12 Days Uganda Primate & Big Five Safari

Overview—12 Days Uganda Primate & Big Five Safari

The 12 Days Uganda Primate & Big Five Safari is a grand journey designed to showcase the best of Uganda’s wildlife, from the rare mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the chimpanzees of Kibale and the famous Big Five in Uganda’s savannah parks. It is an adventure that brings together primates, predators, elephants, and hippos, all set against the backdrop of Uganda’s diverse landscapes.

Over twelve days, you will explore Murchison Falls National Park, home to powerful waterfalls and thriving wildlife, track chimps in Kibale, enjoy game drives and a boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek gorillas in Bwindi, and relax on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi. From the Nile’s dramatic waters to the quiet mist of the rainforest, this safari balances thrilling encounters with serene landscapes, making it the ultimate Ugandan experience.

Explore More

Start Your Tailored Trip Now.

Let us plan every detail of your journey so you can travel in comfort and ease

Get Trip Quote.

Imvelo Means Nature

To Truly Experience Africa, One Must Walk With Imvelo, Respecting The Rhythm Of Nature In Every Step.

#NatureSafaris

Detailed Itinerary —12 Days Uganda Primate & Big Five Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your driver-guide greets you and transfers you to your hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may relax or explore Entebbe before dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you begin your journey north to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive takes you through rural landscapes and trading centers, with a lunch stop along the way. By afternoon, you arrive in the park and visit the top of the falls, where the Nile crashes through a narrow gorge with incredible force. Dinner and overnight are at a lodge along the Nile.

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Safari at Murchison Falls

Your morning starts with a game drive on the northern savannah plains, where you look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and antelopes. After lunch, you take a boat cruise along the Nile toward the base of the falls. Hippos crowd the waters, crocodiles bask on the banks, and elephants often gather to drink. Dinner and overnight are spent in the park.

Day 4: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you leave Murchison and drive southwest to Kibale, passing tea plantations and crater lakes along the way. The journey reveals Uganda’s scenic countryside, with lunch en route. You arrive at your lodge near Kibale in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale – Bigodi Wetland Walk

In the morning, you enter Kibale Forest with rangers to track chimpanzees. The forest is full of primates, and when you find the chimps, you spend an hour observing their behavior up close. After lunch, you visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community project where you can spot monkeys, birds, and unique vegetation. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you drive south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains along the way. By midday, you arrive and check in at your lodge. In the afternoon, you enjoy a game drive on the Kasenyi plains, home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, and herds of Uganda kob. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Your morning begins with a game drive through the park’s savannah, where you search for predators and grazing herds. After lunch, you enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its concentration of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. Elephants and buffaloes are often seen along the shores. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Ishasha Sector – Continue to Bwindi

After breakfast, you drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth, known for its tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. With luck, you may see them before continuing into the highlands. By late afternoon, you arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where your lodge sits on the edge of the jungle. Dinner and overnight in Bwindi.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

After breakfast, you report to the park headquarters for a ranger briefing before beginning your gorilla trek. The forest is thick and enchanting, and the trek may take several hours. When you finally encounter your gorilla family, you spend a full hour watching them—silverbacks, mothers, and playful youngsters. The experience is both humbling and unforgettable. You return to your lodge for lunch, relaxation, dinner, and overnight in the forest.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After the excitement of gorilla trekking, you drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most peaceful natural retreats. The lake is dotted with small islands and surrounded by terraced hills. You check into a lakeside lodge and spend the afternoon relaxing, canoeing, or swimming in the calm waters. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi Exploration

This day is free to explore Lake Bunyonyi at your own pace. You may take a boat trip to its islands, learn about their history, or enjoy nature walks along the lakeshore. Birdwatching is rewarding here, while others may simply relax and enjoy the tranquil setting. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 12: Return to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast, you check out and begin the return journey to Entebbe. The drive is long but scenic, with a lunch stop along the way and a final pause at the Equator for photographs and souvenirs. By evening, you arrive at Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your safari.