Overview
Our Uganda Wildlife Adventure covers the country’s finest parks in a logical loop. Track rhino at Ziwa and experience the power of Murchison Falls, then travel south along the Albertine Rift to Kibale for chimpanzees.
Queen Elizabeth National Park brings the Kazinga Channel and Ishasha’s lions, Bwindi the gorillas, and Lake Mburo a relaxing final night with a walking safari before returning to Entebbe.
Route
Highlights
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa
- Murchison Falls boat trip
- Chimpanzees in Kibale
- Gorillas in Bwindi
- Five national parks
Activities
- Boat safari
- Game drives
- Hike to the top of the falls
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Swamp walk
- Crater lake hikes
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura
- Gorilla trekking
- Gorilla habituation experience
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1:
Ziwa Rhino & Murchison Falls
Murchison FallsYour guide collects you from your hotel in Entebbe in the morning for the drive to Murchison Falls (5–6 hours via the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary). Head into Murchison Falls National Park and hike to the Top of the Falls to feel the Nile thunder through its narrow gorge.
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Day 2:
Nile Game Drive & Boat Safari
Murchison FallsCross the Nile by ferry at dawn for a game drive on the northern plains among Rothschild's giraffe, elephant, buffalo and lion. In the afternoon, cruise upstream to the foot of the falls, passing hippos, crocodiles and colourful bee-eaters.
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Day 3:
Kibale & the Crater Lakes
Kibale ForestAfter breakfast, continue by road from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest (6–7 hours). Travel west to Fort Portal and the crater lakes near Kibale Forest. In the afternoon, walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with a community guide, looking for red colobus monkeys and the great blue turaco.
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Day 4:
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale
Kibale ForestSet off early into Kibale Forest with a ranger to find a habituated chimpanzee community. Listen for their pant-hoot calls echoing through the trees, then spend an hour watching them feed, groom and swing through the canopy. Return to the lodge for an afternoon crater lake walk.
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Day 5:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National ParkAfter breakfast, continue by road from Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth NP (about 3 hours). In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, passing pods of hippos, buffalo and elephants drinking at the water's edge, and an extraordinary number of waterbirds.
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Day 6:
Kasenyi Plains & Crater Lakes
Queen Elizabeth National ParkHead out at dawn onto the Kasenyi plains to look for lions hunting Uganda kob, then explore the explosion craters with their sweeping views across the Rift Valley.
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Day 7:
Journey to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable ForestAfter breakfast, continue by road from Queen Elizabeth NP to Bwindi (about 4 hours via Ishasha). Arrive at your lodge on the forest edge in time to hear the evening chorus of birds and the rainforest settling for the night.
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Day 8:
Mountain Gorilla Trek
Bwindi Impenetrable ForestAfter an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing, then set off with rangers and trackers into the forest. The trek may take from one to several hours through steep, green terrain. When you find the gorillas, spend a magical hour watching the silverback, mothers and playful youngsters at close quarters — an experience few people ever forget.
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Day 9:
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake MburoAfter breakfast, continue by road from Bwindi to Lake Mburo (about 5 hours). After lunch, enjoy a game drive among zebra, impala and eland, followed by a boat trip on the lake to see hippos and waterbirds at sunset.
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Day 10:
Lake Mburo to Entebbe
Lake MburoAfter an early game drive or a relaxed breakfast, travel back to Entebbe (about 4 hours), with a lunch stop on the way. On arrival you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport or your hotel.
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
Accommodation
This itinerary is priced with mid-range accommodation. Every property is chosen for its location, guiding and service; final properties are confirmed at booking and we can upgrade or adjust any night.
- Murchison FallsLodge overlooking the Nile near Paraa2 nights
- Kibale ForestForest lodge on the edge of Kibale2 nights
- Queen Elizabeth National ParkLodge with Rift Valley views near Mweya2 nights
- Bwindi Impenetrable ForestForest lodge with gorilla-trek access2 nights
- Lake MburoTented camp overlooking Lake Mburo1 night
Meals: Full board on safari; breakfast and dinner in cities and at the beach
What's included
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed (or similar, subject to availability)
- Meals as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- All national park, reserve and conservation fees
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- All government taxes and levies
- 24-hour in-country support from our Nairobi office
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person (currently USD 800)
- One chimpanzee trekking permit per person in Kibale (currently USD 250)
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and a Nile boat trip to the foot of the falls
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks other than drinking water, unless stated
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Optional porters on gorilla and chimpanzee treks (around USD 20 per trek)
Travel information
Best time to travel
December to February and June to September.
What to pack
- Neutral-coloured, lightweight clothing (khaki, olive, beige)
- A warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards
- Insect repellent and personal medication
- A soft-sided bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Waterproof hiking boots and gaiters for forest treks
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation
- Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers
Experiences on this safari
Frequently asked questions
Is this a private safari?
Yes. This itinerary runs privately for your own group, with your own vehicle and guide. It can start on any date, and we can adjust the route, pace and accommodation to suit you.
What does the price include?
The guide price from USD 4,600 per person is based on two people sharing mid-range accommodation in the low season. It includes accommodation, the meals and activities listed, park fees and transfers. Prices vary by season and group size; we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
When should I book my gorilla permit?
As early as possible — ideally three to six months ahead for June to September and December to February. We purchase permits as soon as you confirm your booking.
Can we see rhino in Uganda?
Yes — at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, on the way to Murchison Falls, where you can track southern white rhino on foot with rangers.
Gallery
Open image: Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces through a narrow gorge
Open image: Masai giraffe in the Serengeti
Open image: Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp, Uganda
Open image: Chimpanzee in Kibale Forest National Park
Open image: Chimpanzee mother and infant, Mahale Mountains
Open image: Mist rising over Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Open image: Wildlife on the banks of the Kazinga Channel
Open image: African elephants in the Maasai MaraEnquire about this safari
Every date is available on request. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a tailored quote — adjustments welcome.
