10-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Big 5 Game Safari in Uganda

Lake Victoria Adventure & Search for the Dinosaur

Day 1Lake Victoria Adventure & Search for the Dinosaur Lake Victoria Adventure & Search for the Dinosaur Your journey begins with a pickup from your hotel or the airport by your private guide. You'll head to the shores of Lake Victoria for a shoebill trek, where you’ll first board a motorboat, then switch to a local community canoe to reach the heart of the swamp. Here, you’ll search for the legendary shoebill — a rare, dinosaur-like bird found only in a few parts of Africa. After the trek, you'll continue your journey in a safari Land Cruiser, comfortably equipped for road travel and fitted with tablets offering movies for the drive. You'll arrive at Uganda’s only rhino sanctuary, check in to your lodge, and relax — rhinos often roam close to the accommodation, offering close encounters right from your doorstep. Main Destination: Mabamba Swamp Best Time To Go August to September and December to February (Best for spotting shoebill) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - Guest House Budget guest house located in Ziwa Rhino Ranch +7 Photos +6 Photos Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 2Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary You'll start your day with a rare and unforgettable experience — tracking rhinos on foot in the only place in Uganda where wild rhinos roam freely. This guided walking experience, led by expert rangers, allows you to approach these endangered giants safely and observe them at close range in their natural environment. After the trek, you'll continue your journey north to Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. As you drive through the savannah, keep your eyes open — wildlife like giraffes, elephants, and antelopes are often seen even before you reach the lodge. Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch Best Time To Go June to August and December to February (Dry seasons) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather Accommodation: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Murchison Falls NP +7 Photos +6 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Morning Game Drive and Nile Adventure at Murchison Falls National Park

Day 3Morning Game Drive and Nile Adventure at Murchison Falls National Park Morning Game Drive and Nile Adventure at Murchison Falls National Park You'll start your day with a morning game drive as you search for the rest of the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. Wildlife is very diverse here, with good chances of spotting giraffes, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, bushbucks, hyenas, and warthogs. In the afternoon, you'll take a boat safari on the Nile, the longest river in the world, to the base of Murchison Falls, the most powerful waterfall on the planet. Watch as the river forces its way through a 7-meter gorge and plunges 43 meters below. Along the way, keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles, and birds like fish eagles and kingfishers. Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures) Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP ChimpanzeeOccasional ElephantCommon GiraffeCommon LionCommon BuffaloCommon HippoAbundant Show more LeopardOccasional White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Murchison Falls NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Hyenas and the World's Most Powerful Waterfall

Day 4Hyenas and the World's Most Powerful Waterfall Hyenas and the World's Most Powerful Waterfall You'll start the day with a final drive through Murchison Falls National Park. Early morning offers great chances to spot hyenas and other wildlife, so keep your camera ready. Your last stop in the park is the top of Murchison Falls — where the entire Nile surges through a 7-meter gap in the rock. The sound, the spray, and the sheer force make this one of Africa’s most dramatic natural sights. From here, you'll head south toward Kibale. The landscape shifts quickly — from dry savannah to lush hills blanketed in tea plantations. You'll check in at the lodge and rest after the journey. Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Mid-range guest house located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps) +2 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kibale National Park Adventure

