7-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Big Five Safari

7-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Big Five Safari

Discover Uganda’s remarkable wildlife on this 7-day safari featuring rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, chimpanzee trekking, and an unforgettable mountain gorilla encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Conclude your adventure with a relaxing stay at Lake Bunyonyi before returning to Entebbe via the Equator.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Your Ugandan safari begins with an early breakfast and pickup from your hotel or Entebbe International Airport by your professional driver-guide. Travel north towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s reintroduced southern white rhinos. Enjoy a guided rhino-tracking experience on foot, offering an opportunity to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

After lunch at the sanctuary, continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. Upon arrival, enjoy an evening game drive if time permits, looking out for wildlife across the savannah plains before heading to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meals and Drinks: Lunch and dinner; drinking water

Day 2: Nile Boat Cruise and Wildlife Game Drive

After breakfast, head to the Victoria Nile for a scenic boat cruise towards the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, look out for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and numerous waterbirds. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as the river flows through one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife habitats.

Return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation before setting out on an afternoon game drive across the northern sector of the park. Search for lions, African elephants, giraffes, Uganda kob, buffaloes, and other wildlife roaming the open grasslands. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; drinking water

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Enjoy breakfast before departing Murchison Falls National Park for Queen Elizabeth National Park. This scenic journey takes you through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, with opportunities to appreciate traditional villages, cultivated landscapes, banana plantations, and tea-growing areas along the way.

Stop for lunch en route before continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Arrive at your lodge in the evening and check in. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short evening game drive or relax at the lodge while preparing for the following day’s activities.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Tembo Safari Lodge
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; drinking water

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

After an early breakfast, head to Kyambura Gorge for an exciting chimpanzee-tracking adventure. Following a briefing by the park rangers, venture into the forest in search of wild chimpanzees. As you explore this lush gorge, you may also encounter other primates, forest birds, and fascinating plant life. Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed, as the animals roam freely in their natural habitat.

Return for lunch before heading to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is famous for its concentration of wildlife. Watch hippos resting in the water, crocodiles along the banks, elephants coming to drink, and buffaloes grazing near the shoreline. The channel also attracts numerous bird species, making it an excellent destination for birdwatching.

After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Tembo Safari Lodge, Katunguru
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; drinking water

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. During a game drive, keep your eyes open for lions resting in fig trees, as well as elephants, topis, buffaloes, and other savannah wildlife. Although sightings depend on animal movements, Ishasha offers a wonderful opportunity to explore one of Uganda’s distinctive wildlife areas.

Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you approach Bwindi, the landscape transforms into mist-covered hills, dense rainforest, and terraced farmland. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, settle in, and enjoy dinner as you prepare for the highlight of your safari: mountain gorilla trekking.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; drinking water

Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Rise early for breakfast before heading to the gorilla trekking briefing point in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Meet your ranger guides, receive safety instructions, and begin your trek through the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek can take several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas and the terrain. Once you find them, spend the permitted time observing these extraordinary primates as they feed, groom, play, and interact within their family groups. This unforgettable encounter offers a rare opportunity to appreciate the beauty and behaviour of endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.

After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer to the scenic shores of Lake Bunyonyi. Surrounded by rolling green hills and dotted with numerous islands, the lake provides a peaceful setting to unwind after your forest adventure. Arrive at your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.

Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation: BirdNest Resort, Lake Bunyonyi
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; drinking water

Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport via the Equator

Enjoy breakfast while taking in the beautiful scenery around Lake Bunyonyi. After checking out, begin your journey back to Entebbe, travelling through Uganda’s picturesque countryside and vibrant towns.

Along the way, stop at the Equator crossing for photographs, souvenir shopping, and a memorable opportunity to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Enjoy lunch en route before continuing to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

Your 7-day Ugandan adventure concludes with wonderful memories of rhino tracking, savannah wildlife, chimpanzee trekking, mountain gorillas, and the tranquil beauty of Lake Bunyonyi.

Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport
Accommodation: Not included
Meals and Drinks: Breakfast and lunch; drinking water

Note: Please allow sufficient time for the road transfer to Entebbe and schedule your departure flight accordingly. An overnight stay may be necessary if your flight departs too early.

What’s Included

• Park entrance fees for non-residents.
• Mountain gorilla trekking permits for non-residents.
• Chimpanzee trekking permits for non-residents.
• All activities mentioned in the itinerary, unless explicitly listed as optional.
• All accommodation as specified in the itinerary, unless an upgrade is requested.
• Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
• All transportation in a safari vehicle, unless otherwise stated.
• All applicable taxes and VAT.
• Round-trip airport transfers.
• Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary.
• Drinking water throughout the safari.

What’s Excluded

• International flights to and from your home country.
• Additional accommodation before the safari begins or after the tour ends.
• Tips and gratuities. A suggested tipping guideline is US$10 per person per day.
• Personal expenses, including souvenirs, laundry, travel insurance, and visa fees.
• Any government-imposed increases in taxes, park entrance fees, or permit charges after booking.
• Optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary.
• Alcoholic and other beverages not specified as included.
• Any services or expenses not expressly mentioned under the inclusions.