8-Day Uganda Big Five Wildlife Safari

Published by Andrew on October 27, 2026

8-Day Uganda Big Five Wildlife Safari

Discover Uganda’s remarkable wildlife on this 8-day Big Five safari through Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. Track rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, enjoy game drives, cruise along the Nile and Kazinga Channel, and trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. Explore the top of Murchison Falls and Bigodi Wetland, with opportunities to spot elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards and diverse birdlife amid Uganda’s spectacular landscapes.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and transfer to your Lodge

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your professional safari driver-guide for a warm welcome and briefing about your 8-day Uganda wildlife adventure. Transfer to your hotel and relax after your journey, preparing for the exciting safari ahead.

Main Destination: Entebbe

Accommodation: Imperial Heights Hotel, Entebbe

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, depart for northern Uganda and Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s wild southern white rhinos. Enjoy a guided rhino-tracking experience and look out for other wildlife and bird species in the sanctuary. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in time to settle into your lodge and enjoy dinner.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge

Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across Murchison Falls National Park’s wildlife-rich savannah. Search for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, antelopes, warthogs and numerous bird species.

Return to the lodge for lunch before heading out on an afternoon boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. Watch for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and colourful waterbirds as you approach the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Enjoy magnificent views of the river and surrounding wilderness before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge

Day 4: Visit the Top of Murchison Falls and Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, visit the top of Murchison Falls to witness the Nile squeezing through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging dramatically below. Enjoy the breathtaking views and take memorable photographs.

Continue southwest through Uganda’s scenic countryside, passing tea plantations, rolling hills and Fort Portal, where you will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on a guided nature walk. Discover diverse birdlife, including the Great Blue Turaco, and look for monkeys such as red colobus, black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park

Accommodation: Rubalika Safari Lodge

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest in search of wild chimpanzees. Accompanied by experienced guides, follow forest trails while observing the rich biodiversity of this tropical rainforest.

Once you locate a chimpanzee community, spend up to one hour observing these fascinating primates as they communicate, feed, groom and move through the forest canopy. Kibale is also home to other primates, forest birds and diverse plant life, making this an exceptional wildlife experience.

Return to your lodge to relax and enjoy dinner.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park

Activities: Chimpanzee trekking

Accommodation: Rubalika Safari Lodge

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, travelling through the scenic crater lake region and the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda. Enjoy views of rolling hills, crater lakes and traditional rural communities along the way.

Upon arrival, prepare for an evening game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife. With luck, you may spot lions as they become active in the cooler hours of the day. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Activities: Scenic transfer and evening game drive

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a game drive along the Kasenyi Plains, one of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s popular wildlife-viewing areas. Look for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, other antelopes and lions. The open grasslands offer excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its large concentrations of hippos and other wildlife. Watch elephants and buffaloes gathering along the water’s edge, crocodiles resting on the banks, and waterbirds such as saddle-billed storks, pink-backed pelicans and malachite kingfishers.

Return to Buffalo Safari Lodge for dinner and your final night in the park.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Activities: Morning game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Day 8: Return to Entebbe and Departure

Enjoy breakfast before beginning your journey back to Entebbe. Travel through western Uganda’s scenic countryside, with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Continue towards the Equator crossing for photographs and an opportunity to browse local souvenir shops.

Proceed to Entebbe for drop-off at the airport for your onward flight or at your preferred hotel, depending on your travel arrangements. This marks the end of your memorable Uganda Big Five safari.

Main Destination: Entebbe

Accommodation: Not included; end of tour