11 days Uganda safari package is an excellent option for travelers who are interested in a long Uganda Wildlife safari. By the end this tour, you would have visited the Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The safari also includes rhino tracking at the Ziwa Sanctuary, visiting the Batwa people and Lake Bunyonyi.
Murchison falls is the largest and oldest game park in Uganda. It is found in the northern part of the country and is one of the best national parks to visit in Uganda because of its amazing wildlife and scenery. The park is home to lions, elephants, giraffes, elands, buffaloes and much more. The iconic river Nile passes through the park and divides it into two leaving behind the Murchison and Uhuru falls. These two powerful and beautiful waterfalls are separate attractions in their own right attracting both local and international tourists. The river Nile also allows tourists to go for an amazing boat cruise to spot one of the highest concentration of aquatic animals in Africa’s interior. Other top attractions in Murchison falls are nature walks and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest.
Kibale forest national park on the other hand is found in western Uganda. It has one of the largest remaining tropical rain forests in Uganda. The park has one of the highest concentration of small primate species in Africa with an amazing 14 species calling it home. If it had gorillas, we would be taking about one of the leading tourist destinations in Africa. Some of the primate species to look out for in Kibale are chimpanzees, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and de brazza monkeys. Kibale National Park is arguably the best destination for chimpanzee tracking. There are over 1500 chimps in the park and 4 groups are habituated.
This safari also involves visiting Queen Elizabeth national park. It is one of the two most visited national parks in Uganda. It doesn’t only have wildlife but beautiful scenery and landscape. On a standard game drive around the park, travelers can spot lions, elephants, different species of antelope, hyenas, mongoose, defassa waterbucks, warthogs and so on. The park also has interesting and remarkable geological features like crater lakes and gorges which are excellent for photography. The main activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park are game drives, spotting tree climbing lions, lion tracking, chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, nature walks in Maramagambo forest and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
The final part of the safari involves visiting Bwindi impenetrable national park and Lake Mburo National Park. Bwindi National Park is found in the south-western part of the country. It has half of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas. Bwindi was the first national park to open up to gorilla trekking and now has 17 habituated gorilla groups. Bwindi also has 2 groups available for what is now as the gorilla habituation experience. With all these groups available for gorilla trekking, we can comfortably say that Bwindi is the best place to track gorillas in the world. After the strenuous gorilla trekking experience, travelers will be transferred to the beautiful lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, nature walks, swimming and island hopping.
The 12 days Uganda tour ends with a trip to Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo has the highest concentration of antelopes in Uganda. It is also excellent for night game drives and spotting leopards. In general, the wildlife to look out for in Lake Mburo are giraffes, impalas, zebras, antelopes, elephants and buffaloes. Lake Mburo is the only national park where one can view animals with a quad bike or on the back of a horse. The afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo will be one of the highlights of your time in the park. If you are looking for a longer safari, you can check out our 12 days Uganda safari package. Those with limited time may find our 8 days Uganda safari package interesting.
Major activities
- Game drives in the savannah parks
- Boat cruises
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa
- Gorilla trekking at Bwindi
- Relaxation and unwinding at Lake Bunyonyi
- A cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies
- Touring the Katwe crater lakes and the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary
Tour summary
Day 1: Entebbe Airport pick up – stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary – Drive to Murchison falls national park
Day 2: Morning game drive and Afternoon launch cruise in Murchison falls national park
Day 3: Travel to Kibale national park – Afternoon Tour of the Bigodi wetlands
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National park
Day 5: Morning game drive – Afternoon Boat ride at the Kazinga channel
Day 6: Game drive to see the tree climbing lions of Ishasha – Transfer to Bwindi
Day 7: Gorilla tracking Bwindi – Visit the Batwa people
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, canoeing island hopping and nature walks
Day 9: Complete activities in Lake Bunyonyi – Transfer to Lake Mburo national park
Day 10: Morning Game drive – Afternoon boat ride
Day 11: Travel back to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe Airport pick up – stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary – Drive to Murchison falls national park.
