11-Day Uganda Gorillas, Chimps and White Water Rafting Safari

The price covers private transport in a safari vehicle with a driver-guide and fuel, meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, a mountain gorilla trekking permit, a chimpanzee trekking permit, the white water rafting experience, boat cruises, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights, accommodation before and after the trip, the optional Batwa cultural experience, the Bigodi Wetland nature walk, souvenirs, tips, and porter hire are not included. Your quotation confirms the exact inclusions for the accommodation category you choose.

You are collected in Kigali and driven across the border to Bwindi on day one, then trek mountain gorillas on day two. Days three and four take you through Ishasha and Queen Elizabeth National Park for tree-climbing lions, a Kasenyi game drive, and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. Days five and six are spent in Kibale for chimpanzee trekking. Days seven to nine cover Murchison Falls, with a game drive, a Nile cruise, a hike to the top of the falls, and a Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary stop. Day ten is white water rafting in Jinja, and day eleven is your transfer to Kampala or Entebbe for departure.

Starting in Kigali lets you reach Bwindi in around four to five hours, which is much quicker than driving from Entebbe, and the route then loops through Uganda’s main parks before finishing near the airport. Your driver-guide takes you to the Rwanda-Uganda border and helps with the crossing formalities, but you must carry a valid passport and any required visa. If you would prefer to start and finish in Entebbe, tell us and we can discuss a different routing, subject to permit availability and the trip order.

Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, and because this trip begins in Rwanda, you should also check the entry rules for Rwanda. Some travellers may qualify for the East Africa Tourist Visa, but requirements change, so confirm them with the official immigration websites before you travel. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is commonly requested, and your doctor can advise on malaria prevention and other vaccinations. We strongly recommend travel insurance covering medical care, trip cancellation, and adventure activities such as white water rafting.

This is a road-based safari across western, northern, and eastern Uganda, so some days involve long drives. Day one from Kigali to Bwindi takes around four to five hours, and the transfer from Kampala to Jinja takes two to three hours. The longest days are usually the drive from Kibale to Murchison Falls and the return towards Kampala via Ziwa, which can take most of the day including stops. Your driver-guide makes comfort and photo stops along the way, and scenic countryside, tea estates, and savannah help the hours pass.

Once the rangers locate a habituated gorilla family, you are allowed one hour with them. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale also allows one hour once the group is found. The time spent searching varies with where the animals have moved that day, so each trek can be shorter or longer than you expect. Both experiences begin with a ranger briefing and are carried out under Uganda Wildlife Authority rules designed to protect the animals and their habitat.

Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking use habituated groups that trackers follow daily, so sightings are generally very good, but nothing can be guaranteed with wild animals. Wildlife in the savannah parks is less predictable. Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha are a highlight, but they may not be in the trees on the day you pass through, and leopards are naturally elusive. Elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and giraffes are far more reliably seen. Our driver-guides work to give you the best practical chance each day.

Porter hire is not included in the safari price, but you can arrange one at Bwindi before the trek for a small fee. A porter can carry your daypack, give you a steadying hand on steep or slippery slopes, and help you stay comfortable on a long trek. Hiring one also supports families living around the park. Tips for your porter are optional and can be given directly to them at the end of the trek.

Follow your ranger-guide’s instructions at all times. Near gorillas, keep the distance the rangers specify, speak quietly, avoid flash photography, and never touch or feed the animals. Do not eat, drink, or smoke close to the animals, and do not make sudden movements if one approaches. Visitors are usually asked to wear a face mask during the gorilla encounter. Similar respectful behaviour applies with chimpanzees, because both species are vulnerable to human diseases. Rangers will explain the exact rules during the briefing.

Tell your driver-guide and park staff if you develop a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea, or another contagious illness. Gorillas and chimpanzees can catch human diseases, so park authorities may stop visitors who are unwell from trekking. Any rescheduling or refund depends on the permit conditions and Uganda Wildlife Authority policy, which is why insurance covering medical issues and trip interruptions is so important. Follow the rangers’ health instructions during every encounter.

After a safety briefing in Jinja, you raft the Nile with a professional guide, with safety kayakers nearby. Rafting usually takes up much of the day, with a break for lunch. Wear a swimsuit or quick-dry clothes, secure sunglasses with a strap, and use waterproof sunscreen. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and closed river shoes or sandals that strap on firmly. Rafting operators normally set minimum age and health requirements, so tell us about any injuries, heart or back conditions, or pregnancy before booking. Some rapids can be walked around if you prefer.

On the drive from Murchison Falls towards Kampala, you can stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where southern white rhinos can be tracked on foot with a ranger. The walk is gentle and the rhinos are often seen from a respectful distance. Rhino tracking is not listed among the main inclusions, so we confirm in your quotation whether the fee is covered. Tell us early if you would like to include it so we can plan your timing for the day.

You can choose budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges in each area. Near Bwindi, options include Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, and Gorilla Safari Lodge. In Queen Elizabeth, they include Pumba Safari Lodge and Buffalo Safari Lodge, and in Kibale, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Turaco Treetops, and Chimpundu Lodge. At Murchison Falls, they include Hornbill Bush Lodge, Tilenga Safari Lodge, and Chobe Safari Lodge. Kampala options include Humura Resort, Onomo Hotel, and Sheraton Hotel, and Jinja options include Nile Porch Lodge, The Haven Eco River Lodge, and Lemala Wildwaters Lodge. Final lodges are confirmed in your quotation.

Several experiences are optional and not included in the base price. These include a Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi, a guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on the afternoon of day five, and a visit to tea plantations and a crater lake after chimp trekking. You can also ask us about adding the Source of the Nile in Jinja or extra nights in any park. Tell us which options appeal to you so we can include the costs in your quotation.

Uganda is a popular and welcoming safari destination, and your private driver-guide stays with you throughout the trip. Park rangers lead all treks and game activities, and rafting is led by trained guides. Malaria is present in much of Uganda, so speak to your doctor about prevention and pack insect repellent. Drink only the bottled water provided, and bring any personal medication you need. Bwindi and the forest areas can be damp and cool in the mornings, so layers help you stay comfortable.

Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, accommodation category, and any special interests, and we will check gorilla and chimpanzee permit availability and prepare a detailed quotation. Gorilla permits are limited each day, so reserve early, especially for peak months and fixed dates. Once you approve the itinerary and payment terms, we proceed with the permits, lodges, and transport reservations. We then confirm the final arrangements and pickup details in Kigali before you travel.