10-Day Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

Introduction

This 10-Day Budget Safari Tour allows you to enjoy gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, incredible wildlife views, and immersive nature and cultural walks. The trip begins and ends in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.
Categories: Africa Trips, Birding Safari, Chimpanzee Tour, Gorilla Trekking, Uganda Safari, Wildlife Safari
Tags: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kampala City, Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Safari Highlights

• Airport Transfer: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to Kampala.
• Murchison Falls NP: Road or air transfer; Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise.
• Kibale Forest NP: Transfer to the primate capital of the world.
• Primate Encounter: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Swamp nature walk.
• Queen Elizabeth NP: Scenic crater lake drive, game drives, and Kazinga Channel cruise.
• Ishasha Sector: Search for tree-climbing lions en route to Bwindi.
• Gorilla Trekking: A life-changing encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
• Return Journey: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe for departure.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Price Includes:

• Accommodation: Lodging as defined in the itinerary (Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget options).
• Meals: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) as described.
• Transport: Ground transport in a safari vehicle. Scheduled domestic flights are optional (15kg soft luggage limit applies).
• Expert Guide: Services of a professional English-speaking guide/driver.
• Park Fees: National Park entrance fees and professional Ranger fees.
• Permits: All Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits.

Price Exclusions:

• Ugandan Visa fees.
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses such as tips, laundry, and telephone calls.
• Personal travel insurance.

Detailed 10-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Introduction to Kampala

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide and transferred to Kampala, Uganda’s capital city (approx. 42km). If you arrive early, you may visit the Entebbe Zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Center) to see rhinos, lions, and giraffes.

• Accommodation: Serena Hotel (Luxury) / Cassia Lodge (Mid-range) / The Lodge Kampala (Budget).

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. You can choose to travel by road via Masindi (5–6 hours) or take a scheduled flight to Pakuba Airstrip (08:30 am – 10:10 am). This is Uganda’s largest park, where the Nile forces its way through a narrow 7-meter gorge.

• Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) / Red Chilli Rest Camp (Budget).

Day 3: Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Northern bank. Spot elephants, lions, Rothschild giraffes, Cape buffaloes, and various antelopes. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls to see hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife.

• Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge / Pakuba Safari Lodge / Red Chilli.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Depart Murchison Falls for Kibale Forest National Park. Choose a flight to Kasese (10:30 am) or a scenic 7–8 hour drive through Albertine Rift escarpments, passing local homesteads and tea plantations.

• Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury) / Primate Lodge (Mid-range) / Chimpanzee Guest House (Budget).

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Swamp Walk

After briefing at the park headquarters, enter the forest to track habituated chimpanzees. Spend one hour observing their behavior. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary for a guided nature walk to spot rare birds and monkeys like the Red Colobus.

• Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge / Chimpanzee Guest House.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Travel south to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the scenic Crater Lake region. Check into your lodge and enjoy an evening game drive to witness the park’s diverse wildlife against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Kyambura Game Lodge (Mid-range) / Enganzi Lodge (Budget).

Day 7: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains (Kob mating grounds) to find predators. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32km natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George, famous for hippos and buffalo.

• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Game Lodge / Enganzi Lodge.

Day 8: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Bwindi

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Road travelers pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions (3–4 hour drive). Air travelers take a scheduled charter from Kasese (10:05 am) to arrive in the home of the mountain gorillas.

• Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury) / Nkuringo Safari Lodge (Mid-range) / Wagtail Eco Lodge (Budget).

Day 9: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest

The highlight of the safari. After a morning briefing, trek through the dense, misty rainforest. The trek can be challenging (full day), but meeting a gorilla family and spending an hour with them is a life-changing experience.

• Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Nkuringo Safari Lodge / Wagtail Eco Lodge.

Day 10: Departure to Kampala/Entebbe

Appreciate your final moments in the forest. Transfer to Kihihi for a flight back to Entebbe (10:55 am or 2:05 pm) or take the 8–10 hour scenic drive back to Kampala/Entebbe for your departure flight.