5 Days
Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Forest
5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Game Safari
This itinerary balances savannah game viewing, a scenic boat cruise and gorilla encounter.
9-Day Uganda Primates and Game Safari
9 Days - 8 Nights | Game Drives , Boat Cruises, Chimpanzees and Gorillas
Overview
This 9-day Uganda primates and game safari combines the country’s finest wildlife experiences into one unforgettable journey. Travelers will track white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, cruise the Nile below Murchison Falls, trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, spot tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and hike through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for mountain gorilla trekking. Blending savannah game drives, boat cruises, and primate encounters, this itinerary showcases Uganda’s title as the Pearl of Africa, offering an authentic mix of adventure, conservation, and unmatched biodiversity across the country’s premier national parks.
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Your Uganda primates and game safari begins with an early pickup from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel. Drive north through the lush countryside toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest conservation area. Along the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s only remaining wild population of southern white rhinos, for a guided rhino tracking experience on foot.
After the rhino tracking encounter, continue the scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in time for a relaxed evening at your lodge overlooking the Nile River. Enjoy dinner while taking in views of the surrounding savannah, and rest well ahead of two exciting days of game viewing and river adventures within the park.
- Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours (with stops)
- Meal Plan: Half-Board
- Accommodation: Hornbill Bush Lodge(Budget) | Tilenga Safari Lodge (Mid-Range)
2
Day 2: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Wake up early for a thrilling game drive across the northern savannah of Murchison Falls National Park. This area teems with wildlife including lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and the elusive leopard, making it one of Uganda’s top game viewing destinations. Your experienced guide will help spot animals as the sun rises over the golden grasslands.
In the afternoon, board a boat cruise along the Nile River toward the base of Murchison Falls, where the mighty river squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically. The cruise offers close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds, capping off a rewarding day of wildlife encounters in this iconic national park.
- Meal Plan: Full-Board
- Accommodation: Same as Day 1
3
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and begin the scenic drive south toward Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa. The journey passes through rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages near Fort Portal, offering a glimpse into rural Ugandan life along the way.
Arrive in Kibale by evening and settle into your lodge nestled at the edge of the forest. Kibale National Park is home to thirteen primate species, including a healthy population of chimpanzees, setting the stage for an immersive primate trekking experience the following morning.
- Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Budget) | Turaco Treetops (Mid-Range)
4
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Embark on a guided chimpanzee trekking excursion through the dense, humid forests of Kibale National Park. Guided by experienced trackers, you will follow chimpanzee calls and trails to observe these fascinating primates in their natural habitat, watching them feed, play, and interact within their family groups.
In the afternoon, enjoy a nature walk around Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run reserve teeming with birdlife, monkeys, and diverse plant species. This peaceful walk complements the morning’s primate trekking, rounding out a full day exploring Kibale’s rich biodiversity and forest ecosystems.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Same as Day 3
5
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leave Kibale Forest and travel south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most biodiverse conservation areas. The drive offers stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains, often called the Mountains of the Moon, as you descend into the western rift valley toward the park’s grassy plains.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy an afternoon at leisure or an optional nature walk. Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its diverse habitats, including savannah, wetlands, and forest, supporting an impressive variety of wildlife that you will explore in depth the following day.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation: Pumba Safari Lodge(Budget) | Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-Range)
6
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
Start the day with a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, known for large herds of Ugandan kob, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, and resident lion prides. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s varied landscape provides excellent opportunities for spotting both predators and grazing wildlife against a backdrop of open savannah.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This cruise is renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing, featuring large pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, elephants at the water’s edge, and abundant birdlife along the channel’s shores.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation:Same as Day 5
7
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha Sector
Depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel south through the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Keep an eye on the fig trees along the route for a chance to spot lions resting in the branches, a unique behavior found in only a few places in Africa.
Continue the drive toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge perched along the forest edge, and prepare for one of Africa’s most rewarding wildlife experiences: gorilla trekking, scheduled for the following morning.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Budget) | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-Range)
8
Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure through the ancient, misty forests of Bwindi. Accompanied by expert guides and trackers, hike through dense vegetation in search of habituated gorilla families. Encountering a gorilla group up close, observing their behavior for a full hour, is often described as a life-changing experience.
After the trek, return to your lodge to relax and reflect on the encounter. Enjoy the surrounding views of Bwindi’s forested hills, and use the remainder of the day to unwind, browse local craft markets, or simply savor the tranquility of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner
- Accommodation:Same as Day 7
9
Day 9: Drive to Entebbe International Airport or Kigali from Bwindi
On the final day of your Uganda primates and game safari, depart Bwindi and choose your onward route: a scenic drive back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, or a transfer to Kigali, Rwanda, a popular alternative exit point for travelers.
Along the way, enjoy the passing landscapes of southwestern Uganda one last time, reflecting on a remarkable journey filled with primates, big game, and unforgettable African wilderness. Your driver-guide will ensure a smooth, timely arrival for your flight, bringing this 9-day adventure to a fitting close.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation:None unless requested
Included/Excluded
Cost Includes
Transportation (Car, Guide & Fuel)
Meals and Accommodation
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
Ziwa Rhino Trekking
Boat Cruise
Lake Bunyonyi Activities
Bottled Drinking Water
Government Taxes
Cost Excludes
Sorvenirs
Insurance
Tips and porter services
International Flights
Drinks other than Water
BOOK THIS TOUR
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