Uganda Gorillas and wildlife Safari
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Destinations to visit

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo National Park

  • OVERVIEW
  • ACTIVITIES
  • ITINERARY
  • INCLUSIVES
OVERVIEW

Safari Overview

This 15-day Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Safari offers an enriching journey through some of the country’s most scenic and biodiverse destinations. Known as the “Pearl of Africa,” Uganda boasts spectacular landscapes, a wealth of wildlife, iconic primates, and diverse cultural heritage. This carefully curated itinerary takes you across eight national parks and key conservation areas where you will observe Africa’s Big Five, track endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, enjoy sweeping savannah game drives, and explore rich wetlands and forest trails teeming with birdlife.

Your safari begins at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s only wild rhinos, before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge creating the world’s most powerful waterfall. You’ll enjoy a boat cruise to the base of the falls, game drives across the open savannah, and sightings of elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles.

In Kibale National Park, follow expert trackers into the rainforest in search of chimpanzees and other primates. Visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, an important community conservation project, for guided birding and nature walks.

Explore the vast plains and crater lakes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where boat safaris along the Kazinga Channel and game drives through the Kasenyi sector provide excellent chances of spotting lions, buffaloes, leopards, and large herds of elephants. You’ll also visit the Ishasha Sector, home to Uganda’s famous tree-climbing lions.

One of the main highlights of this journey is gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trek through dense rainforest to encounter one of the 22 habituated mountain gorilla families—an awe-inspiring wildlife experience. Optional cultural visits to the Batwa community offer insight into the traditions of Uganda’s indigenous forest people.

Your adventure continues to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s most scenic lake surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands—perfect for relaxation, canoeing, and cultural interactions. From there, you’ll travel to Lake Mburo National Park, a great spot for walking safaris, game drives, and spotting zebras, elands, and impalas.

Finally, the journey includes a scenic stop at the Uganda Equator Line for photography and local crafts before returning to Kampala or Entebbe.

ACTIVITIES

Safari Activities

  • White rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Savannah game drives in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha, and Lake Mburo
  • Boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
  • Nile Delta boat excursion (optional)
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
  • Guided nature and birding walk at Bigodi Wetland
  • Boat safari along the Kazinga Channel
  • Tree-climbing lion tracking in Ishasha
  • Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
  • Cultural village experience with the Batwa (optional)
  • Canoe ride or island tour at Lake Bunyonyi
  • Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
  • Visit to the Equator for photography and craft shopping
ITINERARY
Uganda Gorillas and wildlife Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 :Pick up from Kampala / Entebbe. Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park with a stopover at the equator

Welcome to the pearl of Africa-Uganda! Our driver guide will pick you from the airport and transfer you to Lake Mburo national park with a stopover at the Uganda equator in Kayabwe. At this point, you will take photos and maybe buy some souvenirs. Proceed to Lake Mburo national park and be welcomed with zebras grazing with Ankole long-horned cattle; take a game drive to enjoy and discover the park’s immense beauty. Lake Mburo national park is the only national park located near Kampala city and as well the smallest savannah national park in Uganda. You will continue to the lodge for dinner and night stay. Accommodation: Midrange: Hyena Hill Lodge

Day 2 :Game drive and boat cruise

Engage in the morning game drive which is carried out in an open roof vehicle which is a 4WD and this will make the activity smooth since most of the roads in the park are slippery. With a help of a fully armed park ranger, he will explain whatever attraction you come across and this will create good memories. Among others, you will encounter animals like impalas, hyenas, bushbucks, jackals, warthogs, zebras, leopards and elands. In the afternoon, you will head out for a boat cruise on the lake which leaves from a jetty at the main Rwonyo. In addition to the attractive scenery and simple pleasure attached to being out on the water, the boat trip reliably produces good sightings of hippo, crocodile, buffalo, waterbuck and bushbuck and it’s also worth looking out for the three species of otters. Among the more conspicuous water birds are African fish eagle, marabou stork, pied kingfisher, and various egrets and herons, while Ross’s turaco and Narina trogon are frequently seen in lakeside thickets. Accommodation: Midrange: Hyena Hill Lodge

Day 3 :Walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park, and drive to Lake Bunyonyi

