10 days Uganda Safari Wildlife, Gorillas & Chimps

From AUD $5,367 per person 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking

A relaxed trip of 10 days highlighting a variety of tourist activities, sightseeing, launch cruise, game drives, cultural walks.

10 days Uganda Safari takes you to different National parks where you will discover the forest and Savannah experience in different national parks like Murchison falls, Kibale forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Lake Mburo National Parks.

A number of activities will be done such as Chimp tracking, Game drives, Gorilla trekking, Boat cruises among others.

Why this safari works

This trip suits travellers who want both savannah and forest in one go, with gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives and boat cruises across five Ugandan parks. The route runs in a loop from Kampala, north to Murchison Falls, down the west through Kibale and Queen Elizabeth, then south to Bwindi before finishing at Lake Mburo. Most parks get two or more nights, so game drives and cruises are not squeezed in on travel days. Accommodation options are given at budget, mid-range and luxury level for each stop.

Highlights

  • Top of Murchison Falls and a Nile boat cruise to the bottom of the falls
  • Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
  • Kasenyi game drive and Kazinga Channel launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge and a Maramagambo forest walk
  • Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and a Batwa community walk
  • Boat cruise and game drive in Lake Mburo National Park

Your route

  1. Murchison Falls National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  2. Kibale National Park Uganda · 1 night
  3. Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda · 3 nights
  4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  5. Lake Mburo National Park Uganda · 1 night
  6. Kampala Uganda · Departure

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1
    Murchison Falls torrent through gorge, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

    Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

    Drive from Kampala in the morning with your guide to Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park and home to 451 bird species and 76 mammal species. Your eyes will be fed with lots of sightings along the way as you will enjoy a bottle of drinking water. Have a number of stops in Masindi for lunch and also at the top of the waterfalls.

    There is nothing as thrilling as watching the River Nile make its way through an 8 m crevice and dropping nearly 45 meters below as it continues with its course. Due to the great power of the falls, you will realize that the ground here is actually shaking; this is very impressive as a rainbow is also found. Thereafter continue to your lodge and check in, have dinner and an overnight stay.

    Accommodation Options; Paraa Safari Lodge(Luxury), Fort Murchison/Pakuba Safari Lodge(Mid-range), Red Chilli Rest Camp/Heritage Safari Lodge(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Drive to Murchison Falls
    • Paraa Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp or Heritage Safari Lodge
    • Full board
  2. Day2
    Giraffes among borassus palms in golden grass, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

    Murchison Game drive and the Nile Boat cruise

    On this day, you will have a tasty breakfast and set out for a game drive. The tour guide will lead you to the finest places to easily see the animals. You will certainly enjoy Uganda’s true wilderness as you will be taking the best pictures that will be unforgettable on this safari. The thrill will be seeing lions, lioness plus their cubs together with other wild animals such as elephants plus giraffes moving, buffaloes and antelopes grazing in the savannah.

    Head back to your lodge for a delicious lunch and some rest as you prepare for the afternoon Nile boat cruise. On the boat you will have a great time on the Victoria Nile, the boat takes you to the bottom of the falls. You will observe various animals like elephants, crocodiles, large numbers of hippos, buffaloes, water bucks and also birds such as the storks, fish eagle among others. While at the bottom of the falls you will have a great time watching the magnificent waterfalls. Return to the lodge for dinner and Overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Paraa Safari Lodge(Luxury), Fort Murchison/Pakuba Safari Lodge(Mid-range), Red Chilli Rest Camp/Heritage Safari Lodge(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Game drive and Nile cruise
    • Paraa Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp or Heritage Safari Lodge
    • Full board
  3. Day3
    Dense tropical rainforest interior with tall trees, Kibale Forest, Uganda

    Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest

    Enjoy an early breakfast at the lodge and drive to Kibale Forest; you will take pleasure in the gorgeous scenery of this countryside which makes the tour more exciting. Have your lunch en route in Fort Portal town and continue as you will have great views of the Rwenzori ranges. Check in at your lodge.

