Updated 15 October 2026

12 day Uganda safari is a subject we explore in depth in this guide, drawing on direct experience and expertise from Uganda’s wildlife and safari industry. This 12-day Uganda safari covers the country’s classic highlights in one loop: white rhinos on foot at Ziwa, the Nile and savanna of Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale, game drives and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, tree-climbing lions at Ishasha, a gorilla trek in Bwindi, and a relaxing finish at Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo. Twelve days allows two nights in most places, so the long drives are balanced by time to enjoy each park. The gorilla permit sets the dates, so book it first.

Uganda Safari Tour —12 Days: From Jungles to Savannah, a Journey That Stays With You

Days 1–3: Entebbe, Ziwa and Murchison Falls

Day 1: arrive at Entebbe and rest at a lakeside hotel. If you land early, a boat trip to Mabamba Swamp for the shoebill or a walk in the Botanical Gardens is a gentle start. Day 2: drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where rangers lead walks to see southern white rhinos, reintroduced to Uganda after the species was wiped out in the country in the 1980s. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon.

Day 3: an early game drive on the savanna north of the Nile, where Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob and lions are often seen, followed by an afternoon boat trip upriver towards the falls, with hippos, crocodiles and many birds. A short hike to the top of the falls shows the whole Nile forcing its way through a gap about 7 m wide. See our guide to Murchison Falls National Park.

Days 4–5: Fort Portal and Kibale

Day 4: a long drive south through Hoima to Fort Portal and the crater lakes, a day of farmland, tea estates and views of the Rwenzori Mountains on clear days. Day 5: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, which has one of the largest chimp populations in East Africa; the permit costs US$250, rising to US$300 from 1 January 2027. In the afternoon, a guided walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary brings monkeys and birds. See our guide to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale.

Days 6–8: Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ishasha

Day 6: drive south into the Rift Valley to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains. Day 7: a morning game drive for lions, elephants and kob, then a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward and draws hippos, buffalo, elephants and huge numbers of waterbirds to its banks. Day 8: drive through the Ishasha sector in the south of the park, known for lions that rest in fig trees, and on to Buhoma in Bwindi. Read about Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Days 9–10: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Day 9: gorilla trekking, starting with the briefing at about 7:30 am. The trek can take from under an hour to most of the day, followed by one hour with a habituated family. The permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. In the afternoon, rest or take a village walk. Buhoma fits this route best; see our Buhoma sector guide. Day 10: drive to Lake Bunyonyi through the hills of Kigezi, or stay a second day in Bwindi for a forest walk or a second trek.

Days 11–12: Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo and departure

Day 11: a relaxed morning on Lake Bunyonyi by canoe, then drive to Lake Mburo National Park, where zebras, impala, eland and topi are easy to see and walking and horseback safaris are possible. See our Lake Bunyonyi guide. Day 12: an early game drive or boat trip at Lake Mburo, then drive to Entebbe, about 4–5 hours, with a stop at the equator, in time for an evening flight.

Variations

To save driving, fly from Kihihi or Kisoro back to Entebbe at the end instead of driving via Lake Mburo; see our guide to domestic flights. If your gorilla permit is for Rushaga or Nkuringo, continue from Ishasha to the southern sectors instead of Buhoma. Travellers who want a second gorilla experience can add the four-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, at US$1,500 in 2026 and US$1,800 in 2027.

Planning notes

This route involves several long drives, especially Murchison to Fort Portal and Bwindi to Lake Mburo, so a comfortable 4×4 with a pop-up roof and an experienced driver-guide matters. The drier months of June to September and December to February are best for game drives and easier trails; the rainy months are greener and quieter, with cheaper gorilla permits in April, May and November. Book the gorilla permit first and build the dates around it; see our guide to booking a gorilla permit.

Frequently asked questions