13 Day Classic Uganda Safari

Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

On the first day of your 13-day classic Uganda Safari,  we will depart for the most beautiful protected area in Uganda: Murchison Falls National Park. Enjoy a lunch stop in Masindi before we enter the park. We will visit the magnificent falls, where you will enjoy and marvel at the mighty Nile. The famous waterfall is being forced into a seven-meter crevice to thunder 45 meters below in a series of cascades. This spectacular scenery can be viewed from different points up at the baler’s summit.

Dinner and overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 2: Game drive and afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls

After an early morning breakfast, you will enjoy a half-day game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, escorted by a ranger. Animals in this part include the elephant, Rothschild giraffe, Jackson hartebeest, lions, oribis, waterbucks, and a variety of savannah woodland birds. After lunch, we will go on a Nile cruise for game viewing at close quarters. Watch how hippos take a bath, elephants come to drink, and crocodiles lie lazy at the shores.

Dinner and overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp.

Day 3: Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Fort Portal

On the third day of the 13-day classic Uganda Safari, We depart from Murchison Falls and head towards Fort Portal. The drive is almost eight hours but will provide you with some stunning views as you pass small African villages and banana plantations. The lovely town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is famous for its many tea plantations.

Dinner and overnight: Mountains of the Moon Hotel

Day 4: Nature walk and hot springs visit in Semliki National Park and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, we drive towards Semliki National Park. The scenic, winding road will lead us through green mountains and offer you a magnificent view of the River Semliki and Congo. After arriving in the protected area, a ranger will accompany us on a beautiful nature walk through the Ituri Rainforest. Enjoy the peacefulness of the forest, look out for the rich birdlife at the swamp, and boil an egg in the hot springs that have become an interesting natural attraction. It will be completed with a picnic lunch the guide provides while you explore real Africa. Later in the afternoon, we return to Kibale Forest.

Dinner and overnight: Primate Lodge Kibale/Turaco Tree Tops

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park & Bigodi Swamp

Today the forest opens its doors for sensational chimp tracking which starts with a briefing session at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Headquarters. Kibale Forest is reputable for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and many others. After a hearty lunch, we transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for another different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and takes approximately two hours. The swamp is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates.

Dinner and overnight: Primate Lodge Kibale/Turaco Tree Tops

Day 6: Transfer from Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park

We transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a beautiful route via Kasese, with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right side and the green valley on the left. A game drive on our way to the accommodation in the middle of the national park gives us the chance to spot waterbucks, warthogs, and other wildlife. After lunch, we take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. Thanks to the elephants, buffaloes, and hundreds of hippos, this cruise will be one of the highlights of your safari.

Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Day 7: Morning game drive and Maramagambo forest walk in Queen Elizabeth National Park

The day begins early as we head for the mating ground of the Uganda kobs. We search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, and other wild animals in their natural habitat before returning for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to stretch your legs as we will visit the Maramagambo Forest for a walk through the tropical forest. It is known for the Blue Lake and the Bat and Hunters Cave. You will get the chance to have a close look at the bats and maybe even the rock python and forest cobras that feed on the bats. The same walk will provide you with views of primates, different bird species, and beautiful fauna.

Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Day 8: Morning launch cruise on Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On this day, you will go for a morning boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. The highlight will be the large number of animals on the banks of the river. You will see various local fishermen and a variety of bird species, which makes a boat cruise a nice way to spend your precious time.
Later, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and head towards Bwindi. The scenic route runs through a verdant countryside while you pass traditional homesteads and farms.

Dinner and overnight: Mahogany springs/4 gorillas/ Rushaga Havens Lodge

Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park.

Another highlight of your safari: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Especially hikers will love the tracking in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. It is difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike; it may take two to eight hours. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But it will be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play, and rest. A unique and unforgettable experience! For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. The ranger guide always briefs you on how to behave with these giant apes.

Dinner and overnight: Mahogany springs/4 gorillas/ Rushaga Havens Lodge

Day 10: Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, you can choose to have a guided village walk for a closer meeting with the local community. Learn about their way of living as you walk through coffee, tea, and banana plantations. Afterward, we depart to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda. This area is often called the “Little Switzerland of Uganda” and is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Relax while you watch the beautiful sunset.

Dinner and overnight: Birdnest Resort/ Bunyonyi Overland Camp.

Day 11: Canoeing  and other optional activities like swimming, birding on Lake Bunyonyi

After the challenging and strenuous hike in Bwindi, some relaxing moments on the shores of this peaceful lake are most welcome.  You will go for canoeing, to see the different birds, plus the 29 islands on the lake. You can choose other options like birding, nature walks, or swimming.

Dinner and overnight: Birdnest Resort/Bunyonyi Overland Camp.

Day 12: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to  Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, we drive to Lake Mburo National Park,k which takes us about fourhourss with lunch en route. As we enter the park and head towards the accommodate, ion, you will likely see some wildlife, like impalas, topis, warthogs, zebras, and buffaloes. After checking in, you will go on a boat ride on the lake and enjoy the rich birdlife and the hippos that are cooling off. Dinner and overnight: Mhingo Lodge/Mburo Safari Lodge.

Day 13: Nature walk in the morning and transfer to Kampala/Entebbe to end the tour

At the early start of the day, we will go for a nature walk guided by a ranger. Lake Mburo is the only national park where you can experience a safari on foot. After breakfast, we transfer to Kampala with a stop at the equator for photos or shopping. Arrived late in the afternoon in Kampala/Entebbe. This will be the end of the 13-day classic Uganda Safari.  Enriched with an experience of a lifetime and unforgettable memories, you will say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Depending on the time of departure, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. We are looking forward to seeing you again!

Note: Accommodation before and after the tour can be arranged at an extra cost.