12 to 13 Days Uganda Highlights, Primates and Safaris

This thrilling 12 to 13 Day Uganda Round Trip focuses on visiting Gorillas + Chimpanzees combined with safaris by Jeep, Boat or Walking.

The tour can start at any date of your choice and includes the Shoebill Boat Safari, walking safari with Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls NP with Nile Boat Safari in a private boat, Kibale with Chimpanzee Tracking, Queen Elizabeth with game drives and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari, Mgahinga or Bwindi with Gorilla Tracking, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo with walking safari.

In the months April, May and November the Primate Permits are reduced.

Highlights

• Entebbe: Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Boat Safari
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with Rhino Walking Safari
• Murchison Falls NP with Game drives and Nile Boat Safari
• Kibale Forest NP: with Bigodi Wetland Walking Safari and Chimp tracking
• Queen Elizabeth National Park: Game Drives and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
• Gorilla Tracking in Mgahinga or Bwindi
• Lake Mburo National Park with Walking Safari

Day by Day Program

Day 1 & 2 – Entebbe

The moment you've been waiting for has finally arrived: Your Uganda safari begins. Entebbe and its international airport offer a wonderful introduction to this country full of natural treasures. The airport is practically surrounded by the waters of Africa's largest lake, and the jungle-like surroundings of the city give it a special atmosphere. You can already encounter vervet monkeys and observe fantastic birds here in Entebbe – fish eagles and ibises circle screeching, and turacos chatter in the trees.

• After arrival: Transfer upon arrival to the Lodge of your choice arranged through our shuttle driver. Transfer time; about 15 to 20 Minutes
• Around 1 pm: Relax in the morning and join the Shoebill Boat Safari in the afternoon Our boat guide will pick you at the Guesthouse shortly before 1 pm. After a short walk you reach the boat which takes you over the lake to the Mabamba Swamps, a Ramsar wetland whose prolific birdlife includes the eagerly sought shoebill. There you change to a smaller boat. Please apply enough sun lotion - very important, come with a rain poncho in your backpack and wear a hat. Clothes can be leisure, like shorts and sandals depending on temperatures. Use the toilet before you start! The boat trip will last 3-4 hours. Following applies to all outdoor activities in Uganda: • apply sun protection even when it's cloudy, • have your rain poncho with you, even when the sun is shining, • go with a hat or cap • do not forget to take enough water water with you • early morning and towards evening apply insect repellent! • walking safaris: long trousers, closed shoes and trousers inside the socks (ANTS!)

Accommodation: Tilapia Lodge by Entebbe — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

The thrilling opportunity to track rhinos on foot is the main attraction of Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, a non-profit organization that protects 7,000ha of dense African bush also inhabited by a wide variety of antelope, small mammals and birds. Starting with six animals relocated from outside Uganda in 2005–6, the white rhinos of Ziwa have now bred up to more than 40 individuals. The long-term plan is to reintroduce rhinos into national parks where they are now locally extinct, but for now, Ziwa is the only place in Uganda where you can see Africa's second-bulkiest land mammal in the wild.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Transfer time; about 4-5 hours
• Stop at the Pineapple and Fruit Market in Luwero Luwero is the best area for pineapples and other fruits in Uganda. You might stop here, take pictures and ask your guide to buy some fruits for you. These can be used for lunch picnic stops, but as well the lodges can prepare them for you without any extra charge.
• Optional Guided nature walk in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. As it can be very hot in Ziwa, sometimes there is not much to be seen. Our Tipp is to decide on ground, if you would like to relax at the pool or to go for a walk. As there are some waterholes in the Chalet and Pool Area, the animals will come later in the afternoon and during the night. Means this walk can be easily skipped.

Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - Chalets — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 & 5 – Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is situated at the end of the Albertine Rift Valley and it is Uganda’s oldest and largest safari park. Murchison is located 305 kilometers north of Kampala in Masindi District and can be accessed by road or flights. The Park was first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1926 and is home to 76 different mammal species and 451 birds. Murchison Falls Conservation Area is made up of Bugungu, Karuma wildlife reserves and Murchison Falls National Park. It is bisected by the Victoria Nile, which plunges 45m over the remnant valley wall, creating the dramatic falls, the park’s unique attraction and the final event in an 80km stretch of rapids. The mighty cascade drains the last of the river's energy, transforming it into a broad, placid stream that flows quietly across the rift valley floor into Lake Albert. This stretch of river provides one of Uganda's most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