    You could go for a guided nature walk in Bigodi wetland which is home to various birds and primate species. Later have dinner and overnight at the lodge.

    Accommodation Options; Ndali lodge/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Chimp nest lodge Meal Plan; Full Board.

    • Drive to Kibale
    • Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge or Chimp Nest Lodge
    • Full board
  4. Day4
    Chimpanzee in tree canopy, Kibale Forest, Uganda

    Kibale Forest- Morning Chimpanzee trekking

    Get up so early for breakfast and head to the park, where you will be briefed and later start off with Chimpanzee trekking in the forest. Kibale forest is among the charming places well-known for different primates and several crater lakes within Uganda.

    In the morning you will see the chimps in their natural environment. These chimps are also exciting and this very close encounter will reward you with a memorable experience on your trip. After lunch you will drive to the Mweya peninsula in Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Have a delicious dinner and night rest. Accommodation options; Mweya safari lodge/Katara lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge(Up market), Bush lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge/Twin Lakes Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostels/Bush lodge in Tents(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Chimpanzee trekking
    • Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, Bush Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge or Mweya Hostels
    • Full board
  5. Day5
    Buffalo with oxpeckers and bee-eater on its back by water, Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda

    Game drive & Launch cruise -Queen Elizabeth

    Enjoy your breakfast and set out for a game drive through the Kasenyi track and other tracks where you have a chance to observe different wildlife species like lions, elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes and if lucky enough leopards together with amazing beautiful bird species. Queen Elizabeth has a diversity of Uganda’s ecosystems such as the Savannah, wetlands, lakes, forests and over 600 bird species which live in the park.

    With this, its scenery is spectacular with crater lakes like Nyamunuka and various shrubs and forests. Later head back to the lodge for lunch and relax. In the afternoon go for a launch cruise on Kazinga channel; this is one of the most memorable experiences from the park. Take pleasure in observing different water birds together with their echoing sweet sounds and animals such as hippos, African crocodiles, waterbucks, buffaloes among others. After experiencing the true wilderness, drive back to the lodge for a night rest and dinner.

    Accommodation options; Mweya safari lodge/Katara lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge(Up market), Bush lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge/Twin Lakes Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostels/Bush lodge in Tents(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Game drive and Kazinga cruise
    • Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, Bush Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge or Mweya Hostels
    • Full board
  6. Day6

    Forest Walk and Chimpanzee tracking

    Breakfast in the morning and head for a guided forest walk in Maramagambo forest with the hope to see diverse birds species, python and bat caves. You will also track chimpanzees in the Kyambura gorge. Head back to the lodge, have lunch as you prepare for an evening game drive through the park.

    Accommodation options; Mweya safari lodge/Katara lodge/Mazike Valley Lodge(Up market), Bush lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge/Twin Lakes Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostels/Bush lodge in Tents(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board.

    • Kyambura chimps and forest walk
    • Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge, Bush Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge or Mweya Hostels
    • Full board
  7. Day7
    Misty forested hills with tea in foreground, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

    After breakfast transfer to Bwindi via the Ishasha sector as you will have a chance to observe tree-climbing lions in the wild. Bwindi National Park is home to over 346 bird species, 120 mammal species, 400 plant species, 27 frog species among others and covering an area of 331 sq km. Have lunch en route and continue with your tour combined with amazing and spectacular views of banana, tea plantations and the overall green vegetation of the area. On reaching the park check in at lodge of preference. Have dinner and overnight stay as you wait for the big day for gorilla tracking.

    Accommodation Options; Mahogany springs/Chameleon Hill/Silver back lodge/Buhoma lodge(Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge(Midrange), Ruhija Gorilla friends camp/Rushaga Gorilla Camp(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Drive via Ishasha
    • Mahogany Springs, Chameleon Hill, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Rushaga Gorilla Camp
    • Full board
  8. Day8
    Gorilla face peeking through leaves, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Gorilla Tracking and Community walk -Bwindi

    After a cup of tea, head to the park head offices with your guide, have a briefing about the dos and don’ts while in the park with gorillas.

