12 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
This 12 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari is the most complete route in our Uganda lineup, covering every major park in one unhurried trip: rhino tracking at Ziwa, big game and a Nile cruise at Murchison Falls, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, the Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, a full relaxation day at Lake Bunyonyi, and a final stop at Lake Mburo before flying home.
It's built for travelers who want to see all of Uganda's headline wildlife and primates without compressing any single stop, and who would rather end the trip well rested than mid-transfer.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Your Hotel
On arrival, you'll be met by your Tulambule driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight and settle in ahead of an early departure the next morning.
Overnight: hotel in Entebbe or Kampala (bed and breakfast).
Day 2: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park, Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En Route
After breakfast, depart for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, roughly 3 hours away and Uganda's only place to track wild rhinos on foot. After the tracking activity, continue a further 2 to 2.5 hours to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in the afternoon.
Overnight: lodge in Murchison Falls National Park (full board).
Day 3: Morning Game Drives and Afternoon Nile River Boat Cruise
Spend the morning on a game drive across the park's northern plains, home to elephant, lion, giraffe, and buffalo. In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, known as the Devil's Cauldron, with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife along the banks.
Overnight: lodge in Murchison Falls National Park (full board).
Day 4: Visit the Top of the Falls and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After a short morning walk to the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before plunging into the ravine below, begin the drive south to Kibale National Park, roughly 6 hours via Fort Portal.
Overnight: lodge near Kibale National Park (full board).
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi Community Walk
After an early breakfast, head into Kibale's forest for a guided chimpanzee tracking walk, one of the best chances in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project bordering Kibale known for birdlife and monkey sightings.
Overnight: lodge near Kibale National Park (full board).
Day 6: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a scenic 2 to 3 hour drive along the Kichwamba escarpment. Check in at your lodge, with time for an afternoon game drive before dinner.
Overnight: lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (full board).
Day 7: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi and Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start with a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, where large herds of Uganda kob, buffalo, and elephant attract predators including lion. In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa's best wildlife-viewing waterways.
Overnight: lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (full board).
Day 8: Search for Tree-Climbing Lions and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, head to the Ishasha sector for a game drive in search of its famous tree-climbing lions, resting high in fig trees. From Ishasha, continue roughly 3 hours to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, arriving in the afternoon.
Overnight: lodge in the Ruhija sector, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (full board).
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Boat Cruise and Relaxation
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for the ranger briefing, typically between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, where trekking groups are assigned their gorilla family. The trek through dense rainforest can run from 30 minutes to several hours, followed by a strictly enforced hour with the gorillas. Check our gorilla trekking packing list before you travel.
Once the trek concludes, continue roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to Lake Bunyonyi, arriving in time for a relaxing boat cruise around some of the lake's 29 islands.
Overnight: lodge at Lake Bunyonyi (full board).
Day 10: Whole Day Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
With no transfers or activities scheduled, the day is yours. Take a canoe ride among the islands, arrange a further boat cruise, or simply relax at your lodge with views over the water, often described as the Switzerland of Africa for its terraced hills and calm setting.
Overnight: lodge at Lake Bunyonyi (full board).
Day 11: Relaxed Breakfast and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After a relaxed breakfast, begin the drive to Lake Mburo National Park, roughly 4 to 4.5 hours. Check in at your lodge in the afternoon, with time to settle in ahead of tomorrow's final game viewing.
Overnight: lodge in Lake Mburo National Park (full board).
Day 12: Morning Game Walk and Drive Back to Entebbe via the Uganda Equator
After breakfast, join a guided game walk inside Lake Mburo, the only Ugandan park where this is possible on foot, with good chances of zebra, impala, and eland. Afterward, begin the drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos before your onward flight.
For current permit rules and pricing, see our Uganda gorilla trekking permits booking and pricing guide. Permits are issued directly by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the official body managing Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo.
Book This 12 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
Ready to see all of Uganda's headline wildlife and primates without rushing a single stop? Browse more itineraries, tell us what you have in mind through Build My Safari, or contact us directly to check permit availability for your dates.
