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12-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Safari Tours
Uganda is a vastly underrated safari destination. True, it lacks the huge migratory herds associated with the likes of Tanzania and Kenya, but it more than compensates with its extraordinary diversity of tropical habitats, landscapes and wildlife. Despite being smaller than the United Kingdom or the US state of Michigan, Uganda is one of only two places where wild gorillas and chimps can be seen alongside all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). It also supports a staggering diversity of forest monkeys and a bird checklist of 1,080 species. A 12-day Uganda safari comfortably allows you to see the best of the country and its diverse wildlife on a compact road loop that runs west from the capital city Kampala and nearby Entebbe International Airport.
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12-Day Uganda Wildlife Highlights
$7,500 to $8,251 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Batwa Experience (Highlight), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 162 Reviews
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12-Day Midrange Pearl of Africa Tour Uganda Safari
$4,340 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & BandaYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Gorilla Link Tours
5.0/5 – 28 Reviews
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12-Day Gorillas, Big 5 and Kidepo, Unique Overland Style
$6,508 to $6,832 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kyambura Gorge (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Kidepo Valley NP, Pian-Upe WR, Sipi Falls (Highlight), Jinja (Town), Entebbe (End)
Meanda Uganda
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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12-Day Customerised Uganda Gorilla and Big Five Safari
$3,399 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 14 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Fort Portal (Town), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Express Safaris
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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12-Day Holiday with Golden Monkeys, Gorillas and Chimps
$3,520 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Kisoro (Town), Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Buyaga Safaris
4.9/5 – 72 Reviews
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12-Day African Big 5, Wildlife, Chimp & Gorilla Safari
$4,155 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kampala (City), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Naseeb Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 13 Reviews
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12-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Adventure
$3,850 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Kampala (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Great Explorers Safaris
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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12-Day Uganda Big Five, Great Apes and People Safari
$4,604 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Mabamba Swamp, Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP), Kibale NP (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Nile River, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Entebbe (End)
Hooves of Africa - Photo Safaris
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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12-Day Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Epic Safari
$3,299 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Jinja (Town), Entebbe (End)
Kajie Safaris
5.0/5 – 121 Reviews
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12-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Rafting & Wilderness Safari
$3,718 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Kampala (Start), Entebbe (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
Safaris By Jon
5.0/5 – 26 Reviews
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12-Day Rwenzori Mountain Hiking, Trekking & Climbing Trip
$5,060 pp (USD)
Uganda & Rwanda: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)BudgetMountain Hut & Guest House
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Queen Elizabeth NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas), Kigali, Kigali Airport (End)
Safari 2 Gorilla Tours
5.0/5 – 54 Reviews
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12-Day Ugand Budget Primate and Gorilla Wildlife Safari
$3,425 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Beautiful Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 39 Reviews
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12-Day Uganda Wildlife and Nature Tour
$4,100 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Tubale Safaris
5.0/5 – 51 Reviews
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12-Day Uganda Big Game & Primates Safari
$5,089 pp (USD)
Uganda: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)BudgetLodge & Hotel
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Lake Mburo NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Queen Elizabeth NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Kampala (City), Entebbe (End)
Uganda Eco Tours
5.0/5 – 12 Reviews
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12-Day Walking Safari, Rwenzori Hike, & Coffee Adventure
$5,407 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetMountain Hut & Lodge
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range), Fort Portal (Town), Entebbe Airport (End)
Nandi Adventures
5.0/5 – 10 Reviews
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12-Day Walking & Wildlife Safari, Karamoja, Waterfalls
$5,478 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Kampala (Start), Entebbe (City), Murchison Falls NP, Kidepo Valley NP, Mt Moroto, Mt Elgon, Kampala (End)
Clutch Adventures
5.0/5 – 12 Reviews
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12-Day Wilderness Expedition and Uganda Wildlife Safari
$5,335 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Entebbe Airport (Entebbe), Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)
Likana Safaris Uganda
5.0/5 – 20 Reviews
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12-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife & Primate Adventure
$3,474 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tourBudgetLodge & Resort
You Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe Airport (End)
TrueVine Safaris
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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12-Day Bwindi-Mgahinga-Bunyonyi-Elizabeth-Murchison-Jinja
$5,297 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & ResortYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Kisoro (Town), Mt Sabyinyo, Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kalinzu FR (Chimps), Murchison Falls NP, Jinja (Town), Entebbe (End)
Santaviva
4.9/5 – 16 Reviews
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12-Day Best of Uganda Wildlife and Cultural Safari
$4,180 pp (USD)
Uganda: Private tour
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Entebbe (Start), Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps), Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas), Lake Mburo NP, Kampala (City), Entebbe Airport (End)
Gorilla Mist Safaris
4.6/5 – 8 Reviews
6 Questions About 12-Day Uganda Tours
Answered by
Philip Briggs
Philip is an Africa-specialized travel writer who first visited Uganda in 1988. He has returned on numerous occasions to research his Bradt Guide to Uganda (first published in 1993 and now in its 10th edition) and to lead wildlife tours and bird-watching safaris.› More about Philip
6 Questions About 12-Day Uganda Tours
What can I expect from a 12-day Uganda safari?
