12 days Uganda adventure safari is a relaxed 11 nights/12 days Uganda vacation tour package that brings you some of the best highlights of Uganda safari tour to see mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, game viewing, the source of River Nile in Jinja, Lake Victoria, Lake Bunyonyi, and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Start your adventure in Entebbe with relaxation on the shores of Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake. Next, travel east to Jinja for thrilling whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and relaxation at the source of the Nile, the place where the world’s longest river exits Lake Victoria to commence an epic 6650km journey north to the Mediterranean sea. Travel to Fort Portal for a heritage tour to Amabere cave and a hike to the dramatic Fort Portal Crater Lake field before heading to Kibale Forest National Park, the ‘primate capita of Africa’ to track a troop of wild Chimpanzees on foot.
Proceed to Kasese for a full-day relaxation on the Rwenzori Mountains foothills before undertaking a whole day adventure hike on this dramatic mountain range with the 3rd highest peak in Africa (5109m) snow-capped throughout the year. Then undertake a scenic drive to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to the rare tree-climbing lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, 610 bird species, and more. Enjoy a game drive in the savannah plains and a wonderful boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, home to the world’s densest concentrations of hippos.
Continues to the great Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, for an eye-opening encounter with highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi hosts almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. You’ll trek into the dense misty jungle to observe these awe-inspiring mammals – guided by trackers who know the location of each gorilla family. Quite simply, there aren’t any other wildlife experiences like this.
From Bwindi, go relax on the magical Lake Bunyonyi, the African second deepest lake dotted with 29 islands. End this amazing 12-day Uganda adventure trip with the Equator experience at Kayabwe for photoshoots and to witness the Earth’s opposing magnetic forces.
Please contact and have a special adventure Uganda safari package tailored to your budget and interests.
Whitewater rafting & bungee jumping at the source of the Nile River.
Relax at the shore of Lake Victoria, along the Nile River, Lake Bunyonyi, and on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Spend a magical hour with famous Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Chimpanzee tracking in Uganda and other primates in Kibale Forest
Game drives in the classic savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth N.P
Search for the elusive tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth N.P.
Boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel
Hike to the Fort Portal Crater lake field and the Amabere caves
Full-day adventure hike on the Rwenzori Mountains
Tradition lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre
The Uganda Equator crossing experience, Kayabwe
Meet, explore and learn from the local communities
Day 1: Lake Victoria− Entebbe
Day 2 & 3: Jinja – Source of the Nile River
Day 4: Fort Portal Area –Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5 & 6: Kasese − Rwenzori Mountains
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 10 & 11: Lake Bunyonyi
Day 12: The Equator crossing Kayabwe.
Day 1: Relaxation on the shores of Lake Victoria
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – Source of the Nile River. Do white water rafting & bungee jumping
Day 3: Relaxation at the Nile River in Jinja
Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal. Hike to the Fort Portal crater & visit the Amabere caves
Day 5: Undertake a morning Chimpanzee trekking adventure & transfer to Kasese
Day 6: Relaxation at the lodge
Day 7: Whole day adventure hike on the Rwenzori Mountains
Day 8: Morning Game drive in Queen Elizabeth NP & afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Day 9: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a game drive en route in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions
Day 10: Do Gorilla trekking in Bwindi & connect to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
Day 11: Relax and chill at magical Lake Bunyonyi – enjoying the tranquil resort environment
Day 12: Drive back to Kampala. Make a traditional lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center & Equator crossing Kayabwe
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at around 9.30 am and spend the whole day, enjoying the tranquil environment along the shores of majestic Lake Victoria – the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, the largest in Africa, and the world’s largest tropical lake. The extensive sandy beaches are well aligned for your recreational experience.
If you feel like getting active, enjoy a fishing encounter in search of the Nile perch, a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, a canoe ride in Mabamba Swamp in search of the Shoebill stork, or a sunset boat cruise on this lustrous lake, watching the first or last rays of light on the horizon.
