10 Days Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience from Kigali City – Exploring Uganda’s Natural Wonders

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

Your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience journey begins upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your professional Wild Village Safaris guide. After clearing customs and immigration, you will be escorted to your hotel in Kigali for check-in and relaxation.

Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is a clean, safe, and vibrant city surrounded by rolling hills. The city is known for its welcoming atmosphere, and visitors can explore local markets, museums, and cafes, though most of the day will be dedicated to settling into your accommodations after your flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore a little of Kigali, visiting landmarks such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial or the bustling Kimironko Market. However, the primary focus of the day will be on relaxing and recovering from the long journey in preparation for the exciting days ahead.

You will spend the night at a comfortable hotel where you can enjoy dinner and unwind in a peaceful environment. Your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience guide will brief you on the itinerary for the next few days, ensuring that you’re fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

• Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collins Rwanda

Day 2: Morning Road Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Afternoon Batwa Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you will begin your scenic road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s most famous and diverse ecological areas. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi will take approximately 4-5 hours, passing through picturesque hills, rolling farmlands, and small villages that provide insight into the local life. Along the way, you’ll experience the beautiful, ever-changing landscapes of the Ugandan countryside. The journey will be both scenic and comfortable, allowing plenty of opportunities for stops along the way.

Upon arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you will check into your lodge, nestled in the heart of the forest. After lunch and some relaxation, you will embark on the Batwa Cultural Experience in the afternoon. The Batwa people, also known as the “Pygmies,” are the original inhabitants of the Bwindi and Mgahinga forests, where they lived as hunter-gatherers for thousands of years. Today, they provide visitors with an opportunity to experience their traditional lifestyle and learn about their deep connection to the forest.

This cultural experience involves interacting with the Batwa guides, watching traditional dances and songs, and learning about the Batwa’s fascinating history, customs, and beliefs. This insightful and immersive encounter provides a rich understanding of the relationship between the Batwa people and the natural environment.

• Accommodation: Bwindi Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Day 3: Enjoy Morning Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience and Evening Relaxation

Day 3 marks one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience —mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters to receive a briefing before setting out on the trek. The trek may take several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family you are assigned to visit.

As you venture into the dense, misty forest, your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience expert guide will provide fascinating information about the gorillas, their behavior, and the forest ecosystem. The trek can be challenging due to the terrain, but the effort is always well worth it when you finally come face to face with a group of mountain gorillas. These critically endangered primates are gentle and serene, and spending an hour with them in their natural habitat is a truly magical experience.

After the trek, you will return to your lodge for a well-deserved afternoon of relaxation. You can enjoy the tranquil surroundings of Bwindi Forest, which is rich in flora and fauna, and perhaps take a nature walk or simply unwind and reflect on the remarkable experience of observing gorillas up close.

• Accommodation: Bwindi Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Day 4: Morning Road Transfer to Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth National Park), Game Drives, and Transfer to Northern Sector of the Park

On Day 4, you will start your morning with a delicious breakfast at the lodge before beginning your road transfer to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through stunning landscapes, with chances to see rural villages and scenic views of the Albertine Rift Valley. Upon reaching the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, you will check into your accommodation and prepare for the afternoon’s game drive.

The Ishasha Sector is renowned for its unique lions, which often climb trees to rest, a behavior that is not commonly seen in other parts of the world. During your game drive, you will have the chance to witness these incredible creatures lounging in the branches of fig trees or searching for prey. Aside from lions, the Ishasha Sector is also home to elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species, making it a fantastic spot for wildlife viewing.

In the evening, you will continue your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience journey to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will overnight. The northern sector of the park offers a different ecosystem with various wildlife and stunning landscapes, including the sprawling savannah and wetlands.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge

Day 5: Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise, and Evening Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 5 begins early with a morning game drive in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, and a wide variety of bird species. Your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience guide will ensure that you don’t miss any of the park’s fascinating creatures as you drive through the savannah plains and explore the wetlands.

In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat ride is an excellent opportunity to see wildlife up close, as elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and crocodiles gather along the water’s edge. The boat also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, including sightings of the rare shoebill stork and numerous other waterfowl.

The day concludes with an evening game drive, which will allow you to spot nocturnal animals and witness the park’s wildlife in the soft glow of the setting sun.

• Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge

Day 6: Morning Game Drive and Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park (Afternoon Bigodi Swamp Walk)

After a hearty breakfast, you will enjoy another morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This game drive offers a chance to observe more wildlife in the cooler morning hours. Your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience guide will help spot animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, and the elusive leopard, along with countless birds that make Queen Elizabeth National Park one of the best birdwatching destinations in East Africa.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Kibale Forest National Park, which is about a 4-5 hour drive. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and take some time to relax. Afterward, you will embark on the Bigodi Swamp Walk, a fantastic opportunity to explore the swamp’s rich biodiversity. The swamp is home to many bird species, including the colorful African grey parrot, and other wildlife, such as primates, reptiles, and butterflies. This serene walk is an excellent way to appreciate the beauty of Kibale’s diverse ecosystems.

• Accommodation: Bweza Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp

Day 7: Enjoy Morning Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest and Afternoon Relaxation at the Lodge

Day 7 is dedicated to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, one of the best places in the world to observe wild chimpanzees. After an early breakfast, you will head into the forest with an expert guide, who will lead you through the dense jungle as you search for a chimpanzee group. The tracking experience can be physically demanding, but the reward of observing chimpanzees in their natural environment is well worth the effort. Kibale is home to one of the largest populations of chimpanzees in Africa, and you’ll have the opportunity to watch them feed, play, and interact with each other.

Following the morning tracking experience, you’ll return to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon. You can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Kibale Forest, or if you prefer, you can take another nature walk or simply unwind by the lodge’s pool.

• Accommodation: Bweza Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp

Day 8: Scenic Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park (Hike to the Top of the Falls, and Evening Game Drive)

On Day 8, you will embark on a scenic road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and one of the most popular parks. The drive will take around 5-6 hours, passing through scenic landscapes, small towns, and villages. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation and prepare for an afternoon hike.

The hike to the top of Murchison Falls is one of the most exhilarating activities in the park. You’ll hike to a viewpoint overlooking the Nile River as it plunges over the rocks, creating a breathtaking waterfall. The power of the falls is awe-inspiring, and this is an excellent spot for photographs.

In the evening, you will embark on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, where you may encounter elephants, giraffes, lions, and a variety of antelope species. Murchison Falls is also home to many bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 9: Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise, and Evening Game Drive in Murchison Falls

Day 9 begins with an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, offering more opportunities to explore the park’s diverse landscapes. You may spot herds of elephants, prides of lions, and other fascinating wildlife as the park wakes up.

In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. The boat ride offers unique views of the falls and is an excellent way to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds up close. The boat cruise also provides fantastic photo opportunities of the falls and the surrounding landscapes.

In the evening, you will enjoy another game drive, where you may encounter nocturnal animals such as leopards and hyenas.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 10: Drive to Ziwa Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking, and Scenic Road Transfer to Entebbe Airport for Departure

On the final day of your Uganda Mid-Range Safari Experience, you will make a scenic road transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of rhinos in Uganda. The rhino tracking experience is a thrilling opportunity to observe these magnificent animals in the wild, and your guide will provide fascinating insights into rhino conservation efforts in Uganda.

After your rhino tracking experience, you will continue your journey to Entebbe Airport, where you will catch your return flight home, bringing your incredible Uganda safari to a close.