The 15 Best of Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari is an exciting journey through some of the country’s most diverse landscapes and wildlife destinations. From Entebbe and the Source of the Nile in Jinja to the spectacular Sipi Falls, remote Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, this safari combines wildlife, primates, culture, scenery and adventure.
15 Best of Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari: Chimpanzees and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
The highlight of the trip is the opportunity to experience chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, you will enjoy game drives, boat cruises, nature walks, waterfalls, crater lakes and beautiful countryside.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Airport Pick-Up
Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our professional safari guide who will welcome you and brief you about your upcoming adventure.
You will then be transferred to your accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala. After check-in, enjoy your meal and spend the rest of the evening relaxing at the hotel as you recover from your journey.
Overnight: Entebbe or Kampala
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Jinja – Source of the Nile Experience
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and begin your journey to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda. Along the way, make a stop at Mabira Forest, one of Uganda’s largest remaining tropical forests, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn about the area’s rich biodiversity.
Continue to Jinja and enjoy lunch before heading out for a boat excursion on the Nile to the Source of the Nile. This relaxing experience offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscapes.
After the Nile experience, continue to Kapchorwa at the foot of Mount Elgon, where you will spend the night.
Depending on your interests and available time, optional activities in Jinja such as white-water rafting, Nile tubing, bungee jumping and horse riding can be arranged at an additional cost.
Overnight: Kapchorwa
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Sipi Falls Hiking Experience
After breakfast, head to the Sipi Falls area for a guided hiking adventure. You will meet your local guide and receive a briefing before beginning the hike through the beautiful Mount Elgon landscape.
The Sipi Falls area is famous for its three spectacular waterfalls, surrounded by green vegetation, coffee farms, cliffs and scenic countryside. The hike provides excellent opportunities to enjoy the waterfalls, take photographs and interact with local communities.
Depending on the selected trail, you will visit the main waterfalls and enjoy impressive views of the surrounding Karamoja and Mount Elgon landscapes.
Overnight: Kapchorwa
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, begin the long journey northwards to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most remote and remarkable wildlife destinations.
Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation and, depending on your arrival time, embark on an afternoon game drive through the park. The vast savannah landscapes provide opportunities to encounter elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, warthogs and other wildlife.
You may also have the opportunity to explore areas around the Narus Valley and enjoy the spectacular scenery as the sun begins to set.
Overnight: Kidepo Valley National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Full-Day Kidepo Valley National Park Safari
Wake up early for a full day of wildlife exploration in Kidepo Valley National Park. After breakfast, head into the wilderness for a game drive through the park’s expansive savannah plains.
The Narus Valley is particularly rewarding for wildlife viewing because its permanent water sources attract animals, especially during drier periods. Keep your eyes open for buffaloes, elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, antelopes and other wildlife.
You will return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation before continuing with another wildlife drive later in the day. Depending on the route and park conditions, you may also explore the Kidepo Valley area and enjoy the remarkable landscapes that make this park unique.
Overnight: Kidepo Valley National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, leave Kidepo and begin your journey towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park.
The journey offers changing landscapes as you travel from the remote northeastern region towards northern Uganda. Upon arrival at Murchison Falls, check into your accommodation and enjoy lunch.
Later, depending on your arrival time, head out for an afternoon game drive. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, Uganda kob and several antelope species.
Overnight: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Nile
Begin the day with an early morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. The cooler morning hours offer excellent conditions for wildlife viewing as animals are more active.
Look out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, hartebeest, waterbucks and other species. Bird lovers can also enjoy the park’s impressive birdlife.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of the dramatic Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you may see large numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and various water birds.
Overnight: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s premier destinations for primate experiences.
The drive takes you through beautiful rural landscapes, tea-growing areas and local communities. Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to Kibale.
Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and relax. If time allows, you may enjoy an optional visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its rich birdlife, primates and community-based tourism activities.
Overnight: Kibale Forest National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Today is dedicated to one of the major highlights of your Uganda safari: chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park.
After breakfast, travel to the Kanyanchu visitor centre for a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority staff and your trekking guides. You will then enter the forest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities.
As you walk through the tropical forest, you may encounter other primates, birds, butterflies and different plant species. Kibale is renowned for its remarkable primate diversity, making the trek a memorable experience for nature lovers.
After spending time observing the chimpanzees, return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you may choose to relax at the lodge or take an optional guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Overnight: Kibale Forest National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Crater Lakes and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, explore the beautiful crater lake region around Kibale. You will visit the Amabere Caves and surrounding crater lakes, where you can learn about local history, geology and cultural traditions.
Continue your journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying lunch along the way.
Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and relax for the evening.
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start the morning with an early game drive through the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This area is known for its open savannah landscapes and offers opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. With some luck, you may also encounter leopards and other less frequently seen species.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and numerous water birds along the shoreline.
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha – Bwindi
After breakfast, travel through the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, an area famous for its tree-climbing lions.
During the game drive, keep an eye out for lions resting in the branches of large fig and acacia trees. Sightings are not guaranteed, but when the lions are in the trees, the experience offers an excellent photographic opportunity.
Continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through scenic countryside and local communities.
Upon arrival, check into your accommodation, relax and prepare for the following day’s unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.
Overnight: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today is the highlight of your safari: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, head to the designated park briefing point. You will receive a briefing from the park authorities before beginning your trek into the ancient rainforest.
The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family assigned to your group. As you walk through the forest, enjoy the sounds, vegetation and remarkable biodiversity of Bwindi.
Once you locate the gorilla family, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing them as they feed, rest, play and interact within their natural habitat.
After the trek, return to your accommodation for rest.
Later in the day, you may enjoy an optional community and cultural experience, where you can interact with local residents and learn about traditional activities such as cooking, weaving, dancing and other aspects of community life.
Overnight: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Evening Game Drive
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and travel towards Lake Mburo National Park, passing through Mbarara and the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda.
Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and enjoy some time to relax and have lunch.
Later in the afternoon, head out for a game drive in the park. Lake Mburo is known for its populations of zebras, impalas, elands, topi, Uganda kob, buffaloes and other wildlife.
The evening is particularly enjoyable as the park’s landscapes take on beautiful colours around sunset.
Overnight: Lake Mburo National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15: Nature Walk, Equator Visit and Departure
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park. Accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide, you will explore the park on foot and experience its wildlife and landscapes from a different perspective.
During the walk, you may encounter zebras, giraffes, elands, topi, impalas, buffaloes and other antelope species. The walk also provides an opportunity to appreciate the smaller details of the park’s ecosystem.
Depending on the route, you may climb one of the viewpoints overlooking Lake Mburo and the surrounding lakes and countryside.
After the activity, return to your accommodation, check out and begin your journey to Entebbe.
Along the way, make a stop at the Equator crossing for photographs, souvenir shopping and refreshments before continuing to Entebbe International Airport.
Your driver-guide will ensure you arrive at the airport in time for your onward flight, marking the end of your 15 Best of Uganda Wildlife & Gorilla Safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch