12-Day Ultimate Uganda Wilderness & Primate Safari

Journey overview

From the Mighty Nile to Africa's Last Great Wilderness

Venture deep into the heart of Uganda on an extraordinary twelve-day safari that showcases the country's most spectacular wildlife, landscapes, and cultural heritage. From the thunderous power of Murchison Falls and the untouched wilderness of Kidepo Valley to the lush rainforests of Kibale and the mist-covered mountains of Bwindi, this carefully curated journey brings together Uganda's finest safari experiences. Track wild chimpanzees through ancient tropical forests, search for tree-climbing lions across the savannah, cruise the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, and stand face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas in one of the world's oldest rainforests. Designed for discerning travellers, this journey combines exceptional wildlife encounters with luxury accommodation, private guiding, and seamless travel throughout.

Route at a glance

Entebbe International Airport to Kampala; Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park; Murchison Falls National Park; charter flight to Kidepo Valley National Park; Kidepo Valley National Park; charter flight to Kampala & drive to Kibale; Kibale Forest National Park; Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park; Queen Elizabeth National Park; Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; Lake Bunyonyi – Kigali.

Duration 12 days · 11 nights

Journey Private & tailor-made

Pace Balanced

Minimum age Confirm with our team

Is this the right safari for you?

Explore this journey for The East Africa Collection, The Signature Collection.

Tell us your interests, travelling party and preferred pace. We will check driving times, accessibility, activity age limits and room arrangements with you before recommending this route.

Programme summary

Your journey at a glance

Day	Place / route	Highlights	Stay
1	Entebbe International Airport to Kampala (40–50 km \| Approx. 45–75 minutes)	Airport meet & greet; Private transfer; Lake Victoria views; Personal safari briefing	Kampala Serena Hotel
2	Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park (330–370 km \| Approx. 6–8 hours or optional charter flight)	Scenic drive through rural Uganda; Murchison Falls boat cruise; Evening game drive; Sunset over the Nile	Paraa Safari Lodge
3	Murchison Falls National Park	Morning game drive; Top of the Falls hike; Panoramic viewpoints; Wildlife photography	Paraa Safari Lodge
4	Charter Flight to Kidepo Valley National Park	Scenic charter flight; Kidepo Valley National Park; Narus Valley game drive; Spectacular mountain scenery	Apoka Safari Lodge
5	Kidepo Valley National Park	Full-day game drives; Karamojong cultural experience (optional); One of Africa's most remote safari destinations	Apoka Safari Lodge
6	Charter Flight to Kampala & Drive to Kibale	Scenic charter flight; Tea plantations; Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary; Rwenzori Mountain views	Kyaninga Lodge
7	Kibale Forest National Park	Chimpanzee trekking; Ancient tropical rainforest; Optional crater lake excursion	Kyaninga Lodge
8	Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park (120–150 km \| Approx. 3–4 hours)	Scenic drive; Afternoon game drive; Rwenzori Mountain backdrop	Kyambura Gorge Lodge
9	Queen Elizabeth National Park	Morning game drive; Kazinga Channel boat safari; Exceptional birdlife	Kyambura Gorge Lodge
10	Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha (150–220 km \| Approx. 4–6 hours)	Ishasha game drive; Tree-climbing lions; Scenic mountain landscapes	Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
11	Bwindi Impenetrable National Park	Gorilla trekking; One-hour gorilla encounter; UNESCO World Heritage rainforest	Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
12	Lake Bunyonyi – Kigali (Approx. 3 hours)	Lake Bunyonyi; Traditional canoe experience (optional); Scenic drive to Kigali	—

The essentials

What your journey includes

Included

Private airport meet and greet upon arrival.
Private 4×4 custom safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
Charter flights as specified in the itinerary.
Professional English-speaking safari guide.
Accommodation as outlined.
Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Gorilla trekking permit (one permit per guest).
Chimpanzee trekking permit.
Murchison Falls boat cruise.
Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary guided walk.
Scheduled game drives.
All park entrance and conservation fees.
Bottled drinking water throughout the safari.
All applicable government taxes and levies.

Not included

International and regional flights.
Uganda visa fees.
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
Optional activities not specified in the itinerary.
Alcoholic and premium beverages unless otherwise stated.
Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers and lodge staff.
Personal expenses including laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs.
Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
Items of a personal nature.

Day by day

Your itinerary

12 days

Day 01

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa

Entebbe International Airport to Kampala (40–50 km | Approx. 45–75 minutes)

HighlightsAirport meet & greet; Private transfer; Lake Victoria views; Personal safari briefing

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your private safari guide will warmly welcome you before transferring you to your luxury hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Settle in, relax after your journey, and enjoy a personalised safari briefing introducing the incredible adventure ahead.