• At about 8 am: Rhino walking safari, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - please wear long trousers, closed shoes and put your trouser ends inside the socks, that the ants cannot attack you. Come with a hat, enough sun protection and water.
• Transfer by Road, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch to Murchison Falls National Park Transfer time; about 2-3 hours
• A picnic lunch is planned at the viewpoint at the top of the Falls. Your guide will organize a Rolex with you along the way in Masindi at the entrance to the Masindi Market. This is a typical, delicious Ugandan street food. It is a flatbread (chapati) in which an omelet with or without vegetables is rolled. The name doesn't come from the famous watch brand; it comes from the words 'to roll' and 'take it out'. If you wish, you can also book a luxurious bush lunch at a hidden spot overlooking the falls.
• Visit View Point Top of Murchison Falls The Top of the Falls viewpoint is one of the park's highlights. Sturdy shoes are recommended, as it can be muddy and slippery. After descending to the lower viewpoint, don't miss the opportunity to climb to the higher Platform 1 and then on to Platform 2.
• Afternoon Game Drive in Murchison Falls NP. Enjoy your first encounter with the wild in best afternoon light. The park offers lots of animals and with luck you can complete the spotting of the big five within 24 hours.
• Early Morning: Early Morning Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park You set off at dawn and are excited to see the animal world awaken. In the morning, it can be chilly in the car with the roof open. Please remember to bring a scarf and a thin jacket.
• You return to the lodge for a short lunch break
• Boat Safari on the Nile to Murchison Falls. A diverse range of wildlife awaits you on the banks and in the water, and at the end, you'll see the Murchison Falls from below. This Boat Safari is booked as a seat on the big boat not in a small private boat.
• Late afternoon Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 & 7 – Kibale National Park

Today, you continue to the prime chimpanzee country of Kibale National Park. This immense forest is renowned for its rich diversity of primates, but it is chimps – humankind's closest genetic relative – that top the wish list of most visitors. On a good day in Kibale, you might also see half-a-dozen different monkey species, including the extremely localised Uganda mangabey. Other attractions include a bird checklist of 370 species, a kaleidoscopic variety of butterflies, and a scattering of beautiful crater lakes.

• All day optional: OPTION 1: Early Morning Game Drive, Murchison Falls National Park You set off at dawn and are excited to see the animal world awaken. In the morning, it can be chilly in the car with the roof open. Please remember to bring a scarf and a thin jacket.
• We have planned the next boat trip to the Nile Delta on Lake Albert for you at 7 a.m. A 4-hour boat trip begins with the sunrise over the Nile. Again there are many mammals and birds to see. The morning sun is ideal for great photos. With luck you might even spot the rare shoebill in the Delta.
• Transfer by Road, Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park Transfer time; about 6-7hours
• OPTION 3: Guided Nature and Birding Walk, Ensiko Primates Lodge Kibale or enjoy the Ensiko Gardens and the rain forest views from your private Veranda.
• After Breakfast: Guided Walk, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary After breakfast, you will walk through the Bigodi Wetlands to see monkeys, birds and a diverse range of flora. Be careful, it can get muddy and wobbly, the "walkways" often consist of loose boards laid over the muddy areas. If you are lucky, you will see red or black and white colobus monkeys and the stately blue turacos.
• Local Lunch at TINKA For lunch today we organise a typical Ugandan meal at Tinka's in Bigodi. A selection of delicious dishes with explanations of Ugandan food traditions.
• Chimpanzee Tracking, Kibale National Park The highlight of the day comes at around 2 p.m. You walk into the rainforest with a ranger in search of our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. Good hiking boots, a rain poncho, a face mask and drinking water should be part of the basic equipment here, as well as a camera. Since the chimpanzees are visited in the morning, your ranger knows roughly where the animals are and chimpanzees often give themselves away with their loud roars. As soon as you have found the great apes, they can spend an hour with you. They are used to human visitors and are not disturbed by our presence. After an hour, you return to civilization.
• Visit some community activities in Bigodi depending on the time, you can join these either after Bigodi Walking Safari or after the Chimps Tracking. You have these options: a women cooperative weaving baskets, ⁠the Banana Man, explaining for what bananas are used in Uganda, the coffee experience from the plant to the cup When time is too short you can still add one of them next morning after breakfast.

