12 Day Uganda Safari Holiday
Safari Overview
Experience the wonders of Uganda with a 12-day safari that covers the Eastern and Rift Valley safari circuits. This holiday adventure encompasses a variety of attractions, offering opportunities to meet new people, rest, eat, laugh, sleep, and discover the vibrant wildlife. Highlights include the source of the Nile in Jinja, the majestic Sipi Falls on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park (the primate capital), Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” is renowned for its exceptional weather, cuisine, biodiversity, and hospitality. Situated in East Africa, Uganda is bordered by Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Over the 12 days, activities include game drives, boat cruises, nature hikes, chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, photography, bird watching, and sightseeing. The safari starts at Entebbe International Airport, taking the eastern route and ending with the Rift Valley destinations. Pickup and drop-off are at the agreed points.
Safari Highlight
- Kampala to Sipi Falls – Source of the Nile Tour
Hike Sipi Falls – Night Stay in Jinja
Jinja to Murchison Falls National Park
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
detailed Itinerary
- Arrive at Entebbe International Airport.
- Receive a warm welcome and briefing from our company guide.
- Transfer to your hotel, enjoying views of Lake Victoria.
- Check-in and refresh at your lodge.
- Optional evening tour around Kampala to exchange money, explore local trade, and visit shopping malls.
- Return to the lodge for dinner and a peaceful sleep.
- Begin the day with a cup of coffee.
- Depart at 08:00 for the eastern safari circuit to Sipi Falls.
- Experience the busy towns, sugar and rice plantations, Wanale Hills, and Mabira Forest.
- Stop at Mabira Forest for snacks from vendors.
- Continue to Jinja, cross the stunning Jinja Bridge, and take a boat ride to the source of the Nile.
- Lunch break followed by a drive to Sipi at Mount Elgon’s slopes.
- Check-in at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Enjoy morning coffee at the lodge.
- Join your guide for a hike to the three powerful waterfalls of Sipi.
- The 6-hour hike includes bird watching, primates, bamboo, settlements, and coffee plantations.
- Spend time at the falls for photos and a possible shower under the thundering waters.
- Return to the lodge for lunch, then proceed to Jinja for dinner and overnight stay.
- Start the day with a hearty breakfast.
- Depart for the northwestern part of Uganda, transitioning from the eastern to the Rift Valley circuit.
- Enroute stop for a late lunch in Masindi.
- Arrive at your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
- After breakfast, enjoy a 3-4 hour game drive in the northern part of the park.
- Spot wildlife such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and numerous bird species.
- Lunch break followed by an evening boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls.
- Begin with a cup of coffee at the lodge.
- Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through scenic landscapes.
- Arrive in Fort Portal city for lunch, then continue to your lodge.
- Check-in, refresh, and relax in preparation for the next day’s activities.
- After breakfast, attend a pre-trekking briefing at Kanyanchu.
- Trek for 1-4 hours to observe chimpanzees and other primates in their natural habitat.
- Return to the lodge for lunch, then visit tea plantations within the Isunga community.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
- After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Enroute visit to the crater lakes and Amabere Ga’nyinamwiru.
- Arrive at the lodge in or around Queen Elizabeth National Park for dinner and overnight stay.
- Early morning game drive to observe the wildlife and stunning sunrise.
- Bush breakfast followed by a lunch break.
- Afternoon game drive in Kasenyi Plains and Mweya Peninsula.
- Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
- After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- One-hour game drive in the Ishasha sector to see tree-climbing lions.
- Lunch in Ishasha, then continue to Bwindi.
- Check-in at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
- After breakfast, attend a pre-trekking briefing at the sector headquarters.
- Trek for 1-8 hours to observe mountain gorillas.
- Spend an hour with the gorillas, then return to the lodge for lunch.
- Receive a graduation certificate and enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
- After breakfast, attend a pre-trekking briefing at the sector headquarters.
- Trek for 1-8 hours to observe mountain gorillas.
- Spend an hour with the gorillas, then return to the lodge for lunch.
- Receive a graduation certificate and enjoy dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Safari Terms
Inclusion
- All park entry fees and permits (gorilla, chimp)
- All accommodation as specified
- Full board meals throughout safari
- Ground transportation in 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide
- All game drives, boat cruises, and activities listed
- Airport transfers
Exclusion
- International flights
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal travel expenses (e.g. souvenirs, tips, laundry)
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Accommodation before and after the safari if not mentioned (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for guide and lodge staff (optional but appreciated)