A 11 days Uganda safari package is an opportunity to our visitors to see all the savannah related animals and at the same time do gorilla trekking in Bwindi. It is tailor-made and therefore subject to instant changes in respect of a client expressing interest in any other national park to substitute any of the above without compromising the experience targeted in a Uganda tour. In case you need more information on Africa Adventure Safaris, refer to our Tripadvisor reviews.
11 Days Uganda Safari – Highlights
Day 1: Pick Up – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 2: Game drive and afternoon Launch cruise
Day 3: Ishasha tree climbing lions – transfer to Bwindi
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
Day 5: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi & Boat Ride
Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala
Trip Map
Day 1: Kampala to Kibale National Park
Your 11 Days Uganda Safari begins with an early morning departure from Kampala. The drive to Kibale National Park takes about 5 to 6 hours. The journey passes through central Uganda before entering the rolling hills of western Uganda. A stop at Mubende gives you a chance to stretch your legs before continuing towards Fort Portal.
As you approach Fort Portal, the scenery changes into tea plantations, banana farms and forest-covered hills. Enjoy lunch in Fort Portal before continuing to your lodge near Kibale Forest. If time allows, visit a nearby tea estate. Local guides explain how tea is grown, harvested, and processed before it reaches the market. Another worthwhile stop is the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes. These volcanic lakes are surrounded by forest and small farms. The viewpoints offer excellent photography opportunities.
Kibale National Park lies in western Uganda, about 320 kilometres from Kampala. It covers approximately 795 square kilometres of tropical rainforest, woodland and grassland. The park is famous for chimpanzee tracking and protects one of the highest concentrations of primates in Africa. Besides chimpanzees, Kibale is home to twelve other primate species including black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. More than 370 bird species and hundreds of butterfly species also live in the forest. Arrive at your lodge during the evening and relax before the next day’s activities. Accommodation options include Kyaninga Lodge and Ndali Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops (mid-range), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse and Isunga Lodge (budget).
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Wake early for breakfast before driving to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. Park rangers will explain the tracking rules before leading you into the rainforest. Chimpanzees move freely through the forest. Their loud calls often help guides locate them. The walk may take between 1 and 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees spent the previous night.
After finding them, spend one hour watching them feed, groom, communicate, and move through the trees. Return to the lodge for lunch before visiting the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-managed wetland protects monkeys, birds, butterflies, and many plant species. During the guided walk, you may see black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and colourful birds. Continue into Bigodi village to meet local residents. Visit a coffee farm to learn how coffee is planted, harvested, roasted and prepared.
You may also watch basket weaving, banana beer making and traditional cooking demonstrations. These community projects help local families earn income while supporting wildlife conservation. Return to your lodge. Accommodation options include Kyaninga Lodge and Ndali Lodge (luxury), Turaco Treetops (mid-range), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse and Isunga Lodge (budget)
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, leave Kibale and drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes about 2½ to 3 hours. Before entering the park, visit the Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves. These limestone caves are linked to local legends and are surrounded by small waterfalls. Continue through the crater lake region where several scenic viewpoints overlook volcanic lakes and green hills.
After entering Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoy lunch before taking a short evening game drive. Watch for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and several antelope species. The late afternoon is also a good time to search for lions preparing to hunt. If time allows, visit the Katunguru fishing village near the Kazinga Channel. This quiet community provides a glimpse into local life around the park. Return to your lodge before dinner. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (Luxury)/Hippo Hills camp or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (mid range)/ Simba safari lodge (Budget).
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s savannah park. It stretches from the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains to Lake Edward in western Uganda. The park protects open grasslands, acacia woodland, crater lakes, wetlands, forests and the Kazinga Channel. These habitats support elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and over 600 bird species. The Ishasha sector is well known for its tree-climbing lions while the Kazinga Channel attracts large numbers of wildlife throughout the year.
Day 4: Game drive and afternoon Launch cruise
After your breakfast, you will go for the morning game drive in Kasenyi area to search for different wildlife animals missed out in the previous game drive. Later visit the Katwe explosion craters. Here you will spot Kitagata Lake and the enormous Kamengo Crater and this will give you clear view of different wildlife around the Park. In the afternoon, go for the launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel where you will be rewarded with wildlife sights of species like the Hippopotamuses, Waterbucks, Crocodiles and a variety of Water Birds like the black bee- eater, several species of falcons and the raptors. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (Luxury)/Hippo Hills camp or Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (mid range)/ Simba safari lodge (Budget)
Day 5: Ishasha – Bwindi Gorilla Tour
After a morning breakfast transfer to Ishasha, the southern sector of QENP for viewing tree-climbing lions. Thence proceed to Bwindi and arrive early enough for your lunch.A total of 350 bird species have been recorded, which is relatively a high figure since the park lacks waterbirds. Of special interest to birders are 23 species endemic to the Albertine Rift, and at least 14 species found nowhere else in Uganda, including the African Green Broadbill, Brown-necked Parrot, Frazer’s eagle owl, white-tailed blue flycatcher and white-bellied robin chat. There are over 200 butterfly species in Bwindi. Butterfly watchers can be able to identify more than 50 varieties in a day.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda along the Albertine Rift Valley. It protects one of Africa’s oldest rainforests and is home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world. The park has four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each sector has several habituated gorilla families available for trekking. Apart from gorillas, Bwindi supports more than 350 bird species, many butterflies, forest elephants and several monkey species.
