Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park – Visit the Top of the Falls
Your journey starts with a scenic northern drive, giving you a taste of Uganda’s countryside beauty. You proceed to the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge and crashes down with thunderous force. The powerful view sets the tone for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge / Heritage Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise
Start the day with a sunrise game drive across the northern plains. Expect sightings of giraffes, lions, elephants, buffaloes, oribi, and hartebeest. In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful yet thrilling boat trip to the base of the falls, passing hippos, crocodiles, and elephants along the Nile’s edge.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge / Heritage Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest via Fort Portal – Scenic Tea Plantations
Today you transfer to Kibale Forest, driving through tea plantations, crater lakes, and rolling hills. Fort Portal offers stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at your lodge surrounded by lush greenery and evening forest sounds.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp / Chimpanzee Guest House
- Mid-range: Turaco Treetops / Isunga Lodge
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale (Luxury Cottages)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk
Begin the day with chimpanzee tracking inside Kibale Forest—home to the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. When you locate the chimps, you watch them feed, play, and explore their forest home. Later, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for community encounters, monkeys, and birdlife.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp / Chimpanzee Guest House
- Mid-range: Turaco Treetops / Isunga Lodge
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale (Luxury Cottages)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Semuliki National Park – Visit the Sempaya Hot Springs
Drive to Semuliki National Park, a rare lowland tropical forest in East Africa. Visit the famous Sempaya Hot Springs, where steaming jets shoot up dramatically, and learn the local folklore behind these natural wonders. The forest walk offers chances to see birds, monkeys, and unique flora.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Kirimia Guesthouse / UWA Bandas
- Mid-range: Ntoroko Game Lodge / Mountains of the Moon Hotel
- Luxury: Semuliki Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game Drive
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth NP through scenic foothills and local communities. Arrive in the afternoon and head out for an evening game drive to search for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and predators that become active as temperatures cool.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Bush Lodge (Basic Tents) / Pumba Safari Cottages
- Mid-range: Bush Lodge (Self-contained Cottages) / Elephant Hab Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, well known for lions, large herds of Uganda kob, elephants, and buffaloes. In the afternoon, join a memorable boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless water birds line the shores.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Bush Lodge (Basic Tents) / Pumba Safari Cottages
- Mid-range: Bush Lodge (Self-contained Cottages) / Elephant Hab Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha – Look for Tree-Climbing Lions
Travel through the Ishasha sector, known for tree-climbing lions often seen resting in fig trees. Continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a rugged and misty jungle that shelters half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse / Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
- Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp / Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – A Powerful Life Experience
Today offers a deeply moving experience. After a briefing, you walk into the rainforest in search of a gorilla family. The forest is dense, magical, and full of life. When you find the gorillas, you spend unforgettable moments observing their behavior—feeding, grooming, and caring for one another.
Accommodation Options:
- Budget: Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse / Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
- Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp / Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP – Morning Walk & Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Begin with a transfer to Lake Mburo NP for a refreshing nature walk. This park allows guided walks, giving you a close encounter with zebras, impalas, and other plains game. After breakfast, continue to Kampala or Entebbe, arriving later in the day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Best Time to Do the Safari
The safari runs all year, but the best travel seasons are:
- June to October
- December to February
These months offer better wildlife viewing, easier forest trekking, and clearer road conditions.
Estimated Cost Per Person (Based on 6 People Sharing)
Budget: USD 3,450 – 3,850 per person
Mid-range: USD 4,350 – 4,950 per person
Luxury: USD 6,550 – 7,350 per person
Price varies based on lodge availability, permit fees, and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How difficult is gorilla trekking?
Moderate difficulty. You hike through thick forest and uneven terrain, but the pace is manageable.
2. What is the gorilla permit cost?
The Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person.
3. Can children join this safari?
Children 15+ can trek gorillas; younger children enjoy the wildlife parks.
4. Is chimpanzee tracking guaranteed?
Kibale Forest has over 95% success rates for sightings.
5. Are the lodges safe?
Yes. All recommended lodges follow high safety and comfort standards.
6. What should I pack?
Hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rain jacket, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle.
7. Is photography allowed during gorilla trekking?
Yes—but flash is not permitted.