11-Day Uganda Safari: Wildlife, Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Tracking
Uganda 11 Days / 10 Nights 1-6 people
$4,875 per person (02 travelers)
Overview
This 11-day Uganda safari offers a diverse exploration of the country’s wildlife, primates, landscapes, local communities, and authentic cultural experiences.
The trip begins at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you enjoy a guided walking experience to track southern white rhinos.
It then continues to Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks for game drives to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, zebras, antelopes, and other wildlife.
The safari also features Uganda’s remarkable primates. In Kibale Forest, you track chimpanzees in their natural habitat before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking.
In addition to wildlife and primate encounters, the trip provides opportunities to connect with local communities. Organized visits and walks offer insights into everyday life, local traditions, and livelihoods.
Quick Safari Notes
- The safari begins and ends in Entebbe at the airport or in town and involves pick-up and drop-off.
- It is a fully guided tour, with a professional and experienced Tour Guide accompanying you for the entire duration of the safari.
- It involves many captivating activities such as game drives, bird watching, gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, boat rides, community visits, cultural experiences, and general sightseeing.
- It is a day-by-day fixed program and payment for services such as accommodation and some activities are paid upfront. Any abrupt or late changes are subject to availability and may attract additional charges.
- It involves trekking for about 2-5 hours through the steep forest of Bwindi in search of gorillas. Travelers, therefore, should be physically fit to conduct this moderately demanding activity.
- The safari is suitable for all categories of people, such as large groups, couples, families with kids, youths, and solo travelers. However, chimpanzee and gorilla tracking are restricted to persons between 12 and 16 years of age and above, respectively.
- It features accommodation types that provide budget, standard and midrange comfort levels. These accommodations include guest houses, cottages, and tented tents, all providing clean, spacious, and moderate lodging.
- It involves road transport in a 4x4 Toyota Hiace van to connect to various destinations. The safari van has a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing.
Itinerary
Your assigned company guide warmly welcomes you at Entebbe Airport after immigration and transfers you to your reserved accommodation in or around Entebbe Town.
Meal Plan: Dinner
You start the day with an early breakfast before driving to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Along the way, you stop at Luwero Fruit Market, a roadside market where you can taste a selection of locally grown fresh fruits.
At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you enjoy a 1–2-hour guided walking experience to track southern white rhinos, accompanied by trained rangers in their natural habitat.
After the rhino-tracking experience, you continue to Murchison Falls National Park, passing through lush forests, woodlands, and expansive savannah plains.
Upon arrival, you check into your accommodation, relax, and settle in for an overnight stay.
Note: Drive Time. Approximately 7 hours Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, you explore Murchison Falls National Park, starting with an early breakfast before embarking on a game drive across the northern plains.
The game drive offers opportunities to see diverse wildlife, with possible sightings of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, hyenas, and leopards.
At 2:00 p.m., you embark on a three-hour shared boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, with opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you begin your journey to Kibale National Park in western Uganda. The drive takes about seven hours, with scenic views and memorable stops along the way.
As you pass through Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, you may spot baboons and monkeys along the roadside. At the Butiaba Escarpment, you stop to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Albert and the winding road below.
The journey continues through rolling hills, lush vegetation, and expansive tea plantations, with small towns and villages offering glimpses of everyday life in rural Uganda.
Upon arrival in Kibale, you check into your accommodation, relax, and enjoy an overnight stay at the lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, you take a short drive to the Kanyanchu briefing center in Kibale Forest. Here, experienced park rangers explain the guidelines and procedures for chimpanzee tracking.
You then enter the forest on foot to search for habituated chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Along the way, you may observe their fascinating behaviours, including using sticks to extract termites from their tunnels.
In the afternoon, you embark on a guided two-hour walk through the Bigodi community. The walk offers an authentic glimpse into local life and traditions.
Along the way, learn how local brew is made and meet a traditional healer who shares knowledge of medicinal herbs. You also visit a homestead to see how local meals are prepared.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After checking out of the lodge, you take a two-hour drive to Mweya Peninsula for your scheduled boat trip along the famous Kazinga Channel.
The two- to three-hour cruise offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with chances to see crocodiles, hippos, Uganda kobs, and elephants along the channel.
You may also spot elephants bathing and cooling off in the water during the warm afternoon hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you explore the Kasenyi Plains on a morning game drive in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive offers opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and birdlife.
After the game drive, you begin the four- to five-hour journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of rolling hills and expansive banana plantations.
