Best of Uganda Safaris-10 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari and Wildlife Tour
Private Safari: 10 days best of Uganda safaris
Proposed Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Wildlife Safari: The Best of Uganda.
From the moment you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, situated on the lush shores of Lake Victoria, you’ll immediately realize that Uganda is no ordinary safari destination. Entebbe, with its sprawling golf course, serene lakeside views, and vibrant botanical gardens teeming with playful monkeys and colorful birdlife, stands as one of Africa’s most peaceful urban gems.
Just 40 kilometers away lies the bustling capital, Kampala, spread across seven scenic hills. Its modern, lively atmosphere reflects Uganda’s stability and economic growth since 1986. The city’s green spaces and rolling landscapes add to its charm.
Uganda’s unique ecological diversity is a fascinating blend of East African savannah and West African jungle. Here, you can witness lions roaming the expansive plains in the morning, then trek into the rainforest to track chimpanzees in the afternoon. The next day, glide through tropical waterways filled with hippos and crocodiles before venturing into mist-covered mountains for an unforgettable encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas. Uganda offers a truly unparalleled fusion of wildlife adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Highlights:
Murchison Falls National park,
Kibale Forest Park,
Queen Elizabeth National Park,
Bwindi Impenetrable forests,
Lake Mburo National Park
Mabamba swamps
Safari Itinerary-Best of Uganda Safaris
DAY 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park for Wildlife Safari and Boat Cruise.
After breakfast at your hotel, briefing about the best of Uganda safaris and then drive to Murchison falls National Park it takes 4-5 hrs. This is Uganda’s largest national park whose palm studded grassland supports dense populations of lions, Buffalos, Elephants, the Uganda Kob together with the localized Rothschild’s giraffe or Patas monkeys, warthog, butterflies and a lot more.
Enormous concentrations of hippos and birds can be observed from morning / afternoon launch trip along the Victoria Nile placed below the magnificent Murchison falls National park, with a stopover at Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhinos, Have lunch en route in Masindi town and then drive to the top of the falls. You will then retire for dinner and overnight at lodge.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury : Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge.
Midrange: Kabalega Wilderness/ Twiga Lodge/ pakuba Lodge/Sambiya River lodge
Day 2: Murchison Falls Game drive and Launch cruise
Take a cup of coffee and then later you will go for an early morning game drive at the Northern bank of the Victoria Nile. Expect encounters of Lions, Leopards, Giraffe, Buffalo, Elephant, The African Python and much other Savannah wildlife.
Return for mid-morning breakfast and lunch and then later you will be transferred to the Pier to take a launch cruise to the Bottom of the falls. Encounters of hippos, Crocodiles, and much other wildlife will be seen along the shores taking water from the river.
There is an optional hike to the top of the falls from the bottom where the boat ride ends. If you are not interested in this, you will be ridden back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury : Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge
Midrange: Kabalega Wilderness/ Twiga Lodge/ pakuba Lodge/Sambiya River lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National park – Fort portal for Chimpanzee tracking.
After a delicious breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kibale National Park, traveling via Hoima and finally reaching Fort Portal in about 4 hours. The highlight of your visit awaits: the thrilling chimpanzee tracking experience, which takes place daily at 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM from Kanyankyu.
Meeting our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, with genetic similarities exceeding 95% (according to 2006 statistics), promises to be a truly unforgettable experience. As you trek through the forest, you may also encounter other primates like the grey-cheeked mangabey and the red-tailed monkey. While birdwatching within the dense forest can be challenging, you’ll hear the delightful chorus of bird songs. For the best birdwatching, head to the outskirts of the camp or along the nearby roads.
Along the way, capture the charm of traditional homesteads and picturesque farms, adding a cultural touch to your journey. Upon arrival in Fort Portal, enjoy its pleasant climate, offering a perfect setting for further exploration and relaxation
Accommodation: (full board).
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge / primate lodge kibale/ Kibale safari lodge/Craters Lodge.
Mid-range: Primates lodge cottages/ Kibale Forest Camp/ Isunga lodge/Chimpanzee forest guest House,
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National park Uganda for wildlife game drive and boat safari.
Take an early breakfast and head for the park guided walk. (2-3 hours). This park has 12 species of primates including the chimp. Get very clear pictures of the variety in flora fauna and birds.
Have lunch and head for Queen Elizabeth National Park via the foothills of foot hills of mountain Rwenzori. Take an evening game drive and retire for the night at
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge or Jacana Lodge / Enganzilodge
Mid-range: Buffulos lodge/Engiri safari Lodge/Bush lodge
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National park Game drive and launch cruise
Wake up early and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before setting off on a game drive along the Kasenyi Track, where you’ll have the chance to see herds of buffalo, elephants, warthogs, and lions. Afterward, return to the lodge for a mid-morning breakfast.
In the afternoon, embark on a two-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, offering a unique opportunity to get up close to hippos and spot a variety of bird species native to the park.
The birdlife here is truly remarkable, with over 550 species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Lodge or Jacana Lodge / Enganzilodge
Mid-range: Buffulos lodge/Engiri safari Lodge/Bush lodge
DAY 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha sector for the tree climbing lions.