After getting out of the airport terminal and into the waiting area, you will find our company Driver/Guide waiting to brief you on the tour. He will explain to you how the travel program will go 
and then begin the journey to Murchison falls national park. The journey from Entebbe to Murchison falls national park takes about 4 hours. You will have stopovers along the highway to stretch your bodies and also get some refreshments. When you reach Nakasongo district, you will branch off to Ziwa rhino sanctuary to track Uganda’s while rhinos. There are over 30 rhinos in this sanctuary. This is a remarkable feat for the conservation team in Uganda because the sanctuary started out with only five rhinos. While at the rhino sanctuary, you will walk towards the rhinos with a Ranger and watch them graze. The Rangers will share information about the sanctuary and everything you want to know about white rhinos. Moreover, there are opportunities to spot other wildlife species like monkeys, antelopes and birds. Lunch will be at the sanctuary canteen or in Masindi town.
After lunch you will drive off to Murchison falls national park where you will go straight to see the top of the Murchison falls. The Murchison falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Africa. While on top of the cliff, you will witness the Nile forcing its way out of a very narrow gorge before plunging downstream and continuing its journey to Egypt. The view of the waterfall is spectacular and food for the eyes. After taking photos and marveling at the thunderous noise coming from the waterfalls, you will go to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Lodging: Red chilli rest camp (Budget), Fort Murchison (Mid-range) and Paraa safari lodge or Nile safari lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Morning game drive and Afternoon launch cruise in Murchison falls national park
After early morning breakfast, you will start off your day by going for a morning game drive at the Nyamsika or Bugili sectors. These two areas have the highest concentration of animals in Murchison falls national park. The grass in the two areas are relatively short making them excellent for viewing animals like elephants, buffaloes, elands, giraffes, topis, reedbucks, lions, antelopes, Jackson hartebeest, duikers, sitatungas, bush pigs and many more. You will spend 3 to 4 hours observing the wildlife and capturing every moment on camera. You will then go back to your lodge at mid-day for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, you will be driven to Paraa dock for the 2pm boat cruise. One can choose between two boat cruise experiences – upstream to the falls and downstream to the Nile delta. The two experiences both allow tourists to encounter aquatic animals and birds while marveling at the beauty of the Nile. Expect to see hippos, waterbucks, Nile crocodiles, shoebill storks and much more. The boat ride takes about 3 hours after which you will go back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and sleep.
Lodging: Red chilli rest camp (Budget), Fort Murchison (Mid-range) and Paraa safari lodge or Nile safari lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Travel to Kibale national park – Afternoon Tour of the Bigodi wetlands
Wake up at your time, take breakfast and wait for the driver to come for you. Kibale National Park lies in the western part of the country. You will embark on a 4 hour journey that will take you past farmlands, 
lakes, rivers, trading centers and small towns. As you enter Bunyoro, you will be struck by the remarkable scenery. Fort Portal is even more beautiful and is where you will have lunch. After lunch in Fort Portal, you will take a tour of the small but clean city ending with a visit to the palace of the King of Toro. Once you are done with touring the new city, you will proceed to your lodge which is close to the park. After showering and refreshments, the driver will take you to visit the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to about 13 species of primates. It is also one of the best places for birding in Uganda. If there is more time, you could go for a tour of the local villages and an artisan center run by a women’s group. After the tour, you will go back to your lodge for rest.
Accommodation: Primates Lodge (Luxury) or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Mid-range and budget).
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National park
Wake up very early in the morning, finish with breakfast and go for the briefing at the park offices. After the briefing about chimpanzee racking, you will be assigned to a particular chimp group and then led into the forest by Park Rangers. Kibale forest contains montane, bamboo and afro-alpine trees. You may encounter different species of animals including forest elephants, birds, butterflies, monkeys, olive baboons, duikers, giant forest hog and various types of reptiles. It will take you a while to find the chimpanzees depending on their location that day. Chimpanzees are very smart and interesting 
primates. You will be blown away by their intelligence, mind games and family politics. Chimps have the ability to use tools like stones, leaves and tree branches to get food or build their nests.
After one hour of interaction with the chimpanzees, you will be led out of the forest and to the starting point where you will meet our company Guide waiting for you. Lunch will be at the lodge or in the town of Fort Portal. After lunch, you will begin the 2 hour journey to Queen Elizabeth national park. It will take you about 3 hours to reach Queen Elizabeth national park.
Accommodation: The luxury lodges are Mweya Safari lodge and Katara lodge. The mid-range lodge is Parkview Safari Lodge. The budget lodges are Elephant plains lodge, Simba safari lodge and Bush lodge.
