8-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari
Experience the complete Uganda safari circuit in one expertly designed journey. This private 8-day itinerary combines mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, classic savannah game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, and scenic boat cruises along the Nile and Kazinga Channel. Designed for first-time visitors to East Africa, couples, families, and wildlife photographers, this safari balances primate encounters with traditional “Big Five style” wildlife viewing. You will travel in a private 4×4 Land Cruiser with an English-speaking driver-guide, stay in carefully selected lodges (budget, mid-range, or luxury options available), and have all permits secured in advance through licensed operators. Expect diverse landscapes from the powerful Murchison Falls on the Nile to the crater lakes of Fort Portal and the misty forests of Bwindi, all connected in a logical, low-backtracking route. This is Uganda’s most complete wildlife experience, structured for comfort, authenticity and seamless logistics from arrival to departure.
Quick Overview
- Route: Entebbe/Kampala → Ziwa → Murchison → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi → Entebbe
- Rhino tracking,
- Murchison game drive
- Nile cruise, Kibale chimps,
- Queen Elizabeth lion tracking
- Kazinga cruise, Bwindi gorillas
What’s Included / Not Included
Included:
- private 4×4,
- guide
- accommodation/meals
- park fees
Excluded:
- visas
- tips
- travel insurance
- optional upgrades
Day 1 Ziwa Rhino Tracking & Murchison Falls
Depending on your location, you will be picked up by our company representative/ driver who will drive you to Murchison Falls National Park, en route to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, 3 hours’ drive from Kampala, for a rhino trekking experience. After the activity, you will have lunch, then connect to Murchison Falls National Park, entering through Kichumbanyobo gate from Masindi town. Arrive in the park in the evening and connect to your lodge to rest. Dinner and overnight stay at Parkside Safari Lodge for budget/Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range/Nile Safari Lodge for luxury on a full board basis
Day 2 Game drive (Delta), Nile boat cruise + Top of Falls
Early morning breakfast and then go for a morning game drive at the delta, where you will spot various animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, Uganda kobs, among others. Return and have lunch, then at 2 pm, you will go for a launch cruise at the bottom of the Murchison Falls along the River Nile, 
enjoy streaming views of hippo and serried ranges of crocodile along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species getting down to drink & bathe. After the boat cruise at the bottom of the falls, you will hike up the top of the falls, where you will be picked up by your driver to return to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge as the above
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale & Bigodi swamp walk
Have breakfast and embark on your drive to Kibale National Park– the best safari destination in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Arrive in Fort Portal town at a good time for lunch, then connect for a nature walk at Bigodi swamp for about 2 hours, then drive to your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Guesthouse for mid-range/Isunga lodge for budget/Crater Safari lodge/Chimpundu Safari Lodge for luxury on a full board basis.
Day 4 Kibale chimp trek – Queen Elizabeth
On the 4th day, after breakfast, you will go for chimpanzee trekking with your packed food and water. Meet your guide at the head office, then enter the rainforest to start searching for the chimpanzee. This will take 2-5 hours to find the chimpanzees. On seeing them, you will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees while taking pictures. After tracking, embark on a 3 hours’ drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Fort Portal with an en-route lunch. Dinner and overnight at Pumba Safari Cottages for budget/Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range/Elephant Plains lodge for luxury
Day 5 Lion tracking/game drive & Kazinga cruise
After breakfast early morning, go for a lion tracking experience where you are guaranteed to view the lions, enjoy an en-route game drive at the Kisenyi area, where you will spot a good number of wildlife, including Elephants, buffalo, and all species of antelopes. After enjoying your lunch at the lodge, go for your boat trip along the Kazinga channel for yet another wildlife/bird watching experience as you cruise on Lake Edward/George. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge as above
Day 6 Transfer to Bwindi
On the 6th day of your 8 Days Uganda Primates and wildlife Safaris, after breakfast, drive out of the park to connect to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (home of Uganda Mountain Gorillas). Dinner and overnight at Bakiga lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla lodge/Buhoma Haven Lodge for mid-range/Mahogany Springs Lodge for luxury
Day 7 Bwindi gorilla trekking
On the 7th day, you wake up early, have breakfast, and connect to the forest with your packed food and water. The briefing from the park warden about the gorillas starts at 8 am, where you will be guided on highlights about the way of life of the gorillas you will be tracking. The hike can take anything from 2 to 8 hours. Once you reach the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour with them as you stand 6 meters away. Return to the lodge to unwind and dinner, and overnight stay as above.
Day 8 Return to Entebbe/Kampala (Equator stop)
After breakfast at the lodge, proceed back to Kampala with an en-route lunch in Mbarara town and the Equator. Arrive in Kampala/Entebbe late afternoon and connect to the airport for the flight back. End of tour.