After breakfast drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, via the Ishaha sector for the tree climbing lions and through picturesque panorama where the overriding topography is of terraced farmland and deep valleys. Lunch, dinner and overnight at.
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Sanctuary gorilla lodge
Midrange: Engangi lodge/silver back lodge/4 gorillaz/Bakiga lodge
DAY 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters by 7:00 AM for a briefing on gorilla behavior and trekking guidelines.
At around 8:00 AM, we begin the highlight of the gorilla trekking safari, which may last the entire day. We’ll trek through the lush rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, guided by a park ranger, porters, and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family.
The trek can be challenging and lengthy, but the moment you spot a majestic silverback, all the effort will feel worthwhile. Once located, you’ll be led within 6 meters of the gorillas, where you can sit and observe them for an hour—watching their behavior, gazing into their deep eyes, and capturing photos to cherish the experience.
The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, with steep, muddy trails and possible rain along the way. Good physical fitness is recommended. For conservation purposes, you are allowed only one hour with the gorillas, and a ranger will guide you on how to interact with them respectfully.
After the trek, return to the park headquarters, where you’ll receive a gorilla trekking certificate as a token of your contribution to gorilla conservation.
In the evening, unwind by the campfire or take a walk to visit the Batwa pygmies, the original forest dwellers, who will share insights into their traditional lifestyle. Later, retire to your lodge for the night
Accommodation: (full board)
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Sanctuary treats lodge
Midrange: Engangi lodge/silver back lodge/4 gorillaz/Bakiga lodge
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Very early in the morning, given the little time, take breakfast, and then take your drive to Lake Mburo National Park, for 5hrs, A game drive today will enable us to see the zebras, topes, elephants, elands, impalas, buffalo’s antelopes, etc. Placed in the one part of Uganda enclosed in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has noticeably different fauna to other reserves.
It is the best place in the country to see the enormous eland antelope, topi, as well as zebra, impala, and several acacia-associated birds. The five lakes enclosed with in this park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.
Accommodation: (full board)
Up-market: Mihingo Lodge / MantanaTented Camp/ Arcadia Cottages
Midrange: Rwakobo lodge
Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park – Drive to Entebbe
After breakfast, early morning game drive and then start on the journey back to Entebbe for your flight out of Uganda on this day. You will have lunch en-route the journey with a stopover at the equator line, for pictures and experiment, and then to Mpabire village for local crafts and drum making place, to get yourself some of the African crafts on your way back to Entebbe.
Accommodation:(full board)
Up-market: Protea Hotel /2 Friends Beach Hotel/Lake Victoria Hotel/Pelican Lodge & Marina.
DAY- 10: Shoe Bill Stock in Mabamba Island and Transfer to Entebbe International Airport.
We’ll pick you up from your residence at 8:30 AM and drive to Mabamba Swamp, just a 30-minute drive away, located at the edge of Lake Victoria. This area is a birdwatcher’s paradise, where you can explore by wooden boats or canoes to spot the rare Shoebill Stork. Known for hiding in the water weeds while waiting for fish, these incredible birds are often found in dense papyrus marshes. Shoebills typically live near water, with some occasionally on land, as long as they have a view of the water.
After the birding experience, we’ll take a ferry to Nakiwogo, followed by lunch at 3 Faze. Finally, we’ll head to Entebbe Airport for your flight back home
End of the Safari: Best of Uganda Safari Trekking Experience.
The price per person on this Uganda safaris 10 days will be: $5712.5 USD Midrange option and $7421 Usd Luxury Option including gorilla permit of $800usd and chimpanzee permit of $250usd
Included:
- All tour activities as indicated above,
- Accommodation as indicated on programme,
- All meals as indicated on detailed itinerary,
- Sightseeing as noted in the trip itinerary,
- Chimpanzee and gorilla tracking permits,
- Park entry fees,
- Boat fees,
- Ground transportation 4×4 Landcruiser/safari van
- Additional guides/porters where appropriate.
- Bottled waters in the car through the safari.
In conclusion, a 10-day Best of Uganda Safari, featuring Gorilla Trekking and a Wildlife Tour, offers an unparalleled experience. Throughout this journey, travelers are more than just observers—they become active participants in the exploration of nature’s wonders. From the awe-inspiring moments spent with the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi’s dense forests to the exhilarating safaris through Uganda’s diverse wildlife, each experience fosters a deep connection and appreciation for the natural world.
As we bid farewell to Uganda’s lush rainforests, expansive savannas, and vibrant local communities, we leave with memories that will last a lifetime. Beyond the stunning landscapes and majestic wildlife, this safari provides a unique opportunity for personal growth and reflection, enriching our understanding of conservation efforts and the vital importance of protecting our planet’s ecological treasures.
Ultimately, the Best of Uganda Safaris is not just about witnessing nature’s beauty but about embracing the responsibility to safeguard these fragile ecosystems. As we return home, we carry the spirit of this adventure, inspired to advocate for the protection of Uganda’s natural heritage and encourage others to embark on their own journey of discovery and conservation.