Day 5: Morning game drive – Afternoon Boat ride at the Kazinga channel
Wake up early in the morning, take a shower and request for breakfast as you wait for the company driver. The driver will take you for an early morning game drive along the Kasenyi plains. The morning game drive is excellent for spotting predators and other nocturnal animals retiring back to their dens. It is also the perfect time to observe early risers and birds getting out of their nests. Expect to encounter cape buffaloes, warthogs, elephants, topis, oribis, elands, kasenyi lions, Uganda kobs and countless birds. After spending 3 hours in the savanna, you will be taken back to your lodge for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, you will be taken to the famous Kazinga channel for a boat cruise. The Kazinga channel is a 32km water stretch that connects lake Edward to George. The boat ride experience will start from Lake Edward in the west of the park, through the channel and then to lake George. As the boat moves through the waters, you will have opportunities to see waterbucks, hippos, Nile crocodiles, kingfishers, egrets, flamingos, grey crowned cranes and so much more The boat ride will take 3 hours and ends at around 5pm.
Accommodation: The luxury lodges are Mweya Safari lodge and Katara lodge. The mid-range lodge is Parkview Safari Lodge. The budget lodges are Elephant plains lodge, Simba safari lodge and Bush lodge.
Day 6: Game drive to see the tree climbing lions of Ishasha – Transfer to Bwindi
Wake up early once again and ensure that you take breakfast. After your breakfast, you will checkout and begin the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you drive towards Bwindi, you will have one last game drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha sector is 
arguably the best place to see tree climbing lions in the world. Most lions stay on the ground but the ones in Ishasha spend much of their time on top of trees. Researchers have no conclusive explanation for this behavior but many believe they do so to escape from insects and to have an aerial view of their prey.
After observing the lions for a while, you will continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The spot where you will have lunch and the time to reach Bwindi will be determined by the sector you will be tracking the mountain gorillas. Bwindi is a very large national park with four sectors. The distance between each sector is considerable and can involve a long time driving on the road.
Accommodation: The luxury hotels are Mahogany springs lodge and Buhoma lodge. The Mid-range lodges are Gorilla safari lodge, Gorilla resort Bwindi, Lake Mutanda rest Camp, Ichumbi gorilla lodge and Rushaga gorilla camp. Budget travelers can choose Buhoma community rest camp or Gorilla valley lodge.
Day 7: Gorilla tracking Bwindi – Visit the Batwa people
This is the day you have been waiting and what makes Uganda different from many other travel destinations around the world. You will be meeting a creature that looks and behaves like we humans. Ensure that you wake up very early for breakfast so that you don’t miss the early morning briefing. Request your lodge to pack for you lunch because you may be out in the jungle for several hours. During the briefing for gorilla trekking, your gorilla permits will be verified. The park Guides and Warden will let you know what to expect. By 8am, you will have entered into the tropical rain-forest of Bwindi in search of a particular gorilla family. As you track the primates, the Park Ranger will share information about the park and each member of the gorilla group you were assigned.
After hiking for some time (depending on your gorilla group), you will find the family resting or feeding on forest vegetation. The Rangers will require that you adhere to the gorilla tracking rules. The silverback will be the first to come out and check you guys out. If you are not a threat to the family, he will simply continue with feeding or resting and allow you observe his family. The Park Guides will let you know when it is time to start taking photos and videos. Gorilla trekking is a life changing moment and the experience of watching a family of wild gorillas will live with you forever. After the one hour with the primates has elapsed, you will be led back to the starting point where our driver would be waiting.
After lunch at the lodge, you will be taken to visit the Batwa pygmies of Bwindi. The Batwa lived as gatherers and hunters in the forests to East and Central Africa before most where evicted. The Batwa are 
short in stature and lead a very primitive way of life even after being exposed to the outside world. Most now struggle to make ends meet as they have to do manual jobs and the challenges of a modern world. The forests would protect them from the outside world and give them everything they needed to survive. During your visit, you will learn about their ancient practices but also the challenges they face after being evicted from the park. Expect lots of cultural performances, dances and storytelling from the Batwa.
