8 Day Adventure Safari: Gorilla Trekking and Nile Rafting in Uganda

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe (Early), Pick Up and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Verdoro Safaris hopes that your flight is scheduled for an early landing in Entebbe, preferably before 14:00. Your safari will start from Entebbe International Airport, where you will be received by an English-speaking professional tour driver-guide from Verdoro Safaris and depart for Kibale Forest National Park.

The park is popular for its primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, and the Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae). You will arrive late in the afternoon or evening and check into your accommodation, relax, and later enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

• Optional (extra cost): If pick up is from a hotel, it is possible to proceed for a Bigodi Wetlands excursion to sight a few primates and birds, a crater lakes excursion, or a visit to the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves for cultural and historical insights.
• Accommodation: Turaco Treetops

Day 2: Chimp Tracking in Kibale Forest and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Have breakfast and head to the rangers’ post, where you will receive a briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will lead the chimp tracking, and you will be amazed by the abundance of primates in this area.

Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have a full hour in their presence. You will return to the lodge for lunch and thereafter head out for Queen Elizabeth National Park.

• Optional (no cost): If interested, you may go for a brief afternoon or evening game drive before heading to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Alternatively, you may consider exploring the crater drive if you enjoy scenic sights.
• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Day 3: Morning Game Drive – Kasenyi Plains, Afternoon Boat Safari – Kazinga Channel

Be up early and have breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, and lions, as well as leopards, although they are hard to spot.

Return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, sightings of wildlife, including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles, will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds along the shores.

Dinner and overnight will be at your accommodation.

• Optional (no cost): It is possible to go on a brief game drive after the boat trip, or simply return to the lodge.
• Alternative option: Consider a twin lakes hike.
• Accommodation: Turaco Treetops

Day 4: Travel to Ishasha in Search of Tree-Climbing Lions, Continue to Bwindi

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then travel to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70 percent, although they can sometimes be hard to see, especially when they are down in the grassland hunting for prey.

If you are fortunate to see them resting in the trees, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, you will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do little upon arrival other than checking into your accommodation and relaxing in preparation for the gorilla trekking experience the following day.

• Accommodation: Rafiki Safari Lodge

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for Overnight

Have breakfast and proceed to the rangers’ post, where you will receive a briefing from a ranger guide on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure.

The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape that is incredibly dense, yet crisscrossed by numerous animal trails that allow access for visitors. The time taken and terrain vary depending on the movements of the gorillas.

Once a gorilla group is located, you will be allowed one hour in their presence. The thrill of observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. After the trek, you will return to the accommodation, check out, and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for an overnight stay.

• Accommodation: Kigarama Wilderness

Day 6: Morning Walking Safari, Afternoon Boat Safari, Relax at the Lodge

Enjoy an early breakfast and proceed for a morning bush walk in Lake Mburo National Park in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. During this guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter wildlife at close range, including zebras, giraffes, elands, topis, antelopes, and Cape buffaloes.

You will take a trail to the top of the hills for views of Lake Mburo and the surrounding landscape.

• Optional (extra cost): Instead of a walking safari, you may consider a cycling safari or horseback safari within the park.

Return to the lodge for rest and lunch before heading out for a boat safari on the lake. Afterward, return to the lodge and relax.

• Optional (extra cost): If interested, you may consider a night game drive to sight nocturnal wildlife such as hyenas, leopards on a lucky day, snakes, owls, and more.
• Accommodation: Kigarama Wilderness

Day 7: Transfer from Lake Mburo to Jinja via Kampala City, Stop at the Equator

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, then check out and embark on the journey to Jinja, where the Nile begins its journey to the Mediterranean Sea.

Expect a stop at the Uganda Equator crossing mark, where you can take memorable photos or purchase locally made art pieces. Lunch will be taken at one of the selected spots within Kampala City.

• Optional (extra cost): You may consider an excursion to touristic sites in or around Kampala City before continuing to Jinja.

Upon arrival in Jinja, you will check into the booked lodge and rest.

• Accommodation: The Nile Porch
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Drive time: 5–6 hours

Day 8: White Water Rafting on the Nile, Transfer to Entebbe for Departure

After breakfast, proceed for white water rafting on the Nile. This is an exciting and exhilarating way to end your safari. No prior experience is required to enjoy this unforgettable adventure. Expect to get wet, wild, and fully immersed in the experience.

After rafting, you will begin the road transfer back to Entebbe to catch your outbound flight, recommended for 21:00 or later.

• Accommodation: Recommended on request
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Drive Time: Approximately 3–4 hours