10 days best of Uganda safari

During your 10 days best of Uganda safari, you’ll have a chance encounter all African Big Five animals (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and Rhino) and embark on thrilling mountain gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Additional highlights of this 10 days Uganda safari will include;

  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
  • Tracking tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth NP
  • Track wild rhinos on foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Game walk, game drives and boat cruise safaris
  • Relaxing at scenic Lake Bunyonyi
  • Variety of cultural experiences, including visiting local villages

Trip Summary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 2: Morning Game Drive- Boat Cruise to the bottom of the fall

Day 3: Visit the top of the falls & Transfer to Kibale Forest – The Primates’ Capital

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Village Walk

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Day 7: Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha & travel to Bwindi for the Batwa Community Walk

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

Day 9: Relaxed Breakfast & Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Day 10: Walking or mountain bike safari in Lake Mburo

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Driving Distance& Time:  Approx. 337km/6 hours

In the morning, you will meet your guide who will provide a briefing about your 10 days Uganda safari. Afterward, you’ll begin your journey through the scenic rural areas of green Uganda. Traveling to the northwest of the country, passing swamps, villages, and forests, you’ll head toward Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, home to Uganda’s only rhinos. Here, you will have the chance to track white rhinos on foot, with your experienced guide ensuring your safety as you approach these magnificent beasts downwind. Don’t forget to take photos (or to breathe – you’ll get to appreciate what a 2-ton animal really looks like) while your adrenaline is pumping. Afterward, enjoy lunch at the nearby Kabalega Dinner. You will then continue your drive to Murchison Falls National Park, where you will check into your accommodation and relax for the evening, preparing for the exciting adventures ahead.

Your Accommodation Choice:

Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge

Midrange: Murchison River Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge

Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Boat Cruise

Today is dedicated to exploring the wildlife and natural wonders of Murchison Falls National Park. In the early morning, you will embark on a jeep safari in search of lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, and a variety of antelope species. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a scenic boat safari along the Nile, where you may spot hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and with some luck, even elephants bathing. The boat ride will take you to the base of the 40-meter-high Murchison Falls, the world’s strongest waterfall, with the journey lasting about three hours. For the best views, we recommend sitting on the left side of the boat, as the route follows the left bank.

Day 3: Visit the top of the falls & Transfer to Kibale

Driving Distance& Time:  Approx. 366km/6 hours

After breakfast, you will drive to the top of Murchison Falls, from which the park gets its name. Here, you’ll take a scenic walk to observe this natural wonder from various viewpoints. You’ll get an up-close look at the powerful waterfall as the world’s longest river (Nile) forcefully crashes through a narrow gap just eight meters wide, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. If time allows, you can take a short walk down to catch a full view of the waterfall, a truly breathtaking sight. Next, you will head toward Kibale Forest, driving through villages, rainforests, tea plantations, and crater lakes en route to Fort Portal. On clear days, the snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains are visible. Upon reaching Kibale Forest, you’ll enter a completely different environment – a monkeys’ paradise!

Your Accommodation Choice:

Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House/Kibale Forest Camp

Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Village Walk

Today, you will venture into the legendary Kibale Forest Park for a memorable chimpanzee trekking experience, where you’ll encounter our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. Known for having the highest concentration and variety of primates in East Africa, the forest offers an excellent opportunity to spot a chimpanzee group. Wander through lush vegetation, listening to the chimps’ calls as you observe their social interactions – from babies clinging to their mothers to older males guarding the community and playful youngsters. After an exciting chimp trek, enjoy a satisfying lunch. In the afternoon, the adventure continues with a visit to the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an unforgettable Primate Walk. This community-led conservation project protects the area’s rich biodiversity, providing a sanctuary for various primates, other mammals, and over 200 bird species. After your guided tour, return to the lodge, relax, and share stories of the day before enjoying a good dinner.

Your Accommodation Choice.

Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House/Kibale Forest Camp

Midrange: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Driving Distance and Time: Appox. 152km/2 hours

Say goodbye to Kibale and embark on a scenic 2-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. As your driver winds through the area around the Rwenzori Mountains, enjoy the picturesque agricultural landscapes and charming towns, making sure to stop at the Equator for a brief photo opportunity. Upon entering the national park, you’ll likely spot numerous Ugandan Kobs, with the occasional elephant or buffalo grazing in the distance. Take a break from the drive to enjoy a light lunch before continuing your journey through the park on a game drive, eventually arriving at your lodge. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and unwinding before enjoying a delicious dinner.

