All-Inclusive 12-Day Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Your Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari 12-Day adventure begins with a scenic drive from Entebbe or Kampala to the iconic Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, your first encounter with Uganda’s remarkable wildlife will take place at the renowned Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can track white rhinos on foot. Accompanied by professional rangers, you will walk within a safe distance of these majestic creatures and learn about the ongoing conservation efforts to reintroduce rhinos into Uganda‘s national parks.

The drive is beautifully scenic, with a mosaic of traditional homesteads, swaying banana plantations, and endless savannahs. Lunch will be enjoyed en route before proceeding through the lush Budongo Forest. As you arrive in Murchison Falls National Park, prepare to be amazed by Uganda‘s largest and oldest conservation area. Covering nearly 3,893 square kilometers, the park is home to the world’s most powerful waterfall, abundant wildlife, and scenic landscapes.

Check-in at your luxury lodge overlooking the Nile River, freshen up, and enjoy a sundowner as the African sun paints the sky. A welcome dinner will be served at the lodge’s restaurant, offering a taste of Uganda’s rich culinary flavors.

Optional Luxury Fly-in Transfer

Upgrade to a scheduled domestic flight from Entebbe to Pakuba Airstrip for a shorter, more scenic arrival into Murchison Falls. Our team will meet you on arrival.

Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Safari to the Base of the Falls

Wake up to the sounds of the wild and begin your day with a thrilling morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. This section of the park is teeming with wildlife, and it offers prime viewing opportunities for lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalos, hyenas, leopards, and numerous antelope species. With experienced guides from Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd, you’ll explore the savannah plains and woodland tracks while learning about the park’s ecology and wildlife behaviors.

Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and some leisure time, perhaps relaxing by the pool or watching birds flit around the lodge gardens. In the afternoon, set out for an unforgettable boat cruise along the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. This is one of the safari’s most iconic experiences. The slow cruise upstream allows close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous water birds like the African fish eagle, saddle-billed stork, and kingfishers.

As you approach the thundering base of the falls, you’ll witness the Nile explode through a narrow gorge, only seven meters wide, before crashing into the river below. Capture incredible photos and soak in the awe-inspiring views. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner under the stars.

Optional Luxury Add-on

Book a private sundowner boat cruise with champagne and canapés.

Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, your journey continues southwest to Kibale National Park, a haven for primates and a gem for eco-tourism. This full-day drive (approximately 6-7 hours) is a visual feast, passing through rolling hills, tea plantations, crater lakes, and remote rural villages. Your Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari 12-Day driver-guide will provide cultural insights and allow photo stops at scenic viewpoints.

Lunch will be served in Fort Portal, a charming town nestled at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. The route from here winds through verdant landscapes dotted with traditional homesteads and banana plantations, arriving in the late afternoon at your luxury lodge near Kibale Forest.

Relax and settle into your forest retreat, where the natural sounds of birds and primates welcome you. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and receive a briefing about the next day’s chimpanzee tracking experience. Kibale National Park is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 13 other primate species, making it the primate capital of East Africa.

Optional Luxury Fly-in Transfer

Upgrade with a scheduled charter flight to Kasese Airstrip followed by a short drive to Kibale. Helicopter charters are available for exclusive clients.

Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Community Experience

The day begins with a guided chimpanzee tracking expedition in Kibale Forest. After an early breakfast, report to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a pre-tracking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. In small groups, venture into the rainforest accompanied by expert trackers. The experience can take between 2 to 4 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Once located, you will spend an unforgettable hour observing their social interactions, playful behaviors, and vocal communication.

After the exhilarating experience, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, participate in a guided nature walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a successful community-based tourism project. This wetland is rich in biodiversity and offers chances to spot monkeys, bush pigs, sitatungas, and over 200 species of birds including the Great Blue Turaco.

The walk concludes with a cultural experience in Bigodi village where you interact with local residents, learn about traditional medicine, food preparation, and enjoy storytelling by elders. This cultural exchange is both enlightening and heartwarming, giving you insight into Ugandan village life.

Optional Luxury Add-on

Chimpanzee habituation experience for extended time in the forest observing chimp behavior.

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a leisurely breakfast at your lodge in Kibale, embark on a picturesque journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse and iconic national parks. The drive is incredibly scenic, taking you past verdant hills, crater lakes, and charming villages. As you approach the park, the majestic Rwenzori Mountains come into view, creating a stunning backdrop to your Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari 12-Day drive. Known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” these snow-capped peaks are among Africa’s most beautiful and mysterious mountain ranges.

Along the way, enjoy lunch in Fort Portal or a scenic picnic prepared by your lodge. Continue through Kasese town before arriving at the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This region is rich with wildlife and is known for its open savannahs dotted with acacia trees and euphorbia cactus. Arrive at your luxury lodge overlooking the savannah plains or Kazinga Channel, check in, and unwind.

As dusk falls, you may choose to go on a short evening game drive to spot early predators. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed dinner and rest in preparation for the next day’s wildlife adventures.

Optional Luxury Fly-in Transfer

A charter flight from Kasese to Mweya or Kasenyi Airstrip is available to save time and add convenience to your journey.

Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, your Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari 12-Day adventure kicks off with morning game drives across the Kasenyi plains, a prime game-viewing area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. With expansive savannah landscapes backdropped by the stunning Rwenzori Mountains, this region offers a haven for wildlife photography and nature lovers. Lions roam the grasslands hunting for Uganda kob, while herds of elephants, buffalo, and giant forest hogs traverse the terrain in search of food and water. Bird lovers will be delighted by the plethora of avian species, from colorful bee-eaters to majestic eagles.