Luxury/Upmarket: – /Protea Hotel Entebbe
Mid-range/Moderate: – 2 Friends Beach Hotel Entebbe/ Lake Heights Hotel Entebbe
Budget/Basic: – Acacia Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have breakfast at around 6.00 am and then embark on a 2-3 hours’ drive to Jinja, a large historical town of Uganda famous for the source of the Nile, one of the most iconic places in Africa – the point at Nile River leaves Lake Victoria to begin its long journey north to the Mediterranean. On your way to Jinja, drive through impressive landscapes on the city outskirts before entering into the sugarcane plantations of Lugazi and the rainforest of Mabira.
On arrival in Jinja check in your accommodation and drive to the starting area for your whitewater rafting adventure along the historic Nile River. You receive a briefing and are given rafting gears then proceed to the rafting point for a half-day adventurous rafting activity with packed lunch.
The source of the Nile is one of the world’s most spectacular white-water rafting destinations. Expect long, rollicking strings of Grade IV and V rapids, with plenty of thrills and spills. You raft in the company of expert guides who are at your rescue in case the waters push you off the raft. The crowd cheers from the locals on the river bank enjoying the free sights of your struggle with waters will make you part of the community.
Retreat from the activity, relax a little, and connect to the bungee jumping site. You’re tied with the latex rubber in the ankles that allows you to slope for over 44m down the waters of the Nile from the cliff safely. Enjoy the great adventure with the wind rushing through your air, the views of the cliff, and the views of the sky which combine to generate a lasting experience. Retire from the activity and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Haven Lodge Jinja/Wild waters Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Haven Lodge Jinja/2 Friends Hotel Jinja
Budget/Basic: – Source of the Smile Guesthouse
Meal Plan:- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time:- Approx. 108km or 2-3 hours
This is dedicated to your relaxation in the tranquil environment listening to the flowing waters of the Nile River – the longest river in the world. Have your breakfast at around 9.00 am and then take a rest in your lush eco-friendly room private balcony, or the lush garden setting the body just like new! The sumptuous meals served according to your preference also add spice to the experience.
You can also enjoy other exciting activities that Jinja offers at your own pace (at extra cost) if you want. Maybe get active with some kayaking along the Nile, take a boat cruise to the source of the Nile, sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria, or sport fishing encounter in search of the Nile Perch. Enjoy a good night’s rest ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Haven Lodge Jinja/Wild waters Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Haven Lodge Jinja/2 Friends Hotel Jinja
Budget/Basic: – Source of the Smile Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
After breakfast at your place of stay in Jinja at around 6.30 am, embark on a 380km (7-hours) drive to Fort Portal Area. Drive through impressive landscapes on smooth tarmac viewing the unique geographical landscapes and small towns including Mpigi, Mityana, Mubende, and Kyenjojo. You enjoy the views of the lush green tea estates as you continue to Fort Portal town settling for lunch. In the late afternoon, you undertake a heritage tour to Amabere cave which is named after the live stalactite formation, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru (literally, Breast of Nyinamwiru).
The breast-like features in the cave are believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of King Bukuku who is said to have been so beautiful that no man could leave her alone. When King became weary of receiving marital requests from unsuitable suitors, he took the extreme measure of cutting off his daughter’s breasts to make her less attractive. But even this proved to be insufficient to deter Nyinamwiru’s many admirers, so the king hid her away in the cave now known as Amabere. Here, she was discovered by the King Isaza of Batembuzi, who impregnated her with a son.
Nyinamwiru remained in the cave with her baby because she lacked breasts, feeding him the cloudy limestone “milk” that drips from the cave’s stalactites. The stalactite-nurtured child grew up to become King Ndahura, the founder of the Bachwezi dynasty that ruled over the Bunyoro Kitara Empire centuries ago.
