Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel. If time allows, explore nearby attractions such as the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for an introduction to Uganda’s flora and fauna.

Overnight: Hotel in Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive northwards towards Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos. Enjoy a thrilling rhino tracking experience on foot, guided by expert rangers.

Continue to Murchison Falls and check in to your lodge. Before sunset, visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile River violently squeezes through a 7-meter gorge, plunging 45 meters below. The force and roar of the falls are simply awe-inspiring.

Overnight: Lodge in Murchison Falls
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Game Drive & Nile Boat Safari in Murchison Falls

Start the day with a morning game drive across the park’s northern savannah plains. Spot elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, and various antelope species. Murchison is teeming with wildlife and offers excellent photography opportunities with the backdrop of palm-dotted grasslands.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise to the base of the falls along the Nile. The cruise is a highlight of the safari, bringing you close to large pods of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds, including the rare shoebill stork. Watch as the Nile narrows and roars into the gorge ahead of the falls.

Overnight: Lodge in Murchison Falls
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, set off on a full-day drive to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa. The journey passes through rural villages, traditional farms, and the rolling tea plantations of Fort Portal.

Kibale is home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

Overnight: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Swamp Walk

This morning, head into the rainforest for a chimpanzee tracking adventure. Led by expert rangers, trek through Kibale’s thick jungle trails in search of these energetic primates. When found, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing their behavior, feeding, grooming, and playful interactions.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run initiative known for birdwatching, primates, and local conservation. It’s a peaceful contrast to the morning’s adrenaline rush and supports ecotourism in the area.

Overnight: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive

After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most scenic and biodiverse savannah reserve. The drive takes you through crater lakes, banana plantations, and stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

In the afternoon, go on a game drive in the Kasenyi sector. Look out for lions, Uganda kobs, hyenas, elephants, and a wide array of birdlife. Queen Elizabeth is one of the best places in Uganda for wildlife photography.

Overnight: Safari lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel & Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha

In the morning, enjoy a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This 2-hour cruise offers close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, and hundreds of bird species. It’s one of the most relaxing yet wildlife-rich activities in Uganda.

Later, drive through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. With luck, you’ll spot them lounging in fig trees before continuing south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Overnight: Lodge near Bwindi
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Life-Changing Encounter

Today is the pinnacle of your safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing and then set off into the jungle for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek. Accompanied by trackers and armed rangers, you’ll navigate steep, misty terrain in search of a habituated gorilla family.

Upon finding them, you’ll have one magical hour to observe and photograph these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Witnessing their social bonds and human-like expressions is an emotional and humbling experience.

In the afternoon, relax at the lodge or take an optional community walk to learn about the Batwa pygmy culture.

Overnight: Lodge near Bwindi
Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 9: Return to Entebbe or Optional Extension to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Entebbe via Mbarara, with a lunch stop at the Equator for photos and souvenirs. Alternatively, choose an optional extension to Lake Bunyonyi, a tranquil lake dotted with islands, perfect for kayaking and relaxing after your safari.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be dropped off at the airport for your evening flight or checked into a hotel for the night.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch