12-Day Uganda Wildlife, Chimps Tracking, & Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience by Renai Venture Safaris

Arriving in Uganda: Welcome to the Pearl of Africa

Your 12-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari Experience journey begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Upon landing, you will be greeted by a professional guide from Renai Venture Safaris, who will assist you with your luggage and escort you to your hotel. Entebbe serves as the perfect gateway to Uganda, offering a relaxed and picturesque start to your safari adventure.

The first night is reserved for relaxation and settling into your accommodation. After checking in, you’ll have time to unwind, take in the lush surroundings, and enjoy the facilities of the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you might also explore the local area or relax by Lake Victoria. Entebbe is home to several cultural sites, like the Uganda Wildlife Education Center and Botanical Gardens, which you can visit the next morning.

• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Accommodation in a comfortable hotel
• Evening at leisure

The Journey to Kidepo Valley National Park

On Day 2, after a hearty breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic road transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Located in the northeastern corner of Uganda, Kidepo is one of the country’s most remote and pristine parks, offering an authentic wilderness experience. The drive is long but offers stunning views of Uganda’s rural landscapes, and you’ll have the opportunity to stop along the way to appreciate the natural beauty and local villages.

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge or camp, where you will rest and prepare for your first wildlife adventure. Kidepo Valley is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and numerous antelope species. This park is known for its isolation, which has helped preserve the wildlife in their natural habitat, making it one of Uganda’s most untouched wilderness areas.

• Road transfer to Kidepo Valley
• Accommodation in a safari lodge
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Game Drives, Nature Walk, and Relaxation

Your third day in Kidepo promises a full day of exploration. The day begins early with a thrilling game drive, where you’ll venture into the park to search for wildlife. Kidepo’s vast plains and open savannas make it an excellent location for observing wildlife in their natural habitat. Expect to see large herds of buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras, as well as predators like lions and hyenas.

Later in the day, you’ll enjoy a guided nature walk with a park ranger. The walk takes you through the park’s unique landscapes, offering insights into the flora and fauna of the region. You will also have time to relax at the lodge in the afternoon and enjoy the views of the surrounding valleys and hills.

• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Nature walk with a guide
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Cultural Immersion with the Karamojong People

On Day 4, you will continue to explore Kidepo Valley National Park. Another game drive in the morning will give you the chance to spot different wildlife that you might have missed on the previous day. You will also visit the Karamojong people, one of Uganda’s indigenous tribes known for their pastoral lifestyle. This cultural experience provides insight into the unique traditions, dances, and daily life of the Karamojong people, making it a memorable part of your 12-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari Experience.

In the afternoon, you can relax at your lodge or go on a short game drive around the area, keeping your eyes open for any wildlife. As the sun sets, you can enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by nature.

• Morning game drive
• Karamojong cultural experience
• Afternoon game drive or relaxation at the lodge
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Murchison Falls: A New Wildlife Adventure Begins

On Day 5, you will begin your road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey to Murchison takes you through scenic landscapes and offers opportunities for birdwatching and photography. Murchison Falls is one of Uganda’s most iconic parks, famous for its impressive waterfall and incredible wildlife.

Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge, have lunch, and then embark on an evening game drive. Murchison Falls is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and lions. As you drive through the park, you’ll encounter various animal species, making for excellent photo opportunities.

• Road transfer to Murchison Falls
• Evening game drive
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Game Drives and Boat Cruise Safari

On Day 6, you will experience the best of Murchison Falls with a full day of adventure. The morning begins with a game drive where you can spot a variety of wildlife, including the endangered Rothschild giraffe and rare bird species. Murchison Falls is also home to the famous “big five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino), and you may have the opportunity to spot these iconic animals.

In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River. The boat will take you to the base of Murchison Falls, offering an up-close view of the powerful waterfall and the surrounding wildlife. The boat ride is also an excellent opportunity for birdwatching, with species like the pelican and shoebill stork commonly seen in the area.

• Morning game drive
• Boat cruise safari
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking to the Top of Murchison Falls and Rhino Tracking

On Day 7, the morning starts with an early game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, where you’ll explore more of the park’s diverse wildlife. Afterward, you will embark on a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, a breathtaking experience that gives you a panoramic view of the Nile as it forces its way through a narrow gorge.

In the afternoon, you will drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking. This is a unique opportunity to see the endangered white rhino in its natural habitat. After your rhino tracking adventure, you’ll continue your journey to Hoima for an overnight stay.

• Game drive and hike to the top of Murchison Falls
• Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary
• Transfer to Hoima
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Exploring the Pristine Kibale Forest

On Day 8, you will take a scenic road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of the largest populations of chimpanzees in the world. Kibale is also famous for its biodiversity, with over 350 species of birds and 70 mammal species.

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Bigodi Swamp, a community-run wetland area that’s home to various bird species, primates, and other wildlife. A guided walk through the swamp will provide you with the chance to learn about the area’s flora and fauna while enjoying the serenity of the surroundings.

• Scenic road transfer to Kibale
• Bigodi Swamp walk
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Day 9 begins with the long-awaited chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest. Guided by expert rangers, you will track a group of habituated chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is an unforgettable experience, as these intelligent primates often display playful and social behavior, offering unique photo opportunities.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a forest walk, where you will explore the stunning biodiversity of the forest, including other primates, birds, and plant species.

• Morning chimpanzee tracking
• Afternoon forest walk
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

On Day 10, you will take a scenic road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most biodiverse forests in Africa. Bwindi is home to approximately half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, making it one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa people are indigenous forest dwellers who once lived in Bwindi before it became a national park. You will learn about their ancient traditions, customs, and way of life, offering a unique cultural perspective of the region.

• Scenic road transfer to Bwindi
• Batwa cultural experience
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 11 is one of the highlights of your 12-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari Experience: gorilla trekking. After a briefing from park rangers, you will embark on your trek through the dense jungle of Bwindi Forest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. The trek can be challenging, but the reward is worth it: spending time with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In the afternoon, you can relax at your lodge and reflect on the incredible experience of coming face-to-face with the mountain gorillas.

• Gorilla trekking
• Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Saying Goodbye to Uganda

On the final day of your 12-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari Experience, you’ll take a scenic transfer back to Entebbe Airport, where your Uganda adventure comes to an end. As you drive through the stunning landscapes, you’ll have time to reflect on the incredible experiences, wildlife sightings, and cultural immersion you’ve enjoyed over the past 12 days.

• Scenic transfer to Entebbe
• Meals (Breakfast)