10 Days Best of Uganda Safari: Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Adventure, and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Your 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari begins with an early departure from Kampala, setting off on a scenic 5–6-hour drive to the country’s largest national park, Murchison Falls. En route, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exhilarating rhino tracking experience. This sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in the wild, making it a vital conservation success story.

After tracking the rhinos, enjoy a hearty lunch in Masindi town before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park via the Kichumbanyobo gate. A visit to the top of the falls awaits, where the Nile River surges through a narrow gorge, creating a thunderous roar and breathtaking mist. This dramatic natural wonder is the perfect prelude to your wildlife safari in Uganda. You will then check into your lodge, unwind, and prepare for the adventures ahead.

This introduction day not only sets the tone for your Uganda safari tour but also lays the groundwork for the incredible gorilla trekking and wildlife encounters to come.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Game Drive and Boat Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up to the sounds of nature and embark on a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. This is the ideal moment to spot Uganda’s iconic wildlife including lions, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, and a variety of antelope species. Your 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof ensures great visibility for photography and game viewing.

After your game drive, return to the lodge for lunch before heading out on a boat cruise along the Nile. This 2–3-hour launch trip takes you toward the base of the falls, offering spectacular views and wildlife sightings. Expect to encounter pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants at the riverbanks, and countless water birds including kingfishers, herons, and African fish eagles.

This thrilling day of the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari emphasizes the diversity of Uganda’s landscapes and ecosystems, blending classic big game viewing with intimate river experiences. It’s an unforgettable step in your Uganda wildlife safari adventure.

• Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Travel from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart from Murchison Falls and enjoy a scenic journey toward the lush rainforests of Kibale Forest National Park. This drive takes approximately 6–7 hours, providing the opportunity to witness changing landscapes, rolling hills, and local life along the way.

You’ll stop in Fort Portal, Uganda’s tourism city, for a delicious lunch and a brief visit to the mystical Amabere Caves—known for their ancient stalactites and fascinating cultural legends. Later, continue your drive into the heart of the rainforest to check into your accommodation at Kibale.

Kibale Forest is home to the world’s highest concentration of primates, including the famous chimpanzees. This leg of the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari transitions you into the primate segment of your adventure, setting the stage for the chimpanzee tracking experience that awaits. With a chance to witness Uganda’s biodiversity at its best, the day ends on a note of tranquil anticipation.

• Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, head to Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a pre-tracking briefing. Today is dedicated to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest—a thrilling highlight of your 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari. Accompanied by experienced guides, you’ll venture into the dense jungle in search of habituated chimpanzee groups.

Kibale is not only famous for chimpanzees but also harbors other primates such as red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and mangabeys. You’ll enjoy close encounters with these intelligent creatures and observe their playful and social behavior in their natural habitat.

Later, enjoy a guided nature walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area rich in birdlife and biodiversity. After lunch, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a scenic 3-hour drive south. The park’s varied habitats promise more wildlife sightings as your safari deepens.

This day combines the excitement of primate tracking with the beginning of another wildlife chapter, reinforcing the unique appeal of combining gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and game viewing on one seamless Uganda safari package.

• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Game Drive in Kasenyi and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Begin your day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, one of the prime game viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you can expect to encounter lions, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs, elephants, and buffaloes. Birdwatchers will be thrilled by sightings of colorful and rare species.

After a satisfying wildlife drive, return to your lodge for lunch and a brief rest. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake George to Lake Edward. This is one of the highlights of the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari, offering the chance to observe hundreds of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and numerous birds from close range.

The combination of land and water-based safaris makes Queen Elizabeth National Park a vital component of Uganda wildlife safari itineraries. This day adds depth to your safari experience while providing opportunities for exceptional photography and wildlife observation.

• Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

Enjoy breakfast and depart Queen Elizabeth National Park, heading south towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, pass through the Ishasha Sector, renowned for its population of tree-climbing lions. Keep your eyes peeled for these unique predators lounging in the fig trees.

Stop for lunch at Savanna Resort in Kihihi before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Check into your lodge nestled in the misty highlands, where the anticipation of tomorrow’s Uganda gorilla trekking adventure builds.

This transition day on your 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari bridges traditional game viewing with the once-in-a-lifetime experience of gorilla trekking safaris. It’s the perfect moment to rest and reflect on your journey so far before meeting the gentle giants of the forest.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Visit to the Batwa Community

Today is the pinnacle of your 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari—Uganda gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and group allocation. You’ll then trek into the forest in small groups led by professional guides and trackers.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Once found, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing a habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat. Witness their behavior, family dynamics, and peaceful nature—an awe-inspiring and emotional experience.

In the afternoon, enjoy a cultural tour with the Batwa pygmy community. Learn about their traditional lifestyle, hunting techniques, music, and dance, offering a rich cultural perspective to your Uganda safari tour.

Combining gorilla trekking safari with local culture ensures a holistic understanding of Uganda’s heritage and conservation efforts.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation and Canoe Ride

Following breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, one of Uganda’s most scenic and serene locations. Known as the “Lake of a Thousand Islands,” Bunyonyi features 29 lush, green islands surrounded by terraced hills and tranquil waters.

Enjoy lunch in Kabale and later take a peaceful boat ride on the lake. Explore some of the islands, each with its own folklore and history. This day offers a relaxing break after the intensity of gorilla trekking, allowing time to reflect and rejuvenate.

This leg of the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari provides the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. The calm atmosphere of Lake Bunyonyi is ideal for birdwatching, photography, and enjoying nature at its finest.

• Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Boat Ride and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Start your day with another short boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi before departing for Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park. The drive takes approximately 4–5 hours with scenic countryside views along the way.

Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and perhaps some grazing animals along the shoreline. Lake Mburo is home to species not commonly found elsewhere, including elands and impalas.

This part of the 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari introduces a different type of wildlife safari, focusing on smaller game, birdlife, and the unique savannah-woodland landscape. It’s a gentle, enriching experience as your journey nears its end.

• Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

Morning Game Drive and Return to Kampala or Entebbe

On your final day, enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. Look out for Burchell’s zebras, topis, bushbucks, warthogs, and Rothschild’s giraffes. The park’s peaceful ambiance and scenic landscapes provide the perfect farewell to your safari.

After the game drive, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, with an optional stop at the equator for photos and souvenir shopping. The drive takes around 4 hours depending on traffic.

The 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari ends with a heart full of memories, from gorilla trekking safaris and chimpanzee tracking to wildlife adventures and cultural encounters. For those desiring even more, this Uganda safari can be extended with a Rwanda tour, including gorilla trekking Rwanda and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park.

• Accommodation: None
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Drinking Water

Book your once-in-a-lifetime Gorilla Trekking and Uganda Safari adventure today with Deks Safaris & Tours.