On your 10-day safari in Uganda, you will experience the famous Big Five, embark on an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest National Park, and go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Other destinations include Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi, and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Your Hotel
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by our company driver-guide, who will brief you and transfer you to your hotel for relaxation. You will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Entebbe Hotel, allowing you to recover from jet lag and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Meal plan: Dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Early morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and provide a briefing before heading to Murchison Falls, located in northern Uganda. Along the way, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola, where rhinos are being reintroduced into the wild. This stop will complete your experience of the African Big Five, as rhinos are the only missing species from Murchison Falls National Park. After trekking around the sanctuary on foot, you will have lunch and some relaxation time. You will then continue your exciting road trip to Murchison Falls, arriving in the evening. After checking in at your lodge, your safari guide will take you on a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, looking for nocturnal animals such as lions, hyenas, and leopards. Afterward, return to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise, and Hike to the Top of the Falls
After a warm-up with tea or coffee, you will transfer for an early morning game drive on the northern bank to search for animals like lions, giraffes, oribis, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, and buffaloes, among other species. You’ll return to the lodge in time for lunch and relaxation before another exciting afternoon activity. After lunch, enjoy a three-hour boat ride on the Nile River to the base of the falls, where you can view wildlife. Look out for crocodiles and hippos in the water, while buffaloes, waterbucks, and elephants are often seen grazing and drinking along the riverbank. Afterward, hike to the top of the falls for a breathtaking view. Return to your lodge for a relaxed evening, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park – The Primate Capital
After a hearty breakfast, you will be transferred to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of the world, home to chimpanzees, baboons, and various monkey species. You will enjoy lunch along the way. Upon arrival, check-in at your lodge to relax. Later in the day, visit the Bigodi Wetlands on the forest’s eastern edge. Enjoy a light walk in the wetlands to observe diverse wildlife, including numerous bird and monkey species. You will conclude your day at the lodge.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Community Walk
Kibale National Park is East Africa’s primate capital, and chimpanzee trekking here is an exhilarating adventure that takes you deep into the tropical forest, crossing streams of water. You may spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and butterflies and hear birds calling from the canopies while on the trek. With the help of your guide, you will locate the chimpanzees, enjoy photo opportunities, and observe them as they play and feed. In the afternoon, if time allows, you will visit Bigodi Village and Wetland, known for its rich diversity of birds and primates. Participating in this tour contributes to community development, as the proceeds are used to build schools and provide small loans.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a Visit to Crater Lake
After breakfast today, we will continue our tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an exciting wildlife experience in the Kasenyi plains. Our journey will take us past several crater lakes and the stunning Rwenzori Mountain ranges. Upon arrival at the park, we will enjoy a brief game drive before heading to the lodge for lunch. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 7: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Start your day with an early breakfast before embarking on a morning game drive in the park. Get ready to spot the famous Big Five, including buffaloes, elephants, lions, and other mammals such as giant forest hogs, bushbucks, kobs, hyenas, and waterbucks. In the afternoon, you will take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where you can observe many elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and crocodiles. Keep an eye out for various bird species, including the rare shoebill. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 8: Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha and Transfer to Bwindi for the Batwa Community Walk
Today, we will transfer through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on our way to Bwindi. This area is renowned for its tree-climbing lions. We will explore this vast savannah, hoping to spot lions lounging high in the fig trees, along with topics and African elephants. After lunch in Ishasha, we will continue our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will notice a dramatic change in landscape from flat savanna to cultivated hills and then to jungle-covered mountains. Upon arrival, we will visit the Batwa forest pygmies community to learn about their lifestyle and enjoy their traditional dance. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge. Meal plan: all meals are included.
Day 9: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast and a briefing by park ranger guides, we will set out with packed lunch boxes to begin our gorilla trekking adventure. The trek can last up to four hours or more as we navigate slippery slopes covered in dense mist. This quest will lead us to the mountain gorillas, one of the most sought-after animals. Once we find them, we will spend a whole hour observing and photographing these incredible creatures. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Day 10: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Entebbe Airport via the Equator Line
Enjoy an early breakfast before going on a morning horseback ride in Lake Mburo National Park. This park is famous for its zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, Cape buffaloes, and numerous tropical bird species. After your ride, you will leave the hotel and transfer to Entebbe International Airport. We will stop at the Equator line on the way, where you can experience standing at Latitude 00. Thank you for visiting Uganda, the Pearl of Africa!