11 Days Best of Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Safari

Detailed 11-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will meet your Jomert Gorilla Safaris guide and begin your journey towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Depending on your arrival time, you will proceed to the sanctuary for your first wildlife experience in Uganda. Ziwa is home to southern white rhinos and offers visitors the opportunity to observe these magnificent animals on foot with trained ranger guides. If your international flight arrives early enough, you can enjoy rhino tracking today. If you arrive later, the activity can be arranged the following morning before continuing to Murchison Falls. After the activity, relax at your lodge and prepare for the next stage of your safari.

Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary or similar
Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, continue your journey northwards to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. The drive takes you through rural communities, agricultural landscapes and beautiful countryside before entering the park. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an afternoon game drive in the northern sector of the park. Murchison Falls is famous for the Nile River passing through a narrow gorge before continuing downstream, creating spectacular scenery. During the game drive, keep an eye out for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and, with luck, lions.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Murchison Falls – Morning Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Wake up early for a morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park. The early morning is a rewarding time to explore the savannah as wildlife is often more active before temperatures rise. You may encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeests, waterbucks and numerous bird species. After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks provide excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes coming to the water to drink. After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Murchison Falls – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and begin your journey southwards toward Kibale Forest National Park. This is a longer transfer day, taking you through rural Uganda and changing landscapes as you travel toward western Uganda.

Along the way, you will see local villages, farms, plantations and beautiful countryside. Arrive in the Kibale area in the evening and check into your lodge. Relax and prepare for the following day’s exciting chimpanzee trekking experience.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or similar
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest – Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale is one of Uganda’s leading destinations for chimpanzee trekking and is also home to a remarkable diversity of primates. You will walk through the tropical forest with experienced ranger guides as you search for chimpanzees. Along the way, you may encounter other primates, birds, butterflies and forest wildlife. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, you can take an optional Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk. This community-based experience provides opportunities to see monkeys, birds, butterflies and other wetland species while interacting with the local community.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or similar
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, depart Kibale and drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through some of western Uganda’s most scenic landscapes, including tea plantations, crater lakes, rolling hills and rural communities.

Upon arrival in Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoy an afternoon game drive depending on your arrival time. The park is home to elephants, buffaloes, hippos, lions, leopards, Uganda kob, warthogs and numerous bird species.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin the day with a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the savannah while searching for elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, antelopes and other wildlife. If the itinerary and road conditions allow, the safari can include the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions.

After lunch, enjoy one of the highlights of the safari — a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and water birds. After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge or similar
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you through the spectacular landscapes of southwestern Uganda, including rolling hills, cultivated terraces and local communities. Depending on your gorilla trekking sector, your guide will select the most suitable route to your accommodation. Arrive at your lodge and relax as you prepare for the following day’s unforgettable Uganda gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge or similar
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Uganda Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the major highlight of your 11 Days Best of Uganda Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife Safari. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. You will then begin your gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The trek takes you through the dense rainforest and mountainous terrain of Bwindi as you search for a habituated gorilla family. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing their behavior, social interactions and daily activities.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family, so good walking shoes, drinking water and appropriate clothing are recommended. After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation and dinner.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge or similar
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Bwindi – Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, leave Bwindi and begin your journey towards Lake Mburo National Park. This scenic drive takes you through the beautiful countryside of southwestern Uganda, with opportunities to see local communities, farms and rolling hills along the way. Upon arrival in Lake Mburo National Park, enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Lake Mburo is a unique Ugandan wildlife destination known for zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, warthogs, giraffes and several antelope species. The park’s savannah landscapes and numerous lakes make it a beautiful final wildlife destination before leaving Uganda. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an evening game drive before returning to your lodge.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge or similar
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner