Orika Africa
12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari

12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari

12 days through Uganda's finest wildlife country, staying in private conservancies and reserves for an exclusive, uncrowded experience. The journey opens with the shoebill of Mabamba and a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, then runs north to Murchison Falls before turning through the forests and savannahs of the west to the chimpanzees of Kibale, the channels of Queen Elizabeth and the mountain gorillas of Bwindi.

Time your gorilla trek with our guide to gorilla trekking, and read more in the Uganda destination guide.

Trip Highlights

  • Shoebill tracking at Mabamba and a Lake Victoria sunset cruise
  • White rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa
  • Murchison Falls in a private conservancy, with a sundowner cruise
  • Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
  • Queen Elizabeth game drives and the Kazinga Channel
  • Mountain gorilla trekking and a Batwa cultural encounter in Bwindi

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Entebbe Airport

On arrival you are received by your driver-guide outside the airport and transferred to your accommodation in Entebbe, where dinner and an overnight stay await on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Day 2

Mabamba Birding & Sunset Cruise on Lake Victoria

After a leisurely breakfast you set out for the renowned Mabamba Bay Wetland System, enjoying a private birding excursion through its tranquil papyrus channels in search of the elusive shoebill stork alongside a remarkable diversity of other species, accompanied by an expert guide. You return to the lodge for a freshly prepared gourmet lunch and time to relax before an elegant sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, savouring the gentle breeze and the golden hues of the setting sun.
Day 3

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast you transfer to Murchison Falls with an en route visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot and a hot buffet lunch. You continue to the park with a stopover at the Top of the Falls, where the Nile is forced through a narrow gorge, before proceeding to your private conservancy followed by an evening game drive en route.
Day 4

Explore Murchison Falls National Park

Days in this exclusive private conservancy bring unhurried game drives across the northern plains in search of lion, elephant, buffalo and the localised Rothschild's giraffe, far from the crowds and at your own pace.
Day 5

Murchison Falls & the Foot of the Falls

On one of your days here you enjoy a private sundowner cruise up the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls, passing hippo, crocodile and abundant birdlife, with more game viewing in the conservancy framing the day.
Day 6

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast at leisure you enjoy a final game drive en route to the airstrip, then take an early lunch before your flight south. Met at Kasese by your driver-guide, you transfer to your lodge in Kibale National Park, the primate capital of East Africa.
Day 7

Discover Kibale National Park

After an early breakfast you transfer to the park offices for a briefing and chimpanzee trekking, venturing into the ancient rainforest to watch our closest cousins feed and move through the canopy, before returning to the lodge for a hot lunch and relaxation.
Day 8

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast at leisure you head into the Bigodi community for a village walk followed by a local lunch, then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival the lodge boat captain meets you for a boat transfer to a private game reserve for check-in and dinner.
Day 9

Experience Queen Elizabeth National Park

You spend the day on a morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, alive with hippo, buffalo, elephant and birdlife, followed by a sundowner experience as the day softens.
Day 10

Transfer to Bwindi National Park

After breakfast you transfer to Bwindi National Park with an en route game drive through the remote Ishasha sector, famed for its tree-climbing lions. On arrival in Bwindi you spend the rest of the evening at leisure on the edge of the ancient forest.
Day 11

Gorilla Trekking Experience & Batwa Cultural Encounter

Begin the day with an early breakfast before transferring to the headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a comprehensive briefing by expert park rangers. You then track a habituated mountain gorilla family through the ancient rainforest, one of Africa's most sought-after encounters. Afterwards you immerse yourself in the heritage of the indigenous Batwa community, with insights into their forest lifestyle, customs, music, dance and ancestral knowledge, before returning to the comforts of your lodge.
Day 12

Transfer to Entebbe Airport

After breakfast you transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Entebbe and onward connection, carrying home the memory of gorillas, chimpanzees and the wild heart of Uganda.

What's Included & Excluded

What's Included

  • Ground transportation in a safari 4WD vehicle
  • Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
  • Accommodation as shown
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary
  • English speaking driver guide
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
  • Park entrance and conservation fees
  • All activities mentioned
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Airport transfers and meet and greet
  • Medical Emergency Evacuation Cover

Not Included

  • International airfares
  • Optional activities unless specified as included
  • Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees)
  • Porterage fees
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and hotel staff
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