8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari (Wildlife, Guided Game Drives and Nature Walks)
Uganda, often dubbed the “Pearl of Africa,” offers an unparalleled safari experience for wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and nature lovers. This 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari combines thrilling game drives, chimpanzee encounters, gorilla trekking, and breath-taking landscapes. From the sprawling savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park to the dense tropical rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, each day presents a new adventure that showcases the diversity of Uganda’s flora and fauna.
Day |
Activities |
Accommodation |
Day 1 |
Arrival at Entebbe airport and Check in the Hotel for Relaxation | Airport Guesthouse or Lake Victoria Hotel |
Day 2 |
Morning Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary, Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls and Game Drives | Savannah Murchison Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge |
Day 3 |
Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park with Game Drives (Morning and Evening) and Boat Cruise on Victoria Falls | Savannah Murchison Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge |
Day 4 |
Morning Road Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Game Drives | The Bush Lodge or Aardvark Safari Lodge |
Day 5 |
Adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasenyi Plains) with Game Drives (Morning and Evening) and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel | The Bush Lodge or Aardvark Safari Lodge |
Day 6 |
Another Day in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Game Drives in Kasenyi Plains and Afternoon Transfer to Ishasha Plains | Enjojo Lodge or Embogo Lodge |
Day 7 |
Full Day Adventure in Ishasha Plains to Spot the Tree-Climbing Lions in the Jungle | Enjojo Lodge or Embogo Lodge |
Day 8 |
Morning Road Transfer Back to Entebbe Airport and Departure | None |
8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari Quotation Based on 2 Travelers
Budget Safari
- Rate Per Person: US$1,964
- Total for Two People: US$3,928
Mid-Range Safari
- Rate Per Person: US$2,293
- Total for Two People: US$4,586
What to expect on the 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari?
- Wildlife viewing: You will have the opportunity to see a wide range of wildlife, including the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros).
- Scenic landscapes: Expect to see a variety of landscapes, from the savanna plains of the national parks to the dense rainforests.
- Activities: Safaris usually include game drives, boat cruises, and guided walks.
- Logistics: The trip starts and ends in Entebbe (or sometimes Kigali). Be prepared for travel time between parks, as some transfers are by road.
Ultimate 8-Day Uganda Big 5 Safari Itinerary
The 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari journey begins in Entebbe, with the calm waters of Lake Victoria offering a serene welcome to this extraordinary country. Travelers are immediately immersed in Uganda’s natural splendor as they move through iconic national parks and wildlife reserves. Highlights of this itinerary include rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, witnessing the majestic Murchison Falls, spotting lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and rhinoceroses in their natural habitats, and enjoying boat cruises along the Victoria Nile and Kazinga Channel.
This 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari is meticulously curated to balance adventure with comfort. You will stay in carefully selected lodges and camps that blend luxury with proximity to wildlife, ensuring that each day ends with a sense of wonder and relaxation. With professional guides leading you through every step, the experience combines expert wildlife interpretation, exciting photo opportunities, and intimate encounters with Uganda’s most iconic animals.
Detailed 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda
- Accommodation: Airport Guesthouse or Lake Victoria Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by your professional 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari guide, who will provide a brief orientation and assist with settling into your accommodation. Entebbe offers a gentle introduction to Uganda’s charm, with scenic lakeside views and a relaxed atmosphere. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the local surroundings or simply unwind after your flight.
Entebbe is also home to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, an ideal place for a gentle introduction to Uganda’s biodiversity. Guests may choose to take a leisurely walk along the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, watching fishermen glide in their traditional wooden boats while birds soar overhead. The day is designed to prepare you for the adventures ahead, ensuring that you are rested, energized, and ready to embark on your 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari journey.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- Various waterbirds along Lake Victoria
- Monitor lizards and small primates at lodge grounds
- Scenic lake and garden landscapes
Day 2: Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino Tracking and Fall Hike
- Accommodation: Savannah Murchison Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge
After an early breakfast, you will embark on a scenic road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, approximately a five-hour drive. En route, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience. The sanctuary is home to the endangered white rhinos, providing a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close. Your 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari guide will explain conservation efforts while you capture memorable photographs.
Upon arrival at the lodge, you will embark on a short hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile plunges dramatically into the river gorge below. The view is breathtaking, offering a panoramic landscape of rushing waters and the surrounding savannah. This natural spectacle sets the tone for the wildlife adventures ahead.
