Uganda Big Five 8-Day Safari Experience

Activities: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls, Evening Game Drive
Overnight: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a professional 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience driver-guide from Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd will warmly welcome you to the Pearl of Africa. You will then embark on a scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s oldest and largest national park, known for its roaring waterfalls and abundant wildlife.

Your first stop will be the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience. This sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild. Accompanied by trained rangers, you will trek on foot to observe these gentle giants grazing in their natural habitat, contributing to the effort of restoring Uganda’s Big Five.

Continue your 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience journey to Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge to create the world’s most powerful waterfall. You will hike to the top of the falls to witness the thunderous cascade and breathtaking views, perfect for photography.

Later, enjoy a short evening game drive as you check in at Pakuba Safari Lodge, nestled on the northern banks of the Nile. Unwind with dinner and fall asleep to the sounds of the African wilderness.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Activities: Early Morning Game Drive, Scenic Transfer to Kibale, Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk
Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

After an early breakfast, embark on a thrilling morning game drive in the savannah plains of Murchison. With luck, you may encounter lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, and various antelope species as they roam freely across the grasslands.

Following the game drive, begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, a biodiversity hotspot known for hosting the highest concentration of primates in Africa. Enjoy views of Uganda’s countryside, local villages, and rolling tea plantations along the way.

In the afternoon, participate in a Bigodi Swamp Walk, an eco-tourism project led by the local community. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is rich in biodiversity, home to over 200 bird species, monkeys, and unique flora. This walk is also an opportunity to support conservation and interact with the local people.

Upon arrival at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, check in and relax in this tranquil lodge located near the forest edge. The evening is yours to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s chimpanzee tracking adventure.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Activities: Morning Chimpanzee Tracking, Scenic Transfer, Sunset Boat Cruise & Game Drive
Overnight: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Today, you will enjoy an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. After a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, set off into the rainforest with expert trackers to find these intelligent and social primates. Once located, you will observe their behaviors, interactions, and vocalizations for one magical hour.

After the tracking, enjoy a hot lunch before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse ecosystems. En route, pass through the beautiful Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes region.

Upon arrival, take part in a sunset boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32km waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. The cruise offers close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a dazzling array of birdlife.

After the boat cruise, enjoy a short evening game drive en route to Aardvark Safari Lodge, where you will dine and overnight amid the park’s serene wilderness.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Activities: Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel, Scenic Drive to Ishasha Sector
Overnight: Enjojo Lodge

Rise early for a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a wildlife-rich area famous for its lion population and large herds of Uganda kob, buffalo, elephants, and warthogs. This area is a photographer’s paradise, offering incredible scenes of predator-prey interactions.

Later in the morning, enjoy another spectacular boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its high concentration of hippos and bird species such as African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers.

After lunch, embark on a scenic drive to the Ishasha Sector, located in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is less visited but is home to the famous tree-climbing lions found resting in fig and acacia trees.

Check in at Enjojo Lodge, a comfortable eco-lodge located on the edge of the park. Relax and enjoy the serene surroundings with a chance to see wildlife grazing nearby.

Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge

Activities: Morning Game Drive in Ishasha Sector, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Begin your day with an early breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in the Ishasha Sector, a truly unique and captivating wildlife region within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The highlight here is spotting the rare and elusive tree-climbing lions, a phenomenon only found in two places in Africa—Uganda’s Ishasha and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Witness these majestic predators resting on fig tree branches, avoiding the heat of the day while keeping an eye on potential prey. The sight of a full-grown lion lounging on a tree is truly awe-inspiring and a must-capture moment for photographers and nature lovers.

Aside from lions, the Ishasha Sector is home to large herds of buffalo, topi, elephants, and countless birds, offering a rich and rewarding game drive experience. After this unique encounter, begin your 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience journey to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most famous gorilla sanctuary in the world. The scenic drive takes you through undulating hills, terraced farmlands, and traditional Ugandan homesteads, giving you a cultural glimpse into the rural countryside.

