11 Day Uganda Safari Vacation, Murchison, Bwindi

From AUD $5,308 per person 11 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Activities include bird watching, gorilla tracking, chimpanzee tracking, primate watch safaris and game viewing.

This 11 day Uganda Safari Adventure itinerary combines trips to Uganda’s top National Parks, including Murchison Falls National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Lake Bunyonyi a place for nature and bird lovers. All activities that are done in these destinations can be enjoyed throughout the year. giraffe safaris

Activities

Why this safari works

This trip suits travellers who want to see most of Uganda in one go, from rhinos at Ziwa and the Nile at Murchison Falls to gorillas in Bwindi and the islands of Lake Bunyonyi. The route starts in Entebbe, heads north to Murchison, then works south through Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo before finishing with a Kampala city tour. Boat trips at Murchison, on the Kazinga Channel and on Lake Mburo add a different view of the wildlife, and the text notes that all the activities can be done throughout the year.

Highlights

  • Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Nile boat cruise and hike to the top of Murchison Falls
  • Kazinga Channel launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Canoeing and a Bakiga community walk at Lake Bunyonyi
  • Kampala city tour with the Uganda Museum

Your route

  1. Entebbe Uganda · 1 night
  2. Murchison Falls National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  3. Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  5. Lake Bunyonyi Uganda · 1 night
  6. Lake Mburo National Park Uganda · 1 night
  7. Kampala Uganda · 1 night
  8. Entebbe International Airport Uganda · Departure

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1

    Arrival in Entebbe

    Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will have a pick up from your tour guide who will later transfer you to your hotel where you will have dinner and an overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Lake Victoria Hotel/Anderita Beach Hotel Meal Plan; on Bed and Breakfast

    • Airport pick-up
    • Lake Victoria Hotel or Anderita Beach Hotel
    • Bed and breakfast
  2. Day2
    White rhino grazing close-up

    Transfer to Murchison Falls

    Have an early breakfast and transfer for the 6 to 7 hours tour to Murchison Falls, along the way visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary which is home to rhinos, tracking them is for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

    Have lunch in Masindi and continue your tour to the park which is home to over 451 bird species and 76 mammal species covering an area of 3,840 Sq km. Relax at the lodge in the evening with a delicious dinner and an overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Murchison River lodge(in Tents)/Fort Murchison/Nile safari lodge Meal Plan; Dinner

    • Ziwa rhino tracking
    • Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison or Nile Safari Lodge
    • Dinner
  3. Day3
    Murchison Falls torrent through gorge, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

    Game drives & Launch cruise along the Nile

    After a cup of coffee, set out at 6:30 am for a game drive through the park especially the Nyamisika plateau where a lot of early risers will be seen such as Giraffes, leopards, lions, Cape buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, bushbucks, among others.

    Return to the lodge for lunch and a rest as you get ready for the afternoon boat cruise along the Nile, the Victoria Nile divides the park into the northern and southern banks. On the boat you will spot other animals like Hippos, Crocodiles and different birds like the Pelican, Goliath Heron, Kingfishers, and the rare shoebill. The boat will leave you at the bottom of the magnificent falls a few meters from the Devil’s Cauldron, where you will take enough photographs as you continue with a hike to the top of these falls, enjoy the thunderous roars of the magnificent falls as they make their way through an 8m gorge and falling at 43m to meet again the Victoria Nile. It’s a great time spent there watching the formed rainbows in the clouds of falling waters. Later meet your guide who will transfer you again to the lodge. Enjoy dinner and overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Murchison River lodge(in Tents)/Fort Murchison/Nile safari lodge Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Game drive and Nile cruise
    • Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison or Nile Safari Lodge
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  4. Day4

    To Queen Elizabeth

    On this day after breakfast, get on the road for a 9 hours drive to Queen Elizabeth national park passing through Fort Portal town and having lunch there. Continue with beautiful sceneries of the Rwenzori mountains.

    Queen Elizabeth National Park has over 600 species of birds and amazing for game viewing since a number of wild animals made it their home like elephants, lions, waterbucks, warthogs, buffaloes among others. Upon arrival in Queen Elizabeth, drive through and reach your lodge, refresh and have an overnight after dinner.

    Accommodation Options; Simba Safari camp(in tents)/Bush lodge/Katara lodge Meal Plan; Dinner, Breakfast

    • Drive to Queen Elizabeth
    • Simba Safari Camp, Bush Lodge or Katara Lodge
    • Dinner, breakfast
  5. Day5
    Cormorants drying wings on shore, buffalo behind, Kazinga Channel, Uganda

    Game drive & Launch cruise Queen Elizabeth

    Have an early tasty breakfast and by 6:30 am set out for a game drive to look for wild animals such as lions, waterbucks, cape buffaloes, leopards, forest hogs, topis, warthogs, antelopes and others. Head back to the lodge, freshen up and have lunch, after which in the afternoon you will set off on the 2 hour launch cruise on the 42 km channel called the Kazinga channel which joins lakes Edward and George. On the boat enjoy watching large schools of hippos and crocodiles among other animals and birds.

    Accommodation Options; Simba Safari camp(in tents)/Bush lodge/Katara lodge Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Game drive and Kazinga cruise
    • Simba Safari Camp, Bush Lodge or Katara Lodge
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  6. Day6

    Chimpanzee Tracking in Ishasha sector to Bwindi Forest

    After breakfast drive to the Ishasha region still part of the park for Chimpanzee tracking, while still in Ishasha it will be an added experience as you will see tree-climbing lions. Drive to Bwindi through scenic region also referred to as The Switzerland of Africa. With lunch along the way arrive at the park late afternoon. Dine and overnight at the lodge.

