Safari overview
Combine classic game viewing with chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking on one well-paced eight-day journey through western Uganda.
This private eight-day Uganda safari links four of the country’s most rewarding national parks. Starting at Entebbe Airport, you travel north to Murchison Falls for game drives, a Nile boat cruise and a hike to the top of the falls, then turn south to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking. The journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park for savannah game drives and a cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
The finale is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park mountain gorilla trekking experience, reached through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth. After meeting a habituated gorilla family, you may add an optional Batwa cultural experience before the final transfer to Kigali or Entebbe airport.
Choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation to suit your style. Along the route, lodge options include Hornbill Bush Lodge, Tilenga Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge at Murchison Falls; Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Turaco Treetops or Chimpundu Lodge at Kibale; Pumba Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge at Queen Elizabeth; and Gorilla Leisure Lodge or Gorilla Safari Lodge at Bwindi.
Tour highlights
Experience Uganda’s savannah wildlife, riverbanks and rainforests on one private eight-day safari.
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Chimpanzee trekking in the tropical rainforest of Kibale
- Nile boat cruise and hike to the top of Murchison Falls
- Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to Murchison Falls
- Kasenyi Plains game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Optional Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi
- Budget, mid-range or luxury lodges in every park
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Entebbe to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe Airport or your hotel in the Entebbe area. After a short briefing, begin the journey north towards Murchison Falls National Park, passing through Kampala’s outskirts and the countryside of central Uganda.
Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild-bred southern white rhinos on foot, accompanied by experienced rangers. Rhino tracking is usually arranged at an additional cost. Continue to the park, enjoy lunch along the way and arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening for dinner and an early night.
- Approximately 5 to 6 hours’ drive, plus time at the sanctuary
- Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge | Mid-Range: Tilenga Safari Lodge | Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
- Lunch and dinner
Day 2
Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise and Hike to the Falls
Rise early for a morning game drive across the savannah north of the Nile, where you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, hartebeest, waterbucks and a wide variety of birds. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a short rest.
In the afternoon, board a boat on the Victoria Nile and cruise upstream towards the base of Murchison Falls, passing hippos, crocodiles, elephants coming to drink and colourful water birds along the banks. Disembark and hike up to the top of the falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge and plunges into the pool below with tremendous force.
Return to your lodge for dinner and a second night in the park.
- Morning game drive; afternoon boat cruise and falls hike
- Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge | Mid-Range: Tilenga Safari Lodge | Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey south towards Kibale Forest National Park. The route winds through western Uganda’s rolling countryside, tea plantations, rural villages and lively roadside markets before reaching the Kibale area.
Enjoy lunch along the way and arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. Have dinner and rest ahead of your chimpanzee trekking activity the next morning.
- Approximately 5 to 7 hours’ drive, depending on stops and road conditions
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge | Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops | Luxury: Chimpundu Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy an early breakfast before heading to the Kibale Forest chimpanzee trekking briefing point. Meet your ranger-guide, learn about forest etiquette and set out to look for a community of wild chimpanzees. Kibale is one of Uganda’s best-known primate destinations, with forest trails that pass through rich vegetation and habitat shared by numerous bird and monkey species..
Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have an opportunity to observe their behaviour in the forest, including feeding, calling, climbing and interacting with other members of the community. The duration of the walk varies according to where the chimpanzees are found.
After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, settle in and enjoy dinner.
- Morning chimpanzee trek; approximately 2 to 3 hours’ afternoon drive
- Budget: Pumba Safari Lodge | Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Kasenyi Plains Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Set out early for a game drive on the Kasenyi Plains, an open grassland area known for its antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs and lion sightings, subject to wildlife conditions. The early morning light is also ideal for photography and birdwatching.
Return to the lodge for breakfast and some downtime. In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel is famous for its large numbers of hippos, buffaloes, elephants, crocodiles and water birds gathering along the shoreline.
Return to your lodge for dinner and a second night in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Morning game drive; afternoon boat cruise of about 2 hours
- Budget: Pumba Safari Lodge | Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a landscape known for open savannah, fig trees and its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game drive in search of lions resting in the branches, along with elephants, antelopes, buffaloes and other wildlife. Sightings of the tree-climbing lions are not guaranteed.
Continue through the highlands of south-western Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enjoying views of terraced hills and misty forested ridges. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening, have dinner and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trek. Learn more about the park through these facts about Bwindi National Park.
