13-Day Grand Uganda Safari

13-Day Grand Uganda Safari

Tour Overview

Rhinos, the Nile, chimps, tree-climbing lions, gorillas and two lakes in thirteen unhurried days, including a rest day on Lake Bunyonyi. Our most complete savannah, primate and lakes route. This 13-day private safari visits Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo National Park.

Lioness walking through dry grass in Murchison Falls

Highlights: Ziwa Rhino Ranch entry incl. rhino trek on foot; Murchison launch cruise to the falls; Top of the Falls hike; Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale; Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk; Kazinga Channel launch cruise; Dugout canoe and island walk on Lake Bunyonyi.

Best time to go: Best Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb.

Accommodation Options (Budget, Midrange, Luxury):

Choose the comfort level that suits you; the vehicle, guide and activities stay the same. Price per person (2 people sharing, 2027): Budget $4,835 · Midrange $6,690 · Luxury $11,870.

Entebbe (1 night): Budget – Airport Guesthouse Entebbe; Midrange – Karibu Guesthouse or Boma Hotel; Luxury – Lake Victoria Serena or Protea Entebbe
Murchison Falls NP (2 nights): Budget – Fort Murchison; Midrange – Pakuba Safari Lodge; Luxury – Paraa Safari Lodge
Kibale / Fort Portal (2 nights): Budget – Isunga Lodge; Midrange – Turaco Treetops; Luxury – Primate Lodge Kibale
Queen Elizabeth NP (1 night): Budget – Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (explorer tent); Midrange – Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (signature banda); Luxury – Ishasha Wilderness Camp or Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Ishasha (Queen Elizabeth) (1 night): Budget – Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge; Midrange – Ishasha Wilderness Camp; Luxury – Ishasha Wilderness Camp (premium season)
Bwindi – Buhoma (2 nights): Budget – Buhoma Community Rest Camp; Midrange – Buhoma Community Haven Lodge; Luxury – Buhoma Lodge
Lake Bunyonyi (2 nights): Budget – Simple lakeside lodge or camp; Midrange – Mid-range lakeside lodge (e.g. BirdNest or Arcadia); Luxury – Best available luxury lakeside lodge
Lake Mburo NP (1 night): Budget – Eagle's Nest; Midrange – Rwakobo Rock; Luxury – Mihingo Lodge

Lodges shown are examples, or similar, subject to availability. Gorilla and chimp permits are included at cost.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe

Airport pick-up; evening by Lake Victoria. Overnight: Karibu Guesthouse or Boma Hotel (midrange) or similar.

Day 2: Ziwa rhinos to Murchison

Rhino trek on foot at Ziwa, then on to Murchison. Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange) or similar.

Day 3: Murchison game drive & launch

North-bank game drive; afternoon launch to the falls. Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange) or similar.

Day 4: Top of the Falls to Kibale

Top of the Falls hike, then drive via Hoima to Kibale. Overnight: Turaco Treetops (midrange) or similar.

Day 5: Chimps & Bigodi

Chimp tracking and the Bigodi swamp walk. Overnight: Turaco Treetops (midrange) or similar.

Day 6: To Queen Elizabeth

Drive south; Kazinga Channel launch. Overnight: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (signature banda) (midrange) or similar.

Day 7: Kasenyi to Ishasha

Morning game drive, then Ishasha for the tree-climbing lions. Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (midrange) or similar.

Day 8: Ishasha to Buhoma

Morning lion search, then Buhoma. Overnight: Buhoma Community Haven Lodge (midrange) or similar.

Day 9: Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trek; optional community walk. Overnight: Buhoma Community Haven Lodge (midrange) or similar.

Day 10: To Lake Bunyonyi

Drive through Kabale's terraced hills to the lake. Overnight: Mid-range lakeside lodge (e.g. BirdNest or Arcadia) (midrange) or similar.

Day 11: Bunyonyi rest day

Dugout canoe to the islands; free time to rest. Overnight: Mid-range lakeside lodge (e.g. BirdNest or Arcadia) (midrange) or similar.

Day 12: To Lake Mburo

Drive east; boat trip and walking safari. Overnight: Rwakobo Rock (midrange) or similar.

Day 13: Lake Mburo to Entebbe

Morning game drive, Equator stop, then Entebbe.

Inclusions:

Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, English-speaking driver-guide and fuel
Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe or Kampala
Accommodation as listed, sharing a double or twin room; full board on safari
Ziwa Rhino Ranch entry incl. rhino trek on foot
Murchison Falls park entry (2 days)
Murchison launch cruise to the falls
Top of the Falls hike
Nile ferry crossings at Paraa
Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk
Queen Elizabeth park entry (3 days)
Kazinga Channel launch cruise
Gorilla trekking permit and a guided trek with UWA rangers
Dugout canoe and island walk on Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Mburo park entry (1 day)
Boat trip on Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo walking safari
UWA ranger-guides on game drives
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
All government taxes

Exclusions:

International flights and Uganda visa (single-entry e-visa about $50, or the East Africa Tourist Visa at $100)
Travel and medical insurance; a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry
Tips for guides, porters and lodge staff
Drinks unless the lodge includes them, laundry and personal items
Optional activities and anything not listed
Single room supplement (on request)

How to Get There:

Book an international flight to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 45 minutes from Kampala. Your Mwema Safaris driver-guide meets you at arrivals or at your hotel. About 5 to 6 hours by road from Kampala (with Ziwa on the way), or a domestic flight to Pakuba or Bugungu airstrip.