Game Drive: Later in the day, enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park’s lush savannahs. Spot elephants grazing, giraffes browsing acacia trees, and buffalo wandering the plains as the sun dips behind the horizon.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- White rhino at Ziwa Sanctuary
- Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, Uganda kob
- Nile crocodiles and hippos near Murchison Falls
- Beautiful riverine landscapes and dramatic waterfalls
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park – Morning & Evening Game Drives and Boat Cruise
- Accommodation: Savannah Murchison Lodge or Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day three is dedicated to exploring Murchison Falls National Park in depth. Begin with a morning game drive that takes you deeper into the savannah and woodland areas. Your 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari guide will help you track predators such as lions and leopards while highlighting smaller wildlife, including warthogs, bushbucks, and various bird species.
In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile, traveling close to the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise is a prime opportunity to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, including kingfishers and African fish eagles. The falls’ thunderous roar, combined with the surrounding wildlife, creates an unforgettable sensory experience.
Evening Game Drive: Return for an evening drive to catch the sunset across the savannah, providing opportunities to see nocturnal animals emerge.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- Lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo
- Hippos, crocodiles, Nile monitors
- African fish eagles, herons, kingfishers
Day 4: Murchison Falls to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon Game Drive
- Accommodation: The Bush Lodge or Aardvark Safari Lodge
Depart Murchison Falls National Park after breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most famous wildlife destination. The road journey allows you to witness the changing landscapes from northern savannahs to western lakeside plains.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge and prepare for an afternoon game drive. Queen Elizabeth is known for its rich biodiversity, from the tree-dotted savannahs of Kasenyi Plains to the crater lakes and wetlands of the western region. Here, large herds of elephants roam freely, lions patrol the grasslands, and countless birds decorate the skies.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- Elephants, lions, leopards, Uganda kob
- Buffalo herds on the plains
- Various birds including hornbills and weaver birds
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Game Drives
- Accommodation: The Bush Lodge or Aardvark Safari Lodge
Start the day with a morning game drive across Kasenyi Plains, a vast expanse of savannah that is home to lions, elephants, buffalo, and occasionally cheetahs. Your 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari guide will provide insights into predator-prey dynamics, track wildlife, and share interesting facts about Uganda’s ecosystems.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel is teeming with wildlife, offering a close-up view of hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. African fish eagles hover above, while herds of elephants and buffalo occasionally approach the water’s edge to drink. The scenic views and abundant wildlife make this cruise a photographer’s dream.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- Hippos and crocodiles in the channel
- Elephants, buffalo, and Uganda kob near the shoreline
- Kingfishers, herons, egrets, and African fish eagles
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Ishasha – Tree-Climbing Lions
- Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge or Embogo Lodge
After breakfast, continue your 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari exploration of Queen Elizabeth National Park with a morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, offering additional chances to spot predators and large herbivores. Later, drive south to Ishasha Plains, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. These lions have adapted to resting in fig and acacia trees, creating an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.
Upon arrival at your lodge, relax before an afternoon game drive in Ishasha. The region is less crowded than other parts of the park, offering a more private and immersive safari experience. Guides are skilled at locating these rare lions, ensuring you have exceptional viewing opportunities.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- Tree-climbing lions
- Elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and warthogs
- Birds such as vultures, sunbirds, and African hoopoes
Day 7: Full Day in Ishasha – Wildlife Adventure
- Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge or Embogo Lodge
Spend the full day exploring Ishasha Plains. Begin with an early morning game drive to catch the lions and other wildlife in action. The morning light enhances photography opportunities as predators stalk prey across the golden savannah.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon drive or a guided bush walk, where you can encounter smaller wildlife, track signs of animals, and learn about local flora. Ishasha’s quiet plains and diverse habitats provide an ideal setting for wildlife observation, ensuring a memorable and fulfilling 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari day.
Animals & Sights to Expect:
- Tree-climbing lions
- Leopards, elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob
- Birds such as African harrier-hawks, hornbills, and bee-eaters
Day 8: Ishasha to Entebbe – Departure
After breakfast, embark on the scenic drive back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure. Reflect on your extraordinary 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari through Uganda, where every day offered unique wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, and the thrill of adventure. Your 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari concludes with memories of majestic animals, serene waterways, and the vibrant culture of the Pearl of Africa.
8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
Safari Inclusions
- Accommodation on full board basis in lodges mentioned
- All park entrance fees and activity permits
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Game drives, boat cruises, and guided nature walks as outlined
- Bottled water during drives and transfers
- Airport transfers in Entebbe
Safari Exclusions
- International flights to and from Uganda
- Visa fees for Uganda
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and personal expenses
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
This carefully curated 8 Days Uganda Big 5 Safari ensures a balance of adventure, comfort, and immersive wildlife experiences. Each day is designed to maximize sightings of the Big 5 and other iconic African wildlife while offering opportunities to enjoy Uganda’s lush landscapes, serene waterways, and rare animal encounters. By combining expert-guided game drives, boat safaris, and trekking adventures, this safari promises a once-in-a-lifetime African experience.
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