10 Day Uganda Adventure Safari, Gorillas and Nile Rafting
This 10-day Uganda adventure safari is designed for travellers who want classic wildlife, primates, and real adrenaline in one smooth route. You start with rhino tracking at Ziwa, then explore Murchison Falls with a savannah game drive and a Victoria Nile boat cruise to the base of the falls. Next, you head to Kibale Forest for chimp trekking, then continue through Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the remote Ishasha plains where tree-climbing lions are often seen.
The journey ends with the main highlight, a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi, followed by a slower pace at Lake Bunyonyi to recover after trekking. For a strong finish, you add Sipi Falls with an optional abseil, then white water rafting in Jinja on the Nile. We secure permits, manage timing between parks, and keep the days practical, so you spend more time in the field and less time on the road.
Understanding Your Gorilla and Chimp Permits
One of the biggest worries for travelers is getting permits. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues these documents. Only a few people can visit the gorillas each day. We handle this process for you immediately after you book. A gorilla permit costs 800 dollars. A chimpanzee permit for Kibale costs 250 dollars. These prices are set by the government to help protect the forest.We confirm availability before finalising dates. This ensures you do not miss out on the main reason for your trip. You should book at least six months early to get the best spots
Safari Highlights
Best for travellers who want wildlife and adventure
Route, Entebbe, Murchison, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Bunyonyi, Sipi, Jinja
Key permits, gorilla and chimp tracking
Tracking southern white rhinos on foot at the Ziwa sanctuary.
Watching the powerful Murchison Falls squeeze through a narrow rock gap.
Finding the rare tree-climbing lions in the remote Ishasha plains.
Walking through the thick Bwindi forest to find a mountain gorilla family.
Sitting near wild chimpanzees in the tropical Kibale forest.
Abseiling down the massive 100-meter Sipi Falls.
Rafting through the heavy white water rapids of the River Nile in Jinja.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Entebbe, hotel, optional botanical gardens
Your trip starts at the Entebbe International Airport. This airport sits on a peninsula in Lake Victoria. You will meet your driver at the exit gate. They will help you with your bags and take you to your hotel. Entebbe is a quiet town with lots of green trees. It is a good place to rest after a long flight. You can walk to the botanical gardens if you arrive early. You will see many tropical birds and monkeys in the trees there. Accommodation Options: Luxury: No. 5 Boutique Hotel, Mid-range: 2Friends Beach Hotel, Budget: Airport Link Guest House
Day 2 Ziwa rhinos, transfer to Murchison, top of the falls
You will leave Entebbe early in the morning. The drive goes north through small towns and green farms. Your first stop is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in the country to see rhinos
in the wild. You will walk with a ranger to find them. These rhinos are large but peaceful. You can get close enough to take great photos. After lunch, you continue to Murchison Falls National Park. You will enter the park and see the top of the falls. The water makes a loud noise as it drops into the gorge. Accommodation Options: Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge, Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge, Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp
Day 3: Morning game drive, afternoon Nile boat cruise
You wake up before the sun. This is the best time to find predators like lions and leopards. You will drive across the savanna. You will see thousands of Uganda kob and big herds of buffalo. Giraffes stand tall against the trees. Your driver knows the best tracks to find the hidden animals. In the afternoon, you take a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. You will see hundreds of hippos in the water. Crocodiles sun themselves on the banks. The boat takes you to the base of the falls. You can see the white foam as the water hits the river below.