Accommodation: The luxury hotels are Mahogany springs lodge and Buhoma lodge. The Mid-range lodges are Gorilla safari lodge, Gorilla resort Bwindi, Lake Mutanda rest Camp, Ichumbi gorilla lodge and Rushaga gorilla camp. Budget travelers can choose Buhoma community rest camp or Gorilla valley lodge.
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, canoeing island hopping and nature walks
You are free to wake up at your own time on this particular day. Ensure that you take breakfast and then wait for the driver to pick you up and begin the journey to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is found in the 
district of Kabale. It has beautiful scenery surrounding it and is where tourists who are on long safaris stop to relax before continuing their adventures. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the deepest lakes in the whole of Africa and because of that only experienced swimmers can plunge into its waters. Once you reach the lake, you will be taken to your hotel to check in before beginning activities. The main activities are nature walks, birding, canoeing and visiting the different islands in the small lake. Later in the evening, you can just stay put on the shores of the lake and read a book as you relax.
Accommodation options: Executive (Arcadia cottages), Standard (Lake Bunyonyi Resort) and basic (Bunyonyi overland resort).
Day 9: Complete activities in Lake Bunyonyi – Transfer to Lake Mburo national park – Night game drive
Wake up early and take breakfast as you enjoy the beautiful scenery around the lake. You can observe mothers taking their children to schools in the island using boats or people catching crayfish. If you 
didn’t complete any of the activities on Day 8, this is the day to do so. The driver will start the journey to Lake Mburo National Park at around mid-day. Lunch will be in Mbarara town before proceeding to the park. Once you reach the park, the driver will take you to your lodge for refreshment and relaxation. Later in the evening, you will be taken for a night game drive to observe the nocturnal animals in the park. Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savanna park in Uganda but has the highest concentration of leopards and antelopes in Uganda. The night game drive will provide opportunities to spot nocturnal birds and primates as well as the opportunity to see a leopard hunting
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge and Arcadia cottage for luxury rooms. Rwakobo rock lodge and Lake Mburo Safari lodge for Mid-range rooms. The budget lodge is Eagles nest camp.
Day 10: Morning Game drive – Afternoon boat ride
After breakfast in the morning, you will embark on a morning game drive around the park. The wildlife in Lake Mburo national park are easy to sport because of their high concentration. Expect to encounter animals like impalas, giraffes, hyenas, zebra, elephants, cape buffaloes, elands and Uganda kobs among others. After the 3-hour game drive, you will get back to your lodge for lunch and rest. After the lunch break, you will be taken for the afternoon boat cruise in Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is a major attraction in the park and this is why the park was named after it. The lake is home to hippos, crocodiles, water bucks and a variety of bird species. The boat ride is very rewarding particularly for birders.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge and Arcadia cottage for luxury rooms. Rwakobo rock lodge and Lake Mburo Safari lodge for Mid-range rooms. The budget lodge is Eagles nest camp.
Day 11: Walking Safari, Quad Bike or Horseback safari – Travel back to Kampala/Entebbe
Lake Mburo is the only park in Uganda where tourists can view wildlife on Quad bikes or with a horse. It is also one of the few national parks in Uganda where one can go for a walking safari. You can’t do everything and you will have to choose either the Quad bikes or an adventure in a horse. After the final activity in Lake Mburo, you will begin the journey to Entebbe or Kampala around mid-day. You will have a stop at the equator crossing in Buwama along the Masaka road. After taking photos of yourself at the equator line, you will have lunch and also buy some souvenirs before continuing your journey to Entebbe. The driver will drop you at the airport or at a hotel in Kampala/Entebbe if you are still in the country.
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
The 11 days Uganda Wildlife safari package includes: –
- Ziwa Rhino tracking
- Game drives in the savannah
- Boat cruises in 3 different national parks
- Batwa cultural experience
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Park ranger and Guide fees
- Chimpanzee permits
- Canoeing in Lake Bunyonyi
- Accommodation 10 nights with meals
- Park and Vehicle entrance fees
- Ferry crossing
- 4×4 ground vehicles with Fuel
- A reliable Driver/Guide
- Meals and refreshments while traveling
The 11 days Uganda tour excludes accommodation before and after the safari. It also excludes any expenses that are clearly personal in nature. Because of that, the safari excludes visa fees, air tickets, yellow fever immunization cards, fine wines, laundry, cigars, tips and crafts.