MealsDinner (depending on arrival time)

Accommodation

Kampala Serena Hotel

Day 02

The Mighty Nile Beckons

Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park (330–370 km | Approx. 6–8 hours or optional charter flight)

HighlightsScenic drive through rural Uganda; Murchison Falls boat cruise; Evening game drive; Sunset over the Nile

Travel north through Uganda's picturesque countryside before arriving at Murchison Falls National Park. This afternoon, enjoy an unforgettable boat cruise to the base of the falls, where the Nile dramatically squeezes through a narrow seven-metre gorge before crashing into the river below. As the day draws to a close, head out on your first game drive through the surrounding savannah.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 03

Where the Savannah Meets the Nile

Murchison Falls National Park

HighlightsMorning game drive; Top of the Falls hike; Panoramic viewpoints; Wildlife photography

Begin the morning exploring the wildlife-rich northern plains of Murchison Falls National Park, home to impressive populations of giraffes, lions, elephants and buffalo. Later, hike to the summit of Murchison Falls, where you'll witness one of Africa's most powerful natural spectacles as the Nile surges through a narrow rock passage before plunging into the gorge below.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 04

Into Uganda's Last Great Wilderness

Charter Flight to Kidepo Valley National Park

HighlightsScenic charter flight; Kidepo Valley National Park; Narus Valley game drive; Spectacular mountain scenery

Today, leave the familiar behind as you fly into the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa's most secluded safari destinations. After settling into your lodge, venture into the Narus Valley for an afternoon game drive across one of the continent's last truly wild landscapes.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Apoka Safari Lodge

Day 05

Exploring Africa's Hidden Wilderness

Kidepo Valley National Park

HighlightsFull-day game drives; Karamojong cultural experience (optional); One of Africa's most remote safari destinations

Spend a full day discovering the remarkable landscapes of Kidepo Valley National Park. Morning and afternoon game drives provide exceptional opportunities to encounter vast buffalo herds, elephants, predators and a remarkable diversity of birdlife. Later, enjoy an optional cultural visit to a traditional Karamojong community.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Apoka Safari Lodge

Day 06

From the Wild North to Uganda's Green Highlands

Charter Flight to Kampala & Drive to Kibale

HighlightsScenic charter flight; Tea plantations; Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary; Rwenzori Mountain views

Fly back to Kampala before continuing west through rolling tea plantations and fertile countryside to Fort Portal, nestled beneath the majestic Rwenzori Mountains. If time permits, enjoy a leisurely guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary before arriving at your lodge.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Kyaninga Lodge

Day 07

Tracking Our Closest Relatives

Kibale Forest National Park

HighlightsChimpanzee trekking; Ancient tropical rainforest; Optional crater lake excursion

Step into Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Africa's largest populations of wild chimpanzees. Accompanied by expert trackers, search the forest for a habituated chimpanzee family before spending an unforgettable hour observing their fascinating behaviour in their natural environment.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Kyaninga Lodge

Day 08

Into the Great Rift Valley

Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park (120–150 km | Approx. 3–4 hours)

HighlightsScenic drive; Afternoon game drive; Rwenzori Mountain backdrop

Travel south through the Albertine Rift Valley to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time for lunch before enjoying an afternoon game drive across the wildlife-rich Kasenyi Plains.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 09

Safari on Land and Water

Queen Elizabeth National Park

HighlightsMorning game drive; Kazinga Channel boat safari; Exceptional birdlife

Rise early for another rewarding game drive before enjoying a relaxing afternoon cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, one of East Africa's finest wildlife waterways.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Day 10

In Search of Uganda's Tree-Climbing Lions

Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha (150–220 km | Approx. 4–6 hours)

HighlightsIshasha game drive; Tree-climbing lions; Scenic mountain landscapes

Travel through the famous Ishasha Sector, searching for Uganda's renowned tree-climbing lions before continuing into the breathtaking highlands surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Day 11

An Hour with the Gentle Giants

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

HighlightsGorilla trekking; One-hour gorilla encounter; UNESCO World Heritage rainforest

Today is the defining moment of your Ugandan safari. Accompanied by experienced rangers, venture deep into Bwindi's ancient rainforest in search of a mountain gorilla family. Once located, you'll spend one extraordinary hour quietly observing these magnificent primates in one of the world's most remarkable wildlife encounters.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch • Dinner

Accommodation

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Day 12

A Peaceful Farewell

Lake Bunyonyi – Kigali (Approx. 3 hours)

HighlightsLake Bunyonyi; Traditional canoe experience (optional); Scenic drive to Kigali

Spend your final morning beside the tranquil waters of Lake Bunyonyi, enjoying optional canoeing or simply soaking in the spectacular scenery before beginning your scenic drive to Kigali for your onward international departure.

MealsBreakfast • Lunch

Starting prices are a guide. Travel dates, number of travellers, room arrangements, accommodation, flights and optional activities can change the final cost. Your quotation confirms the price and exactly what it covers.

Season	Travel dates	Adult sharing
Dry SeasonBest conditions for gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking and game viewing	June-August & December-February	On request
Wet SeasonLush vegetation, fewer tourists, lower prices	March-May & September-November	On request

12-Day Ultimate Uganda Wilderness & Primate Safari

From the Mighty Nile to Africa's Last Great Wilderness

Is this the right safari for you?

Your journey at a glance

What your journey includes

Included

Not included

Your itinerary

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa

The Mighty Nile Beckons

Where the Savannah Meets the Nile

Into Uganda's Last Great Wilderness

Exploring Africa's Hidden Wilderness

From the Wild North to Uganda's Green Highlands

Tracking Our Closest Relatives

Into the Great Rift Valley

Safari on Land and Water

In Search of Uganda's Tree-Climbing Lions

An Hour with the Gentle Giants

A Peaceful Farewell

Journey rates USD · per person sharing

Frequently asked questions

Make this journey entirely yours.

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