- Morning game drive; approximately 2 to 3 hours’ drive to Bwindi
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Leisure Lodge | Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Rise early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing with Uganda Wildlife Authority staff. You will learn about gorilla behaviour, forest etiquette and the rules for spending time near a gorilla family. Rangers and trackers then lead your group into the forest in search of your assigned family.
Once the gorillas are found, you are allowed one hour in their company. Watch the family feeding, playing, grooming and resting in their forest home. The trek can be physically demanding because the terrain is steep, muddy and uneven, so suitable hiking boots and a reasonable level of fitness are important.
After trekking, return to the lodge for lunch and time to rest. In the afternoon, you may join an optional Batwa cultural experience to learn about the traditions, songs and forest knowledge of the Batwa people, the original inhabitants of the forest. This activity can be arranged at an extra cost. Enjoy dinner and your final night in Bwindi.
- Allow most of the day for trekking; walking time varies
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Leisure Lodge | Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Departure
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey to your departure point. If you are flying out of Kigali, your driver-guide transfers you across the border to Kigali International Airport. If you are flying out of Entebbe, you travel back through western and central Uganda, with suitable stops for refreshments and lunch.
The Entebbe journey is long, and travel time can vary with traffic and road conditions. We recommend booking a late departure flight or arranging an additional overnight stay if your international flight leaves early in the evening. Border crossing times for Kigali can also vary, so allow a comfortable margin before your flight.
- Transfer time depends on the airport chosen, border formalities and traffic
- No accommodation unless an extra night is requested
- Breakfast and lunch
Request a quote
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and accommodation choice. A safari specialist will prepare a tailored quotation for your gorilla, chimpanzee and game safari adventure.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permit arrangements
- Budget, mid-range or luxury lodge selection
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FAQs for 8-Day Uganda Gorillas, Chimps and Game Safari
Planning to combine mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and classic savannah wildlife in one Uganda journey? These are the questions travellers ask most often, answered honestly so you can plan your trip and book with confidence.
What is included in the 8-Day Uganda Gorillas, Chimps and Game Safari?
The package includes a mountain gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a chimpanzee tracking permit for Kibale National Park, park entrance fees, and the game activities listed in your itinerary in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. It also covers private transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide, seven nights of accommodation, meals as listed, bottled drinking water, and fuel. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, and personal expenses are not included. Your final quotation confirms the exact inclusions for your selected accommodation category.
How does the 8-day Uganda safari itinerary work?
You begin in Entebbe and travel north to Murchison Falls National Park for game drives and a boat trip toward the base of the falls. You then head south to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee tracking, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for another game drive and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and finish in Bwindi for mountain gorilla trekking. The final day is used for the journey back to Entebbe. Exact day-by-day timings are confirmed in your detailed itinerary.
How long are the drives between the parks?
This is a road-based safari covering several regions, so expect some long driving days. Typical drive times are about five to six hours from Entebbe to Murchison Falls, five to six hours from Murchison to Kibale, around two hours from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth, and a few hours from Queen Elizabeth to the Bwindi area. Actual times depend on traffic, road conditions, and weather. Your driver-guide plans comfortable stops along the way, and many travellers enjoy the changing scenery between parks.
How do I get gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits?
Both permits should be secured before your safari because trekking spaces are limited and availability depends on your travel dates. The gorilla permit allows you to track one habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi, while the chimpanzee permit covers guided tracking in Kibale. We check availability and arrange the permits as part of your booking. Gorilla permits in particular can sell out in busy months, so confirming them early helps us coordinate your accommodation and transfers around the permit dates.
What wildlife can I expect to see in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth?
Both parks offer rewarding game viewing on game drives and boat trips. Murchison Falls is known for elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and many antelope species, along with views of the powerful falls. Queen Elizabeth offers elephants, buffaloes, hippos, kob, warthogs, and a wide range of birdlife, particularly along the Kazinga Channel. Depending on the itinerary, the Ishasha sector may offer a chance to look for tree-climbing lions. Sightings depend on season, luck, and animal movements.
How fit do I need to be for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?
Moderate fitness is helpful, although the difficulty depends on the terrain, weather, and location of the primates. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale usually involves walking through forest on fairly gentle trails, though the chimps may move quickly through the canopy. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can take one to six hours or longer, often on steep, muddy slopes. Regular walking and wearing your hiking boots before travelling can help you prepare. Let us know about mobility concerns in advance so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
How long will I spend with the gorillas and chimpanzees?
