11 Days Uganda Safari Experience

The 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience crafted by Otter African Safaris is an extraordinary adventure designed to combine primate trekking, classic game drives, cultural immersion, and breathtaking scenery. Uganda is blessed with diverse landscapes that range from savannah plains rich in wildlife to tropical rainforests filled with primates, and tranquil lakes surrounded by rolling highlands. This itinerary takes travelers through Uganda’s most iconic national parks, offering opportunities to track endangered mountain gorillas, observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat, and encounter the Big Five on traditional game drives.

The 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience begins with a warm welcome in Entebbe before heading north to Murchison Falls National Park, home to the world’s most powerful waterfalls and diverse wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, and Nile crocodiles. Guests then travel westward to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of East Africa, for an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience. The journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a gem of Uganda’s savannah, offering boat cruises, tree-climbing lions, and vast plains teeming with antelope and buffalo.

Travelers then move to the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the highlight of the safari—gorilla trekking before unwinding in the serene landscapes of Lake Bunyonyi. The adventure concludes in Lake Mburo National Park, where wildlife encounters blend with cultural experiences among the Ankole people. With comfortable lodges, professional guides, and seamless transfers, this 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience ensures an enriching and unforgettable Ugandan journey.

Detailed 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Hotel Check-in for Relaxation

Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Hotel Check-in for Relaxation

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a Otter African Safaris representative will warmly welcome you and provide a briefing about the safari. From here, you will be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe where you can rest and recover from your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short walk around the town, visit the botanical gardens, or simply relax at the hotel and prepare for the journey ahead.

Entebbe, a calm lakeside town, lies along the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake. The tranquil environment here provides the perfect start to your adventure, allowing you to acclimatize before setting out for the wild landscapes. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay at Airport Guest House, a comfortable lodge offering excellent hospitality.

Accommodation: Airport Guest House
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with Rhino Tracking

Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with Rhino Tracking

After breakfast, the 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience journey begins with a scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside en route to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most dramatic conservation area. Along the way, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting rhino tracking experience. This is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be observed in the wild, offering a rare opportunity to complete the Big Five list during the safari.

Upon arrival in Murchison Falls, the group will embark on a short hike to the top of the falls, where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating the world’s most powerful waterfall. The sight of the thunderous cascade is both breathtaking and humbling. In the evening, guests will transfer to Pakuba Safari Lodge, located within the park’s northern sector, offering scenic views of the Nile and surrounding savannah.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 3: Full Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park

Full Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park

This day is dedicated to exploring the wonders of Murchison Falls National Park. After an early breakfast, you will set out for a morning game drive across the park’s expansive savannah. Expect to encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, and possibly elusive leopards. Bird enthusiasts will also appreciate sightings of species such as the Abyssinian ground hornbill and saddle-billed stork.

In the afternoon, the 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience adventure continues with a boat cruise along the River Nile. This iconic experience takes you to the base of Murchison Falls while offering sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and elephants bathing along the riverbanks. The cruise also provides stunning photographic opportunities of the falls from below. The day ends with a leisurely evening at your lodge, where you can reflect on the unforgettable experiences.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 4: Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Walk

Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Walk

The 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience continues southwards with a road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the primate capital of Africa. The drive passes through verdant tea plantations, traditional villages, and rolling hills, offering plenty of opportunities for photography along the way.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a guided Bigodi Swamp Walk, a community-based ecotourism project. This wetland sanctuary is home to a wide range of bird species including the great blue turaco, as well as monkeys, butterflies, and unique flora. The swamp walk also supports conservation and community development initiatives, making it both an enriching and impactful activity. In the evening, check into Turaco Treetops Lodge, nestled at the edge of Kibale Forest, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Afternoon Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Afternoon Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth

After an early breakfast, the day begins with the highly anticipated chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest. Accompanied by an expert ranger, you will trek through lush rainforest to locate one of the habituated chimpanzee families. Observing these intelligent primates in their natural environment is a moving and memorable encounter, as you watch them feed, groom, and interact.

Later, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi plains. This park is known for its large populations of elephants, antelopes, lions, and spectacular birdlife. It is also famous for the rare tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. Guests will retire at Aardvark Safari Lodge, where comfort meets the wilderness.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 6: Full Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Full Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park

This day is devoted to exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park. Begin with a morning game drive to witness the park’s predators and grazing herbivores at their most active time. Lions are often spotted in the Kasenyi plains hunting for prey, while elephants and buffalo roam the savannah.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. The channel is famous for its dense populations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and diverse birdlife. It also offers excellent opportunities to photograph elephants and buffaloes as they gather to drink along the shores. The day concludes with relaxation and dinner back at the lodge.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 7: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Begin with a final game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the Kasenyi or Ishasha sector for more wildlife sightings, particularly the famous tree-climbing lions. Afterward, the journey continues to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

The road winds through beautiful countryside landscapes and terraced hills, with opportunities to interact with local communities along the way. On arrival, check into Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, located near the Rushaga sector of Bwindi. This lodge provides an ideal base for gorilla trekking the following day.

Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Batwa Cultural Experience

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Batwa Cultural Experience

This is the highlight of the 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience —gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, you will enter the dense rainforest to track a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward is extraordinary: a magical hour spent in the presence of these gentle giants. Watching gorillas interact in their natural habitat is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In the afternoon, you will engage in a Batwa cultural experience, learning about the traditions of this indigenous community that once lived in Bwindi Forest. Their dances, music, and storytelling provide deep cultural insight and complement the day’s adventure.

Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 9: Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi

Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi

After the excitement of gorilla trekking, the safari slows down with a day of relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its scenic beauty and terraced hills. Guests can enjoy a peaceful boat cruise exploring the lake’s 29 islands, take nature walks along its shores, or simply relax at the lodge with stunning lake views.

This serene environment provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the incredible experiences of the past days while enjoying one of Uganda’s most picturesque locations. Accommodation will be at Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, a tranquil haven on the lakeshores.

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 10: Road Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Road Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, you will head to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park but rich in wildlife diversity. The park is home to zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and numerous bird species. Upon arrival, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive across the rolling savannah before visiting the nearby communities for an Ankole cultural experience. This cultural visit provides a chance to learn about the traditions and lifestyle of the local cattle-keeping communities.

Guests will stay overnight at Rwakobo Rock Lodge, an eco-friendly property with panoramic views of the park.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinking Water

Day 11: Lake Mburo Exploration and Return to Entebbe

Lake Mburo Exploration and Return to Entebbe

The final day begins with a morning activity in Lake Mburo National Park. Guests may choose between a game drive, nature walk, or horseback riding safari, each providing unique opportunities to explore the park’s wildlife and landscapes. With its open savannah and scattered lakes, Lake Mburo offers some of the most relaxed and intimate safari experiences in Uganda.

After the morning activity, you will begin the return journey to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator for photography and souvenir shopping. Depending on your flight schedule, you will either transfer directly to the airport or to a hotel for overnight rest. This marks the end of your incredible 11 Days Uganda Safari Experience with Otter African Safaris.

Accommodation: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Drinking Water