Have breakfast and start an adventure of walking on-foot to explore the animals more up close and among those to see include the park’s permanent residents - Zebras, Impalas, Kobs, buffaloes, giraffes, elands, Topis, and so many other mammal and bird species. Occasional sightings may also include leopards, spotted hyenas, porcupines, etc. After this experience, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale district, south western Uganda. Accommodation: Luxury: @ Bird nest resort

Day 4 :Explore the islands of Lake Bunyonyi

At day break, you will brighten your day with a delicious breakfast at the lodge and then check out for a 3-4 hours’ Lake Bunyonyi boat exploration; this is one of the deepest freshwater lakes in the world decorated by over 29 historical islands. You will enjoy the beautiful plantations, terraced hills and the natives all the way to Lake Bunyonyi. Return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon canoe ride to different islands surrounding the lake. The guide will show and explain to you the different islands per name and their uniqueness. You will take photos, and sail on the waters for about 2 hours, before returning to the lodge for an entertaining evening, dinner and night stay. Accommodation: Luxury: @ Bird nest resort

Day 5 :Transfer to Mgahinga national park

Prepare for a drive to Mgahinga national park after breakfast, just after a morning hike to view all the islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Proceed to Mgahinga national park, which is Uganda’s smallest national park covering an area of 331 square kilometres and it’s famous for having the rare golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. It is located in the Virunga ranges. It is also good for birding with over 200 bird species. The journey is incredible and you will enjoy it as you pass through the highlands of Kigezi. Arrive and check in the safari lodge. Accommodation: Midrange: Travellers Rest Hotel

Day 6 : Gorilla trekking and transfer to Bwindi National Park

Engage in the amazing adventure of gorilla trekking after breakfast and this will begin after briefing where you will be given information about these giant primates of Mgahinga national park. While in the forest, you will have a chance to spot other animals like the red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, colobus monkeys, among others with different bird species. After gorilla trekking, you will head back to lodge for lunch and then check out for a drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park. Accommodation: Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 7 :Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and optional Batwa community tour

Wake up at 6:00am for a warm cup of African coffee, prepare for your long-awaited trek. At 7:00am, hike to the visitors briefing area, which is a few minutes’ drive from your place of accommodation. Meet with the head ranger and other visitors for a general briefing on the dos and don’ts while conducting this memorable trek. It is during this briefing that you’ll be allocated a specific group of gorillas to track together with a ranger, guide and porter in case you need one to carry your luggage. The trek starts at 8.30am with simple forest hikes through designated trails and depending on the gorilla family, trekking experience can last for about 2-8 hours. The trek may become strenuous depending on the weather and how far the gorillas have moved, but the epic one-hour encounter with a habituated family is truly refreshing. Later, return to the starting point with other trekkers. After lunch, you will have an option of visiting the nearby community of Batwa pygmies and encounter their unique culture and traditions. Accommodation: Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Day 8 : Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Transfer to the home of the rare tree-climbing lions that is Queen Elizabeth national park passing through the Ishasha sector where you will be able to trek these rare treeclimbing lions. This park is the second largest national park in Uganda and the most visited due to its various wildlife. Among others include buffalos, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, and chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge, hippos and crocodiles in the Kazinga channel, leopards, warthogs, waterbucks, oribis, lions and jackals. Proceed to the lodge with a game drive. Accommodation: Midrange: Bush Lodge

Day 9 : Game drive and boat cruise

Embark on an early morning game drive where you will encounter the early risers like the spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, hippos among others and also meet other animals like elephants, numerous antelopes like Oribis, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks among others. Different bird species are spotted; both migratory and resident birds such as the morning dove, kingfishers, herons, among others. Drive back to the lodge for lunch and simple relaxation. In the afternoon, continue on a boat trip along Kazinga channel to view large and small mammals, reptiles and several bird species. Kazinga Channel is a wide, 32-kilometres’ long natural water channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George and a dominant feature in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending how long the cruise takes, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation: Midrange: Bush Lodge