Day 6: Gorilla tracking
With a morning breakfast, report to the park headquarters where you will be briefed about the mountain gorilla trackers code of conduct. Later you will penetrate through the impenetrable forest for a more adventurous and exciting lifetime experience of Mountain Gorilla tracking. You are all reminded to go with your packed lunch and bottled water since the tracking duration depends on the ease to see the gorilla that day and where they slept the previous night.
Besides the Gorillas, you will also spot other forest wildlife like the Black and White Colobus Monkeys, Red Tailed Colobus, Blue Monkey, L’hoest and baboons and many more. Retire for dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Resort or Mahogany Springs or Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury)/Lake Kitandara or Buhoma Lodge (Midrange)/Buhoma Community Bandas or wagtail eco safari camp (Budget)
Lake Mutanda
Day 7: Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and drive towards Lake Bunyonyi. The journey takes about 2 to 3 hours depending on your starting sector in Bwindi. The route passes through the Kigezi Highlands which are known for steep hills, terraced farms and small villages. The landscapes around Kabale are often called the “Switzerland of Uganda” because of their green hills and valleys.
Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi around midday and have lunch overlooking the lake. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise across the lake. The boat ride introduces you to some of the lake’s islands, local communities, and traditional stories. Visit Punishment Island, a small island with a historical connection to past cultural practices. Continue to Bwama Island where a former missionary settlement once operated a leprosy treatment centre. For a quieter experience, visit smaller islands where local families continue farming and fishing.
Lake Bunyonyi is located in southwestern Uganda between Kabale and Kisoro districts. It is surrounded by steep terraced hills, green farmland and small villages. The lake is known for its peaceful scenery and 29 islands each with different stories and cultural backgrounds. Return to your lodge in the evening. Accommodation options include Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi (luxury), BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi (mid-range) and Bunyonyi Overland Resort (budget).
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi activities and community experience
Start the day with a relaxed breakfast while enjoying views across the lake. Begin with a traditional canoe ride. Local guides use dugout canoes and share information about the islands, farming practices and daily life around the lake. Visit nearby villages where residents grow crops such as beans, potatoes, sorghum and vegetables on the steep hillsides. A community walk offers a chance to learn about local traditions and meet families living around the lake.
You can also visit a local craft group where women make handmade baskets, mats, and other products using traditional skills. For bird lovers, Lake Bunyonyi is an excellent destination. Common sightings include grey-crowned cranes, herons, kingfishers and weaver birds. In the afternoon, hike to one of the viewpoints overlooking the lake. Return to your lodge for dinner. Accommodation options include Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi, BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi (mid-range) and Bunyonyi Overland Resort (budget).
Day 9: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, leave Lake Bunyonyi and begin the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes about 5 to 6 hours. The route passes through Kabale and Mbarara. Along the way, enjoy views of farming communities, cattle grazing areas and changing landscapes. A good stop is the Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara. The centre introduces visitors to the history and traditions of the Ankole people. You can learn about local food, traditional homes and the importance of long-horned Ankole cattle. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park and arrive during the afternoon. If time allows, enjoy a short evening game drive. The evening hours provide good opportunities to see zebras, impalas, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes.
Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda, about 240 kilometres from Kampala. It is the closest savannah park to the capital and covers about 370 square kilometres. The park has open grasslands, acacia woodlands, wetlands, and five lakes. It is famous for animals such as zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, buffaloes and Uganda kobs. Unlike many other Ugandan parks, Lake Mburo allows walking safaris and cycling experiences. Visitors can explore the park on foot with an armed ranger. Return to your lodge for dinner. Accommodation options include Mihingo Lodge (luxury), Lake Mburo Safari Lodge (mid-range) and Eagles Nest Camp (budget)
Day 10: Game drive and walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
Wake early for a morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. The morning hours are ideal for wildlife viewing because animals are active before temperatures increase. Search for zebras moving across the plains, giraffes feeding on acacia trees, and herds of impalas and Uganda kobs. Buffaloes often gather around water sources while warthogs can be seen moving through open grasslands.
The park is also home to elands, one of Africa’s largest antelope species. After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking safari. Unlike a vehicle safari, walking allows you to discover smaller details of the ecosystem. Your ranger will explain animal tracks, plants, insects and bird species. You may encounter zebras, giraffes, and antelopes from a closer distance while following safe walking routes. Later, visit the Rubanga Forest trail. This small forest area is a good place for bird watching and spotting monkeys. The trail is especially interesting for visitors interested in plants and forest ecology. In the evening, return to your lodge for dinner. Accommodation options include Mihingo Lodge (luxury), Lake Mburo Safari Lodge (mid-range) and Eagles Nest Camp (budget)
Day 11: Return to Kampala
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala. The journey takes about 3 to 4 hours. Before leaving the park area, enjoy a short morning drive if time allows. You may see zebras, giraffes, and antelopes during the final wildlife viewing opportunity. Continue towards Kampala with a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe. Here, you can take photographs and learn about the geographical importance of the equator line. Visit the craft shops nearby for locally made souvenirs. Continue to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport depending on your travel schedule.
11 Days Uganda Safari – Inclusions
- The cost of all ground transportation and Fuel
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Full time safari guide and his related expenses
- Accommodation and meals
- Boat cruise
- Game drives
- But it excludes; Items of personal nature like Laundry, Beers,
- Park entrance fee
Exclusions:
- Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Personal Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
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