“A well-planned 12-day Uganda tour package will provide you with an excellent overview of this varied safari destination. The itinerary should include one or two boat trips on tropical waterways alive with hippos, crocs and birds, and several game drives to look for savannah dwellers such as lion, elephant, buffalo and giraffe. The itinerary should also provide you with a few opportunities to explore Uganda’s rainforests on gorilla and chimp trekking excursions and other guided walks. Wherever you go in Uganda, you can expect to see lush tropical scenery and plenty of colorful birds. You’ll also enjoy the friendly atmosphere, the high standard of guiding in the parks, and attentive service in lodges and camps.”
1Where should I go in Uganda on a 12-day trip?
“Most 12-day safaris in Uganda loop through the varied array of national parks and other attractions in the country’s far west. This loop can be traveled in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction from Entebbe, a decision that will often rest on gorilla trekking permit availability, especially during busy seasons. Working clockwise, a recommended first stop is Lake Mburo National Park. This relatively low-key park is inhabited by leopard, giraffe, hippo, zebras and a wide variety of antelope. From here, continue to the southwest highlands to chill out at Lake Bunyonyi and track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. A good next stop is Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the Ishasha sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions. Boat trips on the Kazinga Channel here usually provide close-up encounters with elephant, buffalo and hippo. Heading north from Queen Elizabeth, Kibale National Park harbors a rare wealth of forest primates and is Uganda's premier chimp trekking destination. Highlights of the more northerly Murchison Falls National Park are boat trips to the base of the waterfall or to look for the rare swamp-dwelling shoebill in the delta formed by the Victoria Nile as it flows into Lake Albert. On the drive back to Entebbe, stop at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch to track Uganda's only rhinos on foot (either as a day trip or overnight stay), or divert to the upper Nile near the city of Jinja (on the shore of Lake Victoria) for white-water rafting.”
2Is there an ideal time of the year for a trip in Uganda?
“Travel conditions in Uganda are best during the Dry seasons, which run from June to August and December to February. The relatively dry conditions at these times of year are ideal for forest walks (including gorilla and chimp trekking) as well as for game drives in Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks. If you can't travel during the Dry seasons, the next best options are September and October. April is the wettest month and best avoided.”
3Which animals am I likely to see?
“You will be amazed at the amount and variety of wildlife you'll see over the course of 12 days on safari in Uganda. Assuming that you choose to track mountain gorillas and chimps, you can be almost certain of encountering these charismatic apes in their natural habitat. (The success rate for chimp trekking is slightly lower than for gorillas, but most itineraries allow for a second opportunity should you fail on the first attempt.) When it comes to the legendary Big Five, elephant and buffalo are very common in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, and both parks are quite reliable for lions and more occasionally leopards. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is home to Uganda’s only rhinos, which can be tracked on foot. Over the course of a 12-day safari, you’re also likely to see half a dozen forest monkey species, a similar number of different antelope, and other iconic African creatures such as giraffe, zebra and hippo. Most visitors to Uganda are struck by the incredibly varied and colorful birdlife. Depending on how closely you pay attention, you might spot anything from 100 to 350 bird species on a 12-day safari, including the likes of great blue turaco, African fish eagle and shoebill.”
4How much does a 12-day safari in Uganda cost?
“Budget 12-day safaris through western Uganda typically cost around US$3,000 to US$4,500 per person. More upmarket tours using exclusive accommodations are usually in the US$6,000 to US$9,000 price range. The rate of most such packages will include at least one gorilla and one chimp trekking permit, as well as transport, accommodations, meals, park fees and the services of a skilled driver-guide. It’s safest, however, to check all inclusions and exclusions before you book.”
5What kind of accommodations can I expect?
“The type of accommodations you can expect on your Uganda safari will depend greatly on the price you pay. Options range from simple campsites to exclusive luxury game lodges and almost everything in between. Unless you are camping, however, you can at the very minimum expect to stay in a comfortable room or large, walk-in tents with electricity, balcony and en suite hot showers and flush toilets. Usually, meals provided by your lodge or camp will be included in the safari price too.”
6Uganda Reviews
Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 700 titles for Condé Nast Traveller, Travel Africa, BBC Wildlife and others.
Fantastic Wildlife and Some of the Friendliest People in Africa Make Uganda Unbeatable
I spent a month travelling around Uganda with a self-drive, expedition-prepared Landcruiser and visited almost every national park in the country. Uganda was a revelation! I had not expected such a richness of wildlife nor such great...
Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.
Uganda – Wildlife Secrets Revealed
The word is getting out about Uganda. If you haven’t got it on your list of East African safari destinations, I suggest you add it…quickly. Uganda does not have the reputation for the variety or density of wildlife, especially the large...
Exceptional beauty and poverty.
I visited the western half of Uganda that is full of green and wonderful. Murchison and Queen Elizabeth National Parks provide the opportunity to meet lots of wild species, and In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest you can visit gorillas. The...
It's an excellent country to see the whole range of animals including primates
Our highlight was definitely the gorilla trecking. It was amazing to so those huge primates from very close and oberve them eating, playing and commuinicating. It was amazing how clean all the accomodations were on the whole trip. People...
Uganda is worth visiting
My friends and I spent 12 days in Uganda in July. This was our first time to travel to the country. It is worth visiting. The people are polite and friendly. The sceneries are beautiful. There are also full of wild lives. The most...
I went bananas about Uganda
I just spent ten days in Uganda, courtesy of Grassrootz with Patrick as driver/guide. Over 2000km travelled, enough to give an excellent overview of the country. Was met with friendliness everywhere and widespread English-speaking, a...