Arrive at the Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, nestled on the edge of the misty Bwindi Forest. This eco-lodge offers panoramic views of the forest canopy and is the perfect retreat before your gorilla trekking experience. After check-in, relax and enjoy the fresh mountain air, delicious dinner, and stories by the fireplace. Prepare for tomorrow’s ultimate wildlife encounter: a close encounter with the mountain gorillas of Bwindi.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Activities: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest, Afternoon Batwa Cultural Visit
Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Today is the highlight of your 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience —the unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most emotional and exhilarating wildlife encounters on the planet. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Groups are divided based on fitness levels and assigned one of the habituated gorilla families in the Rushaga Sector.

Accompanied by experienced trackers and guides, your trek through the dense, mystical jungle begins. The time to locate the gorillas may vary (from 1 to 5 hours), but the anticipation makes the final encounter even more thrilling. Once you find the gorilla family, you’ll spend a magical hour in their presence—observing silverbacks guarding their family, mothers nursing their young, and juveniles playing and climbing trees. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that deeply connects you to the natural world.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest before heading out for an enriching Batwa Cultural Experience. The Batwa people, often referred to as the “keepers of the forest,” are an indigenous pygmy group that lived in harmony with the gorillas for centuries. During the visit, you’ll learn about their traditional hunting techniques, herbal medicine, cultural dances, and ancient forest lifestyle. This eye-opening experience highlights the importance of cultural preservation and the role of indigenous communities in conservation.

Return to Rushaga Gorilla Lodge for dinner and relaxation, reflecting on an extraordinary day filled with emotion, discovery, and connection.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Activities: Full-Day Scenic Road Transfer via Kabale, Mbarara, and the Equator Line
Overnight: Best Western Premier Garden Hotel, Entebbe

After breakfast, say goodbye to the mystical Bwindi Forest as you begin your journey back to Entebbe, passing through Uganda’s beautiful southwestern highlands, lush valleys, and traditional communities. This full-day scenic transfer offers numerous stopovers that make the journey enjoyable and culturally immersive.

The drive takes you through Kabale, known as the Switzerland of Africa, with its terraced hills and cool climate. Continue past Mbarara, where you’ll have a lunch break at a quality restaurant offering a taste of local and continental dishes. From here, head toward the famous Equator Line in Kayabwe, where you’ll stop for a memorable photo opportunity and engage in a short demonstration showing how water flows differently in the northern and southern hemispheres.

You’ll also have the chance to shop for local crafts, souvenirs, and handmade jewelry, supporting the local artisans before continuing the final leg of your journey. Arrive in Entebbe in the early evening and check in at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel, a stylish and comfortable hotel ideal for relaxation before your international departure.

Enjoy a delicious dinner and reflect on your incredible journey through Uganda’s national parks, primate sanctuaries, and cultural landscapes. Whether it’s the thunderous Murchison Falls, the eyes of a chimpanzee in Kibale, or the silent presence of a mountain gorilla in Bwindi, Uganda will forever remain a part of your wildest dreams.

Accommodation: Best Western Garden Hotel Entebbe

Activities: Morning at Leisure or Optional Visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Flight Back Home
End of 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience

This morning, enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for an optional visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens, a serene lakeside paradise filled with exotic trees, monkeys, and birds. It’s the perfect place to unwind and reflect on your Ugandan safari before heading home.

Alternatively, spend your morning at leisure at the hotel, where you can enjoy amenities like a lush garden, free Wi-Fi, or a short stroll along Lake Victoria’s edge. Your professional 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience driver-guide will then transfer you to Entebbe International Airport in time for your departure flight, marking the end of an unforgettable journey across Uganda.

From Big Five safaris to chimpanzee encounters and the life-changing gorilla trekking experience, this 8-day itinerary encapsulates Uganda’s raw beauty, wildlife richness, and deep cultural heritage. On behalf of Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd, thank you for choosing us as your safari companion. We look forward to welcoming you back for more African adventures!

End of 8-Day Uganda Big Five Safari Experience