Once your ranger-guides locate the mountain gorillas, you are allowed one hour with the family. You can observe their behaviour, watch juveniles play, and take photographs without flash. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale also generally allows one hour with the group once it has been found. Both encounters take place under park regulations designed to protect the animals and their habitat. The time spent searching for each group varies, so the overall trekking duration can differ from one day to another.
Is there a minimum age for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?
Yes. Visitors must generally be at least 15 years old to participate in mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda. The minimum age for standard chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is generally 12 years. These requirements mean that younger children may not be able to join every activity on this itinerary. If you are travelling as a family, tell us the ages of everyone in your group before booking so we can check eligibility and discuss alternative activities where necessary.
When is the best time for this safari?
The drier months, usually June to September and December to February, are popular because trails are firmer and game viewing can be excellent as animals gather near water. However, Uganda’s forests and savannahs can receive rain at any time of year. The wetter months bring muddy trails but also lush scenery, fewer visitors, and good birdwatching. Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and game drives operate throughout the year, subject to park conditions and permit availability. Book early for fixed dates, especially during busy holiday periods.
What should I pack for this 8-day safari?
Pack waterproof hiking boots with good grip, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers in neutral colours, gardening or hiking gloves, a lightweight rain jacket, a hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a small daypack. Binoculars, a camera with spare batteries, a reusable water bottle, personal medication, and a face mask for the gorilla encounter are also useful. Bring a warm layer for cool evenings and early mornings, especially near Bwindi. Soft-sided luggage fits more easily into a safari vehicle.
Can I hire a porter during gorilla trekking in Bwindi?
Yes. Hiring a porter is a practical way to make your gorilla trek more comfortable, even if you are reasonably fit. Porters can carry your daypack, offer a steadying hand on difficult slopes, and help you manage muddy or slippery sections. Their work also provides income to people living near the national park. Please confirm in your quotation whether porter service is included or arranged as an extra. Additional tips are optional and can be given directly to your porter.
What rules should I follow near gorillas and chimpanzees?
Follow your ranger’s instructions throughout both tracking experiences. Near mountain gorillas, maintain the distance specified by park authorities, speak quietly, avoid flash photography, and never touch or feed the animals. Do not eat, drink, or smoke close to the primates, and avoid sudden movements if one approaches. Gorillas and chimpanzees are vulnerable to human diseases, so visitors must follow the health, hygiene, and wildlife protection rules provided during each briefing.
What happens if I feel sick before trekking?
Tell your driver-guide and park staff if you develop a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea, or another potentially contagious illness before trekking. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are susceptible to human diseases, and park authorities may prevent visitors who are unwell from joining the activity. Any refund or rescheduling will depend on the applicable permit conditions and Uganda Wildlife Authority policy. We recommend suitable travel insurance that covers medical issues and trip interruptions.
Am I guaranteed to see gorillas, chimpanzees and big game?
Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking offer very good chances of seeing habituated groups, but sightings cannot be guaranteed absolutely because these are wild animals. Game drives and boat trips also depend on season, weather, and animal movements. Trackers, ranger-guides, and your driver-guide work to give you the best practical chance of memorable sightings while respecting wildlife welfare and park regulations. Allowing enough time in each park increases your opportunities.
What accommodation options are available for this safari?
You can choose from budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation, depending on your comfort preferences and budget. Options may include Red Chilli Rest Camp, Murchison River Lodge, or Paraa Safari Lodge near Murchison Falls, and Kibale Forest Camp or Primate Lodge Kibale near the chimpanzee trails. Near Queen Elizabeth, options may include Mweya Safari Lodge, and near Bwindi you may stay at lodges in the sector linked to your gorilla permit. We confirm the selected lodges in your final quotation before you pay.
Can I customise the 8-day itinerary, and how do I book?
Yes. You can tailor the safari to your travel dates, preferred accommodation category, and interests, subject to permit and lodge availability. The package is organised as a private experience with your own driver-guide and vehicle. Send us your preferred dates, number of travellers, and accommodation preference so we can check the gorilla and chimpanzee permits and prepare a detailed quotation. Once you approve the itinerary and payment terms, we can proceed with the required reservations and coordinate the trip arrangements.