Your Accommodation Choice:

Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Kambura Gorge Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge

Semi-Luxury: Park View Lodge

Mid-range: Bush Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge

Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s top big game destination, boasting over 600 bird species and 96 species of mammals such as lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, topis, warthogs, giant forest hogs, alongside various primate species. Enjoy thrilling game and take in the stunning boat cruises along the renowned Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Keep an eye out for diverse wildlife and bird species attracted to the channel, and see how many hippos you can spot—this area is home to one of the highest concentrations of these massive river-dwellers throughout the year.

Your Accommodation Choice:

Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Kambura Gorge Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge

Semi-Luxury: Park View Lodge

Mid-range: Bush Lodge/Enganzi Game Lodge

Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 7: Track Tree-climbing lions and Travel to Bwind

Bid farewell to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and head towards the Congolese border. During your five- to six-hour journey, enjoy an exciting game drive through the Ishasha Plains, famous for its tree-climbing lions. After exploring Ishasha, continue on a breathtaking drive through rolling hills and terraced fields, eventually reaching the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Your Accommodation choice

Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp/CTPH Camp

Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp

Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner     

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi Relaxation

Enter the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with experienced guides for a once-in-a-lifetime Gorilla Trekking adventure. As you trek through the forest, you’ll follow signs of these gentle giants and have the opportunity to meet their gaze from a respectful distance. Watch as the gorilla troop interacts and goes about their daily routine, and have the privilege of observing them in their natural habitat. Afterward, return to the starting point and receive your gorilla trekking certificate in a special “gorilla graduation” ceremony.

Enjoy a packed picnic lunch before departing for Lake Bunyonyi, approximately 90 minutes away. Your journey will take you through the picturesque Kigezi Highlands, where locals practice terracing on the slopes, creating an impressive and scenic landscape. You will reach Lake Bunyonyi in the late afternoon, making it an ideal stop before your visit to Lake Mburo National Park, which is not reachable today. Lake Bunyonyi, meaning “place of many little birds,” is renowned for its lush, terraced islands and is home to over 200 bird species. It is also a great spot for water activities such as swimming, canoeing, and boat cruises.

Your Accommodation Choice:

Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Luxury: Birdnest Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner       

Day 9: Relaxed Breakfast & Transfer to Lake Mburo

Leaving Lake Bunyonyi behind, you’ll carry with you unforgettable memories—not only of your encounter with the gorillas, descendants of Dian Fossey’s protégés (“Gorillas in the Mist”), but also of the stunning, powerful, and unique beauty of Central African nature. Your journey northeast will take most of the morning, with a lunch stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre. This vast complex features conference facilities, a five-star hotel, a top restaurant, craft centers, shops, and one of the finest museums in Uganda. After lunch, you’ll continue your journey and enter Lake Mburo National Park. Just outside the park, you’ll encounter the famous long-horned Ankole cattle, tended by the Bahima people—a great photo opportunity. In the evening, relax at your beautiful lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. You can also opt for a night safari in search of leopards, if you wish.

Day 7: Walking or mountain bike safari in Lake Mburo

In the morning, you can choose between a mountain bike safari or a walking safari through the park, where you’ll have the chance to spot giraffes, elands, zebras, impalas, and more. Since there are no lions or elephants in this park, both activities can be done safely, offering a unique and intimate way to experience the wildlife. Alternatively, if you’re staying at Mihingo Lodge, you can opt for a horseback safari through the park (this activity is available by prior booking). After your morning activity and a late breakfast, you’ll drive back across the equator to Entebbe. In the early evening, you will be dropped off at the airport for your return flight home, marking the end of your 10 Days Uganda safari adventure. We hope you had a wonderful experience!

*Please note: Extensions toTanzania Rwanda, or Kenya can easily be organized. Please don’t hesitate to ask for our expert assistance.

Accommodation: Not Included

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

End of the 10 Days Uganda Safari

Inclusions

  • Park fees
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • All accommodation
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Meals as specified in the day-by-day section
  • Drinking water on all days

Exclusions

  • International flights from/to home
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips
  • Personal items like souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees