The 9 Days Luxury Uganda Wildlife Safari Adventure by Gorilla Tour Rwanda takes you on an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s most remarkable national parks, offering exceptional wildlife viewing, breathtaking scenery and authentic cultural encounters. This carefully designed safari combines thrilling game drives, a boat cruise along the Nile, scenic landscapes and opportunities to discover some of East Africa’s most celebrated wildlife habitats. You will explore Murchison Falls National Park, renowned for its dramatic waterfall and diverse savannah wildlife, before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where elephants, lions, buffaloes and numerous bird species inhabit the sweeping plains and wetlands. The journey also introduces you to the spectacular Kazinga Channel and the beautiful landscapes surrounding Uganda’s western rift valley.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Your Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your Gorilla Tour Rwanda guide will welcome you to Uganda and assist you with your luggage before transferring you to your luxury hotel. During the drive, you will enjoy your first views of Uganda’s tropical vegetation, bustling communities and the beautiful surroundings of Lake Victoria. After checking in, you will have time to freshen up and relax following your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens for a guided walk through tropical vegetation, observing some of the bird species and other wildlife that inhabit the gardens. Alternatively, you can enjoy the hotel’s facilities or take a relaxing walk near the lakeshore. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the safari itinerary, wildlife viewing arrangements and activities planned for the coming days. You will enjoy dinner at your hotel and spend your first night in Uganda preparing for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation options: Hotel No.5, The Boma Hotel Entebbe, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After an early breakfast, you will depart Entebbe and travel northwards towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park and one of its most celebrated wildlife destinations. Your journey will take you through rural communities, agricultural landscapes and traditional trading centres, offering an insight into everyday life in the Ugandan countryside. You will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino-tracking experience, where trained sanctuary guides will lead you on foot to observe southern white rhinos in their protected habitat. During the visit, you will learn about rhino conservation and efforts to restore the species in Uganda. After the experience, you will continue towards Murchison Falls National Park, stopping for lunch along the way. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury lodge and relax while enjoying the surrounding wilderness. If time permits, you may enjoy a short game drive or a scenic view of the Nile before dinner.
Accommodation options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Nile River Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
You will begin the day with an early-morning game drive through the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, when wildlife is often active in the cooler hours. Accompanied by your experienced safari guide, you will explore open savannah plains and woodland areas in search of African elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests and other wildlife. You may also encounter lions or, with luck, leopards moving through the vegetation or resting in shaded areas. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast and a period of relaxation before the afternoon activity. Later, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls, enjoying views of hippos, Nile crocodiles and waterbirds along the riverbanks. The cruise provides an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife from the water while appreciating the dramatic scenery of the Nile. You may also see elephants and buffaloes gathering along the river to drink. After the cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in the national park.
Accommodation options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls National Park and travel south-westwards towards Kibale Forest National Park, passing through changing landscapes that include cultivated fields, rural settlements, green hills and scenic countryside. The journey provides an opportunity to appreciate Uganda’s diverse geography while your guide explains the country’s wildlife habitats and cultural heritage. You will make suitable stops along the route for refreshments, photographs and lunch. As you approach Fort Portal, you will encounter tea plantations and beautiful views of the surrounding hills, with the Rwenzori Mountains sometimes visible in clear weather. You will then continue towards your lodge near Kibale Forest, an important conservation area known for its rich tropical forest biodiversity and primate populations. After checking in, you will have time to relax and enjoy the lodge’s surroundings. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short guided nature walk or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before dinner. Your guide will brief you about the following day’s activities and the procedures for exploring the forest responsibly.