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a boat safari on the famous Kazinga Channel—a 32-kilometer natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George. This boat cruise offers up-close encounters with some of Africa’s most iconic species. Spot massive pods of hippos, crocodiles basking on the banks, and elephants wading along the shorelines. The channel is also a paradise for birders, with sightings of African fish eagles, saddle-billed storks, and pied kingfishers almost guaranteed. This serene and scenic boat ride brings you within mere meters of the wildlife, offering unmatched photo opportunities and a peaceful connection with nature.

Your evening will be spent relaxing at your luxury lodge. Optional activities include a sundowner overlooking the Kazinga Channel or a cultural storytelling session around a campfire.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7 brings a refreshing blend of forest exploration and savannah adventure. After breakfast, head to the lush Maramagambo Forest for a guided nature walk. This dense tropical forest is teeming with biodiversity and is home to an array of primates including L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons. During the walk, your Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari 12-Day expert guide will unveil the forest’s hidden secrets—like the famed bat cave, home to thousands of fruit bats and monitored for sightings of the elusive African rock python. Birders will delight in spotting forest species such as the Narina trogon, white-naped pigeons, and African paradise flycatchers.

After lunch, the journey continues southward toward the remote Ishasha Sector, famous for its rare population of tree-climbing lions. These majestic cats are often seen lounging on fig tree branches in the afternoon heat—a behavior unique to this region. Keep your camera ready during the drive as you pass through beautiful terrain populated with topis, elephants, and herds of Uganda kob.

Arrive at your lodge in the Ishasha wilderness in the evening and relax under the stars. Enjoy dinner while overlooking the open savannah, with sounds of the wild as your backdrop.

Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp / Enjojo Lodge / Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Wake up to the golden light spilling over the Ishasha plains and embark on a morning game drive in search of more wildlife encounters. Early hours are ideal for spotting predators such as lions and leopards on the move, and you may even witness a lion pride descending from its tree-top perch. The remote and untouched beauty of Ishasha offers a serene and authentic wilderness experience.

After the game drive, you will begin your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—the crown jewel of Uganda’s protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the drive winds through hilly terrain, banana plantations, and dense tropical forest, enjoy views of the majestic Kigezi Highlands.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge nestled at the edge of the forest. If time allows, opt for a community-guided village walk where you’ll interact with the Batwa pygmies or local craftspeople. These immersive cultural add-ons offer insight into indigenous forest life and traditional healing practices.

Your evening will be spent relaxing in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure—a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi

This day marks the highlight of your 12-day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari—tracking the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters by 7:00 am for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides. You’ll be assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level and guided deep into the forest, following trails created by the primates themselves.

The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. As you walk through the dense forest canopy, you may encounter other forest dwellers such as duikers, primates, and numerous bird species. Once the gorillas are located, you are allowed a magical one-hour experience observing them feed, groom, and interact—a truly humbling encounter.

Return to your lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. Optional activities include a massage, a cultural performance by local communities, or simply relaxing with views of the misty forest.

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge

Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Lake Bunyonyi, often referred to as “The Switzerland of Africa” due to its scenic terraced hills and cool highland climate. The drive takes approximately 3 hours, winding through rural villages and vibrant markets. Upon arrival, check in to your lakeside lodge and enjoy lunch with panoramic lake views.

In the afternoon, embark on a peaceful canoe trek across the lake’s crystal-clear waters, visiting some of the 29 islands scattered across its surface. Each island has its own cultural legend, such as Punishment Island, which tells tales of ancient customs and local traditions. Birdlife here is abundant, and you’ll likely spot grey crowned cranes, herons, and kingfishers.

Lake Bunyonyi is bilharzia-free and safe for swimming, making it perfect for relaxation. You can also opt for a guided nature walk along the hills or visit local communities for cultural exchange.

Accommodation: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort / Arcadia Lodge Bunyonyi / Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Depart Lake Bunyonyi after a relaxing breakfast and travel northeast to Lake Mburo National Park. This small but diverse park offers a unique safari experience and is the only one in Uganda with impalas, elands, and large herds of zebras. The drive takes around 5 hours with a scenic stopover for lunch in Mbarara town.

Once inside the park, embark on an afternoon game drive where you’ll encounter giraffes, topis, buffalos, warthogs, and possibly leopards. Lake Mburo is also known for its birdlife, including the rare African finfoot and white-backed night heron.

For those interested in stretching their legs, you may opt for a guided walking safari—a rare opportunity to explore wildlife on foot under the protection of an armed ranger.

Evening relaxation includes drinks by the campfire or a bush dinner experience under the stars.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge / Rwakobo Rock / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge

Return to Entebbe for Departure

Your final day on safari begins with an optional morning game drive or nature walk to soak in the last moments of Uganda’s incredible wildlife. After breakfast, you’ll depart for the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, with a stop at the Uganda Equator Monument in Kayabwe for photos and souvenir shopping.

Enjoy a final lunch en route, and depending on your flight time, you may arrive at Entebbe International Airport in the late afternoon or early evening for departure.

This marks the end of your 12-Day All-Inclusive Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd—a journey that has taken you through the heart of Uganda’s diverse landscapes, wildlife-rich national parks, and unforgettable gorilla encounters.