9-Day Uganda Safari
9-Day Uganda Safari: Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife
Tour Overview
Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa for good reason. It is full of beautiful forests, green hills, big lakes, and amazing animals. On this 9-day Uganda safari, you will see the best of Uganda’s nature and wildlife. You will track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and watch chimpanzees play in Kibale rainforest.
You will also go on game drives in savannahs, take boat rides on the Nile River, and enjoy nature walks. Along the way, you may see elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, zebras, and many colorful birds. This safari is perfect for anyone who loves wildlife, nature, and exploring beautiful places.
Your Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls NP via Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch
Day 3: Game drive & Nile boat cruise – Murchison Falls NP
Day 4: Top of the Falls & transfer to Kibale Forest
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi Wetland walk
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 7: Gorilla trekking & relaxation
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 9: Morning activity & return to Entebbe
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe
Welcome to the Pearl of Africa!
Your journey starts the moment you land at Entebbe International Airport. Your Greenway Nature Tours guide will meet you, help with your bags, and take you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to your nearby guesthouse or hotel.
Entebbe Town sits near Kampala on the shore of Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake) and has a calm, friendly atmosphere. If you arrive early, you can walk through the Entebbe Botanical Garden, take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria, or shop for souvenirs at the Entebbe Craft Village.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Via Via Hotel
Luxury: No5 Boutique Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Optional activities
- Entebbe – Craft Village Visit – Free
- Entebbe – Botanical Gardens – USD10
- Sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria USD 200
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park Via Ziwa Rhino Ranch
After an early breakfast, you begin your journey northwest toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most spectacular protected area. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, with several scenic and comfort stops along the way to stretch your legs and enjoy the countryside. As you travel through the wide-open landscapes of the Nakasongora District, the scenery gradually changes from bustling towns to quiet savannah plains. At Nakitooma, you branch off for a very special experience at Ziwa Rhino & Widlife Ranch, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos.
Ziwa covers 70 km² (7,000 hectares) and is managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Its long-term conservation mission is to rebuild a sustainable population of Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) and eventually reintroduce them into Uganda’s national parks. Accompanied by an expert ranger-guide, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided rhino tracking experience on foot, offering a rare and thrilling opportunity to observe these magnificent giants just a few meters away. With approximately 48 rhinos currently in the sanctuary, this encounter is both intimate and unforgettable.
Beyond rhinos, the ranch is home to over 40 other mammal and reptile species, including antelopes, monkeys, and Nile crocodiles, as well as an impressive variety of birds such as the Giant Kingfisher, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, and the colorful Great Blue and Ross’s Turaco.
Following your rhino encounter, you will stop for lunch at Kabalega, where you can sample authentic Ugandan cuisine for the first time. Influenced by English, Arab, and Indian flavors, local dishes typically include hearty stews made with peanuts, beans, or meat, served with ugali (maize meal) or wrapped in banana leaves, alongside fresh fish and vegetarian options.
After lunch, the journey continues to the legendary Murchison Falls National Park. As you drive through the park’s southern sector, you’ll get your first taste of its vast wilderness and dramatic scenery. Once one of Africa’s most celebrated national parks, Murchison Falls suffered heavy wildlife losses during the poaching era of the 1960s. Today, it is proudly reclaiming its former glory, now protecting 3,893 km² (1,503 sq miles) of pristine landscapes and supporting 76 mammal species (including four of the Big Five) and more than 450 bird species, many of them rare and range-restricted.
The park is named after the powerful Murchison Falls, which you will explore in detail the following day. The falls were named by explorer Sir Samuel Baker in honor of Roderick Murchison, then President of the Royal Geographical Society. Over the years, the park has welcomed famous visitors such as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway, and members of the British royal family. It also served as a filming location for the classic 1951 movie The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart.
You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, settle in, enjoy dinner, and relax as the sounds of the African wilderness welcome you to your first night in the park.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Cottage
Luxury: Papa’s Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Cruise Murchison Falls National Park
Your day begins with an early breakfast, followed by your first full game drive of the safari. You head to the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, an area characterized by open savannah, majestic borassus palms, acacia trees, and riverine woodland. This contrasts beautifully with the denser woodlands and forest patches found in the southern part of the park.
