Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Kampala
Your guide for the 12 days Uganda Safari picks you at the airport and you transfer to Kampala to check in to the hotel and rest after the flight.
Overnight in Express View Inn.
Day 2: Transfer to lodge by Murchison Falls NP via Rhino Trekking
You set off early from Kampala for your journey to Murchison Falls NP. Along the way you meet the rhinos in Ziwa rhino sanctuary, ticking of the first of the Big 5 during this 12 days Uganda Safari. In the sanctuary they are working to reintroduce rhinos in Uganda and you go with a specialized guide for a walk to see them. Then you continue the journey towards the lodge by Murchison Falls national park, having lunch along the way.
Overnight in Hornbill Bush Lodge.
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat-Cruise on the Nile in Murchison Falls NP
Set off for an early morning game-drive in the park. You have the chance of seeing Big cats hunting, Elephants, Giraffes, Buffalos, plus more as the checklist of mammals reaches 76. We continue browsing the Drive circuits to the Delta point for a cocktail of Birds and mammals. Enjoy lunch and some relaxation at the lodge after the game-drive. Then in the afternoon go for the 3 hour boat ride to the base of the falls where you get to see the Hippos (You have never seen more hippos yawning, Grooming in there Pods anywhere else than here- Believe me you)! Nile Crocodiles, Elephants and a variety of beautiful bird species along the banks. If you are a keen birder this might be your magnet to catch them.
Overnight in Hornbill Bush Lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to the Crater Lakes area by Fort Portal
After breakfast transfer towards the crater lakes area by Fort Portal as we continue our 12 days Uganda Safari. It’s a long drive with our target to have lunch in Fort portal. A punctuation of stopovers at sceneries like the Rift valley escarpment on Lake Albert – typical African village setup in the far countryside and tea plantations along the drive offer us chances of stretching. We check in late afternoon to an area with an amazing display of primates and lovely scenery.
Overnight Isunga lodge.
Day 5: Explore the Crater Lakes area & transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Crater exploration with a walk to crater lake, if you are lucky you might see different species of Monkeys, such as red colobus, red tailed monkey and bush babies. More in the forest canopy colored aviation creatures-butterflies various bird species like the native Great blue Turaco, joyful greenbul, olive long tailed cuckoo, the superb black bee eater. Then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, having lunch along the way. In the late afternoon we reach the lodge at the edge of Queen Elizabeth NP.
Overnight in Pumba safari cottages.
Day 6: Game-Drive and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Discover Queen Elizabeth National Park in the cool morning with an early game drive that exposes us to diverse animals. Possibility to see Big 5 members Elephants, Buffalos, big cats- Lions, Leopards more times in the evening, warthogs- Hunchback carnivals like Hyenas and many more species that are residents to this park are spotted along the Circuits as we drive along. There is a rich bird life especially our version of storks in the wetland sports as we reach the Flamingoes in the salt lakes. After lunch it is time for the Classic highlight of the 2hrs boat-cruise on the famous Kazinga channel, a 36kms channel linking Lake George to lake Edward. On the banks you can see land and water Adapted Hippopotamuses Yawning and some slashing canines to each other, the National Geographical society Killing machine the Nile Crocodile gaping along the Banks and Savannah versions of Pigs the Warthog- Pumba of the award winning Lion King are a hallmark sign in this Animal home!
Overnight Pumba Safari Cottages.
Day 7: Chimps Trekking in Kalinzu Forest & transfer to lodge By Ishasha Sector
In the morning we make the drive over to Kalinzu forest for a chimps trekking adventure, a highlight during this 12 days Uganda Safari. Here you go in a group with a specialized guide into the jungle to search for our close cousins the chimpanzees and enjoy the nature. After the trek we head back to the lodge for lunch and then start the adventurous journey down to the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP. The road goes through the park and if we are lucky we see elephants, monkeys, beautiful birds or even lions along the way. In the late afternoon we arrive at the lodge by Ishasha.
Overnight Topi Lodge.
Day 8: Morning & Afternoon Game-Drives in Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth NP
In the early morning we will drive off in the adventurous vast savannah of the Ishasa sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, known for its tree-climbing lions. Here we have chance to see Topis, buffaloes, elephants and hopefully find the lions high in the Fig tree branches. This is one of two areas in Africa where lions have the habit of regularly climbing trees to take a rest and this 12 days Uganda Safari gives you the chance to experience it. After the morning game-drive we drive back to the lodge for lunch and a bit of rest before it is time to head out again for a second chance to search for lions during the afternoon game-drive.
Overnight Topi Lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Forest & Community Walk with Batwa
Transfer on to Bwindi mountains through a beautiful drive taking you from the savanna via cultivated hills to the jungle covered mountains of Bwindi. In Bwindi you go for a community walk including a visit to the local Batwa community. The Batwa people used to live in the jungles of Bwindi and you get to learn a bit about how life was for them.
Overnight in Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking Day- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the home to the forest giants that are cousins to human beings, the mountain gorillas and as the highlight of this 12 days Uganda Safari you go trekking the gorillas this day. You will be taken in a group by a specialized guide into the jungle for your gorilla trekking adventure. Trek through the beautiful nature and spend one hour with the gorillas, an unforgettable experience. This Impenetrable Forest is also full of birds, butterflies and plant species plus forest hog, forest elephants, statungas and dikers. After the trek your guide picks you and you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi through cultivated hills. Lake Bunyonyi is a lake at 1840m above sea level offering stunning scenery and a bit of rest.
Overnight Lake Bunyonyi Eco resort.
Day 11: Relaxed Day by Lake Bunyonyi
Have a free day to relax by beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. There is a short list of activities: canoeing, swimming (safe in this lake), hiking along the lake-shores, return to the hotel and relax / canoe ride along Lake Bunyonyi with small resident and exotic bird species singing.
Overnight Lake Bunyonyi Eco resort.
Day 12: Flight Day to Kigali, Rwanda
In the morning we leave beautiful Lake Bunyonyi behind and make the journey over the border to Rwanda. This is a country of a thousand hills which you will notice as we drive to the capital Kigali. Plan for an afternoon or evening flight as we finish the 12 days Uganda Safari and your guide drops you at the airport during the afternoon. (if time allows a visit to the genocide memorial center is possible).