    Afterwards, head for gorilla trekking through the mist rain forest, trekking can take 2 hours or up to 6 hours and this is based on the location of the gentle giants. Only 1 hour is permitted to trekkers while with the gorillas. Make sure you carry packed lunch, enough water, sturdy shoes, non-flash cameras, rain jackets, walking sticks for those who are not so fit.

    Later return to the lodge and relax. In the evening, go for a community walk where you will visit the Batwa, which is an indigenous group of people that has lived in the forest for many years, enjoy traditional dances from them. Head back to the lodge for Dinner and overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Mahogany springs/Chameleon Hill/Silver back lodge/Buhoma lodge(Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge(Midrange), Ruhija Gorilla friends camp/Rushaga Gorilla Camp(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Gorilla trekking
    • Mahogany Springs, Chameleon Hill, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Rushaga Gorilla Camp
    • Full board
  9. Day9
    Zebras grazing in green woodland, Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

    Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

    Breakfast and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, which is approximately a 6 to 7 hours drive. You will go through the outstanding scenery in Kabale which is a combination of terraced hills, forests, banana plantations among others. Have lunch in Mbarara and continue to Lake Mburo which is home to over 332 bird species, sitting on an area of 371 sq km.

    A number of animals made it their home such as Zebras, impalas, warthogs, topis, waterbucks, buffaloes, and reedbucks among others. Upon arrival, you will have a boat cruise on the lake where your eyes will be fed with lots of wonders like the birds, crocodiles, hippos, zebras among others. Have dinner and a night rest.

    Accommodation options; Mihingo lodge(Luxury)/Rwakobo lodge(Mid-range)/Rwonyo Rest Camp(Budget) Meal Plan; Full Board

    • Drive and boat cruise
    • Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Lodge or Rwonyo Rest Camp
    • Full board
  10. Day10
    Impala, one leaping, in woodland, Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

    Return to Kampala

    As you come to the end of this adventurous safari, you will have breakfast and leave for an early game drive. There you will see numerous zebras, Impalas, warthogs and antelopes living in their many natural habitats.

    A good camera is a must have which in this instance offers you better pictures of Uganda’s true wilderness. Proceed with your tour to Kampala, with a stopover for lunch in Masaka and another at the Equator to take photos hence arriving in Kampala in the evening or if your flight is on the same day, you will be transferred to Entebbe for your flight back home.

    • Game drive and return
    • Breakfast

Safari Cost

Accommodation typeQuote per person, 2 paxQuote per person, 4 pax
Basic accommodationAUD $6,786AUD $5,367
Superior accommodationAUD $7,547AUD $6,733
Deluxe accommodationAUD $11,569AUD $10,149

Prices are per person in Australian dollars. Ask us for a quote for your dates and group size.

PRICE INCLUDES

  • Gorilla Permits
  • Chimpanzee Permits
  • Rhino Tracking
  • Bottled Water
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • Boat Rides
  • Cultural Tours
  • All Activities Mentioned

PRICE EXCLUDES

  • International flight fare
  • Entry Visas
  • Laundry services
  • Tips
  • Alcoholic Drinks

Frequently asked questions

Which parks does this safari visit?

Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Mburo National Parks, in that order.

How many primate treks are there?

Three. You trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest on Day 4, track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge on Day 6 and trek gorillas in Bwindi on Day 8.

How long is the gorilla trek?

The trek can take from 2 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are, and once you find them you spend 1 hour with them.

Which boat trips are included in the itinerary?

There are three: a Nile cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls on Day 2, a Kazinga Channel launch cruise on Day 5 and a boat cruise on Lake Mburo on Day 9.

What is the meal plan?

Every night from Day 1 to Day 9 is on a full board basis, and Day 10 starts with breakfast before the drive back.

Where does the trip end?

It ends in Kampala in the evening of Day 10, or you are taken to Entebbe if your flight home is that day.