As you explore the plains, keep your eyes peeled for a remarkable variety of wildlife. Species commonly encountered include lions, leopards, African elephants, African buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, spotted hyenas, oribi, common warthogs, Jackson’s hartebeest, waterbuck, sitatunga, hippopotamus, Uganda kob, patas monkeys, olive baboons, and Uganda’s largest population of Nile crocodiles. Each sighting offers a glimpse into the rich ecosystems that make Murchison Falls one of Uganda’s premier safari destinations.
Birdlife is equally impressive, with over 450 recorded species making the park a paradise for birdwatchers. Among the highlights you may spot are the iconic Shoebill, the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl, Saddle-billed Stork, African Dwarf Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Black-billed Wood Dove, Senegal Coucal, Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Whistling Cisticola, Western Black-headed Batis, White-crested Helmetshrike, Western Violet-backed and Beautiful Sunbird, Grey Crowned Crane (Uganda’s national bird), Double-toothed Barbet, White-thighed Hornbill, and the spectacular Great Blue Turaco, among many others.
By late morning, you return to your lodge to relax and enjoy lunch, taking in the peaceful surroundings of the Nile.
In the afternoon, you embark on one of the most memorable experiences of the entire safari: a boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. This approximately 3-hour cruise glides along the calmer stretches of the river toward the Albert Delta, offering outstanding wildlife viewing from the water. Along the banks and in the shallows, you are likely to see large pods of hippos, basking Nile crocodiles, and—if luck is on your side—the elusive Shoebill.
The river also attracts an abundance of birdlife, including African Darter, Goliath and Purple Heron, Woolly-necked and Yellow-billed Stork, Hamerkop, African Fish Eagle, Egyptian and Spur-winged Goose, African Jacana, Malachite, Pied and Giant Kingfisher, Wire-tailed Swallow, and Red-throated Bee-eater.
As the boat reaches the base of the falls, you will witness one of the world’s most dramatic natural spectacles. Along its 6,700-kilometre journey, the Nile is at its most powerful here, where a 50-metre-wide river is forced through a rocky gorge less than 8 metres wide, plunging 45 metres into the “Devil’s Cauldron” below. The thunderous roar, swirling mist, and ever-present rainbow create an unforgettable sensory experience.
After the cruise, you return to your lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest. As night falls, take a moment to gaze at the brilliant African sky—free from city lights—and listen for the sounds of hippos emerging from the river to graze near the lodge, a magical end to an extraordinary day.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Cottage
Luxury: Papa’s Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Visit the Top of the Falls & Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, you begin a scenic southward journey of approximately 7 hours. Before bidding farewell to Murchison Falls National Park, you make a memorable stop at the Top of Murchison Falls. Standing at this dramatic viewpoint, you will witness the full force of the Nile as it is squeezed through a narrow rocky gorge and crashes below. Feel the ground vibrate beneath your feet and hear the thunderous roar of the water—an awe-inspiring and powerful farewell to Uganda’s most iconic waterfall.
Leaving the park behind, you continue your journey toward Kibale Forest National Park, passing through the growing oil city of Hoima. The drive offers a constantly changing landscape of rolling hills, lush farmland, and rural villages, providing an authentic glimpse into everyday life in western Uganda. As you travel along the Albertine Rift escarpment, the scenery transitions between forests, cultivated land, crater lakes, and open plains—an especially scenic stretch of the journey.
Around midday, you arrive in the charming town of Fort Portal, nestled at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Although the fort that gave the town its name no longer stands, Fort Portal remains one of Uganda’s most attractive towns and an important commercial hub in the country’s tea-growing region. The area’s cool climate, manicured tea estates, and bustling local market add to its charm. You will stop here to enjoy lunch at one of the town’s best restaurants.
After lunch, you continue the final leg of the journey—about one hour south—to Kibale Forest National Park. Covering 776 km² (300 sq mi), Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses of both lowland and montane rainforest in East Africa and is internationally renowned for its exceptional primate diversity. Officially gazetted in 1993, the park forms a continuous forest corridor with Queen Elizabeth National Park, creating a 180-kilometre wildlife corridor that allows species such as African elephants to move freely between ecosystems.
