminates in the remote and rugged Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s last untouched wilderness areas. Here, vast landscapes, unique wildlife sightings, and the cultural richness of the Karamojong people complete your experience. With carefully chosen mid-range accommodations, professional guides, and seamless transfers, this safari blends comfort with authentic adventure. For travelers seeking the ultimate Ugandan experience primates, savannahs, waterfalls, and culture this 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari itinerary leaves nothing unexplored.

12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari

Tour Quotation Based on 4 Travelers and Mid-Range Basis

• Rate Per Person: US$6,513
• Total Rate for 4 People Sharing: US$26,052

Ziwa Rhino Tracking Safari

Detailed 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and Flight to Kisoro – Gateway to Bwindi

Your 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari begins upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where the professional team from Deks Safaris and Tours warmly welcomes you. After a brief orientation, you board a scheduled domestic flight to Kisoro Airstrip, offering spectacular aerial views of Lake Victoria, rolling hills, and terraced landscapes below. The short flight provides a glimpse of Uganda’s beauty even before your safari properly begins.

Upon landing in Kisoro, a road transfer takes you through lush countryside toward Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Known for its rich biodiversity, Bwindi is one of the most iconic rainforests in Africa and home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Your base for the next two nights is Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, which combines comfort with breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle.

Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to unwind at the lodge, enjoying the tranquility of Bwindi’s misty environment, or take a short-guided walk nearby to absorb the natural setting. Dinner is served at the lodge, offering a delicious introduction to Uganda’s hospitality. The evening provides time for relaxation and mental preparation ahead of the next day’s extraordinary adventure gorilla habituation.

Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi and Batwa Cultural Encounter

After an early breakfast, you set out for the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi’s Rushaga Sector. Unlike standard gorilla trekking, habituation allows you to spend four full hours with a gorilla family under the guidance of expert trackers and researchers. The trek into the dense rainforest is both thrilling and rewarding, as you navigate rugged terrain to locate these endangered primates.

Once the gorilla family is found, the experience becomes life-changing. You witness their behaviors feeding, grooming, playing, and nurturing young ones while learning about the process of habituating them to human presence. The intimacy of four hours provides an unmatched opportunity for photography, observation, and connection with these gentle giants.

In the afternoon, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest before embarking on a cultural tour to meet the Batwa people, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Their storytelling, dances, and demonstrations of traditional hunting and gathering skills reveal a unique perspective on life in harmony with the forest. Dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Lodge mark the end of a day that blends rare wildlife encounters with cultural enrichment.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Savannah Adventure Begins

Leaving Bwindi behind, you embark on a scenic five-hour road transfer toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s premier safari destinations. The 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari journey takes you through rolling hills, terraced farmland, and villages that highlight the beauty and diversity of Uganda’s landscapes.

Upon arrival in the Kasenyi Plains, you dive straight into an afternoon game drive. These plains are teeming with wildlife, including elephants, buffalo herds, antelopes, and the iconic tree-climbing lions occasionally spotted in the park’s southern region. The park’s proximity to both savannah and lakes ensures varied ecosystems and excellent photographic opportunities.

Later, you check into Enshama Game Lodge, a comfortable mid-range lodge designed to complement its natural surroundings. Dinner is served under the stars, and the sounds of the wilderness echo around you. This day bridges the rainforest world of Bwindi with the vast savannah of Queen Elizabeth, setting the stage for diverse wildlife adventures.

Day 4: Game Drives and Kazinga Channel Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The day begins with an early morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains, where predators are most active. Lions are often seen hunting among grazing antelopes, while elephants and buffaloes dominate the savannah. The Rwenzori Mountains form a breathtaking backdrop to this adventure.

After returning for breakfast and some relaxation, the afternoon highlights a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lakes George and Edward. This waterway is renowned for its dense concentration of hippos and crocodiles, while elephants often gather at the shores to drink. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted by the variety of species, including kingfishers, pelicans, and African fish eagles.

The evening offers another short game drive as you return to Enshama Game Lodge. Dinner and storytelling by the fireplace make for a memorable night. This day provides a perfect balance of land and water-based wildlife experiences, making Queen Elizabeth a highlight of the safari.

Day 5: Crater Lakes Exploration and Bigodi Swamp Walk in Kibale

After breakfast, the day starts with a drive toward the famous Katwe Salt Lake, where local communities still practice traditional salt mining. The 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari journey continues through the crater lake region, a scenic area dotted with dramatic volcanic features. The landscapes are breathtaking, with sparkling lakes, lush greenery, and panoramic viewpoints offering excellent photo opportunities.

By afternoon, you arrive in Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa. After checking into Turaco Treetops Lodge, enjoy lunch and prepare for an afternoon Bigodi Swamp Walk. This community-run project takes you through a wetland rich in primates, birds, and medicinal plants. Red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and colorful bird species are commonly sighted along the trail.

The walk also provides cultural insights as guides share local knowledge of the swamp’s importance. Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation, ready for the chimpanzee habituation adventure the next day.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale Forest

The morning begins with a hearty breakfast before heading to the Kibale Forest headquarters for briefing. Today’s adventure is the chimpanzee habituation experience, offering up to four hours with a chimpanzee community. Unlike standard tracking, this activity allows you to follow the primates throughout their daily activities.

You observe their feeding, grooming, and playful interactions, while researchers explain their social structures and behaviors. The experience is intense and rewarding, as chimpanzees are lively, intelligent, and remarkably expressive. Other primates such as l’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, and vervet monkeys often make appearances during the trek.

Return to Turaco Treetops Lodge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon. Relax on your private veranda, surrounded by forest sounds, or take a nature walk nearby. Dinner is served at the lodge, concluding a day of close connections with primates and enriching insights into Uganda’s biodiversity.

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Afternoon Game Drive

Today you embark on a scenic journey northward to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. The road trip passes through beautiful countryside, rural markets, and small towns, offering glimpses of daily Ugandan life.

Upon arrival, you settle into Pakuba Safari Lodge, strategically located near the Nile River. After lunch, the afternoon is reserved for a game drive, where giraffes, elephants, hartebeests, and lions are often spotted across the rolling savannah. The park’s vast landscapes create endless opportunities for photography and 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari adventure.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge allow you to relax while anticipating more exploration in the days to follow.

Day 8: Game Drives, Boat Cruise, and Delta Exploration in Murchison Falls

The morning begins with another game drive across the savannah plains, followed by a mid-morning return for breakfast. Later, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River, where you witness pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. The cruise often reveals elephants and buffaloes at the riverbanks, creating a spectacular wildlife scene.

The boat trip leads toward the delta area, where rare shoebill storks may be sighted. This ecosystem is rich in both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Optional nature walks provide opportunities for up-close experiences of the park’s flora and fauna.

Return to Pakuba Safari Lodge for dinner and relaxation. This day blends the thrill of land and river adventures, showcasing why Murchison is one of Uganda’s crown jewels.

Day 9: Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls, Rhino Tracking, and Transfer to Kitgum

After breakfast, set out for a hike to the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge and plunges dramatically into a pool below. The sight is breathtaking, with roaring water and mist rising into the air.

Continue the journey to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos are being reintroduced into the wild. A guided walk brings you up close to these incredible creatures, completing your experience of the Big Five.

Later, travel northward to Kitgum City, where you check into Acaki Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. This day offers a mix of adventure, conservation, and cultural discovery along Uganda’s northern corridor.

Day 10: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park and Game Drive

The morning begins with an early road transfer toward Kidepo Valley National Park, a remote and less-explored wilderness in northeastern Uganda. The journey is long but rewarding, showcasing rural landscapes and untouched countryside.

Upon arrival, you check into Kidepo Savannah Safari Lodge and immediately embark on a game drive. Kidepo is renowned for its wild beauty and abundance of unique species such as cheetahs, ostriches, and bat-eared foxes species rarely seen in other Ugandan parks.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge allow you to soak in the atmosphere of one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas.

Day 11: Full-Day Adventure in Kidepo – Wildlife and Culture

This day is dedicated to exploring the vast wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park. Early morning game drives offer spectacular sightings of lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, and buffaloes roaming freely across the plains. The Narus Valley, in particular, provides excellent opportunities for predator sightings.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk that allows you to appreciate the smaller details of the ecosystem, from plants to birds. Later, engage in a cultural encounter with the Karamojong people, pastoral communities with rich traditions, dances, and stories that reflect their semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Dinner and overnight at Kidepo Savannah Safari Lodge mark the conclusion of a day filled with both wildlife wonder and cultural immersion.

Day 12: Return to Entebbe via Apoka Airstrip – Departure

After breakfast, you transfer to Apoka Airstrip for a scheduled flight back to Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your departure schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping or relaxation before your international flight.

This marks the end of your 12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari Experience with Deks Safaris and Tours a journey filled with unforgettable encounters, diverse landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences across Uganda’s finest destinations.

12-Day Exceptional Uganda Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

• Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner) and drinking water as specified
• Domestic flights and airstrips transfers
• Professional English-speaking safari guide
• Park entry fees and permits (gorilla and chimpanzee habituation included)
• All game drives, boat cruises, and guided activities listed
• Community and cultural visits
• Ground transfers in comfortable safari vehicles

Safari Exclusions

• International flights and visas
• Travel insurance and medical expenses
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as tips, drinks, and souvenirs
• Porter services during gorilla trekking
• Extra meals or services outside the planned program