After visiting the cave, hike to the dramatic Fort Portal Crater field where you will summit the famous Kyeganywa hill which offers spectacular views of the crater lakes and crater hollows below, as well as views of the Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day. Retire from this activity and drive to Kibale National Park, arriving at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Kibale National Park is the natural habitat for an amazing 13 primate species and contains one of the highest primate densities of any area on earth. There are 9 diurnal primates, including Vervet, Red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, Red colobus, Black-and-white colobus, and Blue monkeys, as well as Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Olive baboon, and the most famous of all, the chimpanzee.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Ndali Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale
Midrange/Standard: – Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse/Turaco Tree Tops
Budget/Basic: – Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 380km or 7 hours
Enjoy your breakfast at around 6.00 am, pack your lunch and then transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre to meet the expert local ranger guide. At 8.00 am the guide gives you a short briefing on the chimpanzee tracking experience as well as dos and don’ts. Top on the list: avoid getting too close. This is not only for your safety but also for the safety of Chimps as our diseases and virus can easily spread to them due to shared DNA.
After the briefing, you’re accompanied by the ranger guide into the forest to see Chimpanzees in their natural habitat and marvel at how similar they are to humans. Chimp tracking in Kibale lasts 2-5 hours but contact time with chimpanzees is limited to one hour. As you track in the depth of the lush green forest, you’re surrounded by bird songs, colorful butterflies, and monkeys. Finally, you approach the chimps which have been fully habituated and thus offering you an opportunity to draw closer, watching them (from a safe but intimate distance of 8-10 meters), and take pictures.
Retreat from the activity, get back to the starting point, rejoin your driver guide and settle for your packed lunch after which you transfer to Kasese on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Encountering a troop of chimpanzees, our closest relatives in their natural habitat foot.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Equator Snow Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: 65km or 1 ½ hour
Have a relaxed breakfast today at around 9.00 am and spend the whole simply relaxing and chilling out in the shadow of the surreal ‘Mountains of the Moon’.
The Rwenzoris – 120km long – is a block mountain in western Uganda along the Uganda-Congo border. It is protected as Rwenzori Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The range comprises 6 distinct mountains and the highest of these: Mounts Stanley (5,109m), Speke (4,890m), and Baker (4,843m) bear permanent snow and glaciers despite their location just miles north of the Equator.
Meaning ‘rain maker’ in the local Lukonzo language, Rwenzoris see higher levels of rainfall than anywhere else on the continent. These unique climatic conditions (a combination of very heavy rainfall and year-round exposure to the sun) have created in the Rwenzori a primeval landscape, draped in huge tree heathers, charismatic giant lobelias, rampant groundsels, everlasting flowers, and all manner of colorful lichen and deep moss. This luxuriant vegetation has been described as “Africa’s botanical big game’.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Equator Snow Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Have breakfast at around 7.00 am, transfer to Nyakalengija trailhead to start the Mount Rwenzori hike at 8 am. Organized by the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services that manages the central circuit, the Rwenzori hike is a daylong encounter enabling you to explore the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains in detail.
The day-long exploration of the legendary mountains of the moon presents magical sights of the Rwenzori ridges, the rift valley lakes below including Edward and George, the savannah stretches of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the panoramic view of Kasese town. Retire at 5 pm for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Equator Snow Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a hearty breakfast at around 6.30, embark on a 30 minutes drive to Queen Elizabeth for a 3-4 hours game drive in the classic savannah plains of Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth NP. The activity commences at 7.00 am. The vast grasslands of Kasenyi, aside from being a great wildlife watching spot, is one of the prettiest sectors of the park, particularly in the golden light of the morning. During the game drive, search for Lions, Leopards, Buffalos, Hyenas, and Giant forest Hogs, Warthogs, Uganda kobs, Hippos, and various smaller creatures.