Day 4 Transfer to Kibale, lodge at forest edge
Today, you head south to the Kibale Forest. This drive shows you the tea plantations of Fort Portal. The green hills look like waves. Kibale is home to thirteen types of monkeys and apes. It has the highest number of primates in East Africa. You will check into your lodge near the forest edge. You can hear the sounds of the jungle at night. It is a mix of bird calls and monkey screams. This forest is very old and has very tall trees. Accommodation Options: Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Mid-range: Turaco Treetops, Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Day 5: Chimp trekking, transfer toward Queen Elizabeth
You go to the forest center in the morning. A ranger will tell you how to act around the chimps. You then walk into the thick woods. You will listen for their loud hooting. Once you find them, you spend
one hour watching them play and eat. They are very active and move fast through the branches. After the trek, you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park sits in the rift valley. You will see the tall Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. They are often called the mountains of the moon. Accommodation Options:Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Mid-range: Kasenyi Safari Camp, Budget: The Bush Lodge
Day 6, Ishasha sector, tree-climbing lions, overnight
You will drive to the southern part of the park called Ishasha. This area is famous for a rare behavior. The lions here like to climb high into the fig trees. They do this to stay cool and stay away from bugs. You will look up into the branches to find them. It is a strange sight to see a large lion sleeping on a limb. You will also see many elephants and topis in this area. This part of the park feels very wild and empty. There are fewer cars here than in the north. Accommodation Options:Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Mid-range: Enjojo Lodge
Day 7 Bwindi gorilla trekking
This is the most important day of your trip. You will drive into the high mountains of Bwindi. The forest is very thick and dark green. You will meet your group at the park gate. You will then hike into
the steep hills. The walk can be hard and muddy. You might hike for two hours or six hours. When you find the gorillas, everything changes. You will sit just a few meters from a giant silverback. He is the leader of the family. You will see mothers holding their babies. You spend sixty minutes with them. It is a very quiet and moving time. You will never forget the look in their eyes. Accommodation Options: Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mid-range: Mahogany Springs, Budget: Bakiga Lodge
Day 8 Lake Bunyonyi rest day, canoe option
After the hard hike, you need to rest your legs. You will drive to Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is very deep and has 29 islands. It is one of the few lakes in the region where you can swim safely. There are no hippos or crocodiles here. You can take a dugout canoe to visit the islands. You can hear the stories of the “Punishment Island.” You can also just sit on the balcony and look at the mist on the water. The air is cool and fresh here. Accommodation Options: Luxury: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort, Mid-range: Arcadia Cottages, Budget: Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 9 Sipi Falls, abseiling option
Most people go back to Entebbe now, but you are going East. This is the special part of your trip. You will drive to Mount Elgon to see Sipi Falls. These are three big waterfalls that drop down the cliffs. The 
main fall is 100 meters high. This is where you can try abseiling. You will wear a harness and lower yourself down the rock face. You will be right next to the falling water. It is a big rush for anyone who loves a thrill. If you do not want to abseil, you can hike to the top of the falls. The view of the plains below is vast. Accommodation Options:Luxury: Sipi River Lodge, Mid-range: Rafiki Lodge Sipi.
Day 10 Jinja rafting, depart Entebbe
Your last day is for the River Nile. You drive to Jinja, which is the center of action in East Africa. You will get on a raft with a professional team. You will face some of the biggest rapids in the world. The water is warm, and the waves are huge. You will get wet, and you might fall in, but it is very safe. The team uses high-quality gear and follows boats. After the rafting, you will have a big lunch. You then drive back to Entebbe for your flight home. This is the end of your ten-day circle.
Optional Things To Do
Kazinga Channel Boat Trip: This is a two-hour trip in Queen Elizabeth Park. You will sit on a boat and watch hippos and crocodiles. Elephants often come to the water to bathe. It is the best way to see animals without driving.
Hot Air Balloon Ride: In Murchison Falls, you can go up in a balloon at sunrise. You will see the animals in the sky. It ends with a breakfast in the bush with a glass of bubbles.
Night Forest Walk: In Kibale, you can go into the woods at night with a torch. You will look for small animals like bushbabies and pottos. They have very large eyes that glow in the light.
Lion Tracking: You can join the researchers who study the lions. You will use a radio to find the pride. This lets you see how the animals live every day.
- Batwa Cultural Walk: In Bwindi, you can walk with the local people who used to live in the forest. They will show you how they hunted and found medicine in the plants
Getting Ready and Packing
You need to pack the right things to stay comfortable. The weather changes from hot to cold very fast.
Clothing: Pack light clothes in earth colors like green or brown. Do not bring bright colors because they attract bugs. Do not bring clothes with a camo print as they are against the law.
Layers: Bring a warm sweater for the mornings. Bring a light rain jacket for the forest.
Shoes: You must have strong boots that keep your water out. Do not wear new shoes for the first time on your trek. You need to wear them at home first.
Gear: Bring a small bag to carry your water and camera. Bring a pair of gardening gloves. These help you grab vines and trees during your hike.
Power: Uganda uses the 3-pin plugs from the UK. Bring an adapter so you can charge your phone.
Health: You must have a yellow fever card to enter the country. Bring pills to prevent malaria and a strong spray for bugs.
What is Included and Excluded
What you get:
A 4×4 car with a roof that opens for photos.
A local driver who stays with you the whole time.
All your meals and a place to sleep every night.
Your permits to see the gorillas and the chimps.
Entry fees for all the national parks.
Bottled water in the car every day.
Pickup and drop off at the airport.
What you need to pay for:
Your flight from your home to Uganda.
Your entry visa, which you get online.
Travel insurance for your health.
Drinks like soda or beer at the lodges.
Tips for the people who help you at the lodges.
The extra things to do, like the balloon or rafting.