Accommodation: Ensiko Primates Lodge Kibale — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park (QE NP) is located in western Uganda. It was established in 1952 and was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain during a visit to the Commonwealth country. The park covers an area of approximately 2000 square km and borders Lake Edward and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, separated from it by the Ishasha River, and the Rwenzori Mountains to the north. Parts of the park lie in the districts of Kasese, Rubirizi, Rukungiri, and Bushenyi. The elevation above sea level ranges from 1,000 to 1,300 m, rising to 5,110 m in the Rwenzori Mountains. Annual rainfall varies from 700 mm in Mweya, in the center of the park, to 1,250 mm in the north and in the Maramagambo Forest. The best-accessible area is around the Kazinga Channel. The Kazinga Channel flows gently from Lake George in the east to Lake Edward in the west of the national park. Boat trips along this natural waterway offer excellent opportunities to observe hippos and pelicans, as well as migratory birds that spend the European winter here.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park Transfer time; about 3 hours net driving time
• Boat Safari, Kazinga Channel from Mweya to Lake Edward We have once again organised a wonderful boat trip for you. This time on the Kazinga Channel from Mweya half peninsula to Lake Edward. Many animals on the banks and hundreds of pied kingfishers, nesting in the cliffs along the banks will be spotted. A dreamlike scenery awaits you.
• With this late afternoon game drive we try to give you the opportunity to spot lions and leopards. The big cats often doze in the heat of the day, hidden in bushes or tall grass, and start to become active towards evening.

Accommodation: Acacia Wilderness Mweya — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 & 10 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Supporting almost half the world's mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is arguably the best place anywhere in the world to track these charismatic gentle giants through their misty forest home. But there is far more to this Unesco World Heritage Site than just gorillas. The lush forest interior is also home to a diversity of other mammals, ranging from L’Hoest’s monkey and chimpanzee to elephant and the yellow-backed duiker. A total of 350 bird species, 23 of which are unique to the Albertine Rift Valley, ensure that Bwindi ranks among East Africa's most rewarding bird-watching destinations. The fees for gorilla tracking are largely used to preserve the mountain gorillas' habitat - to finance the staff, the gorilla doctors, research projects, and support for the local population to prevent further forest clearing for their needs. A small portion goes to wildlife conservation in other national parks that receive few visitors and therefore hardly any income. NOTE: In this trip you have the option to track either in Bwindi or in Mgahinga. The difference is that Bwindi is a dense rainforest and Mgahinga a more open terrain. In Bwindi there are about 25 Gorilla Groups to be visited. In Mgahinga only one group, but a very good one with several Silverbacks. Please contact us to find out, which Gorilla Destination fits best for you. The mentioned accommodation here is in Bwindi. In Mgahinga it will be Imbogo Gorilla Lodge in the Midrange Package or Ikaze Cottages in the Budget Package.

