12 Days Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Epic Safari

Detailed 12-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Jomert Gorilla Safaris guide and begin your journey towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Depending on your arrival time, you can proceed to the sanctuary for your first wildlife experience. Ziwa is home to southern white rhinos and offers an opportunity to observe these impressive animals during a guided rhino tracking experience. If your international flight arrives later in the day, you can relax at the lodge and arrange rhino tracking for the following morning.

Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or similar
Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, continue your journey northwards towards Murchison Falls National Park. You will travel through rural communities and agricultural landscapes before entering the park. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive in search of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, antelopes and other wildlife. You will then proceed to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Murchison Falls – Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Wake up early for a morning game drive through the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. The early morning provides an excellent opportunity to search for wildlife while temperatures are cooler. Your game drive may offer sightings of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, hartebeests, waterbucks and other wildlife. After lunch, embark on a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls.

The riverbanks are particularly rewarding for wildlife viewing, with hippos and crocodiles in the water and elephants, buffaloes and other animals often gathering along the shores. After the cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Murchison Falls – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls and begin the journey southwards towards Kibale Forest National Park. This is a scenic transfer through rural Uganda, with changing landscapes, farms, plantations and local communities along the way. The journey takes most of the day, so arrive in the Kibale area in the evening and settle into your lodge. Prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or similar
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest – Bigodi Wetland

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest. Accompanied by ranger guides, you will walk through the tropical forest searching for chimpanzees. Kibale is one of Uganda’s leading destinations for chimpanzee experiences and is also rich in other primates and forest birdlife. After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, take an optional guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-based conservation area where you can look for monkeys, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or similar
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Kibale and continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda, including tea plantations, crater lakes and rolling hills.

Upon entering Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoy an afternoon game drive depending on your arrival time. The park is home to elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, Uganda kob, hippos, warthogs and numerous bird species.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start the morning with a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the savannah plains while searching for elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, antelopes and other wildlife. After lunch, enjoy the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise. The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a wide variety of water birds along the channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.

After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth and travel through the southern part of the park towards the Ishasha sector, depending on the final routing and road conditions. Ishasha is particularly known for its tree-climbing lions. Your guide will explore suitable areas in search of wildlife, although sightings are naturally not guaranteed.

Continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The scenery changes dramatically as you approach the mountainous southwestern region of Uganda. Arrive at your lodge and relax in preparation for your gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge or similar
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Uganda Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is one of the major highlights of your 12 Days Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Epic Safari. After an early breakfast, proceed to the relevant park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides.

You will then begin your Uganda gorilla trekking experience through the ancient rainforest of Bwindi. The trek can involve steep and uneven terrain, with the duration depending on the location of the gorilla family assigned to your group. Once you locate the gorillas, spend the permitted viewing time observing their behavior, social interactions and daily activities. After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge or similar
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Bwindi – Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and begin your journey towards Lake Mburo National Park.

The drive takes you through the scenic countryside of southwestern Uganda, passing through local communities, agricultural areas and rolling hills. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo is particularly known for zebras, impalas, elands, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs and other antelope species. Depending on your arrival time, you may also enjoy an evening wildlife experience before returning to your lodge.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge or similar
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Lake Mburo – Wildlife Experience & Relaxation

After breakfast, enjoy another opportunity to explore Lake Mburo National Park. You can choose between a morning game drive or an optional nature walk, depending on your interests. A guided walking experience offers a different perspective of the park and may provide close encounters with zebras, impalas, giraffes and other wildlife. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning at the lodge before an afternoon game drive. This additional day makes the 12-day itinerary more relaxed and gives you more time to enjoy Lake Mburo rather than immediately leaving after arrival.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge or similar
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Lake Mburo – Transfer to Entebbe

After breakfast, check out and begin your final journey from Lake Mburo National Park to Entebbe. Travel through the scenic countryside of central Uganda towards Kampala and Entebbe. Depending on your flight schedule, you can make an optional stop at the Equator, where you can take photographs, visit the craft shops and enjoy a short break. Continue to Entebbe and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or to your preferred hotel.

This marks the end of your 12 Days Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Epic Safari with Jomert Gorilla Safaris.

Accommodation: Not applicable
Destination: Entebbe, Uganda
Meals: Breakfast