10 Day Uganda Safari, Gorillas and Nile Rafting
A 10-day Uganda safari with gorillas and Nile rafting is designed for travellers who want wildlife, primates, waterfalls and adventure in one complete route. This itinerary combines rhino tracking at Ziwa, game drives and a Nile boat cruise in Murchison Falls, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, Ishasha tree climbing lions, gorilla trekking in Bwindi, relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, Sipi Falls and white water rafting in Jinja. The safari starts and ends in Entebbe, following a practical cross-country route that reduces unnecessary backtracking. You travel with a private driver guide in a 4×4 safari vehicle and stay in selected budget, mid-range or luxury lodges depending on your travel style. This safari works well for travellers who want more than a standard Uganda wildlife tour. It is suitable for adventurous couples, families with older children, photographers and first-time visitors who want to combine Uganda’s classic safari highlights with active experiences.
Safari Highlights
- 10-day Uganda safari with wildlife, primates and adventure
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison Falls game drive and Victoria Nile boat cruise
- Visit to the top of Murchison Falls
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Rest day at Lake Bunyonyi after gorilla trekking
- Sipi Falls hike with optional abseiling
- White water rafting on the Nile in Jinja
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver guide
Detailed itinerary
Day 1, Arrival in Entebbe and Optional Botanical Gardens
Your trip starts at Entebbe International Airport. After arrival, your driver guide will meet you at the airport, assist with your luggage, and transfer you to your hotel. Entebbe is a relaxed lakeside town on the shores of Lake Victoria, making it a good place to rest after a long international flight. If your flight arrives early, you may visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where you can see tropical trees, birds and monkeys. Accommodation options: Luxury Hotel No. 5 Boutique Hotel, Mid-range 2Friends Beach Hotel, or Budget Airport Link Guest House
Day 2, Ziwa Rhino Tracking and Transfer to Murchison Falls
After breakfast, leave Entebbe early and drive north towards Murchison Falls National Park. The first major stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be tracked on foot in a protected wild setting. You will join a ranger for a guided rhino tracking experience. The activity usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on where the rhinos are located. After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls. This is where the Nile forces through a narrow rock gorge before dropping into the river below. Accommodation options: Luxury Nile Safari Lodge, Mid-range Murchison River Lodge, or Budget Red Chilli Rest Camp
Day 3, Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Start early with a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The cooler hours are best for wildlife viewing, especially for predators such as lions and leopards. You may also see giraffes, elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, warthogs and many bird species. Your guide will use park tracks and recent sightings to improve your chances, but wildlife viewing remains natural and sightings are not guaranteed. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you may see hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and water birds. The boat cruise gives one of the best views of the falls from below before returning to the lodge.
Day 4, Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive south towards Kibale Forest National Park. This is a long scenic transfer through western Uganda, passing rural towns, tea plantations and the Fort Portal region. Kibale is one of Uganda’s leading primate destinations and is known for chimpanzee trekking and forest walks. On arrival, check in at your lodge near the forest and rest before the chimpanzee experience the next day. Accommodation options: Luxury Kyaninga Lodge, Mid-range Turaco Treetops, or Budget Kibale Forest Camp
Day 5, Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
After breakfast, report to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for the chimpanzee trekking briefing. A ranger will explain forest rules, group allocation and how to behave around chimpanzees. You then enter Kibale Forest with guides and trackers to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. Once found, you spend one hour observing them as they feed, call, groom and move through the forest. After the trek, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route gives views of crater lakes, the Rift Valley and, on clear days, the Rwenzori Mountains. Accommodation options: Luxury Mweya Safari Lodge, Mid-range Kasenyi Safari Camp, or Budget The Bush Lodge
Day 6, Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions and Overnight Stay
Drive to the Ishasha sector in southern Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is known for tree-climbing lions, often seen resting in fig trees during the heat of the day. Your guide will search the main tracks and known resting areas. Sightings are not guaranteed, but Ishasha remains one of the best-known places in East Africa for this behaviour. The sector is quieter than the northern part of the park and also offers chances to see elephants, buffalo, topi and other savannah wildlife. Accommodation options: Luxury Ishasha Wilderness Camp or Mid-range Enjojo Lodge
Day 7, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, drive into the highlands near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your gorilla trekking experience. You will report to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the forest with rangers and trackers. The trek can take 2 to 6 hours or longer, depending on the location of the gorilla family and forest conditions. Once the gorillas are located, you spend one hour observing them. You may see a silverback, mothers with infants and younger gorillas feeding or playing. This is the main prime highlight of the safari, so wear strong hiking boots, carry water and consider hiring a porter. Accommodation options: Luxury for Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mid-range Mahogany Springs and Budget Bakiga Lodge
Day 8, Lake Bunyonyi Rest Day and Canoe Option
After the physical effort of gorilla trekking, continue to Lake Bunyonyi for a slower day. The lake is known for cool air, terraced hills and small islands, making it one of the best places in Uganda to rest after trekking. You can relax at the lodge, take a canoe ride, visit nearby islands or enjoy the lake views from your balcony. This day helps balance the safari after several active wildlife and trekking days. Accommodation options: Luxury Birdnest at Bunyonyi Resort, Mid-range, Arcadia Cottages or Budget Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 9, Sipi Falls Hike and Optional Abseiling
After breakfast, travel east towards Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls. This section adds an adventure finish to the safari. Sipi Falls is a scenic area with waterfalls, cliffs, farms and views across the plains. You can take a guided hike to viewpoints around the falls. Adventurous travellers may choose optional abseiling beside the main waterfall, depending on weather and availability. If you prefer a relaxed experience, the Sipi hike and coffee tour are good alternatives. Accommodation options Luxury Sipi River Lodge or Mid-range Rafiki Lodge Sipi
Day 10, Jinja White Water Rafting and Return to Entebbe
Your final day focuses on the Nile in Jinja, one of East Africa’s main adventure hubs. You join a professional rafting team for a safety briefing before heading onto the river. The rafting experience can include calmer sections and stronger rapids, depending on the route and water levels. After rafting and lunch, continue to Entebbe for your evening flight or post-safari accommodation. This marks the end of your 10-day Uganda safari.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- English-speaking driver guide
- 9 nights accommodation
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Park entrance fees
- Victoria Nile boat cruise
- Kibale chimpanzee trekking permit
- Bwindi gorilla trekking permit
- Sipi Falls visit
- Bottled drinking water during transfers
Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides, rangers, porters and lodge staff
- Personal drinks, laundry and phone calls
- Optional botanical gardens visit
- Optional abseiling at Sipi Falls
- Optional white water rafting,
- Optional Batwa cultural walk
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
