8 Day Exclusive Primates and Wildlife Mid-Range Safari in Uganda

Brief overview

• Day 1: Entebbe - Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (6 hours' drive)
• Day 2: Game drive, Nile River boat cruise & hike to the top of the Falls
• Day 3: Murchison Falls - Kibale National Park (approx. 6 hours' drive)
• Day 4: Chimp trekking & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 3 hours' drive)
• Day 5: Game viewing drive & Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha
• Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable to Lake Bunyonyi (approx. 3 hours)
• Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi - Entebbe Airport (approx. 7 hours)

Daily itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe - Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or from your overnight hotel, meet your safari guide, and after the safari briefing, depart north toward Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an on-foot tracking experience with southern white rhinos—Uganda’s only location for rhino sightings. After lunch at Kabalega Diner, continue through rural landscapes and woodlands until you reach the park. Cross the Nile and settle into your lodge as the sun sets over Uganda’s largest protected area.

• Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
• Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (breakfast not included), drinking water (other drinks not included)
• Accommodation: Fort Murchison Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive, Nile River Boat Cruise & Hike to the Top of the Falls

Early morning, have breakfast and transfer for the morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, where you’ll encounter large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and possibly lions and leopards hunting in the open savannah. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, take a boat ride along the Nile to the base of the mighty Murchison Falls. On the way, observe hippos, Nile crocodiles, bathing elephants, and flocks of aquatic birds. At the end of the boat cruise, you will be dropped off at the bottom of the falls to take a guided hike to the top of the falls to see the Nile waters squeezing through the 9-meter gorge, creating the thunderous roar and sweeping panoramic views. Your driver will be waiting at the top of the fall to transfer you back to the lodge.

• Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
• Meals & drinks: All meals included, all drinks (except for spirits/liquor)
• Accommodation: Fort Murchison Lodge

Day 3: Murchison Falls - Kibale National Park

After breakfast, begin the scenic journey southwest to Kibale Forest National Park. This drive takes you through tea plantations, lush countryside, and crater lakes. Known for its high primate density, Kibale is home to 13 species of primates, including the endangered chimpanzee. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your forest lodge for a peaceful evening surrounded by birdcalls and jungle sounds. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.

• Main destination: Kibale National Park (chimps)
• Meals & drinks: All meals included, all drinks (except for spirits/liquor)
• Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Day 4: Chimp Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, transfer for a briefing at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre before heading into the forest with expert trackers. You’ll search for chimpanzees in their natural habitat, often encountering them feeding, grooming, or swinging through the trees. After an exhilarating hour with a habituated group, return to the lodge for lunch and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you along the Rwenzori foothills and past crater lakes and the Equator's imaginary crossing site before arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy a late afternoon game drive through the park, later settling in at The Bush Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Main destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Meals & drinks: All meals included, all drinks (except for spirits/liquor)
• Accommodation: Bush Lodge

Day 5: Game viewing drive & Kazinga Channel boat cruise

After early-morning breakfast, head off to explore the Kasenyi plains on a guided game drive. Expect sightings of elephants, lions, warthogs, kob, hyenas, and possibly leopards. Return to the lodge for lunch and head out again in the afternoon for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel—a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. You'll pass pods of hippos and crocodiles and a spectacular array of water birds, including kingfishers, storks, and African fish eagles. Return to the Bush Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Main destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Meals & drinks: All meals included, all drinks (except for spirits/liquor)
• Accommodation: Bush Lodge

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, drive through the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its population of tree-climbing lions. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, there’s a good chance of seeing these big cats lounging in fig trees. Lunch will be en route. Continue south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a World Heritage Site and the most important stronghold of mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge nestled in the forested hills and rest ahead of tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

• Main destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (gorillas)
• Meals & drinks: All meals included, all drinks (except for spirits/liquor)
• Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

This day is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast and a detailed briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, head into the forest for your gorilla trekking adventure. Hike through dense foliage, following trackers to find one of the habituated gorilla families. Once found, spend a full hour observing their behavior, a moment few will ever forget. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and continue on to Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful and serene volcanic lake dotted with 29 islands. Dinner and an overnight at Bird Nest Resort.

• Main destination: Lake Bunyonyi
• Meals & drinks: All meals included, all drinks (except for spirits / liquor)
• Accommodation: Bird Nest @ Bunyonyi Resort

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi - Entebbe Airport

On the final day, you'll start with an early, leisurely breakfast before checking out of the lodge and meeting your driver-guide for the return journey to Kampala. Along the way, you'll stop for lunch at the Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara town. After lunch, you'll continue the drive, arriving in Kampala by evening. Your driver-guide will then drop you off at your preferred location—either at Entebbe International Airport for your flight or at your hotel for the evening.