12 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Big 5 Safari

Tour Highlights

• Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

• Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park

• Boat safari to the base of the powerful Murchison Falls

• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park

• Guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

• Wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Kazinga Channel boat cruise with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife

• Tree-climbing lion sightings in the Ishasha sector

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Cultural interaction with the Batwa community

• Wildlife viewing and boat safari in Lake Mburo National Park

• Equator crossing experience en route back to Kampala or Entebbe

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on traffic conditions, the journey from Entebbe to Kampala takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Relax and prepare for your Uganda safari adventure.

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Tracking & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey north towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in the wild. Enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience on foot and learn about the conservation efforts protecting the Southern white rhinos.

After lunch in Masindi, continue to Murchison Falls National Park through the Kichumbanyobo Gate, keeping an eye out for wildlife and primates along the way before checking in at your lodge.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive & Nile Boat Safari

Start the day with an early morning game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Look out for Rothschild giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, lions, hartebeests, warthogs, oribis, and a variety of bird species across the savannah plains.

After lunch, enjoy a scenic boat safari along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Expect sightings of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and abundant birdlife along the riverbanks. Later, hike to the top of the falls for breathtaking views as the Nile squeezes through a narrow 8-meter gorge.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, depart for Kibale National Park, known as the primate capital of the world. The drive takes you through scenic countryside and the towns of Hoima and Fort Portal, with a lunch stop en route. Arrive in the evening and check in at your lodge near the forest.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

This morning, head into Kibale National Park for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. After a briefing by park rangers, venture into the tropical forest in search of habituated chimpanzees. Along the way, you may also encounter red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons, butterflies, and colorful birdlife.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run wetland rich in birds, primates, and unique plant species.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the journey, enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and rolling savannah landscapes before arriving at your lodge for relaxation.

Day 7: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Search for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and various bird species in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, known for its high concentration of hippos and excellent birdlife. Crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes are also commonly seen along the shores.

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, travelling through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game viewing drive before continuing to Bwindi for overnight.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience

Today is the highlight of your safari — mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early briefing, head into the rainforest with experienced guides in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward of spending one unforgettable hour with these gentle giants is truly exceptional.

In the evening, enjoy a cultural interaction with the Batwa community and learn about their traditional forest way of life.

Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, travel to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah national park. The park is home to zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffaloes, and many other wildlife species. Arrive and relax at your lodge in the evening.

Day 11: Game Drive & Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo

Enjoy a morning game drive through the plains of Lake Mburo National Park in search of zebras, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, elands, and possibly leopards.

Later in the afternoon, take a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Mburo where hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic bird species can be spotted along the shoreline.

Day 12: Return to Kampala / Entebbe

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe with another chance to spot wildlife as you exit the park. Stop at the Equator crossing for photographs and the famous water experiment before continuing for lunch and your onward transfer to Entebbe Airport or hotel.