12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari – Gorillas, Big Five & Tree-Climbing Lions
Discover the extraordinary beauty of East Africa with our 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari, an unforgettable journey combining mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Big Five wildlife viewing, and the famous tree-climbing lions of Uganda.
Organized by World Blossom Safaris, this 12-day adventure takes you through Uganda’s spectacular national parks, tropical rainforests, open savannahs, dramatic waterfalls, and beautiful crater lake landscapes. You will explore Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
The 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari is ideal for couples, families, solo travelers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure seekers who want to experience Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife in one well-organized holiday.
Enjoy a game drive in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and giraffes; track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest; come face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi; and search for the rare tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector.
Your journey also includes rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a boat cruise on the Nile, and the opportunity to experience Uganda’s welcoming communities and scenic countryside.
Book your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari with World Blossom Safaris for a personalized adventure with a professional English-speaking driver-guide, comfortable safari transport, carefully selected accommodation, and memorable wildlife experiences.
Tour Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park.
- Big Five safari opportunities, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos.
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Morning and afternoon game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks.
- Boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls.
- Scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
- Explore the beautiful landscapes of western and southwestern Uganda.
- Optional cultural experiences and community visits.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide.
- Flexible budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation options.
Detailed 12-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Transfer to Your Hotel
Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa! Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your World Blossom Safaris representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a relaxed walk around Entebbe, visit the botanical gardens, or explore a local craft market. These activities are optional and depend on your flight schedule.
Your guide will brief you about the upcoming safari, including the wildlife experiences, gorilla trekking preparations, and the route through Uganda’s national parks.
The first day of your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari allows you to recover from your international journey before beginning your adventure.
Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Entebbe
Meals: Depending on arrival time and hotel arrangement
Day 2: Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls National Park
After an early breakfast, depart for northwestern Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park, one of the country’s most spectacular wildlife destinations.
Along the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino-tracking experience. Accompanied by an experienced sanctuary guide, you will have the opportunity to observe southern white rhinos in their natural surroundings.
Continue towards Murchison Falls National Park, enjoying views of rural communities, farms, and changing landscapes.
Depending on your arrival time, visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the powerful Victoria Nile forces its way through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging downstream.
The experience introduces you to the wildlife and scenery that make the 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari such a rewarding adventure.
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, depending on the selected package
Day 3: Murchison Falls – Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Wake up early for a morning game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park.
Look out for African elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, warthogs, and lions. Leopards may also be spotted, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before heading to the Victoria Nile for an afternoon boat cruise towards the base of Murchison Falls.
Along the riverbanks, watch for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking at the water’s edge, and numerous waterbirds. The cruise provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
Depending on your interests and the schedule, an optional Nile Delta excursion may be arranged at an additional cost.
This day combines classic savannah wildlife viewing with one of Uganda’s most memorable river experiences.
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls and travel towards Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside, passing traditional homesteads, agricultural landscapes, local trading centres, and beautiful green hills.
You will have opportunities to stop for refreshments and lunch along the way. Arrive at your accommodation near Kibale Forest in the afternoon or evening, depending on road conditions and stopovers.
Kibale is famous for its rich primate diversity and is one of Uganda’s leading destinations for wild chimpanzee tracking.
Your guide will brief you on the following day’s activity, including the importance of following forest ranger instructions and maintaining a respectful distance from wildlife.
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation: Lodge or guesthouse near Kibale Forest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee tracking experience.
Enter the tropical rainforest with trained park guides in search of wild chimpanzees. Listen for their calls, observe their movements through the trees, and learn about their behavior, feeding habits, and social relationships.
Kibale is also home to other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
After the forest experience, you may choose to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an additional guided nature walk, subject to availability and your schedule.
Later, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing scenic countryside and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains when conditions permit.
Your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari now combines two extraordinary primate experiences with Uganda’s classic savannah wildlife.
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Morning Game Drive
Start the day with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the Kasenyi Plains and surrounding wildlife tracks.
The park’s varied habitats support elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and several other mammal species. Lions and leopards may also be encountered.
Your professional driver-guide will help you look for wildlife and explain the ecology of the park.
Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Depending on your accommodation location and preferences, an additional afternoon game drive may be arranged.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is also known for its rich birdlife, wetlands, crater lakes, and sweeping savannah scenery.
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise – Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George.
The channel is famous for its concentrations of hippos and offers excellent opportunities to see Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a wide variety of birds along the shores.
After the cruise, continue towards the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Ishasha is renowned for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting on the branches of large fig trees. Your guide will explore suitable tracks and known wildlife areas in search of these remarkable predators.
Although sightings are never guaranteed, the experience offers an exciting opportunity to learn about the behaviour of lions in this distinctive landscape.
Spend the night in Ishasha or a nearby area, depending on your accommodation choice and the following day’s route.
Destination: Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Ishasha – Search for Tree-Climbing Lions – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Rise early for another opportunity to search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha.
Your morning drive will also offer chances to see elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wildlife. Remember that the lions may be resting elsewhere, so sightings depend on animal movements and conditions.
After the game drive, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas and ancient rainforest.
The journey passes through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda, with rolling hills, terraced farmland, and rural communities.
Arrive at your lodge in the appropriate gorilla trekking sector and prepare for the following day’s adventure. Your accommodation location will be selected according to permit availability.
The 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari now brings you to one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife encounters.
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Gorilla trekking lodge or camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is one of the highlights of your Uganda safari.
After an early breakfast, report to the designated park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will be assigned a gorilla trekking group before entering the forest.
Accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers, hike through Bwindi’s dense vegetation in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The duration and difficulty of the trek depend on where the gorillas are located, the terrain, and weather conditions. Once you find the family, the standard visit allows up to one hour of observation, subject to park regulations.
Watch the gorillas feed, groom, rest, and interact with one another while maintaining the required distance and following ranger instructions.
After trekking, return to your lodge to relax and reflect on the experience. An optional Batwa cultural visit may be arranged if time, location, and availability permit.
Gorilla trekking is a major highlight of the 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari, offering a rare opportunity to observe one of our closest living relatives in the wild.
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Gorilla trekking lodge or camp
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner, according to the arrangements
Day 10: Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi Scenic Experience
After breakfast, depart Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful highland lake surrounded by terraced hills and green landscapes.
On arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the peaceful scenery. Depending on your preferences, optional activities may include a guided canoe excursion, a boat ride around selected islands, or a community visit.
Lake Bunyonyi provides a relaxing change of pace after the forest trekking and wildlife activities of the previous days.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, take photographs of the landscape, or simply relax at your accommodation.
Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: Lakeside lodge or resort
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, depart for Lake Mburo National Park, a scenic reserve known for its acacia woodlands, open grasslands, wetlands, and diverse wildlife.
Arrive at your lodge and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Look out for zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, giraffes, and other wildlife. Lake Mburo is also known for its birdlife and opportunities to explore the park through selected guided activities.
Optional experiences, subject to availability and park regulations, include a guided nature walk or a boat excursion on Lake Mburo.
Spend your final evening in the Ugandan wilderness, reflecting on the gorillas, chimpanzees, Big Five wildlife opportunities, and beautiful landscapes experienced during your journey.
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 12: Lake Mburo – Equator Stop – Entebbe International Airport
Enjoy breakfast before departing Lake Mburo for Entebbe.
Depending on your schedule, make a stop at the Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photographs, souvenir shopping, and a brief explanation of the equator experience.
Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, allowing sufficient time for the journey and airport check-in.
If your international flight departs early, we recommend arranging an overnight stay near the airport or adjusting the itinerary to suit your departure time.
Your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari with World Blossom Safaris concludes with unforgettable memories of Uganda’s wildlife, rainforests, welcoming communities, and spectacular scenery.
Destination: Entebbe International Airport
Meals: Breakfast and other meals according to your flight schedule
End of safari.
What Is Included in the 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari?
The final inclusions will be confirmed in your personalized quotation. A typical package can include:
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel and transport for the scheduled itinerary.
- Accommodation for 11 nights.
- Meals as specified in the final itinerary.
- Gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Chimpanzee tracking permit for Kibale Forest National Park.
- Park entrance fees for the included activities.
- Game drives in the specified national parks.
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
- Boat cruise on the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park.