    Accommodation Options; Gorillas forest camp/Buhoma lodge/Buhoma community camp Meal Plan; Dinner

    • Ishasha and drive to Bwindi
    • Gorillas Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge or Buhoma Community Camp
    • Dinner
  7. Day7
    Gorilla face peeking through leaves, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Gorilla trekking day- Bwindi

    Today be up early enough and take breakfast, have a short drive to the headquarters of the park where you will meet experienced park guides/rangers who will take you through a briefing about gorilla trekking. Afterwards, start the hike in the misty forest to look for the gentle giants, it normally takes from 1 hour to 8 hours to trek hence requires the trackers to be physically fit since over 7,500 ft in altitude can be climbed.

    You are advised to carry enough water, packed lunch, sun glasses, hats, rain coats, water proof cameras without flashes. On meeting the gorillas what felt like fatigue during the hike will cease to exist as you will have a great time watching the mountain gorillas in this thick forest with only 1 hour permitted to be with them. After, drive back to the lodge for a rest and dinner.

    Accommodation Options; Gorillas forest camp/Buhoma lodge/Buhoma community camp Meal Plan; Dinner

    • Gorilla trekking
    • Gorillas Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge or Buhoma Community Camp
    • Dinner
  8. Day8
    Lake with islands and hills at dusk, Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

    Lake Bunyonyi

    Enjoy breakfast and drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s deepest lakes and famous for its beautiful scenery such as the terraced hills and 29 islands in water, it is also safe for swimming since it is Bilharzia free. Its name Bunyonyi means young birds in the local language and hence is a great place for bird watching. Upon arrival you could go for canoeing on the lake and have lunch. After lunch take a community walk where you will enjoy traditional dances from the Bakiga people, also buy yourself handicrafts from there.

    Accommodation Options; Lake Bunyonyi Overland camp/Bunyonyi Overland resort/Birdnest @ Bunyonyi resort Meal plan; Lunch & Dinner.

    • Canoeing and community walk
    • Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Bunyonyi Overland Resort or Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort
    • Lunch, dinner
  9. Day9
    Impala, one leaping, in woodland, Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

    To Lake Mburo

    Early morning after breakfast transfer to Lake Mburo, a small but rich National park seated on an area of 371 sq km. Lake Mburo National Park is home to a big number of Zebras, antelopes, warthogs, reed bucks, oribis and a number of bird species. On your way, you will go through the rolling terraced hills of Kabale, having a stop in Mbarara for lunch -The land of milk and honey. After, continue reaching the park in the late afternoon. Have a 2 hour boat cruise on the lake and later have dinner and overnight at the lodge.

    Accommodation Options; Eagles Nest camp/Rwakobo rock/Mihingo lodge Meal plan; Dinner

    • Drive and boat cruise
    • Eagles Nest Camp, Rwakobo Rock or Mihingo Lodge
    • Dinner
  10. Day10
    Aerial view of savanna plains with scattered trees, Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

    Transfer to Kampala with a Game drive

    After breakfast set out for a game drive through the park and feed your eyes as you watch amazing animal species and birds and also amazing savannah grasslands. Afterwards, drive out of the park with stopovers in Masaka for lunch and at the Equator to take photographs and purchase some souvenirs.

    Arrive in Kampala in the evening. Rest and dine at the hotel.

    Accommodation Options; Eureka hotel/Tourist hotel Meal plan; Dinner

    • Game drive to Kampala
    • Eureka Hotel or Tourist Hotel
    • Dinner
  11. Day11

    Kampala City tour and transfer to Entebbe

    In the morning after breakfast, go for a city tour, visit the Uganda museum and also some craft shops to buy some crafts and souvenirs to take back home with you. Afterwards, your driver will take you to Entebbe to have lunch and proceed to the Airport for your flight back home as you bid farewell to Uganda.

    • City tour and departure

Safari Cost

Accommodation typeQuote per person, 2 paxQuote per person, 4 pax
Basic accommodationAUD $6,727AUD $5,308
Superior accommodationAUD $8,238AUD $6,818
Deluxe accommodationAUD $10,504AUD $9,083

Prices are per person in Australian dollars. Ask us for a quote for your dates and group size.

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Gorilla Permits
  • Chimpanzee Permits
  • Rhino Tracking
  • Bottled Water
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Boat Rides
  • Cultural Tours
  • All Activities Mentioned

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • International flight fare
  • Entry Visas
  • Laundry services
  • Tips
  • Alcoholic Drinks

Frequently asked questions

Is rhino tracking part of this trip?

Yes. On Day 2 you stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to Murchison Falls, and the rhino tracking lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

How hard is the gorilla trek in Bwindi?

The trek can take from 1 to 8 hours and climbs to over 7,500 ft, so you need to be physically fit. Once you find the gorillas you have 1 hour with them.

How many boat trips are there?

Three: a Nile cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls on Day 3, a 2-hour Kazinga Channel cruise on Day 5 and a 2-hour boat cruise on Lake Mburo on Day 9.

Can I swim at Lake Bunyonyi?

The itinerary says the lake is free of bilharzia and safe for swimming, and you can also go canoeing on arrival.

Which is the longest drive?

Day 4, from Murchison Falls to Queen Elizabeth National Park, takes about 9 hours with lunch in Fort Portal.

What happens on the last day?

After breakfast there is a Kampala city tour with the Uganda Museum and craft shops, then lunch in Entebbe and your transfer to the airport.