Ultimate 9 Days Best Uganda Safari Adventure (Gorilla Trekking & Big Five Tour)

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Your 9 Days Best Uganda Safari begins with an adventurous drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park, a journey of about 5-6 hours through scenic rural Uganda. Along the way, make an enriching stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to experience a rare opportunity—tracking white rhinos on foot. This sanctuary plays a pivotal role in Uganda’s rhino reintroduction program and offers educational insights into rhino conservation.

After lunch in Masindi Town, you’ll enter the southern gate of Murchison Falls via Kichumbanyobo and ascend to the top of the world’s most powerful waterfall. Witness the mighty Nile explode through a narrow gorge and plunge into the Devil’s Cauldron—an unforgettable prelude to your Uganda wildlife safari. Later, proceed to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.

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

This day highlights the seamless blend of wildlife conservation, landscape admiration, and the powerful narrative of Uganda’s unique safari experiences.

Classic Safari Moments in Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up early to the call of the wild and head out for a thrilling game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Expect to encounter large herds of Uganda kobs, buffaloes, African elephants, Rothschild giraffes, lions, and warthogs. Bird lovers can spot species like the Abyssinian ground hornbill and saddle-billed stork. This Uganda safari moment introduces you to the richness of East Africa’s savanna ecosystem.

In the afternoon, enjoy a rewarding boat cruise along the Victoria Nile, where you can observe crocodiles basking on the banks, pods of hippos submerged in the waters, and kingfishers diving for prey. The cruise ends at the base of the thunderous Murchison Falls, providing panoramic photo opportunities and up-close nature immersion.

Optional activities such as sport fishing or a top-of-the-falls hike can be added on request. As always, Deks Safaris ensures your experience is safe, guided, and unforgettable.

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

The Primate Capital of the World

Depart after breakfast for a scenic drive from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park, the crown jewel of Uganda’s primate experiences. This 6–7 hour journey offers mesmerizing views of Uganda’s countryside, tea plantations, and crater lakes. Stop over for lunch in Fort Portal, often referred to as Uganda’s tourism capital.

Upon arrival, take an evening nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area teeming with birdlife and primates such as red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and mangabeys. This eco-tourism initiative highlights the integration of Uganda safaris with sustainable community projects.

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

Here, the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari sets the tone for tomorrow’s memorable chimpanzee tracking in one of Africa’s most biologically diverse rainforests.

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before embarking on chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest. With over 1,500 chimpanzees, the park offers the highest success rate for sightings in East Africa. As you track, you’ll encounter other primates such as the grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, and black-and-white colobus.

Once located, you’ll spend an hour observing these intelligent apes in their natural habitat—grooming, feeding, and displaying their remarkable social behaviors. This chimpanzee tracking experience forms a thrilling highlight of the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari, offering unforgettable encounters and excellent photography opportunities.

Post-trek, enjoy lunch and continue with a 3-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most scenic and biodiverse savannah park. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains en route and prepare for more wildlife safari excitement in the days ahead.

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

Game Drive in Kasenyi & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin your day with a classic game drive in Kasenyi Plains, a wildlife-rich area of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Spot prides of lions, herds of elephants, bushbucks, waterbucks, buffaloes, and possibly a leopard. This section of your Uganda safari combines both large mammal sightings and smaller, elusive creatures in one of Africa’s most photogenic national parks.

After lunch, board a boat cruise along the 45-kilometer-long Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Marvel at large congregations of hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds including African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers. This boat cruise offers some of the best photographic moments of the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari.

End your day with a sunset drive back to the lodge and relish the rich rewards of a day fully immersed in Uganda’s natural wonders.

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

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day six begins with a game drive through Ishasha sector, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park renowned for its unique population of tree-climbing lions. These lions often lounge in fig trees and acacia branches, providing extraordinary photographic opportunities for safari enthusiasts.

Continue southwards for a 3-hour scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Stop for lunch at Savannah Resort before arriving at your lodge for dinner and rest. The anticipation for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure builds with every passing hour.

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

This leg of the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari also opens opportunities for visitors interested in gorilla habituation experiences, a full-day encounter with a semi-habituated gorilla family.

Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi & Batwa Cultural Experience

Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime Gorilla Trekking Safari—the ultimate highlight of the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari. After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can last between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movement.

Once found, you’ll spend one magical hour observing their behavior—watching the infants play, the dominant silverback guard his group, and mothers nurturing their young. This is a deeply emotional and humbling experience that has become a cornerstone of any Uganda Gorilla Trekking or gorilla tours adventure.

In the afternoon, embark on a cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies, the indigenous forest dwellers. Learn about their traditional hunting, medicinal plant use, and ancient forest survival skills. This cultural exchange enriches your understanding of Uganda’s human history and complements your wildlife encounters.

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

Evening Game Drive & Boat Ride

Depart Bwindi after breakfast and journey to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks. Along the way, stop for lunch in Mbarara City before arriving in the park for an evening game drive.

Expect to see zebras, giraffes, elands, topis, impalas, and a variety of birdlife. This park, free from large predators, also offers walking safaris and biking safaris on request. Later, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Mburo, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and birds along the lake’s edges.

• Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Drinking Water

This park is a perfect way to wind down the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari, blending nature, relaxation, and open-air adventures.

Return to Kampala or Entebbe

On the last day of the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari, enjoy one final morning game drive in Lake Mburo before embarking on your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, you may stop at the Uganda Equator Line for photos or visit Mpambire Drum Makers to witness local craftsmanship in action.

This scenic return marks the end of a transformational experience filled with gorilla trekking safaris, primate encounters, diverse wildlife, and meaningful cultural experiences. Whether you’re an adventure-seeker, wildlife enthusiast, or cultural traveler, the 9 Days Best Uganda Safari by Deks Safaris & Tours delivers unforgettable memories, educational enrichment, and a deeper appreciation of Uganda’s natural heritage.

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

End of 9 Days Best Uganda Safari