Ultimate 12 Days Uganda Safari Tour

Welcome to Uganda! Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport in the evening, your dedicated Topma Safaris guide will warmly welcome you. Step aboard your private safari vehicle and transfer to your pre-booked hotel in Kampala. Check in, freshen up, and enjoy a relaxing dinner as you rest and prepare for the journey of a lifetime starting tomorrow.
• Budget: Forest Cottages
• Mid-Range: Cassia Lodge
• Luxury: Kampala Serena Hotel

After an early breakfast, begin your journey north toward Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, make a special stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an incredible on-foot tracking experience to spot majestic white rhinos in their natural habitat. After a 1.5-hour trek, pause for a delicious lunch in Masindi town. Continue your scenic drive into Murchison Falls National Park, arriving at your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
• Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge / Red Chilli Safari Lodge / Parkside Safari Lodge
• Mid-Range: Murchison River Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge

Set out at dawn for an early morning game drive across the Nyamsika Plateau. This is the prime time to witness active predators and herds of cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and Jackson’s hartebeests before the heat of the day sets in. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and a brief rest. In the afternoon, board a launch boat for a spectacular cruise up the Victoria Nile. Spot massive hippos, giant Nile crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife including kingfishers, bee-eaters, and the rare shoebill stork. Conclude with a short community craft visit before heading back to the lodge for dinner.

Following breakfast, drive to the breathtaking top of Murchison Falls. Stand at the edge of the gorge to watch the entire Victoria Nile squeeze through a tiny 7-meter gap, plunging into a roaring abyss and creating brilliant, permanent rainbows. Take stunning panoramic photos before embarking on a scenic 9-hour drive to Kibale National Park. Pass through verdant tea plantations and local farming communities, enjoying an en-route lunch. Arrive at the edge of the primate capital in the evening for check-in, dinner, and rest.
• Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp
• Luxury: Primate Lodge

Gather at the Kanyanchu Visitor Center at 8:00 AM for a briefing on forest etiquette. Kibale is home to 13 distinct primate species, earning its title as the Primate Capital of the World. Embark on an exciting 2 to 3-hour trek to locate a habituated chimpanzee troop. Watch them swing through the canopy, feed, and interact with human-like expressions. After lunch and freshening up at the lodge, take a guided afternoon walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run swamp is a haven for colorful birds (including the Great Blue Turaco) and multiple monkey species. Return to the lodge for dinner.

Pack up and enjoy breakfast before departing Kibale for a scenic 3-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, head directly to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat safari. This natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George features one of the world’s highest concentrations of hippos, alongside elephants, buffaloes, and bathing water birds. Afterward, check in to your lodge, relax, and take an evening walk through a local fishing village to learn about traditional lakeside life.
• Budget: Bush Lodge
• Mid-Range: Marafiki Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Depart early with a game drive through the southern Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep your eyes on the giant fig trees, as this area is world-famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Spot herds of buffaloes, elephants, and topis roaming the plains. Enjoy lunch at a nearby lodge before driving south into the majestic, mist-shrouded hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the late afternoon for dinner and a cozy night’s sleep.
• Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp
• Mid-Range: Gorilla Mist Camp / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
• Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge

The highlight of your safari has arrived! After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters with your packed lunch and plenty of drinking water. Following an safety briefing, trek into the ancient, dense rainforest with an expert park ranger. Tracking can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on where the gorilla family nested the night before. Once you locate the gentle giants, spend a magical, unforgettable hour observing them play, feed, and interact. Return to the lodge for a celebratory dinner.

Deepen your connection with these magnificent creatures with a second gorilla trek. Today, you will track a completely different habituated gorilla family, allowing you to observe different group dynamics, silverbacks, and playful juveniles. After this incredible second encounter, transfer to the scenic border town of Kisoro for dinner and an overnight stay at your selected hotel.

Enjoy breakfast before departing Kisoro for Lake Mburo National Park. Stop along the way at the Igongo Cultural Center to explore the rich history of the Ankole Kingdom and enjoy a traditional lunch. Upon entering Lake Mburo, check in to your lodge and prepare for a unique afternoon horseback safari. Riding horses allows you to glide silently through the savanna, getting exceptionally close to herds of zebras, elands, and impalas without startling them.
• Budget: Eagles Nest Camp
• Mid-Range: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

Wake up for a guided morning walking safari—one of the few places in Uganda where you can safely explore the savannah on foot. Walk alongside herds of zebras, impalas, and warthogs under the supervision of an armed ranger. After lunch at the lodge, head out for a peaceful afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo to spot hippos, crocodiles, and beautiful African finfoots. Conclude the day with a sunset game drive before dinner at the lodge.

Savor your final safari breakfast before beginning your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe (approx. 6 to 7 hours). Make a memorable stop at the Equator crossing, where you can stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously, watch water-flow demonstrations, and purchase local souvenirs. Enjoy lunch at the equator before transferring to the airport for your evening departure flight or to your hotel in Kampala.