12 Day Uganda Grand Explorer Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel, explore the lakeside surroundings, or receive a detailed safari briefing. Overnight in Entebbe as you prepare for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, begin your journey northward to Uganda's largest conservation area. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting guided rhino tracking experience on foot. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically below. Visit the Top of the Falls for breathtaking views and photography before heading to your lodge.

Rise early for a morning game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and numerous bird species. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. This scenic cruise offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and water birds along the riverbanks.

Depart Murchison Falls and travel through Uganda's beautiful countryside towards the lush forests of western Uganda. The journey offers spectacular views of rolling hills, traditional villages, tea plantations, and crater lakes. Arrive in Kibale Forest, often referred to as the primate capital of East Africa, and settle into your lodge.

Today is dedicated to exploring Kibale's remarkable biodiversity. After a briefing from park rangers, venture into the rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees. Observe these fascinating primates as they feed, communicate, and move through the forest canopy. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its rich birdlife, monkeys, and community conservation initiatives.

Following breakfast, travel south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most diverse wildlife reserve. The route passes through scenic landscapes, crater lakes, and local communities. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and various bird species before checking into your lodge.

Start the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains, famous for its abundant wildlife and predator sightings. Later, take a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos alongside crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and hundreds of bird species.

Travel through the remote Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions that often rest in large fig trees. Enjoy game viewing before continuing through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The changing landscapes provide spectacular views of terraced hills, forests, and traditional homesteads.

This is the highlight of your safari. After an early morning briefing, enter the dense rainforest with experienced trackers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas' location, but the reward is extraordinary. Spend a memorable hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge or participate in an optional Batwa cultural experience.

After breakfast, depart for the breathtaking Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's most beautiful lakes. Surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with numerous islands, the lake offers a peaceful retreat after the excitement of gorilla trekking. Enjoy canoeing, nature walks, birdwatching, or simply relax while taking in the stunning scenery.

Leave Lake Bunyonyi and travel to Lake Mburo National Park, a unique ecosystem characterized by rolling grasslands, acacia woodlands, and lakes. Upon arrival, enjoy an evening game drive or guided nature walk. The park is famous for zebras, impalas, elands, topis, and many bird species, offering a different safari experience from Uganda's larger parks.

Enjoy a final morning safari activity before beginning the journey back to Entebbe. Stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs, shopping, and a chance to witness the famous water experiments. Continue to Entebbe for your departure flight, bringing your unforgettable 12-Day Uganda Grand Explorer Safari to a memorable conclusion.