• Early Morning optional: Before you move to Bwindi or Mgahinga, you start with a short and early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• The big advantage is that you can drive off-road. If you're lucky, you'll get up close to the impressive big cats and even spot a leopard. This project has the background to save the lions and leopards in this region. The park here is a mixture between National Park and communities with farmers. Researchers track the animals to prevent them from getting too close to farmers. The money paid for this activity goes partly to the project and partly to the community to compensate them for the damage and losses caused by lions and leopards. Lion and leopard tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park OPTIONAL INSTEAD OF NORMAL GAME DRIVE
• Transfer by Road, Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Transfer time is to be defined depending on what you choose to do in the morning before setting off to Bwindi. Transfer time; about 5 to 7 hours
• Visit Twin Lakes View Point - Kichwamba Can be done by car as a short Photo Stop.
• The Elephant Dung Project is a women's cooperative supporting farmers. Since the farmers' fields are repeatedly infested by elephants, this project offers a small compensation by buying up the manure. Handmade paper is then made from this. During the visit the project and the manufacturing process will be explained. You can buy products made from 'elephant' paper there, but also others such as cold-pressed avocado oil for the skin. They expect that you buy something or leave a donation.
• Kitagata Hotsprings A photo stop at the Kitagata Hotsprings is worth a small detour, if you have enough time…on Uganda's roads, you never know exactly how long it will take. The hot springs serve as an open-air spa for locals.
• Morning to possibly afternoon: If you track in Bwindi or Mgahinga: Important for gorilla tracking: good waterproof hiking boots, gaiters if necessary, muted colors, long pants and sleeves, gardening gloves, sunscreen, and rain gear. A briefing by the rangers begins at 7:30 a.m. and includes a cultural performance. Afterwards, visitors are divided into groups of up to eight people, each visiting a gorilla family. Our clients are usually back at the lodge between 1 and 3 p.m. at the latest. The ranger trackers go into the forest early in the morning in groups of three people and begin searching for the gorillas, starting from the sleeping areas where the apes were abandoned the previous evening. A ranger and two security guards set out with their group of visitors after the briefing. There will be frequent breaks along the way, as the trail includes steep uphill and downhill sections, often on the elephant trails, which can be slippery depending on the weather. To ensure a safe and relaxed arrival at the gorillas, we recommend booking a porter/supporter. Young women and men from the surrounding, very poor communities accompany the visitors, carry their backpacks, and provide support in difficult areas. A helping hand on steep, slippery terrain, when balancing over streams, and in muddy areas can be very helpful. Once you reach "your" gorillas, your magic hour begins. These mighty animals are unbothered by us humans. It is incredibly fascinating to observe the mighty gorillas so closely and in their natural habitat. Their mostly leisurely but powerful movements, their interactions, their facial expressions. You almost feel like you can read their emotions on their faces. What an experience! After an hour, you must bid a heavy hearted farewell to these impressive great apes. The trackers stay in the forest—they accompany the gorillas until they prepare their night camp—and then receive their tips in the forest, with the ranger and security guards receiving their tips at the end when they hand over their certificates. The happy visitors take the shortest route out of the beautiful rainforest with their ranger, the security rangers, and the porters and return to civilization. Completely elated—we know that feeling ;-)

Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 – Lake Mburo National Park

From today we're heading back toward Entebbe. But first, we're planning our last game drives in Lake Mburo National Park. The Park belongs to the ancient Ankole Kingdom and is conveniently located halfway between Kampala and the Gorilla Highlands in southwest Uganda. The park is a small but beautiful savannah park. It's the only place on your trip where you'll find zebras and impalas, as well as giraffes, buffalo, eland, and many beautiful birds.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Mburo National Park Transfer time; about 4-5 hours
• View Point Lake Bunyonyi A short detour to the best Lake Bunyonyi View Point is recommendable. The access is only possible inside Arcadia Lodge. Enjoy a coffee or a soda on their terrace and get the best impressions and pictures of the most beautiful lake in East Africa.
• Late afternoon Game Drive, Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation: Kigarama Wilderness Lodge — Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 – Entebbe

We return to Entebbe, the lakeshore site of Uganda.

This day depending on your departure flight- night at Secrets before you fly out next day - or if you fly out late evening we can add another night in Lake Mburo NP or in Queen Elizabeth NP (or night at Secrets )

• After Breakfast: Walking Safari In Lake Mburo Best time as early as possible in the morning: We organised one game drive as walking safari guided by a park ranger for you. This means as soon as a herd is spotted, you leave behind the vehicle and guided by the ranger you walk among the animals. Don't worry, it's safe and an amazing experience to be so close to the animals. Giraffes, in particular, offer a whole new perspective.
• Transfer by Road, Lake Mburo National Park to Entebbe Transfer time; about 5 to 6 hours
• Photostop at Equator Memorial East
• Visit a traditional Drum Manufacturer, Mpigi On the last leg of the journey before Kampala/Entebbe, you'll pass an area home to many traditional drum manufacturers. They're always happy to welcome visitors, explain the purely manual manufacturing process, and are even happy to host a small drum session with guests and guides. As usual, the event is free for anyone who purchases something; otherwise, a donation is expected.

Accommodation: Secrets Guest House — Lunch & Dinner

Day 13 – The end of your safari with us

Your time with us on safari in Uganda comes now to an end, but we hope to have given you many fantastic memories that will live on long after you've returned home. Travel home safely, and we hope to see you again.

• After Breakfast: Transfer by Road, Secrets Guest House to Entebbe International Airport Transfer time; about 15 to 20 Minutes

Fully customisable

This trip is fully customisable to your preferences and can be booked as a private trip as well as a group trip. We offer accommodation packages from budget midrange to superior midrange; luxury and high-end lodges are available on request.