Safari overview

9 days Uganda safari rewards you with the best of Gorilla Trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park. This package also covers Ziwa Rhino Tracking experience, guided game drives & boat cruises in the top parks in Uganda especially Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Book 9 days Uganda safari, 8 nights and return home when filled with lots of lasting memories. Your 9 days Uganda safari begins and ends in Entebbe/Kampala.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: A tour to Murchison Falls-en-route Rhino tracking at Ziwa

Wake up early to enjoy a tasty cup of hot tea/coffee and later, meet your knowledgeable Uganda tour guide for briefing. You will be picked and transferred to Murchison Falls National Park, the only park in the North-western safari circuit of Uganda and also the biggest in Uganda-stretching to cover 3840sq.kms. This is located approximately 6 hours’ drive and you will take the Kampala-Luweero-Gulu highway, make a stopover for rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola. 

Lunch break at the hotel in Masindi and pass via the southern gate, through Budongo Forest-enjoy its cool weather. Arrive early and hit the road to the top of the falls to witness the River forcing itself into 7m narrow gorge, creating a thunderous road and permanent rainbow. Take the best photos and transfer to your lodge for overnight stay.

Where to stay

Budget accommodation: Heritage Lodge or Red Chili Rest Camp

Mid-range/moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Fort Murchison 

Luxury accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge or Bakers Lodge

Day 2: A safari game drive & boat cruise-Murchison Falls N/Park

Have breakfast at the best lodge in Murchison Falls and after, be ready to begin 2nd day activities of your 9 days Uganda safari. Today, you will be enjoying a guided game drive on Northern circuit of Murchison Falls N/Park for 2 to 3 hours and it comes with big game and other mammal sightings such as lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, birds, leopards etc.

Retreat from the northern circuit while sighting more species and drop off at the lodge for a relaxed lunch. Later in the afternoon, join others for exciting boat cruise on Victoria Nile-head toward the bottom of thunderous Murchison Falls but most interestingly, keep an eye on hippos, Nile crocodiles and aquatic birds. At the base of Murchison Falls, you and the guide can vacate the boat and take a trek to the top of the Falls.

Where to stay

Budget accommodation: Heritage Lodge or Red Chili Rest Camp

Mid-range/moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Fort Murchison 

Luxury accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge or Bakers Lodge

Day 3: A trip to Kibale Forest National Park (KFNP)-Primate capital of the world

A hefty breakfast, depart Murchison Falls N.P for Kibale, connecting via Hoima-enjoy the jaw-dropping escarpment of the western rift valley. Lunch be provided at any of the best lodges or hotels in Fort Portal City before proceeding to check into your lodge in Kibale.

Where to stay

Budget options: Chimpanzee Guesthouse 

Moderate: Primate Lodge

Luxury accommodation: Ndali Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking-Bigodi nature walk in the afternoon

Breakfast be enjoyed back in the lodge you booked and leave afterwards to catch up with the 7:00am briefing on chimpanzee tracking dos and don'ts at Kanyanchu Tourist Centre. The 2-4 hours chimpanzee trek begins starts provided that you have been assigned the park guide and this will be at 8:00am. Return after observing chimpanzees’ daily behaviors and being a rainforest protected area, there is a lot to keep an eye on. 

In the afternoon, transfer to Bigodi a few minutes from Kibale where you will have the best of a guided nature walk. Bigodi sanctuary/wetland is blessed with its huge concentration of primates, birds which never disappoint while you are on Bigodi guided nature walk. 

Where to stay

Budget options: Chimpanzee Guesthouse 

Moderate: Primate Lodge

Luxury accommodation: Ndali Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge

Day 5: Ground travel to Queen Elizabeth N/Park from Kibale

A hefty breakfast and after, depart Kibale for Queen Elizabeth N.Park-connecting via Fort Portal. This will take you a few hours, about 3 to get to Queen Elizabeth NP. Have lunch, relaxation and go for big game sighting later in the afternoon.

Where to stay

Basic accommodation choices: Bush Lodge (Tents)/Mweya Hostels

Mid-range options: Twin Lakes Lodge/Ihamba Lodge/Bush Lodge

Luxury accommodation: Katara Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 6: Game drive Kasenyi Plains & Kazinga Channel Launch cruise

Following a hefty breakfast, go enjoy a safari game drive Kasenyi Plains where you come across morning risers and other significant mammals or birds. This section of Queen Elizabeth N.Park is endowed with huge population of antelopes, buffaloes, lions, birds, warthogs, leopards etc. Retreat after 2-3 hours of safari game viewing in your 4WD vehicle, have lunch at the lodge.

In the afternoon, your morning game drive will be accompanied by afternoon boat/launch cruise on Kazinga Channel. This will cover about 2-3 hours and comes with astonishing sight of hippos, crocodiles, water birds, other mammals etc. Get back after having the best of your water sport to chill, have reflection of your long day expedition in Queen Elizabeth N.Park.

Where to stay

Basic accommodation choices: Bush Lodge (Tents)/Mweya Hostels

Mid-range options: Twin Lakes Lodge/Ihamba Lodge/Bush Lodge

Luxury accommodation: Katara Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 7: Ishasha sector safari game drive & ground travel to Bwindi 

Enjoy the best of your morning breakfast and leave Queen Elizabeth N.P for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, connecting via Ishasha in the south. Via Ishasha don’t miss sighting the tree climbing lions plus other big game and countless birds. Proceed to have lunch at Savanna Resort before drop off to the lodge in Bwindi. 

Where to stay

Basic/Budget: Bwindi Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ichumbi Lodge

Mid-range accommodation: Bakiga Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Luxury accommodation: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp/Silverback Lodge

Day 8: A Gorilla trek adventure Bwindi & Batwa encounter

Breakfast early and after, proceed to Bwindi offices to meet the park official to be briefed on gorilla trekking rules. Carry with you some snacks and adequate mineral drinking water, hit the jungles to see a group of gorillas that will be allocated to you. Exploring the verdant Bwindi forest while searching for mountain gorillas can take 3-6 hours including the popular 1 hour of magical encounter and photo taking. Return after incredible encounter with gorillas, get your certificate for gorilla trekking and proceed to the lodge for afternoon relaxation. 

Batwa encounter will be later in the afternoon-get to know how the Batwa pygmies lived peacefully with mountain gorillas, their traditions and don’t miss the great dances, music performances or stories told by elders.

Where to stay

Basic/Budget: Bwindi Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ichumbi Lodge

Mid-range accommodation: Bakiga Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Luxury accommodation: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp/Silverback Lodge

Day 9: Depart Bwindi N/Park Kabale for Kampala/Entebbe-stopover at Equator

Hefty breakfast early morning and after, pick up by your experienced driver guide ready to depart Bwindi for Kampala/Entebbe to be dropped off at hotel/lodge. But, your return trip from Bwindi covers lunch break at Igongo cultural centre and taking photos at the Equator crossing. 

End of safari in Uganda