Day 10 : Day hike on Mount. Rwenzori and stay at Rubalika Safari Lodge

Have an early breakfast and then transfer to Mount. Rwenzori for a briefing ahead of this one-day hiking tour. The mountain guides will lead you into the forests where you will interact with many bird species, scenic ridges and primates. Have lunch after the first hike, and later proceed on the climb. Luckily you may have a glimpse of black and white colobus monkeys or blue monkeys as they dash through the trees loaded with natural fruits. A few 100 meters beyond lunch spot, the bamboo zone begins and you will climb another 500 meters to a small cave which was previously used by poachers. Have another short rest here before you descend to the ranger post and out of the park. Drive straight to Rubalika safari lodge for dinner and relaxation. Accommodation: Midrange: Rubalika Safari Lodge

Day 11 :Chimpanzee trekking and nature walk in Bigodi wetland

Head to Kanyanchu tourist centre where you will be able to receive your briefing plus checking your chimpanzee trekking permits. The after penetrating the forest with a help of the park ranger and start the search for our fellow cousins. On setting your eyes on them, an hour will be located to you in their presence watching their movements. While in the forest, you will meet other primates like red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and red-cheeked mangabeys. After this great adventure, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and later take a swamp walk in Bigodi where you will encounter different primates and bird species such as the red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons and red-cheeked mangabeys with different birds like the common buzzards, the great blue turacos, and papyrus gonolek among others. Thereafter drive and check-in your accommodation for dinner and night stay. Accommodation: Midrange: Rubalika Safari Lodge

Day 12 :Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit the waterfalls

Wake up and transfer to Murchison falls national park after breakfast. Have lunch in Masindi town and proceed to the to the top of Murchison falls. While here, you will witness the rainbow that is formed when water pushes itself in a small 8m opening. Then you will head to the lodge for dinner and night stay. Accommodation: Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 13 :Game drive and boat cruise

Be up early for a quick cup of tea/coffee then embark on the guided morning game drive and this rewards you with great chances of encountering spotted hyenas, lions, Rothschild giraffes, leopards, serval cats, Cape buffaloes, warthogs, jackals, Jackson’s hartebeests, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks and Oribis among others. This game drive is conducted within the northern sector of the park with numerous wildlife species, and it lasts for 3-4 hours. Thereafter, you will enjoy your bush lunch and have some time to rest near Paraa jetty where a boat cruise starts from. At exactly 2:00pm, you will commence a boat cruise along the Nile River that goes to the bottom of thunderous Murchison falls. This boat cruise rewards visitors with a wide array of wildlife especially hippos, elephants, crocodiles, monitor lizards, Uganda Kobs and bird species. Listen to the sweet melodies of different bird species until the bottom of the Murchison falls. In case you didn’t visit the waterfalls previous day; you will set off for a 45-60 minutes’ drive to top of the falls for better scenic views and evening photography. Later you will drive back to the lodge for dinner as well as overnight stay. Accommodation: Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Day 14 : Transfer back to Entebbe with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

You will transfer to Kampala after an early breakfast and have stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will trek the rhinos in the natural environment. Trekking can take about 3 hours while in the wildness and this will complete the big five animals. After your enroute lunch, proceed to Entebbe for night stay. Accommodation: Budget: Via Via Travelers Café

Day 15 :Shoebill search at Mabamba swamp. Departure in the evening

Wake up at leisure for a transfer to Mabamba wetland located on the shores of Lake Victoria, to view the sought-after shoebill and other unique birds that make this wetland one of the important birding sites in Uganda. Drop off at the airport in the evening, to check-in for your outbound flight.

INCLUSIVES

What is included in your safari

Cost Includes

  • Meals specified and accommodation in en suite facilities.
  • Ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari car.
  • Applicable park entrance, activity fees.
  • 1 assigned English-speaking Professional Birding driver-guide.
  • Bwindi gorilla trekking permit USD 800 per person.
  • Kibale chimp habituation (USD 250) per person.
  • Bottled water while on safari.
  • All airport/hotel pick-up and drop-off.
  • Activities as stipulated (except those stated as optional).

Cost Excludes

  • Activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Phone calls and bar bills.
  • Personal/travel insurance.
  • Driver guide’s gratuity (recommended).
  • All Other Services of a personal nature.
  • Flight ticket(s).
  • Entry visa into Uganda.
  • All kinds of drinks except water.
  • Any activity stated as “OPTIONAL”

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