Accommodation options: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Nature Walk
Today, you will explore Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s leading destinations for observing wild chimpanzees and other forest primates. After breakfast, you will proceed to the designated briefing point, where authorised rangers will explain the tracking procedures and forest conservation guidelines. Accompanied by experienced guides, you will enter the rainforest and follow established trails in search of chimpanzees, listening for their calls and watching for movement in the trees. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have the permitted observation period to watch their feeding, grooming, social interactions and movements through the forest canopy. Your guide will also help you identify other wildlife, including monkeys, forest birds and distinctive tropical vegetation. After returning from the forest, you will enjoy lunch before visiting Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area with diverse birdlife and several primate species. During a guided walk, you will learn about wetland conservation and the relationship between the surrounding communities and the natural environment. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation options: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, you will depart Kibale Forest and continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, a remarkable wildlife destination characterised by savannah plains, crater lakes, wetlands and forested gorges. The journey takes you through the scenic Fort Portal region and the countryside of western Uganda, offering opportunities to appreciate the local landscapes and rural communities. As you approach the national park, you will notice the vegetation changing from forested hills to open grasslands and woodland habitats. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury lodge and enjoy lunch before preparing for an afternoon game drive. Your guide will take you through suitable wildlife-viewing tracks in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and other savannah animals. You may also spot lions resting in the grass or moving through the plains, although sightings depend on wildlife movements and seasonal conditions. The afternoon drive will also offer opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife photography as the sun begins to lower over the landscape. You will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in the heart of the park.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
You will rise early for a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and increased wildlife activity. Your guide will explore the Kasenyi Plains and nearby wildlife tracks, where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other antelope species. The plains are also an important habitat for lions, and your guide will look for signs of their movements while explaining predator-prey relationships and the park’s conservation efforts. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast and time to relax before the afternoon excursion. Later, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward and attracts a variety of wildlife to its banks. From the boat, you may observe hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking at the shoreline and buffaloes gathering near the water. The channel is also excellent for birdwatching, with opportunities to see African fish eagles, pelicans, kingfishers and other waterbirds. After the cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Ishasha Wildlife Safari and Transfer to Entebbe or Kampala
After breakfast, you will leave the main wildlife-viewing area of Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel towards the Ishasha sector in the park’s southern region. This area is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting in the branches of large fig trees. During a guided game drive, you will explore the open savannah, looking for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other wildlife. Although sightings of tree-climbing lions cannot be guaranteed, the Ishasha landscape offers a distinctive safari experience and excellent opportunities for photography. After your game drive, you will begin the journey towards Kampala or Entebbe, travelling through the countryside and passing rural settlements, cultivated hills and local trading centres. You will stop for lunch along the way and take suitable breaks during the drive. On arrival, you will check into your hotel and have time to relax after the long journey. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at your accommodation and prepare for your international departure the following day.
Accommodation options: Kampala Serena Hotel, Latitude 0 Degrees Kampala, Hotel No.5 Entebbe.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and prepare for your departure from Uganda. Your Gorilla Tour Rwanda representative will arrange a transfer to Entebbe International Airport, allowing sufficient time for your international flight check-in and other airport procedures. Depending on your departure time and the location of your hotel, you may have an opportunity for a brief visit to a nearby attraction or a relaxed stop along the shores of Lake Victoria. If you are departing early, the transfer will be arranged directly to the airport without additional sightseeing. During the journey, you will enjoy a final glimpse of Uganda’s tropical scenery and lively communities. Your guide will assist with luggage and ensure that the transfer arrangements are completed smoothly. As your safari concludes, you will leave with lasting memories of the wildlife-rich savannahs, the spectacular Nile River, chimpanzees in their natural rainforest habitat and the breathtaking landscapes of western Uganda. Silverback Tour will wish you a safe onward journey and hope to welcome you back for another memorable African adventure.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Items Included in the Tour Package
- Airport pickup on arrival and airport drop-off on departure.
- Eight nights of accommodation in selected luxury hotels and safari lodges.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Private 4WD safari vehicle suitable for Uganda’s national parks.
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel and ground transportation for the planned itinerary.
- Entrance fees for the national parks included in the itinerary.
- Guided game drives in Murchison Falls National Park.
- Boat cruise along the Victoria Nile in Murchison Falls National Park.
- Guided rhino-tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, subject to the confirmed booking.
- Chimpanzee-tracking permit for Kibale Forest National Park.
- Guided visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
- Guided game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the Ishasha sector.
- Boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
- Bottled drinking water during scheduled safari activities and road transfers.
- Applicable taxes and service charges for the services included in the confirmed package.
Items Excluded from the Tour Package
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda visa fees and other immigration charges.
- Travel insurance, medical insurance and emergency evacuation cover.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages not included in the accommodation meal plan.
- Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, rangers, lodge staff and other service providers.
- Optional activities not specifically listed as included.
- Additional accommodation before arrival or after the scheduled itinerary.
- Personal trekking or outdoor equipment required for optional activities.
- Additional costs resulting from flight changes, delays or itinerary alterations outside the operator’s control.
- Any service not expressly stated under the included items.