Kibale’s elevation ranges from 1,100 to 1,600 metres above sea level, resulting in a rich mosaic of habitats. These include moist evergreen rainforest on the Fort Portal plateau, semi-deciduous tropical forest, and woodland-savanna ecosystems along the rift valley floor. The park is botanically rich, with over 350 recorded tree species.
Kibale’s greatest attraction, however, is its remarkable concentration of primates—one of the highest in Africa. Species found here include the endangered chimpanzee, Ugandan grey-cheeked mangabey, endangered ashy red colobus, olive baboon, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus (guereza), blue monkey, and the vulnerable L’Hoest’s monkey, among others.
You will arrive at your lodge or camp in the late afternoon, where you can settle in, relax, and enjoy the peaceful forest surroundings. After dinner, unwind and prepare for the exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure that awaits you tomorrow.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Turaco Treetops Standard Cottage
Luxury: Primate Loddge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland Walk
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the Kanyanchu Tourism Centre in Kibale National Park, where your chimpanzee trekking experience begins promptly at 8:00 am. Upon arrival, you will receive a detailed briefing from the highly knowledgeable park rangers, who will guide you through the forest and explain the trekking rules, safety procedures, and chimpanzee behavior.
Following the briefing, you venture into the dense rainforest in search of chimpanzees—our closest living relatives. The trek typically lasts 3 to 4 hours and may be physically demanding at times due to muddy trails and thick vegetation. However, the effort is richly rewarded when you encounter a habituated chimpanzee community. You will spend a full hour observing them as they feed on fruit, groom one another, swing effortlessly through the canopy, and communicate using their distinctive vocalizations—an exhilarating and deeply memorable wildlife encounter.
After the trek, you return to your lodge to relax and enjoy lunch, with time to rest after an exciting morning in the forest.
In the afternoon, you will head out for a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a successful community-based conservation project located on the edge of Kibale Forest. This lush wetland is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is often referred to as a “birdwatcher’s paradise.” During the walk, you may encounter several monkey species, colorful butterflies, and a wide variety of birds. With a bit of luck, you may spot the Great Blue Turaco, the sanctuary’s most iconic resident.
As the day winds down, you return to your accommodation for a leisurely evening at your own pace. Enjoy a refreshing drink, share stories from the day, and reflect on the remarkable experiences of your Ugandan primate adventure.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Turaco Treetops Standard Cottage
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special information
Since chimpanzees are usually spotted high in the trees, it might be worth bringing a pair of binoculars to make the most out of your day today.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After a hearty breakfast, begin your day with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most wildlife-rich parks. Keep your camera ready as you search for elephants, buffalo, antelope, tree-climbing lions, leopards, and an array of fascinating wildlife in the park’s scenic savanna and woodland habitats. Following your game drive, continue your journey south toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the world-famous mountain gorillas. Along the way, take in the breathtaking landscapes of southwestern Uganda, with rolling green hills, tea plantations, crater lakes, and quaint rural villages.
Midway, you may stop in a local village to enjoy lunch and a coffee break, and if you wish, interact with the Batooro and Bakiga communities, learning about their daily life and culture—an optional but enriching experience.
After this scenic drive, arrive in Bwindi and settle into your lodge, ready to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure. Today’s journey covers approximately 5–6 hours, but the spectacular views and wildlife encounters along the way make every minute unforgettable.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: The Haven Community Lodge – Buhoma
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking & Relaxation
After breakfast, meet your local guide and experienced trackers for an unforgettable adventure into the rugged, misty mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of the rare and majestic mountain gorillas. As you trek through dense rainforest, winding paths, and sometimes steep slopes, you’ll experience the full thrill of Bwindi’s “impenetrable” terrain. The hike can be wet, muddy, and physically challenging, but every step brings you closer to one of nature’s most incredible encounters.
Then, the moment arrives—your first glimpse of a gorilla family in the wild. Witness the silverback leading his group, mothers caring for their young, and juveniles playfully swinging through the trees. Spend a full hour observing these gentle giants as they eat, groom, play, and communicate—a magical experience you’ll treasure forever. Every sight, sound, and movement of the gorillas is a memory etched into your heart.
After this extraordinary encounter, enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the lush greenery of Bwindi before returning to your lodge. Take some time to freshen up with a hot shower and relax after a morning of adventure.