Also, you look out for special bird species including Grey-crowned crane, Red-throated spurfowl, Yellow-throated longclaw, White-backed vulture, White-headed vulture, Long-crested Eagle, Black-bellied bustard, African skimmer, and Brown Snake Eagle, to name just a few. Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to Mweya Jetty for another remarkable, unforgettable activity planned; the 2-hour boat trip on the 40 Kazinga channel which flows between Lakes George and Edward. One of the world’s densest concentrations of hippo lives here, as well as large numbers of elephants, crocodiles, and water birds like African Open-billed, Yellow-billed, and Saddle-billed Storks; Marabou storks, African spoonbills, African jacana, Water Thick-knee, and Pink-backed Pelicans. Retreat from the activity and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for an overnight.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge/Katara Lodge
Midrange/Standard: – Enganzi Game Lodge/Bush lodge/Kasenyi Safari Camp
Budget/Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages/Park View Safari Lodge
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at around 9.00 am and then undertake a 4-7 hours drive south to the great Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Before leaving Queen, do a game drive in Ishasha Sector in search of the plain’s legendary tree-climbing lions. After encountering these mystifying creatures, leave the park and drive through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda as you make your way to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Covering an area of 321 km², the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a tropical rainforest wonderland. The park is incredibly biodiverse and breathtakingly beautiful with dense steamy jungle, deep valleys, steep ridges. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – almost half of the world’s population. Aside from gorillas, Bwindi is hosts another 9 primate species including Chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Black-and-white colobus, Olive baboons, Red-tailed monkeys, and Blue monkeys.
In addition to primates that swing their way through the treetops, other 110 mammals roam the forest paths of Bwindi, including Forest elephants, Duikers, Giant forest hogs, Bush pigs, Golden cats, Jackals, Civet, and numerous other small mammals.
Bwindi is an exceptional forest birding destination in Africa hosting 351 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics.
Luxury/Upmarket: – Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range/Moderate: – Gorilla Valley Lodge/ Bakiga Lodge/Silverback Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours
After an early breakfast at around 6.30 am, pack your lunch and all your gorilla trekking essentials. Then undertake a short drive to the respective park headquarter where you meet the expert local ranger guides. At 8.00 am, the guides give you a briefing about the Mountain Gorillas and how the gorilla trekking experience is conducted.
After the briefing, embark on a trek through the rugged mountain terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to encounter rare Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi contains 19 habituated gorillas families and no more than 8 people per day can visit any one habituated gorilla family. Visits are strictly controlled to minimize disturbance or the chances of transmission of disease to the animals since gorillas share 98% of DNA.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is relatively difficult. The trek usually takes 2- 8 hours and may reach altitudes of almost 2000m above sea level. The dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy, and uncomfortable, but the sheer thrill in coming across a habituated group of gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty.
The Mountain gorillas are placid and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerized as you watch them eat, sleep, groom, and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller ones laze in the trees or play like children. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.
Retreat from this activity and connect to Lake Bunyonyi 52km from Ruhija and 73km from Rushaga driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands with magical sceneries. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.
The highlight of the day: – Spending one breathtaking hour with the famous Mountain gorilla.
Luxury/ Upmarket: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range/ Moderate: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort/Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The day is dedicated to extensive relaxation and recreation in the resort lake environment of Lake Bunyonyi. Featuring a count of 29 Islands and surrounded by a range of fascinating Kigezi hills, the moment at Lake Bunyonyi is beyond the ordinary.
You can take up a boat ride for sightseeing on the lake or take up a canoe paddle enjoying the tranquil waters as you view the myriad of Islands appearing in all directions. You can then take up an Island walk visiting the Batwa Pygmies one of the last groups of short people in the world noted to be endangered for cultural and heritage experience.
Luxury/ Upmarket: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
Mid-range/ Moderate: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort/Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, embark on the 437km about 7 hours transfer to Kampala making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center to visit the Erijukiro Museum which features a range of artifacts of all tribes of southwestern Uganda. There is also a range of sculptures and writings that brings out the history of the region. Settle for lunch at Kahwa Kanuzire restaurant at Igongo Cultural Center and then continue on the drive to Kampala.
Another stop is made at the Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for impressive photo shoots and water experiments that justify the geographical divide between the north and southern hemispheres. You can visit any of the gift shops to get yourself a souvenir to take back home.
The highlight of the day: – Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, the loveliest lake in Uganda.
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Drive distance & time: – Approx. 437km or 7 hours
End Of The 12 Days Uganda Adventure Safari
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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