Day 1: Head to Murchison Falls National Park – Stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Visit the Top of the Falls

Kick off your safari with a morning pick-up from your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. Your guide will brief you about the journey ahead as you set off for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area.

Stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s only wild rhinos. Take a guided walk to track these magnificent creatures up close and learn about their reintroduction into Uganda’s wilderness. After lunch in Masindi, continue to the park, heading straight to the Top of the Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gorge before crashing 45 meters below in a thunderous roar. Take in the views and snap photos of one of Africa’s most dramatic waterfalls.

• Accommodation Options:
  • Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge
  • Mid-Range: Fort Murchison Lodge
  • Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
• Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Boat Cruise on the Nile

Rise early for a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The northern bank of the Nile is known for its rich wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and countless antelope species. With the guidance of your expert ranger, explore areas with the highest concentration of game and enjoy the incredible diversity of Uganda’s savannah.

After lunch, take an afternoon boat cruise along the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. This relaxing journey offers opportunities to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and waterbirds such as African fish eagles. The boat cruise also provides unique views of the waterfall from below.

• Accommodation Options: Same as Day 1
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetlands Walk

After breakfast, begin the long but scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the “Primate Capital of the World.” Pass through Uganda’s lush countryside, dotted with tea plantations, crater lakes, and rolling hills. Stop in Fort Portal for lunch and marvel at the majestic Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge before heading to the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. This community-run wetland is home to over 10 primate species, including red colobus monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as an impressive variety of bird species like the great blue turaco.

• Accommodation Options:
  • Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
  • Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp
  • Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Start your day with a chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest. After a briefing at the park headquarters, join expert trackers to search for habituated chimpanzee families. As you follow the chimps through the forest, you may also encounter other primates such as L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

After lunch, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time to enjoy views of the Kazinga Channel and surrounding savannah.

• Accommodation Options:
  • Budget: The Bush Lodge
  • Mid-Range: Park View Safari Lodge
  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Set out early for a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a hotspot for lions, Uganda kobs, and other big game. Watch for herds of buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes as you explore the savannah with your guide.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its dense populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. You’ll also see elephants and buffaloes at the water’s edge, as well as a variety of waterbirds.

• Accommodation Options: Same as Day 4
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Maramagambo Forest Walk & Kyambura Gorge

Visit Maramagambo Forest for a guided walk to spot primates such as baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. You’ll also visit the Bat Caves, where pythons are known to prey on bats.

Later, explore Kyambura Gorge, a lush underground forest formed by faulting in the East African Rift Valley. The gorge is home to a small community of chimpanzees, as well as hippos, elephants, and colorful birds.

• Accommodation Options: Same as Day 4
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, head to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Lions here are often spotted lounging in the branches of fig trees—a behavior rarely seen elsewhere. After a game drive in Ishasha, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.

• Accommodation Options:
  • Budget: Rushaga Camp
  • Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Community Visit

Today is the highlight of your safari—mountain gorilla trekking. After an early briefing at the park headquarters, set off into Bwindi’s dense rainforest to track a habituated gorilla family. Spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditional forest-based lifestyle, which includes hunting, gathering, and music.

• Accommodation Options: Same as Day 7
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP & Afternoon Boat Cruise

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park and the best place to see zebras and impalas. After lunch, take an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you’ll spot hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds.

• Accommodation Options:
  • Budget: Rwonyo Rest Camp
  • Mid-Range: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
  • Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Morning Game Drive & Return to Kampala/Entebbe

Start your day with a morning game drive to spot zebras, giraffes, warthogs, and possibly leopards. After breakfast, head back to Kampala or Entebbe, with a stop at the Equator for photos and lunch. Your safari ends with drop-off at your accommodation or the airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch