13 Days Uganda Holiday Safari with Wildlife & Gorillas of Bwindi.

13 Days Uganda Holiday Safari and Wildlife Viewing

Experience Uganda with a 13 Days Uganda Holiday Safari and Wildlife Viewing and explore its glimmering landscapes, free-flowing rivers, and lush green forests with towering tropical rainforest trees. Starting off at Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll go on a game drive and launch cruise, followed by chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Natural Forests in search of gorillas before enjoying wildlife viewing and boat cruises at Lake Mburo National Park. Finally, end your journey with a spectacular visit to the Ssese Islands.

Tour Highlights

• Pickup from Entebbe airport Uganda
• Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi Town with a stop over at Zziwa rhino sanctuary
• Wildlife Game drive and Launch cruise on Nile River in Murchison Falls National Park.
• Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking
• Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and launch cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park forests for Gorilla Tracking
• Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Transfer To Kisoro to View Virunga Volcanoes, Terraced Hills, Lake Muntanda and others
• More Gorilla Tracking and other activities like birding hilly nature walks and visit the Batwa Pigmy communities
• Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for wildlife game viewing and Boat ride
• Go To Ssese Island for lake breeze and beach relaxation.
• At Ssese Island go for Nature walk, fishing, birding and boat cruise
• Transfer to Entebbe from Ssese Islands and end of trip

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, to start our 13 Days Uganda Holiday Safari

Arrive at Entebbe airport where you will be picked up by our Uganda Gorilla Safari tour guide and then begin your 13-day Ugandan holiday safari with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi town, which is named after the breathtaking Murchison Falls. This incredible natural wonder occurs when the Nile River flows through a narrow rift in the Rift Valley escarpment, dropping 43 meters into a foaming pool. En route to the park, you will stop off at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which was established to reintroduce rhinoceros to Uganda after they were declared extinct in the country in 1982. The sanctuary is now home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda, so keep an eye out for these magnificent creatures!

During game drives in the lush borassus grassland north of the Nile, you can expect to see elephants, buffalos, giraffes, and several antelope species. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a lion or two! Make sure to take in the beauty of the Nile River from atop the falls, where it cascades down 45 meters and creates a colorful rainbow.

Accommodation options on a full board basis include:

Budget – Red Chili Rest Camp

Moderate – Sambiya River Lodge

Up Market – Paraa Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge.

Day 2: Embark on an exciting Wildlife Game drive and Launch cruise on River Nile in Murchison Falls National Park.

Rise up and have an early morning cup of coffee and then embark on an exciting game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for a variety of wildlife, including giraffes, lions, elephants, baboons, and antelopes. After returning to the lodge for breakfast, set out on an afternoon cruise on the Victoria Nile, heading upstream towards the magnificent Murchison Falls. During the cruise, you may spot hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, and a wide variety of bird species. Marvel at the stunning Devil’s Cauldron, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gap before cascading down in a thundering waterfall. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight:

Accommodation options on a full board basis include:

Budget- Reds Chillies Banda

Moderate -Sambiya River lodge

Up Market Paraa Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking through the verdant country side of the Albertine Escarpment

Embark on a scenic drive from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through the picturesque countryside of the Albertine Escarpment. As you travel, you’ll have the chance to visit the charming villages of Kagadi and Hoima, and enjoy a delicious lunch along the way.

Budget Chimps nest

Moderate  Primates Lodge Kanyankyu Cottages / Rwenzori View Guest House

Up Market – Ndali Lodge

Day 4: Start Your Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After having an early breakfast, embark on a trek through the lush Kibale Forest to track down our closest cousins, the chimpanzees (note that visitors must be at least 15 years old). Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for other primates such as grey-cheeked mangabeys, baboons, and vervet monkeys. In the afternoon, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll visit the stunning crater lakes region before heading to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Your options for accommodation are:

Budget – Albertine Camp

Moderate – Hippo Hill Camp, Luxury – Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Start Your Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and later launch cruise on Kazinga Channel

Start your day early with a refreshing cup of tea or coffee before embarking on a thrilling game drive along Kasenyi track. Look out for herds of buffalo, elephant, warthog and lions as they roam through the park. After the game drive, return to your lodge for a mid-morning breakfast. In the afternoon, take a two-hour launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel for a closer look at the park’s hippos and various bird species. With over 550 species, the birdlife in the park is a sight to behold. After dinner, relax and unwind at your lodge for the night.

