8 Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimp and Wildlife Safari
This 8-day Uganda gorilla, chimp and wildlife safari offers a complete route through the country’s top national parks and primate destinations. The itinerary starts from Kampala or Entebbe and follows a structured route through Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, you track rhinos on foot, explore Murchison Falls with game drives and a Nile boat cruise, trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, enjoy a Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth and complete the journey with gorilla trekking in Bwindi. This safari is suitable for first-time visitors, couples, families and photographers who want a balanced Uganda experience with primates, wildlife and scenic landscapes in one trip.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Nile boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise with hippos and birdlife
- Visit to the top of Murchison Falls
- Bigodi Wetland nature and community walk
- Tree-climbing lions route via Ishasha
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver guide
Detailed day by day
Day 1, Ziwa Rhino Tracking and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
You will be picked up in Kampala or Entebbe by your driver guide and begin the journey north. After about 3 hours, arrive at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience on foot. This activity takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls National Park via Masindi, entering through Kichumbanyobo Gate. Arrival is in the evening, followed by dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation options: Parkside Safari Lodge for budget, Pakuba Safari Lodge for mid-range and Nile Safari Lodge for luxury
Day 2, Murchison Falls Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise and Top of Falls
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the northern sector near the Nile delta. This area offers good chances to see elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, and Uganda kob. After lunch, take a boat cruise along the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way, you may see hippos, crocodiles and animals coming to drink at the river. After the cruise, hike to the top of the falls where the Nile forces through a narrow gorge. Your driver guide will meet you at the top and return you to the lodge.
Day 3, Transfer to Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park via Fort Portal. Arrive in time for lunch, then continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk. The walk takes about 2 hours and offers chances to see monkeys, birds and local community activities. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge. Accommodation options: Isunga Lodge for budget, Chimpanzee Guesthouse for mid-range,
Crater Safari Lodge or Chimpundu Safari Lodge for luxury
Day 4, Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
After breakfast, transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. You will receive a briefing from ranger guides before entering the forest to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. The trek usually takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are feeding or moving. Once found, you spend one hour observing them as they feed, call, groom, climb and interact. After the trek, have lunch and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The transfer from Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth usually takes about 3 hours, passing crater lakes, tea plantations and Rift Valley scenery. Dinner and overnight stay near Queen Elizabeth National Park. Accommodation options Pumba Safari Cottages for budget, Parkview Safari Lodge for mid-range, Elephant Plains Lodge for luxury
Day 5, Kasenyi Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. This area offers good wildlife viewing including lions, elephants, buffalo, and antelopes, although sightings are not guaranteed. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. You may see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birdlife along the shores.
Day 6, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on your gorilla permit sector, the route may pass through Ishasha or the highland roads towards Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga or Nkuringo. If using the Ishasha route, there may be a chance to search for tree-climbing lions, although sightings are not guaranteed. As you approach Bwindi, the landscape changes to terraced hills, forest edges and cooler highland scenery. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, check in and prepare for gorilla trekking the next morning. Accommodation options: Bakiga Lodge for budget, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Buhoma Community Haven Lodge for mid-range, Mahogany Springs Lodge for luxury
Day 7, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Rangers will explain the trekking rules, safety guidelines, group allocation and what to expect in the forest. You will then enter Bwindi with rangers and trackers to search for your assigned gorilla family. The trek can take about 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorillas, terrain and forest conditions. Once the gorillas are found, you spend one hour with them. You may see a silverback, mothers with infants, juveniles playing and family members feeding or resting. After the trek, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8, Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. You will have lunch en route in Mbarara and may stop at the Uganda Equator at Kayabwe for photos and souvenir shopping. Arrival in Kampala or Entebbe is usually in the late afternoon or evening, depending on road conditions. For same-day international flights, late evening departures are recommended.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- Pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe
- 4×4 safari vehicle and fuel
- English-speaking driver guide
- 7 nights accommodation
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary visit
- Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees
- Murchison game drives
- Nile boat cruise
- Bigodi Wetland walk
- Kibale chimpanzee trekking permit
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Bwindi gorilla trekking permit
- Bottled drinking water during transfers
Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver guides, rangers, porters and lodge staff
- Personal drinks, laundry and calls
- Optional top of the falls hike
- Optional lion tracking or research experience
- Optional porter fees during gorilla trekking
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
