10-Day Uganda Safari Experience – Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Tour
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience is a masterfully curated journey that reveals Uganda’s extraordinary biodiversity, cultural richness, and dramatic landscapes through a seamless, immersive itinerary. Designed for travelers seeking an authentic East African adventure, this safari offers a rare combination of birding excellence, classic savannah wildlife, powerful waterfalls, primate encounters, and deep cultural interactions—all within one unforgettable expedition.
Day | Activities | Accommodation |
Day 1 | Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Check-in at Best Western Garden Hotel | Best Western Garden Hotel |
Day 2 | Early Morning Shoebill Tracking in Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking, Enter Murchison Falls National Park and Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls | Pakuba Safari Lodge |
Day 3 | Full Time Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park with Boat Cruise on the Victoria Nile and Guided Game Drives | Pakuba Safari Lodge |
Day 4 | Morning Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Afternoon Relaxation at the Lodge | Turaco Treetops Lodge |
Day 5 | Go Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park and Afternoon Bigodi Swamp & Community Walk | Turaco Treetops Lodge |
Day 6 | Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel | Aardvark Safari Lodge |
Day 7 | Another Day in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drives in Kasenyi Plains | Aardvark Safari Lodge |
Day 8 | Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (Rushaga Sector), Afternoon Batwa Cultural Experience | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge |
Day 9 | Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Afternoon Relaxation | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge |
Day 10 | Scenic Road Transfer Back to Entebbe Airport – End of Safari | None |
Tour Quotation Based on 2 People and Mid-Range Safari
- Rate Per Person: US$5,334
- Total Rate for Two People: US$10,668
10-Day Uganda Safari Experience
A Complete Primate, Wildlife, and Cultural Journey by Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd
This 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience begins at Entebbe International Airport, the gateway to Uganda, and unfolds across the country’s most iconic national parks and conservation areas. Guests explore Mabamba Swamp for the legendary shoebill stork, track endangered rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, witness the thunderous power of Murchison Falls, cruise the Nile River, and enjoy thrilling game drives across vast savannah plains. The journey continues southward into the lush rainforests of Kibale, home to the highest density of chimpanzees in Africa, and onward to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where wildlife thrives along the famous Kazinga Channel.
The safari reaches its emotional peak in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where travelers trek through ancient rainforest to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Along the way, meaningful cultural experiences such as interactions with the Batwa forest community add depth and perspective to the adventure.
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience is thoughtfully paced to balance adventure and comfort, ensuring adequate time for exploration, relaxation, and reflection. Carefully selected mid-range lodges provide comfort while maintaining close proximity to nature. Professional driver-guides from Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd ensure expert interpretation, safety, and personalized service throughout the journey.
As part of Uganda Tanzania Safaris Holiday experiences, this itinerary embodies responsible tourism, conservation awareness, and authentic engagement with local communities. The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience is more than a safari it is a journey into the heart of Africa’s Pearl, crafted to inspire, educate, and transform every traveler.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Welcome to Uganda
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. Upon landing, you are warmly welcomed by a professional representative from Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd, who provides a brief orientation and ensures a smooth transfer to your hotel.
Entebbe offers a calm and welcoming introduction to Uganda, blending colonial history with lush tropical scenery. As you drive through the town, you notice palm-lined streets, vibrant local life, and views of Africa’s largest freshwater lake. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing travelers to ease into the rhythm of East Africa after international travel.
You check in at Best Western Garden Hotel, a comfortable mid-range property offering modern amenities, tranquil gardens, and attentive service. The remainder of the day is reserved for rest and acclimatization. Guests may choose to relax at the hotel, stroll through nearby botanical gardens, or simply enjoy the sounds of birdsong drifting through the evening air.
This first night allows you to recover from your journey while building anticipation for the adventures ahead. The calm setting of Entebbe prepares you mentally and physically for the diverse landscapes and wildlife encounters that define the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Vervet monkeys, squirrels; marabou storks, pied crows, egrets; Baganda culture, Entebbe urban life
Day 2: Shoebill Tracking, Rhino Tracking, and Murchison Falls Adventure
Birding and Big Game
Day two of the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience begins before sunrise with a transfer to Mabamba Swamp, one of the most important birding sites in East Africa. A guided canoe excursion through the papyrus channels introduces you to a wetland ecosystem teeming with life. The highlight is the elusive shoebill stork, a prehistoric-looking bird that draws birders from across the world. Observing this rare species in its natural habitat is a deeply rewarding experience.
After returning to the mainland, the journey continues northward to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This protected area plays a vital role in Uganda’s rhino conservation efforts. Accompanied by armed rangers, you track southern white rhinos on foot, gaining close insight into their behavior and the conservation challenges they face. This experience completes Uganda’s Big Five circuit and adds educational value to the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience.