Accommodation options include:

Budget- Albertine Camp

Moderate- Hippo Hill Camp, Luxury- Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge.

DAY 6: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park Forests for Gorilla Tracking

Set out for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park after a hearty breakfast, passing through scenic panoramas featuring terraced farmland and deep valleys. You’ll stop for lunch along the way before arriving at your camp in the afternoon. For a luxurious stay, you can choose between Gorilla Resort Camp or Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, while Buhoma Rest Camp provides a more rustic option. Enjoy dinner and rest up for your gorilla trekking adventure the following day.

DAY 7: Start Your Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Start your day with an early breakfast before heading to the Buhoma Headquarters of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Here, you’ll receive a briefing on the protocol for gorilla trekking from one of the ranger guides. Don’t forget to bring packed lunch and plenty of water, as the amount of time it takes to track the gorillas can vary from 2 to 10 hours. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and when you finally come face-to-face with these majestic creatures, you’ll know it was worth the wait. After your trek, return to your camp for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay.

Accommodation options include:

Moderate:

• Buhoma Community Rest Camp
• Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
• Nshongi Camp
• Gorilla Mist Camp
• Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Mid-range:

• Engagi Lodge
• Bwindi Jungle Lodge
• Gorilla Valley Lodge
• Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
• Mahogany Springs Lodge

Luxury:

• Buhoma Lodge
• Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
• Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
• Bwindi Lodge by Sanctuary Retreats

Day 8: Transfer To Kisoro to View Virunga Volcanoes, Terraced Hills, Lake Mutanda and Others

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast, followed by a scenic drive to Kisoro. Take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking view of the Virunga volcanoes and terraced hills at Kanaba Gap. Afterwards, cool off with a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Mutanda. For the night, rest your tired legs at Kisoro and enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation at Nkuringo Safari Lodge or Budget Travelers Rest for a more affordable option. If you are looking for something more luxurious, Clouds Lodge is an excellent choice.

Day 9: More Gorilla Tracking and other activities like birding hilly nature walks and visit the Batwa Pigmy communities (optional at US$800-subject to booking in Advance)

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast before embarking on a journey to the border post of Kyanika. After crossing the border, you’ll be greeted by the stunning landscapes of Rwanda, including the hills and valleys of the Volcanoes National Park. Check into your lodge, and enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon of exploration. You can opt to visit the local markets or take a nature walk to see the various bird species in the area. After dinner at your lodge, rest up for the night.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for wildlife game viewing and Boat ride

Start your day with an early breakfast, then embark on a 4-hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival, go on a game drive to spot a variety of wildlife such as zebras, topes, elephants, elands, impalas, buffaloes, antelopes, and more. You will be amazed by the beauty of the savannah landscape and the animals that call it home. Later in the evening, head back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

budget accommodations, stay at Rwonyo Bandas.

moderate options, choose Arcadia Lake Mburo Camp.

luxury tented accommodations, check out Mantana Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 11: Go To Ssese Island for lake breeze and beach relaxation.

One option is to enjoy a delicious breakfast before embarking on a journey to the Ssese Islands, passing through Masaka along the way. Catch the Bukakata ferry to Bugala Island, where you can relax and enjoy the lake breeze at one of the island’s luxurious resorts. Spend the night at Ssese Palm Beach Resort, Ssese Habitat Resort, or Mirembe Resort, all of which offer a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Day 12: At Ssese Island go for Nature walk, fishing, birding and boat cruise

Experience the breathtaking sunrise and enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a bird watching excursion and morning forest walk. Keep an eye out for various primates, including monkeys, as well as a wide variety of water and forest birds, such as Hornbills, Turacos, Flycatchers, Weavers, Fish Eagles, and colorful butterflies. In the afternoon, after lunch, hop on a motorized boat and head to Busaka for a bird watching excursion by the waterfall. Take some time to unwind on the white sand beaches before continuing your tour of the island.

Day 13: Transfer to Entebbe from Ssese Islands and end of Trip

After catching the early morning ferry, head to Entebbe for lunch and then transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Keep in mind that we also offer customized safaris and tours that can include cruises, primate visits, sightseeing tours, adventure trails, mountain gorilla trekking, and various other safari experiences.

End of 13 Days Uganda Holiday Safari and Wildlife Viewing