Upon arrival, you check into your accommodation and spend the rest of the day relaxing and preparing for the gorilla trekking adventure the following day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Lunch
After an early breakfast, you take a short drive to the briefing centre for the 8:00 a.m. gorilla trekking briefing. Park rangers explain the guidelines and safety procedures before assigning you to a habituated gorilla family.
You then begin your hike through the steep, forested slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trek may take several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family.
Once you locate the gorillas, you spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat and taking photographs.
In the evening, you may opt for a community walk around the area near your lodge at an additional cost. Accompanied by your guide, you explore the surrounding community and gain insights into local culture and traditions.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you begin the approximately five-hour drive from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park, stopping for lunch in Mbarara City along the way.
Upon arrival, you head into the park for a game drive, offering opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and birdlife.
Alternatively, you may opt for a Bahima cultural experience at an additional cost, where you meet local pastoralists, herd Ankole cattle, and learn about traditional cattle-keeping practices.
Afterward, you return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you begin the journey to Kampala. Along the way, stop at the Equator Monument in Kayabwe for photographs and demonstrations about the Equator.
Upon arrival, explore the vibrant city markets, including Owino and Nakasero, as well as selected shopping areas such as Kikubo and Buganda Road Craft Market.
In the evening, you enjoy a three-hour cultural performance at Ndere Cultural Centre, showcasing Uganda’s diverse traditions through music and traditional dance.
Note: Ndere Cultural Centre hosts performances on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Drive time from Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala is approximately 6 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your 11-day Uganda adventure comes to an end today with a transfer to Entebbe Airport for your departure.
As you head to the airport, reflect on the memorable wildlife, cultural, and nature experiences you have enjoyed along the way.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Safari Highlights
- Trek through the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of endangered mountain gorillas.
- Enjoy game drives across Uganda’s expansive savannah parks, offering opportunities to see diverse wildlife.
- Take boat trips along the Nile and Kazinga Channel to observe wildlife and birdlife along the shores.
- Experience community walks that offer opportunities to interact with local people and learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life.
- Enjoy chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, offering opportunities to observe chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat.
- Experience rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a closer encounter with these endangered animals.
- Enjoy a vibrant cultural dance performance showcasing Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through music and traditional dance.
Price Per Person (USD)
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6490 | 4875 | 4530 | 4240 | 4110 | 3960 |
Price Includes
- Gorilla tracking permit
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Accommodation for 10 nights as indicated in the itinerary
- Road transport using 4 X 4 Toyota Hiace Safari Van
- Services of the English-speaking guide/driver
- All meals during the safari period as stipulated in the day-by-day section
- Entrance fees to all the parks indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled water in the safari vehicle
- Boat rides as mentioned in the itinerary
- Community walks as mentioned in the itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa sanctuary
Price Excludes
- International travel to/from Entebbe
- Personal /travel insurance
- Entry Visa fees into Uganda
- Domestic flights (if required)
- Payment charges (when using online payment methods)
- Tips (gratuity) to guides (recommended)
- Any activity indicated as optional
- Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- All kinds of drinks apart from water
Accommodations
| Nights | Destination | Lodge/Hotel | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night 1 | Entebbe Town | Airport Link Guest House | Budget |
| Nights 2 & 3 | Murchison Falls National Park | Fort Murchison | Mid-Range |
| Nights 4 & 5 | Kibale National Park | Kibale Forest Camp | Mid-Range |
| Night 6 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | The Bush Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Nights 7 & 8 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Gorilla Valley Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Night 9 | Lake Mburo National Park | Mpogo Safari Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Night 10 | Kampala City | Hilton Garden Hotel-Kampala | Mid-Range |
Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking. If the quoted accommodation is unavailable, we arrange a similar-standard alternative and notify you before confirmation.
Preferred accommodation or upgrades can be requested to suit your preferences, though such changes may affect the tour cost.
Please contact us for special accommodation requests.Safari Highlights
- Trek through the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of endangered mountain gorillas.
- Enjoy game drives across Uganda’s expansive savannah parks, offering opportunities to see diverse wildlife.
- Take boat trips along the Nile and Kazinga Channel to observe wildlife and birdlife along the shores.
- Experience community walks that offer opportunities to interact with local people and learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life.
- Enjoy chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, offering opportunities to observe chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat.
- Experience rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a closer encounter with these endangered animals.
- Enjoy a vibrant cultural dance performance showcasing Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through music and traditional dance.