From Ziwa, you proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. The landscape gradually shifts into open savannah and woodland as you approach the Nile River. A guided hike to the top of Murchison Falls brings you face-to-face with one of Africa’s most powerful natural spectacles. Watching the Nile squeeze through a narrow gorge before plunging into the river below is both humbling and exhilarating.
You later check in at Pakuba Safari Lodge, where you enjoy dinner and overnight, surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Shoebill stork, white rhinos, giraffes; papyrus gonoleks, kingfishers, herons; conservation culture, local fishing communities
Day 3: Full Day in Murchison Falls National Park
Savannah and River Life on the Uganda Safari Experience
Day three is dedicated entirely to exploring Murchison Falls National Park, a cornerstone of the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience. After breakfast, you set out on a guided game drive across the northern sector of the park. The expansive plains are home to large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and Uganda kob, while predators such as lions and leopards patrol the grasslands.
The morning game drive provides excellent opportunities for photography, as the soft light illuminates the savannah and wildlife activity peaks. Your guide’s expert knowledge enhances sightings, offering insight into animal behavior and ecosystem dynamics.
In the afternoon, you embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. This leisurely journey contrasts beautifully with the morning’s excitement. The riverbanks host dense concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a wide variety of water birds. As the boat approaches the base of Murchison Falls, the roar of cascading water grows louder, creating a dramatic climax to the cruise.
Returning to Pakuba Safari Lodge in the evening, you reflect on a day rich in wildlife encounters and scenic beauty. This balance of land and water experiences defines the immersive nature of the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles; fish eagles, goliath herons, bee-eaters; Alur culture
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
From Savannah to Rainforest
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience continues with a scenic road transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park. This journey reveals Uganda’s remarkable geographical diversity, passing through rural villages, tea plantations, and rolling hills.
Upon arrival in Kibale, you check in at Turaco Treetops Lodge, a forest-edge retreat offering panoramic views and a tranquil atmosphere. The afternoon is reserved for relaxation, allowing you to absorb the lush surroundings and prepare for primate tracking the following day.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Monkeys, forest squirrels; turacos, hornbills; Toro culture
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
Primate Encounters on the Detailed 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience
Day five delivers one of the most interactive experiences of the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. After a briefing at the park headquarters, you enter the forest with experienced guides and rangers. The sounds of the forest come alive as chimpanzees communicate through calls and drumming.
Observing chimpanzees in their natural environment is energetic and fascinating. Their intelligence, social interactions, and agility provide a vivid contrast to the gorilla experience later in the safari.
In the afternoon, you visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area rich in biodiversity. The guided walk introduces you to wetland birds, primates, and medicinal plants, while also highlighting the benefits of community-based tourism.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys; great blue turacos, kingfishers; Bigodi community culture
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drives and Kazinga Channel Cruise
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience transitions into classic savannah wildlife as you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains reveals open grasslands dotted with wildlife, including lions, antelopes, and elephants.
In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of the most wildlife-rich waterways in Africa. The channel connects Lakes Edward and George and attracts vast numbers of animals and birds.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos; pelicans, storks; fishing communities
Day 7: Full Day in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Extended Exploration
Another full day in Queen Elizabeth allows deeper exploration of the Kasenyi Plains and surrounding ecosystems. Extended game drives increase the chances of predator sightings and provide ample time for photography and observation.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Hyenas, warthogs, antelopes; raptors; pastoral cultures
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Batwa Experience
Entering Gorilla Territory
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience continues with a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and forested as you approach the Rushaga sector.
In the afternoon, you participate in a Batwa Cultural Experience, learning about the traditions and history of this indigenous forest community.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Forest antelopes, monkeys; forest birds; Batwa culture
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Mountain gorilla trekking is the defining highlight of the 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience. The trek through dense forest culminates in a powerful encounter with a gorilla family, offering a profound connection to nature and conservation.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Mountain gorillas, forest mammals; turacos, sunbirds; conservation culture
Day 10: Return to Entebbe – End of Safari
Farewell to Uganda
The 10-Day Uganda Safari Experience concludes with a scenic road transfer back to Entebbe Airport, marking the end of an extraordinary journey.
Animals, Birds & Cultures: Roadside wildlife; Ugandan cultures
Safari Inclusions
- Airport transfers
• Ground transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle
• Professional English-speaking driver-guide
• All park entry fees
• Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
• Rhino tracking experience
• Boat cruises and game drives
• Cultural experiences
• Full board accommodation as specified
• Bottled drinking water
• Government taxes
Safari Exclusions
- International flights
• Visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities not listed
Tour Quotation Based on 2 People and Mid-Range Safari
- Rate Per Person: US$5,334
- Total Rate for Two People: US$10,668














