12-Day Gorilla & Wildlife Safari: The Great Southern Circuit

This 12-day safari offers a comprehensive expedition through Uganda’s most celebrated landscapes, taking you from the powerful northern falls to the ancient rainforests and rolling savannahs of the south. Throughout this journey, you will engage in a series of immersive wildlife encounters and adrenaline-filled activities designed to showcase the Pearl of Africa’s incredible biodiversity.

Adventure Highlights & Destination Overview

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Tracking the Giants

• On-Foot Rhino Tracking: You will head out with expert rangers to track Southern White Rhinos through the bush, witnessing these magnificent creatures at close range.

• Conservation Insights: Gain firsthand knowledge of the sanctuary’s successful breeding programs and the ongoing efforts to reintroduce rhinos into Uganda’s national parks.

Murchison Falls National Park: Power & Plains

• Savannah Game Drives: You will traverse the northern plains to encounter elephants, giraffes, lions, and buffaloes against a backdrop of Borassus palms.

• Nile Boat Safari: Cruise upstream to the base of the world’s most powerful waterfall, spotting hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, and diverse waterbirds along the banks.

• Top of the Falls Hike: You will trek to the summit where the entire Nile River explodes through a narrow 7-meter gorge, a sensory experience of mist and thunder.

Kibale National Park: The Primate Capital

• Chimpanzee Tracking: Venture into the lush canopy to locate and observe habituated chimpanzee communities, watching their complex social behaviors in their natural habitat.

• Bigodi Wetland Walk: Explore the swamp boardwalks to spot various primate species and exotic birds, including the iconic Great Blue Turaco.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Channels & Tree-Climbers

• Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: You will glide past one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos and observe elephants and buffaloes as they congregate at the water’s edge.

• Tree-Climbing Lion Search: In the remote Ishasha sector, you will scout the ancient fig trees for the rare lions that spend their afternoons lounging in the branches.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: The Gorilla Encounter

• Gorilla Trekking: Embark on a challenging yet rewarding trek through the ancient, misty rainforest to spend a transformative hour with a family of endangered mountain gorillas.

• Cultural Immersion: Discover the heritage of the Batwa people, the original “keepers of the forest,” through traditional storytelling and forest craft demonstrations.

Lake Mburo National Park: Savannah on Foot & Horseback

• Nature Walking Safaris: Experience the thrill of walking among zebras, impalas, and elands, experiencing the wild without the confines of a vehicle.

• Active Exploration: You can choose to explore the park via horseback or mountain bike, providing a silent and intimate approach to the resident wildlife.

• Night Game Drives: Venture out after dark with spotlights to track nocturnal species such as leopards, hyenas, and bush babies.

Detailed  itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your flight time, you can visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or simply relax by the shores of Lake Victoria.

Accommodation:

1. Entebbe Forest lodge (Luxury) or similar
2. 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Mid-Range) or similar

Day 2: Entebbe to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Drive Time: ~6–7 hours.

Travel north toward Murchison Falls.

• Stopover: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda where you can track wild Rhinos on foot. It serves as a perfect midpoint break.
• Evening: Cross the Nile and settle into your lodge.

Accommodation:

1. Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) or similar
2. Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-Range) or similar

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park

• Morning: Game drive across the Borassus palm landscapes. Look for lions, leopards, giraffes, and the vast herds of elephants.
• Afternoon: Boat safari upstream to the base of the falls. You will see schools of hippos and massive Nile crocodiles.
• Activity: Hike to the Top of the Falls to feel the earth shake as the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gorge.

Day 4: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest (The Primate Capital)

Drive Time: ~7–8 hours.

This is a long but beautiful drive along the Albertine Rift.

• Stopover: Hoima Town for lunch and a leg stretch. You will also pass through lush tea plantations as you approach Fort Portal, perfect for photography.

Accommodation:

1. Chimpudu Safari Lodge (Luxury) or similar
2. Turaco Treetops (Mid-Range) or similar

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

• Morning: Head into the forest to track our closest cousins, the Chimpanzees. Kibale has the highest density of primates in Africa.
• Afternoon: Visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project famous for the Great Blue Turaco and other rare bird species.

Day 6: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive Time: ~2–3 hours.

A short, scenic drive south with the “Mountains of the Moon” (Rwenzori) as your backdrop.

• Activity: Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This is often the highlight for many, as it offers the highest concentration of hippos in the world.

Accommodation:

1. Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) or similar
2. Bush lodge (Mid-Range) or similar

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park Exploration

• Morning: Game drive in the Kasenyi plains, famous for its lion prides and Uganda Kob.
• Afternoon: Drive to the Ishasha Sector in the southern part of the park.
• Activity: Search for the famous Tree-Climbing Lions, which are unique to this region.

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Drive Time: ~4–5 hours (depending on the sector).

• Stopover: Kihihi or Savanna Resort for a quick break before ascending into the mist-covered mountains of Bwindi.
• Evening: Relax and prepare for the gorilla trek. The air here is cool and crisp.

Accommodation:

1. Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Luxury) or similar
2. Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-Range) or similar

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking – The Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter

• Morning: Briefing at the park HQ. Enter the “Impenetrable” forest in search of a habituated Gorilla family. Meeting them is a profound, silent experience that lasts exactly one hour.
• Afternoon: Rest or take a community walk to learn about the Batwa (Pygmy) culture.

Day 10: Bwindi to Lake Mburo (The Place of Little Birds)

Drive Time: ~3 hours.

A winding drive through the “Switzerland of Africa” (Kigezi Highlands).

• Activity: Afternoon dugout canoe ride or motorized boat trip on Lake Mburo. Visit the Punishment Island and learn about the local folklore.

Accommodation:

1. Kigambira (Luxury) or similar
2. Leopard Camp (Mid-Range) or similar

Day 11: Lake Mburo Exploration (The Active Safari)

• Morning: Walking Safari. Accompanied by an armed ranger, walk among zebras, impalas, and elands—a rare experience in African parks.
• Afternoon: Horseback Riding Safari (Optional). Ride through the grassy valleys for a completely silent approach to wildlife.

Evening: A Night Game Drive to search for leopards and the elusive Spotted Hyena.

Day 12: Lake Mburo to Entebbe & Departure

Drive Time: ~5–6 hours.

• Morning: A walking safari or horseback safari for a closer look at the zebras and giraffes.
• Stopover: The Uganda Equator at Kayabwe. Stand in both hemispheres, take photos, and do some last-minute souvenir shopping.
• Departure: Continue to Entebbe for your evening flight home.

The Safari Package Includes:    

• Airport transfers (Pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 12 days in a well-modified safari van
• Fuel for 12 days
• Private English speaking safari guide for 12 Days
• All Gorilla Permits & Chimpanzee Permits
• Private Budget accommodation for 11 nights on full board (Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner)
• Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey
• All government applicable taxes
• All park entrance fees and all itinerary activities

The Safari Package Excludes:   

• International and domestic flights
• Country entry visas
• Other items of personal nature/tips/laundry/telephone charges/ souvenir shopping
• Personal travel insurance
• Extra meals and activities & Alcoholic and other soft drinks

Best of 12 days gorilla and wildlife safari