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where included in the quotation.
- Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle, subject to the package arrangements.
Important: Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, park fees, accommodation, and activity inclusions must be confirmed in writing before payment. Optional activities are included only when specifically listed in your quotation.
What Is Excluded from the Safari Package?
Unless expressly included in your quotation, the following are excluded:
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda visa fees and travel insurance.
- Personal expenses, laundry, and souvenirs.
- Tips for guides, lodge staff, and other service providers.
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages outside the agreed meal plan.
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary price.
- Extra hotel nights caused by changes to international flights.
- Any additional expenses resulting from itinerary changes requested by the traveler.
Accommodation Options
World Blossom Safaris can tailor your accommodation to your travel style and budget.
Budget safari: Comfortable guesthouses, budget lodges, and selected camps offering practical facilities.
Midrange safari: Well-located safari lodges with private rooms, en-suite facilities, comfortable dining areas, and attractive surroundings.
Luxury safari: Premium lodges and tented camps offering enhanced comfort, distinctive settings, and higher-end services.
Accommodation is subject to availability. Your final itinerary will specify the proposed lodges and room arrangements before booking.
What Is the Best Time for This Uganda Safari?
The 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari can be arranged throughout the year, subject to permit availability, weather conditions, and lodge availability.
The relatively drier periods, generally June to September and December to February, are popular for gorilla trekking and wildlife viewing. Rain can occur at any time, especially in forested and mountainous areas.
The wetter months can offer lush scenery and rewarding birdwatching, although forest trails may become slippery and road journeys can take longer.
We recommend booking gorilla and chimpanzee permits well in advance, particularly for popular travel dates and larger groups.
Why Book with World Blossom Safaris?
World Blossom Safaris is a Uganda-based tour operator offering personalized safari experiences across Uganda and the wider East African region.
When you book your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari with World Blossom Safaris, you benefit from:
- A customized itinerary based on your interests, travel dates, and budget.
- Local destination knowledge and professional guiding arrangements.
- Private safari transport for a more personal travel experience.
- Assistance with gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking permit arrangements.
- Budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation choices.
- Clear communication about inclusions, exclusions, and booking conditions.
- Opportunities to support local communities through responsible tourism experiences.
Whether you are planning a wildlife holiday, a honeymoon, a photography expedition, or your first trip to Africa, we will help you create a safari suited to your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari cost?
The price depends on the number of travelers, accommodation category, travel season, permits, vehicle arrangements, and included activities. Contact World Blossom Safaris for a personalized quotation based on your travel dates and preferred comfort level.
2. Can I see the Big Five during this Uganda safari?
The itinerary offers opportunities to see elephants, lions, leopards, and buffaloes in Uganda’s national parks, together with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. These experiences cover the traditional Big Five species, but sightings are not guaranteed.
3. Where can I see tree-climbing lions in Uganda?
The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for tree-climbing lions. Your guide will search suitable areas during game drives, but the lions may not always be visible.
4. Is gorilla trekking included in the package?
The itinerary is designed to include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The permit must be secured and confirmed before travel, and the final quotation should explicitly state whether its cost is included.
5. Is chimpanzee tracking included?
Yes, the itinerary includes a planned chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Permit availability and the exact inclusions will be confirmed during booking.
6. Is this safari suitable for families and solo travelers?
Yes. World Blossom Safaris can customize the trip for solo travelers, couples, families, and private groups. Gorilla trekking has age and fitness considerations, so children’s ages and the physical needs of all participants should be discussed before booking.
7. Can I customize the itinerary?
Yes. You can request different accommodation levels, additional nights, cultural experiences, birdwatching, or alternative activities. We can also discuss domestic flights or changes to the route where appropriate.
Book Your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari Today
Are you ready to explore Uganda’s mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, Big Five wildlife, and famous tree-climbing lions?
Let World Blossom Safaris organize your 12 Days Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari with personalized planning, comfortable transport, carefully selected accommodation, and professional local guiding.
Contact us with your preferred travel dates, number of travelers, nationality, and accommodation budget. We will prepare a tailored itinerary and quotation for your adventure.
Book directly with World Blossom Safaris and discover the Pearl of Africa.
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