13 Days Uganda Safari

Overview

The 13 Days Uganda Safari explores Uganda’s major wildlife and primate destinations including Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The safari includes rhino tracking, game drives, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, and mountain gorilla trekking before crossing to Rwanda to explore Volcanoes National Park and Kigali city.

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to Kampala.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and visit to the Top of the Falls.
Day 3: Morning game drive, boat cruise on the Nile, and hike to the top of Murchison Falls.
Day 4: Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Swamp walk in Kibale Forest.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with crater lake visit and game drive.
Day 7: Morning game drive and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 8: Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking and afternoon village walk in Bwindi Forest.
Day 10: Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Day 11: Explore Volcanoes National Park with optional activities such as golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking, or cultural tour.
Day 12: Activities and exploration around Volcanoes National Park.
Day 13: Transfer to Kigali for city tour and departure.

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport – Transfer to Kampala

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, located along the shores of Lake Victoria. Your Gecko Safaris driver guide will welcome you and brief you about the safari.

After the welcome, transfer to Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital city. The drive passes through lively roadside markets, local neighborhoods, and views of Lake Victoria.

Dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge, which overlooks Kampala city.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast, depart Kampala and drive north through the historic Luwero Triangle, a region known for its fertile farmland and rolling countryside.

Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos roam freely in the wild. Walk with experienced rangers across the savannah while tracking white rhinos on foot. This experience brings you surprisingly close to these massive animals.

Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area.

Visit the spectacular Top of Murchison Falls. Here the Nile River squeezes through a narrow seven-meter gorge and crashes down a rocky cliff with incredible force. The roaring water and mist create one of the most powerful waterfalls in Africa.

Continue to Pakuba Game Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Nile Boat Cruise – Top of the Falls Hike

Wake up early for a morning game drive across the savannah plains of northern Murchison Falls National Park. This area hosts large numbers of animals including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, and lions.

Return to the lodge for relaxation.

In the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise along the Albert Nile. The riverbanks attract huge concentrations of wildlife. Hippos crowd the water while crocodiles rest along the shores. Elephants and buffaloes often come down to drink.

The boat slowly approaches the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through the narrow gorge.

From the landing site, hike to the Top of the Falls. Your driver guide will meet you there and return you to the lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Game Lodge.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast depart Murchison Falls and travel southwest toward Kibale National Park.

The journey passes through traditional Ugandan villages where farmers cultivate millet, maize, beans, and bananas. Rolling hills and rural landscapes create beautiful photo opportunities.

Near Fort Portal, the scenery changes dramatically. Vast tea plantations stretch across the green hills beneath the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon.

Continue to Kibale National Park, one of Africa’s best locations for primate viewing.

Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Camp.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking – Bigodi Swamp Walk

After breakfast head to Kanyanchu Ranger Station for a briefing before chimpanzee trekking.

Enter the rainforest with experienced guides while listening for chimpanzee calls echoing through the forest. Once you locate the chimpanzees, watch them move through the trees, communicate with loud calls, and interact within their social groups.

Kibale also hosts many other primates including colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, mangabeys, and L’Hoest monkeys.

Return to the lodge for lunch.

Later visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a beautiful swamp rich in birds and wildlife. The walk offers excellent birdwatching and opportunities to see monkeys and butterflies.

Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Camp.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse wildlife reserve.

The park supports elephants, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, and predators such as lions and leopards. More than 600 bird species live here.

Visit the crater lakes region and Lake Katwe, famous for its traditional salt mining.

Continue to Marafiki Game Lodge for lunch before enjoying an afternoon game drive.

Dinner and overnight at Marafiki Game Lodge.

Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin the day with a morning game drive along the Kasenyi Plains. This area hosts large herds of Uganda kob, which attract lions and other predators.

Return to the lodge for breakfast.

In the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel hosts one of the largest concentrations of hippos in Africa. Buffaloes, elephants, and water birds gather along the shores.

Return to the lodge for a campfire evening and dinner under the stars.

Overnight at Marafiki Game Lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas.

The road winds through scenic hills and terraced farmland before reaching the dense rainforest of Bwindi.

This ancient forest protects extraordinary biodiversity including more than 120 mammal species and hundreds of birds and butterflies.

Check in at Gorilla Valley Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking – Village Walk

After an early breakfast head to the park headquarters for a briefing.

Begin the mountain gorilla trek with ranger guides. Hike through thick forest, bamboo slopes, and steep terrain while searching for a gorilla family.

Once you locate the gorillas, spend one magical hour observing them. Watch young gorillas play, mothers care for their babies, and the dominant silverback protect the group.

Return to the lodge for lunch.

Later enjoy a village walk to experience the culture and daily life of local communities.

Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Day 10: Cross to Rwanda – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast depart Bwindi and drive to the Rwanda border via Kisoro.

Cross into Rwanda and continue to Volcanoes National Park, part of the famous Virunga Mountain range.

The region features dramatic volcanic peaks covered with bamboo forest and misty slopes.

Dinner and overnight at Peakspot Kinigi Hotel.

Day 11: Explore Volcanoes National Park

Spend the day exploring the beautiful Virunga region.

Activities include golden monkey trekking, guided forest walks, volcano hiking, or visiting the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about Rwandan traditions.

Another gorilla trek may also be arranged for interested travelers.

Later transfer to Paradise Marahide, which overlooks the Congo border.

Dinner and overnight at Paradise Marahide.

Day 12: Leisure in the Virunga Region

Spend the day relaxing while enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Virunga volcanoes. Explore nearby communities or simply enjoy the mountain views.