Overview
This 9-day itinerary covers Uganda's core wildlife experiences in one well-paced trip: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, savanna game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest — three genuinely different wildlife experiences within a single country.
Uganda's safari style is noticeably different from Tanzania's open-plains game drives — expect lush, hilly, forested terrain, with a stronger focus on primates alongside classic savanna species like lion and elephant in Queen Elizabeth's more open sections.
Given gorilla permits are limited and book up well ahead of travel, this itinerary works best planned with a reasonable lead time.
See our Uganda safari overview, or contact us to check gorilla permit availability for your dates.
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (5 days)
Distance: Entebbe – Jinja 2 h 52 min (125 km)
Your arrival will be a warm welcome by our company representative then taken for refreshments and depending on the time of arrival, you will drive to Jinja check-in at your hotel then acclimatize. There is an option of going for a village tour or staying behind to relax while recovering from jet lag. Briefing about your safari is also done today.
Overnight stay at Nile Village Hotel & Spa (http://nilevillagehotel.com/)
Meals Plan: B.L.D
The tour will give you a chance to test the real beauty of Jinja‘s attractions which include Nalubale white water rafting, the “Source of the Nile”, and sunset a boat cruise at the Nile;
Overnight stay at Nile Village Hotel & Spa (http://nilevillagehotel.com/)
Meals Plan: B.L.D
Rhinoceros Sanctuary
Jinja – Ziwa Rhino 4h min (222.3 km) via Kampala - Gulu Highway
Ziwa Rhino – Murchson Falls 3 h 13 min (125.2 km) via Masindivia Kampala-Masindi
Today after breakfast, your guide will pick you from Jinja to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, you will visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you will go for a game walk with an experienced ranger, which gives you a unique opportunity to view the rhinos from a close distance then we continue with our scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park.
Overnight stay at Para Lodge ( http://www.paraalodge.com/)
Meals Plan: B.L.D
Today after breakfast, you will depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park. The 3,893 sq km park is home to a range of animals, and you will have a chance of viewing some of the Park’s residents including lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffaloes, and elephants. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary bird and the black chested snake eagle, to name a few.
In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 7 meter gap plunging 43 meters into the Nile on the way to Lake Albert. The banks of the Nile are densely populated with crocodiles, hippopotamus, and a range of other wildlife that come to the river to drink.
Overnight stay at Para Lodge ( http://www.paraalodge.com/)
Meals Plan: B.L.D
Day 5: Murchison Falls - Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park
8 h 49 min (492.7 km) via Kabale - Mbarara Rd and Mbarara - Masaka Rd
Arriving at the airport at around 14:30 departing flight is 18:45
Rates Per Person
See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Next: Inclusions →Inclusions
Included
- Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Kilimanjaro International Airport and ends in Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Airport Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.
Transfer Information
Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.
Accommodation Before/After
Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.