9-Day Uganda Adventure Safari: Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife & White-Water Rafting
Uganda 9 Days / 8 Nights 1-6 people
$4,180 per person (02 travelers)
Overview
This 9-day Uganda safari combines wildlife viewing, gorilla trekking, cultural experiences, and white-water rafting on the River Nile, offering an exciting journey through Uganda’s diverse landscapes.
Explore Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, with opportunities to encounter a wide range of wildlife, including the African Big Five.
In addition, the safari takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience, where you encounter gorillas in their natural habitat.
Visit a Bahima homestead to experience their traditional lifestyle, culture, customs, and daily activities while interacting with the local community.
The safari also features an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure on the River Nile in Kangulumira, where you navigate its powerful rapids and scenic waterways.
Quick Safari Notes
- It features game drives, gorilla trekking, boat rides, white-water rafting, cultural experiences, and sightseeing.
- The safari begins and ends in Entebbe, with airport transfers included.
- This is a fully guided tour, with a professional tour guide accompanying you throughout the safari.
- The safari follows a fixed itinerary, with accommodation and selected activities paid for in advance. Late changes are subject to availability and may attract additional charges.
- It involves 2–5 hours of gorilla trekking in Bwindi, requiring a reasonable level of physical fitness.
- The safari is suitable for groups, couples, families, young travelers, and solo travelers. However, gorilla trekking is restricted to travelers aged 16 and above.
- It involves white-water rafting for different age groups, with children aged 3 and above eligible to participate, while Grade 5 rapids are restricted to travelers aged 12 and above.
- Accommodation during the safari includes budget, standard, and mid-range options, such as guesthouses, cottages, and tented camps offering clean and comfortable lodging.
- Travel between destinations is by 4x4 Toyota Hiace safari van with a pop-up roof for comfortable wildlife viewing.
Itinerary
You either arrive in Uganda a day earlier or land at Entebbe Airport early in the morning, where your guide picks you up and you begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park.
You make a few stopovers along the way, including Luwero Town, where you visit a vibrant roadside market and taste fresh, organic fruits such as ripe bananas and juicy pineapples.
You continue to Nakasongola, home to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, for a 2-hour rhino tracking experience with an armed ranger to observe the rhinos up close.
You then enter Murchison Falls National Park, taking in its diverse landscapes, including savannah grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests.
The drive time from Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park is approximately 7 hours.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
At 07:30, you embark on a morning game drive through the diverse ecosystems of Murchison Falls National Park, encountering elephants, warthogs, giraffes, buffaloes, and various antelope species.
At 14:00, you embark on a three-hour shared boat trip along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you spot crocodiles, hippos, and various water birds.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early in the morning, you begin your 9-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying fascinating sights along the route.
You pass through Bugungu Wildlife Reserve, where you may spot baboons and monkeys, and enjoy stunning views of Lake Albert from the Butiaba Escarpment.
Along the way, you make brief stops for washroom breaks and lunch. You also stop at tea and banana plantations to enjoy the scenery and interact with local farmers.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
At 07:30 AM, you embark on a morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may spot elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and various antelope species
After the game drive, you continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enjoying scenic views of rolling hills and banana plantations along the way.
The drive time from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi is approximately 4–5 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, you head to the park’s gathering centre for a 30-minute briefing at 08:00, receiving guidelines and information about gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
You then enter the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas, trekking through steep, rugged terrain where you may encounter birds, monkeys, bush elephants, and colourful butterflies.
Once you locate the habituated gorilla family, you spend one hour observing their behaviour and social interactions from a safe distance before returning to the lodge for a relaxing afternoon and evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you travel to Lake Mburo National Park, enjoying scenic views along the way. You stop for lunch in Mbarara City before continuing to the park.
Upon arrival, you embark on a guided walking safari, where you may encounter zebras, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, and warthogs at close range.
The drive time from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park is approximately 5 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early in the morning, you visit a Bahima homestead near your lodge for a cultural experience and learn about their beliefs, customs, and pastoral traditions.
You participate in activities such as milking cows, making cow ghee, and grazing cattle, while gaining insight into their traditional conservation practices.
After the homestead visit, you travel to Kampala, with a brief stop at the Equator Monument in Kayabwe for photos and entertaining demonstrations highlighting the geographical significance of the Equator.
The drive time from Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala is approximately 5–6 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Early in the morning, you embark on a 2-hour drive to Kangulumira for an exciting white-water rafting experience on the Nile River.
The 4–5-hour rafting adventure takes you through thrilling Grade 3–5 rapids, offering an exhilarating experience for both beginners and experienced rafters.
After the rafting adventure, you head to the lodge for a relaxing evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a peaceful and comfortable overnight stay at the eco-friendly lodge on the banks of the River Nile, you drive to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.
We recommend booking an evening flight to allow enough time for the journey and a relaxed departure.
The drive time from Kangulumira/Kayunga to Entebbe Airport is approximately 4–5 hours.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Safari Highlights
- Experience mountain gorilla trekking in the dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Enjoy captivating game drives across Uganda’s savannah parks and encounter diverse wildlife.
- Take a boat safari on the River Nile and observe aquatic wildlife along its banks.
- Experience an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure on the River Nile.
- Enjoy an exciting walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park for a close encounter with wildlife.
- Visit a Bahima homestead and gain insight into the community’s traditional culture and way of life.
Price Per Person (USD)
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5670 | 4180 | 3920 | 3690 | 3610 | 3430 |
Price Includes
- The gorilla tracking permit
- Accommodation for 8 nights as indicated in the itinerary
- Road transport using a 4 x 4 Toyota Hiace Safari Van
- Services of the English-speaking guide/driver
- All meals during the safari period as indicated in the day-by-day section
- Entrance fees to all the parks indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled water in the safari vehicle
- Boat ride on the Nile River-Murchison Falls National Park
- A walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
- Airport transfers
- Safe rafting on the Nile River
- Bahima Homestead Visit
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
- Pre-safari accommodation if required
Accommodations
| Nights | Destination | Lodge/Hotel | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 & 2 | Murchison Falls National Park | Fort Murchison Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Night 3 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | The Bush Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Nights 4 & 5 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Gorilla Valley Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Night 6 | Lake Mburo National Park | Mpogo Safari Lodge | Mid-Range |
| Night 7 | Kampala City | Hilton Garden Hotel-Kampala | Mid-Range |
| Night 8 | Kangulumira/Kayunga | The Haven Lodge | 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
- Experience mountain gorilla trekking in the dense forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Enjoy captivating game drives across Uganda’s savannah parks and encounter diverse wildlife.
- Take a boat safari on the River Nile and observe aquatic wildlife along its banks.
- Experience an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure on the River Nile.
- Enjoy an exciting walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park for a close encounter with wildlife.
- Visit a Bahima homestead and gain insight into the community’s traditional culture and way of life.
