12 Day Uganda Discovery Journey
Lake Mburo, Bwindi with a cross-forest hike, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Murchison Falls.
Go beyond the expected.
A private twelve-day tour that combines primates and big game with community and forest walks: Lake Mburo, three nights in Bwindi with a gorilla trek and a free day, a cross-forest hike to Buhoma, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Murchison Falls, finishing with rhinos at Ziwa.
- Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi and a free day with optional activities
- Cross-forest hike from the south of Bwindi to Buhoma
- Kazinga Channel cruise
- Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland
- Murchison Falls and the Nile delta
- Rhinos on foot at Ziwa and shoebill canoe trip
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits and park entry fees
- Activities and excursions as listed
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe
Entebbe
Airport pickup and transfer to a boutique hotel, with a trip briefing before dinner. Optional birding at the Botanical Gardens, Mabamba Swamp for shoebills, or the local markets.
Day 2 Entebbe to Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo National Park
Drive west through central Uganda, with stops at a craft village and the equator, and an afternoon game drive in Lake Mburo.
Day 3 Lake Mburo to Bwindi
Lake Mburo National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A morning game drive, then a scenic drive past Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro to the lodge on a ridge at the edge of Bwindi, with an afternoon community walk and a visit to a Batwa community.
Day 4 Mountain gorilla trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Hike into Bwindi to find a habituated mountain gorilla family and spend one hour with them. Treks vary from 30 minutes to four hours. Campfire and massage at the lodge in the evening.
Day 5 Free day in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mutanda
A free day: relax, cooking class, dugout canoe trip on Lake Mutanda, Batwa or circular forest trail, or a sundowner picnic.
Day 6 Bwindi hike and Queen Elizabeth
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ishasha Sector and Queen Elizabeth National Park
A guided forest hike of four to five hours across Bwindi from the south to the Buhoma visitor centre, then drive through the Ishasha savannah looking for tree-climbing lions.
Day 7 Queen Elizabeth game drive and boat cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park
An early game drive on the Kasenyi tracks and an afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga Channel for hippos, elephants, buffalo and birds.
Day 8 To Kibale
Kibale National Park
A morning game drive, then a two to three hour drive to Kibale, with an afternoon hike to the Top of the World viewpoint over the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes and tea plantations.
Day 9 Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland
Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
A morning chimpanzee trek in Kibale, lasting two to six hours, then an afternoon walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 10 To Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls National Park
A long drive of seven to eight hours north to Murchison Falls along the Victoria Nile, with time to relax at a riverside lodge on arrival.
Day 11 Murchison Falls game drive and boat trips
Murchison Falls National Park
A morning game drive, a boat trip to the Victoria Nile delta for birds, and an afternoon boat trip to the base of the falls, with an optional hike to the top.
Day 12 Ziwa and Entebbe
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Mabamba Swamp and Entebbe
A guided walk to see rhinos on foot, with an early morning canoe trip to a nearby swamp to look for shoebills, then on to Entebbe for your flight.
On this safari
Places you will visit
EntebbeExplore place →
Lake Mburo National ParkExplore place →
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkExplore place →
Queen Elizabeth National ParkExplore place →
Kibale National ParkExplore place →
Murchison FallsExplore place →
Murchison Falls National ParkExplore place →
Ziwa Rhino SanctuaryExplore place →
Ishasha SectorExplore place →
Bigodi Wetland SanctuaryExplore place →
Mabamba SwampExplore place →Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
Wellness Safari Uganda: Lake Bunyonyi, Forest and Gorillas
Lake canoes, forest walks and one gorilla trek at a slow pace.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
East Africa Conservation Culture
Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari: Routes and Planning
Plains, craters and gorillas across three countries.
East Africa Birding Planning a Safari
Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
Match your dates to the birds, not just the weather.
Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 12 Day Uganda Discovery Journey
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.
What is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda can be visited year-round. The drier months (roughly December–February and June–September) are generally easiest for trekking and game viewing, while the wetter months bring lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower lodge rates. Gorilla trekking is possible in any month, since it happens in rainforest regardless of season.
What wildlife is Uganda known for?
Uganda is best known for mountain gorillas, it holds roughly half of the world’s remaining population, alongside strong chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and over 1,000 recorded bird species, an exceptional figure for a country of its size.