9 Day Budget Uganda Safari, Gorillas, Chimps, and Wildlife
This 9-day budget Uganda safari is designed for travellers who want maximum variety, gorillas, chimps, classic wildlife, and great scenery, while keeping costs sensible. The route covers Uganda’s most important parks, starting with Murchison Falls for game drives and a Nile boat cruise, then moving to 
Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking and the Bigodi swamp walk. You continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a savanna game drive and the Kazinga Channel cruise, before heading into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the highlight of the trip, a guided mountain gorilla trek with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
The safari ends at Lake Bunyonyi, a calm highland lake that is perfect for slowing down after trekking days, with a boat ride and island views before the return to Entebbe. Accommodation is in reliable budget lodges and community camps, and the package includes permits, private transport, and an experienced English-speaking guide.
Safari highlights
Best for travellers who want value and variety
Start and end, Entebbe or Kampala
Parks covered: Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi
Rhino tracking at Ziwa on the way to Murchison Falls
Murchison game drive and Nile boat cruise
Bigodi swamp walk near Kibale
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
Queen Elizabeth game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
Bwindi gorilla trekking
Lake Bunyonyi boat ride and island visit
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Entebbe or Kampala to Murchison, Ziwa rhinos, top of the 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 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, 3 hours drive from Kampala, for 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, visit the Murchison Falls before you proceed to your booked lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Hornbill Bush Lodge for the budget
Day 2: Delta game drive, Nile boat cruise
On the 2nd day, early morning breakfast, and then go for a morning game drive at the delta, where you will spot various animal species like elephants, giraffes, lions, Uganda kobs, among others. Enjoy en-route lunch at Pakuba safari lodge, then connect to Paraa for your boat cruise that starts at 2 pm. You will go for a cruise at the bottom of theFalls 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, drive back to the lodge with an en-route game drive.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale, Bigodi 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 a budget on a full board basis.
Day 4: Chimp trekking, transfer to Queen Elizabeth
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
Day 5 Kasenyi game drive, Kazinga cruise
On this day, after breakfast early morning, enjoy an en-route game drive at the Kasenyi 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 a Kazinga channel boat cruise 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
After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and begin the scenic drive south toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The journey passes through rolling highlands, rural villages, and terraced hillsides, offering beautiful views as you approach the forested slopes of Bwindi. Depending on your allocated trekking sector, you will arrive in either Buhoma or Rushaga in the afternoon. After checking in, take time to relax and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trek. Your guide will brief you on the schedule and confirm the start time for the morning park registration. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Rushaga Haven Lodge.
Day 7 Gorilla trekking
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 7 meters away. Return to the lodge to unwind and dinner, and overnight stay as above.
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, boat ride
After morning breakfast, meet your guide and embark on your journey to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is located between Kisoro and Kabale in south-western Uganda, close to the border with Rwanda, 2 hours’ 
drive from Bwindi forest. It’s believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa, with a depth between 44m and 900m, and a width of about 7 to 25 km. The driver will drive slowly so you can enjoy the pictures of the rolling hills of the region. It’s usually one and a half hours drive with a lunch stopover. Upon arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, with great scenic views of the surrounding hills, check into your lodge for lunch before you explore Lake Bunyonyi. Connect for a boat ride/ canoe paddle and visit the main islands, including the community. The islands at the lake have a great history that you will love to listen. Dinner and overnight stay at Bunyonyi Eco-lodge for budget
Day 9 Return to Entebbe, 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
What is Included and Excluded
Inclusions
- Pick up and drop off/Airport transfers
- Gorilla Permit and Chimpanzee Permit
- Ground transport in a 4X4 private Vehicle
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Fuel for the vehicle.
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Bottled mineral water in the car
- Entrance and ranger fees for the national parks
- Activities mentioned in the program
- VAT for the upcountry hotel and lodge
Exclusions:
- International flight
- Visa fees for Uganda
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuities
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature, like Laundry, Telephone calls, among others