Day 5Kibale National Park Adventure Kibale National Park Adventure You'll start your day by choosing one of several enriching experiences around Kibale: - You'll visit a local vanilla plantation. You'll discover how Uganda’s vanilla is grown and processed. Walk through the farm, learn, and even plant a vanilla plant yourself. - You'll guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run project offers more than nature. You'll learn about traditional coffee making, medicinal plants, local crafts, and how banana beer and gin are brewed. - You'll hike to nearby crater lakes. A scenic walk through lush terrain leading to serene volcanic lakes with stunning views. Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps) Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Chimp trekking is easiest) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather January to February and June to July (Least rain) Wildlife in Kibale NP ChimpanzeeCommon ElephantOccasional BuffaloOccasional LionVery Rare LeopardVery Rare HippoRare Show more GiraffeNone White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP +7 Photos +6 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee Trekking & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Day 6Chimpanzee Trekking & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari Chimpanzee Trekking & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari This morning, you’ll start with chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest, a scenic reserve known for its wild chimpanzee population. With the help of experienced local guides, you’ll track a chimp group and, once found, spend up to one hour observing their behavior in the wild. It's a raw, unfiltered wildlife experience that gives real insight into how these primates live. In the afternoon, you'll set off on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the world’s largest hippo populations. You’ll glide past massive pods of hippos, crocodiles basking on the banks, and large herds of elephants and buffalo coming to drink. Few places in Africa offer such consistent and close-up encounters with wildlife. Main Destination: Kalinzu Forest Reserve (Chimps) Best Time To Go January to February and June to July (Dry seasons) High Season June to September (But it’s seldom busy) Best Weather Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorilla Land

Day 7Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorilla Land Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorilla Land Today, you’ll travel through the remote Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, best known as the place to see tree-climbing lions. This is one of the few areas in Africa where lions regularly rest in the branches of large fig trees — a rare and fascinating sight. You’ll explore the open savannah of Ishasha, looking out for tree-climbing lions, topis, and elephants before continuing the journey to Bwindi. As you drive south, the scenery shifts from flat plains to rolling, cultivated hills, and finally into the dense, mountainous jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You'll arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon and enjoy a quiet evening in the heart of gorilla territory. Main Destination: Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP) Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall) Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP ChimpanzeeOccasional ElephantCommon LionCommon BuffaloCommon HippoAbundant LeopardOccasional Show more GiraffeNone White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse Budget guest house located just outside Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable NP) +3 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 8Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Today, you’ll trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. After a short briefing, you'll set off with your guide into the forest to track one of the habituated gorilla families. Once located, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing them up close — playing, moving through the trees, and interacting with each other in their natural environment. This is the highlight of any trip to Uganda and an experience that leaves a lasting impression. After the trek, you will continue your adventure to Lake Bunyonyi. Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas) Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest) High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce) Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall) Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP GorillaCommon ChimpanzeeRare ElephantRare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone LionNone Show more GiraffeNone LeopardNone CheetahNone BuffaloNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone HippoNone Accommodation: Itambira Island Resort Mid-range hotel located at Lake Bunyonyi Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Bunyonyi & Lake Mburo National Park

Day 9Lake Bunyonyi & Lake Mburo National Park Lake Bunyonyi & Lake Mburo National Park You'll start your day at Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most tranquil and picturesque locations. Surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands, it offers the perfect atmosphere for a peaceful morning. Afterward, you will continue your journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Upon arrival, you'll check in to your accommodation and decide whether to relax or continue your adventure with an exciting evening game drive, beginning to explore this unique park. Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge Budget lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP +6 Photos +5 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Walking Safari at Lake Mburo National Park

Day 10Walking Safari at Lake Mburo National Park Walking Safari at Lake Mburo National Park You'll begin the day with a game drive or walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park — but one packed with wildlife. This is one of the best places in the country to spot zebras and impalas, alongside giraffes and buffalo. The peaceful landscape offers a perfect contrast to the dense forests visited earlier in the trip. After the safari, you'll travel back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator for lunch. Here, you’ll have time to enjoy a good meal, take a few last photos, and browse local craft shops for souvenirs before returning to Entebbe to wrap up your trip. Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park Best Time To Visit January to February and June to August (Dry seasons) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather June to August and January to February (Little rainfall) Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP GiraffeCommon BuffaloCommon ZebraCommon HippoCommon LeopardOccasional HyenaOccasional Show more ElephantNone White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone LionNone CheetahNone WildebeestNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included) End of tour (See Getting There for more details)End of tour (See Getting There for more details) Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the air