10 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking and Wildlife Safari

Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from Kampala or Entebbe by your professional driver-guide. After a short briefing, you will set off on a full-day drive (approximately 8–9 hours) to southwestern Uganda.

The journey offers a fascinating introduction to Uganda’s landscapes and culture. You will travel through bustling towns, fertile farmlands, and rolling hills before stopping at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and a short demonstration. Continue through the Ankole region, known for its long-horned cattle and vast banana plantations, with a relaxed lunch stop in Mbarara.

As you approach the Kigezi Highlands, the terrain becomes more dramatic, with winding roads, terraced hills, and mist-covered valleys. Arrival at your lodge is expected in the late afternoon or early evening. After check-in, you can unwind, enjoy dinner, and take in the peaceful forest surroundings.

Today is dedicated to the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking in Bwindi.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters by 7:30 AM for registration and a detailed briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You will be assigned to a small group of up to 8 trekkers and a specific gorilla family based on fitness level and preference.

The trek begins through dense rainforest, often involving steep slopes, thick vegetation, and uneven terrain. Your guides will interpret the forest environment, pointing out birdlife, medicinal plants, and signs of other wildlife. The trek can last between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movement.

Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one hour observing them at close range. Watch as they feed on vegetation, groom one another, and interact within their family groups—an emotional and unforgettable experience.

After returning to the lodge for relaxation and lunch, you will head out for a Batwa cultural visit. This experience introduces you to one of Uganda’s oldest indigenous communities, offering insight into their traditional forest lifestyle through storytelling, music, and demonstrations.

After breakfast, you will depart Bwindi and drive north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park (approximately 4–5 hours).

Depending on your route, you may pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. If time allows, your guide will take you on a short game drive in this area for a chance to spot lions resting in fig trees—a unique wildlife experience.

Continue to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, enjoy an evening game drive as wildlife becomes more active in the cooler hours. Expect sightings of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and possibly predators.

Start your day early with a sunrise game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best areas for wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Early mornings offer the best chance to see predators such as lions and leopards before they retreat from the heat.

During the drive, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, and a wide variety of bird species. The open savannah provides excellent visibility and photography opportunities.

After lunch at the lodge or in the Mweya area, head out for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This slow-paced safari allows you to observe wildlife at close range, including large pods of hippos, crocodiles basking on the banks, elephants drinking at the water’s edge, and numerous bird species such as pelicans and African fish eagles.

After breakfast, you may visit the Katwe Salt Lake for a guided cultural experience. Learn how local communities harvest salt using traditional methods and gain insight into this important economic activity.

You will then begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park (approximately 4–5 hours), passing through scenic countryside and crater lakes.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-based project is rich in biodiversity and offers excellent opportunities to see monkeys such as black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and a variety of bird species including the great blue turaco.

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for your chimpanzee tracking briefing. Groups typically depart around 8:00 AM with experienced guides and trackers.

The trek through Kibale’s tropical rainforest offers a completely different experience from gorilla trekking. The forest is alive with sounds—birds calling, leaves rustling, and chimpanzees vocalizing in the distance.

Once located, you will spend time observing chimpanzees as they move through the forest, feed, groom, and interact. Their fast-paced and energetic behavior provides a dynamic and exciting wildlife encounter.

In the afternoon, you may relax at the lodge or take an optional guided walk to further explore the forest ecosystem.

After breakfast, begin your journey north to Murchison Falls National Park. This is one of the longest drives of the safari, but it offers changing landscapes and scenic views along the way.

Upon arrival, visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging down with immense force. The viewpoint offers dramatic views and powerful sounds of the falls.

Later, proceed to your lodge for check-in and relaxation.

Start your day with an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the park. This area is known for its large herds of giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species, with chances of spotting lions and leopards.

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. This 2–3 hour journey offers close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife, culminating in a dramatic view of the falls from below.

Begin your day with a delta boat cruise, a quieter and more specialized experience ideal for birdwatching. This area is known for sightings of the rare shoebill stork, as well as other wetland species.

After lunch, enjoy another game drive to explore different sections of the park and increase your chances of spotting wildlife you may have missed earlier.

On your final day, depart Murchison Falls and drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience on foot.

Accompanied by a ranger, you will walk through the sanctuary to observe white rhinos in their natural environment—a rare and exciting experience that completes your Big Five safari in Uganda.

Afterward, enjoy lunch before continuing your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or airport.