In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Batwa pygmy community, where you can learn about their traditional hunter-gatherer culture and gain a deeper appreciation for the people who have lived alongside these forests for generations. End your day with a hearty dinner by the crackling fireplace, reflecting on the awe-inspiring moments of the day and the unforgettable experiences of your Uganda safari.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: The Haven Community Lodge
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional activities
- Batwa Village Visit – USD35
Special information
Visits to the gorillas are strictly controlled to reduce possible negative impacts on gorilla health and behaviour. A surgical face mask must be worn while within proximity of the gorillas to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
You will be provided with a walking stick and the option to hire a porter who can carry your day pack and assist you on the trek. It costs 20 USD to hire a porter, plus an optional tip. Hiring a porter not only makes your trek easier but also encourages local communities to embrace gorilla conservation and tourism. Some porters are ex-poachers who now recognize the value in gorilla conservation practices.
Day 8: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, bid farewell to the lush mountains and misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as you set off on a scenic drive of approximately 5.5 hours to Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, enjoy rolling hills, expansive savannahs, patchwork farmland, and glistening wetlands, offering a true glimpse into the heart of rural Uganda.
Lake Mburo may be the smallest savannah park in Uganda, but it is packed with wildlife, diverse landscapes, and intimate safari experiences. The park is a haven for zebras, impalas, topis, buffalo, hippos, and a host of bird species, making it a photographer’s paradise.
This afternoon, you have the option to join a game drive through the park’s gentle rolling hills and acacia woodlands. Keep your eyes peeled for zebra herds grazing peacefully, hippos wallowing in the water, and buffalo roaming freely. The smaller size of the park often allows for closer, more personal wildlife encounters, making every sighting even more special. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon to freshen up and relax, and enjoy a final celebratory dinner as you reflect on the incredible adventures of your 9-day Uganda safari.
Accommodation Options:
Middle class: Rwakobo Rock
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional activities
- Lake Mburo – Cycling Tour – USD90
- Lake Mburo – Walking Safari – USD25
- Lake Mburo – Boat Ride – USD30
- Lake Mburo – Community Walk – USD35
- Lake Mburo – Game Drive – USD45
- Lake Mburo – Horseback safari – USD 100
- Lake Mburo Night Safari – USD 50
Day 9: Game drive & return to Entebbe
Wake up early and enjoy one last game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, soaking in the sights of zebras, impalas, buffalo, and other wildlife in the soft morning light. The park’s rolling hills, acacia woodlands, and tranquil wetlands provide the perfect backdrop for a final safari adventure.
After the morning game drive, begin the scenic 5-hour drive back to Entebbe, passing through picturesque rural villages, farmland, and lush Ugandan landscapes. Along the way, make a stop at the Ugandan Equator crossing at Kayabwe, a fun and iconic experience where you can stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s perfect for photos and also a great spot to purchase local souvenirs as keepsakes from your journey.
Continue your drive to Entebbe, arriving at the airport or your accommodation in time to reflect on the incredible wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes you’ve enjoyed over the past nine days. Say farewell to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, with memories that will last a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast
9 Day UGANDA Safari Price
Midrange Package Price
- 1 Pax: USD 5389
- 2 Pax: USD 4065 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 3718 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 3474 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 3384 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 3277 per person
Luxury - High Season Price
- 1 Pax: USD 9077
- 2 Pax: USD 6966 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 5967 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 5769 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 5648 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 5597 per person
Luxury - Low Season Price
- 1 Pax: USD 7247
- 2 Pax: USD 5590 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 5296 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 4956 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 4906 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 4744 per person
The low season prices apply from 1st April to 31 May.
Inclusions
- Accommodation as per itinerary (Day 1–8) in your selected category
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari driver–guide
- Airport pickup on arrival
- Airport drop-off at the end of the tour
- All fuel for the trip
- All national park entrance fees
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (Kibale Forest National Park)
- Gorilla Trekking Permit (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
- Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
- Boat cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of Murchison Falls
- Visit to the top of the falls
- Rhino Tracking on foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Bigodi Cultural Village Walk
- Enroute game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- All ranger fees for guided activities
- Scenic stops (e.g., Uganda Equator)
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Full-time support from Greenway Nature Tours
- All government taxes
exclusions
- International flights to and from Uganda
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, lodge staff, and park rangers
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
- Any services not mentioned under safari inclusions
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