10 Day Uganda Family Safari, An Unforgettable Primate and Big Game Journey
Traveling as a family requires more than just a list of stops. It needs a balance of excitement, safety, and comfort. This 10-day Uganda safari brings your loved ones into the heart of the African bush while keeping the needs of children and parents first. From the massive Murchison Falls to the quiet forests of Bwindi, this trip covers the best of the region at a pace that works for all ages.
Why Choose a Family Safari in Uganda
Uganda is a top choice for families because it offers a mix of different environments in one trip. Unlike other regions where you might only see savanna, here you move from open plains to thick tropical forests. According to the Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, international arrivals grew by over 7% recently, with a major shift toward leisure and premium family travel (MTWA Statistics Report 2024). This growth has led to better family-friendly lodges and improved safety protocols across all national parks.
Your 10 Day Family Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Destination | Key Activity |
| 1 | Entebbe | Arrival and relaxation at Lake Victoria |
| 2 | Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary | Rhino tracking on foot |
| 3 | Murchison Falls | Boat trip to the bottom of the falls |
| 4 | Murchison Falls | Morning game drive and Nile Delta trip |
| 5 | Kibale Forest | Travel to the primate capital |
| 6 | Kibale / Bigodi | Chimpanzee tracking (age 12+) or swamp walk |
| 7 | Queen Elizabeth Park | Tree-climbing lions, and Kazinga Channel boat trip |
| 8 | Bwindi Impenetrable | Travel to the gorilla highlands |
| 9 | Bwindi Forest | Gorilla trekking (age 15+) or community walk |
| 10 | Entebbe | Return flight and departure |
Detailed Daily Breakdown
Day 1: Welcome to Entebbe
Your journey begins at Entebbe International Airport. Our driver will meet your family at the arrivals gate. After a short 15-minute drive, you will check into your hotel. Entebbe is a quiet town on the shores of Lake Victoria. The first day is for resting after your flight. If you arrive early, you can walk through the Botanical Gardens to see monkeys and birds.
Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel, O2 Friends Beach Hotel.
Meals: Dinner.
Day 2: Tracking Rhinos at Ziwa
After breakfast, you will leave for the north. The drive takes about three hours to reach the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see southern white rhinos. You will walk
with a ranger to find these large animals. It is a safe and educational walk for children aged 6 and up. After lunch at the sanctuary, you will continue for another three hours to Murchison Falls National Park.
Activity: Rhino tracking on foot (1.5 to 2.5 hours).
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Travel Time: 6 to 7 hours total driving
Day 3: River Cruises and Powerful Waterfalls
The day starts with an early morning drive across the savannah. You will look for giraffes, elephants, 
and lions. The park has over 70 species of mammals. In the afternoon, your family will take a boat trip on the Victoria Nile. The boat moves slowly toward the base of the falls. You will see hippos and crocodiles along the riverbanks. The highlight is the view of the Nile squeezing through a small 7-meter gap in the rocks.
Activity: Morning game drive and afternoon boat safari.
Key Sight: Murchison Falls, the world’s most powerful waterfall.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Drive to the Primate Capital
Today is a long travel day as you head southwest to Fort Portal. The route takes you through rural
villages and tea plantations. You will see how local people live and farm. We stop in Hoima town for a local lunch. By late afternoon, you will reach the edge of Kibale Forest. This forest has the highest density of primates in Africa.
Travel Time: 7 to 8 hours.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops or Isunga Lodge
Fact: Kibale Forest is home to 13 different primate species.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Swamp Walks
In the morning, adults and children over 15 years old can go chimpanzee tracking. You will follow a 
ranger into the forest to spend one hour with a chimp family. For younger children, we arrange a forest walk focused on monkeys and plants. In the afternoon, the whole family visits Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run project is famous for the Great Blue Turaco and other rare birds.
Chimpanzee Permit: $250 per person (Foreign Non-Resident).
Activity: Forest trek and community wetland walk.
Note: The minimum age for chimp tracking is 15 years.
Day 6: Lions and Craters in Queen Elizabeth Park
After breakfast, you drive two hours south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will pass through the equator, where you can stop for photos. The afternoon includes a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George. It has one of the largest groups of hippos in the world. You will also see buffalo and elephants drinking at the water’s edge.
Activity: Boat safari on Kazinga Channel.
Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge, Bush Lodge
Travel Time: 2 to 3 hours.
Day 7: The Search for Climbing Lions
You will start with a morning drive in the Kasenyi plains to find lions and Uganda kobs. After lunch, you drive to the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park. Ishasha is famous for its “tree-climbing lions.” These lions sleep in large fig trees during the heat of the day. Finding them requires patience and a good eye from your driver.
Activity: Game drives in two different sectors of the park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Day 8: Into the Impenetrable Forest
The drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is scenic. You will move from flat savannah to steep, green mountains. Bwindi is a prehistoric forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will arrive at your lodge in the afternoon. This is a good time to prepare your gear for the gorilla trek tomorrow. The air is cooler here, so bring a jacket.
Travel Time: 4 to 5 hours.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Fact: Bwindi holds nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Day
This is the most important day of the safari. After a briefing from park rangers, you will head into the forest. The trek can take two to six hours, depending on where the gorillas are. Once you find them, you stay with the family for exactly one hour. You must stay at least 7 meters away from the animals. This is a moving experience that most people remember for a lifetime.
Gorilla Permit: $800 per person (Foreign Non-Resident).
Minimum Age: 15 years old.
Tip: Hire a local porter to help carry your bags and provide balance on steep trails.
Day 10: Return to Entebbe
After an early breakfast, you begin the drive back to Entebbe for your flight home. This is a long drive, but we stop at the Equator crossing for lunch and souvenir shopping. Your driver will take you directly to the airport or your hotel.
Travel Time: 8 to 9 hours.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Alternative: You can choose to fly from Kisoro or Kihihi to Entebbe to save time
Booking: Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are limited. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues a set number of permits per day (Uganda Wildlife Authority, 2024). We recommend booking at least six months in advance to secure your spots. All our safari packages include these permits in the total price.
