Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Your adventure begins with an early departure from Kampala or Entebbe towards Murchison Falls National Park. You take a scenic route through rural landscapes, roadside markets and vast agricultural fields. Upon reaching the park, you head straight to the top of the falls where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge, creating a dramatic thunderous display.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise
You start the day with an early morning game drive through the open savannah, searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, oribis, hartebeest and many more animals. After lunch, you take a relaxing boat cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, offering fantastic wildlife viewing along the riverbanks before returning to your lodge.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you leave Murchison Falls and drive south through beautiful countryside landscapes. You pass tea plantations, crater lakes and rolling hills as you approach the rich tropical rainforest of Kibale Forest, famous for its high concentration of primates.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Mid-range: Turaco Treetops Lodge
- Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale – Luxury Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You kick off the morning with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. The walk through the forest reveals playful chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys and vibrant birdlife. After spending time with the chimps, you travel to Queen Elizabeth NP, passing through the crater lake region.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
- Mid-range: Elephant Hub Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Kazinga Channel Cruise
After an early breakfast, you head out for a scenic game drive in Kasenyi plains, where lions, elephants, Uganda kob and hyenas are commonly seen. In the afternoon, you enjoy a thrilling boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of the best wildlife spots in the park, packed with hippos, crocodiles and large herds of elephants.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
- Mid-range: Elephant Hub Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You start the day with a relaxed breakfast before transferring to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes you through the Ishasha sector famed for its tree-climbing lions, and then continues through picturesque villages and terraced hills.
Accommodation options:
- Budget: Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse
- Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Luxury: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Experience & Drive Back to Kampala/Entebbe
This is the highlight of your safari. After breakfast, you join your trekking group and head into Bwindi’s thick rainforest. The trek may take a few hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, but meeting a gorilla family is an unforgettable experience. After spending one full hour with the gentle giants, you return to the starting point and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Best Time to Do the Safari
The safari is excellent all year round, but the best months for wildlife viewing and trekking are:
- June to September
- December to February
These months offer drier weather, easier trekking trails and better wildlife spotting.
Estimated Cost Per Person Based on 6 People Sharing
Budget: USD 1,850 – 2,050 per person
Mid-range: USD 2,350 – 2,650 per person
Luxury: USD 3,500 – 4,200 per person
(Prices vary depending on travel season, lodge availability and gorilla permit category.)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How difficult is gorilla trekking?
Trekking difficulty varies with the gorilla family you’re assigned, but moderate fitness is enough.
2. Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included in safari costs?
They are usually included, but this depends on your preferred package.
3. What should I pack for the safari?
Hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, insect repellent, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
4. Can children join this safari?
Chimp tracking requires a minimum age of 12 years and gorilla trekking 15 years.
5. Is the safari safe?
Yes. Uganda’s national parks are well protected and guided activities are professionally organized.
6. Can the itinerary be customized?
Absolutely. More days, upgraded lodges, flights and add-on destinations can all be arranged.