9-Day Uganda Safari: Big Five Wildlife & Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience

Overview

This 9-day Uganda safari combines Uganda’s most iconic wildlife experiences, including rhino tracking, Murchison Falls, chimpanzee country, Queen Elizabeth National Park, tree-climbing lions, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Batwa cultural encounters, and Lake Mburo National Park.

The journey takes you through Uganda’s diverse landscapes — savannah plains, tropical forests, crater lakes, and scenic countryside — offering opportunities to experience the country’s famous wildlife and rich cultures.

Safari Highlights

• Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• The powerful Murchison Falls and Nile boat cruise experience
• Chimpanzee habitat in Kibale Forest
• Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha/Kasenyi region
• Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Batwa cultural experience
• Wildlife viewing in Lake Mburo National Park
• Equator experience in Masaka

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe.

Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel or enjoy optional activities around Entebbe, such as visiting the lakeside area or the botanical gardens.

Accommodation: Entebbe
Meals: Bed & Breakfast

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, depart Entebbe and drive northwards toward Murchison Falls National Park.

Your first stop will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda’s only place where visitors can track wild rhinos on foot. During the guided rhino tracking experience, you will learn about rhino conservation efforts and observe these magnificent animals in their natural environment.

Continue the journey toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park.

Upon arrival, enjoy an evening game drive as you enter the park, with opportunities to see giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wildlife.

Accommodation: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park – Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Wake up early for a morning game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. This is the best time to spot wildlife when animals are most active.

Look out for:

• Elephants
• Lions
• Leopards (if lucky)
• Buffaloes
• Giraffes
• Uganda kobs
• Warthogs and many bird species

After lunch, take a scenic boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the bottom of the magnificent Murchison Falls. The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants along the riverbanks, and spectacular birdlife.

Optional hike to the top of Murchison Falls can be arranged.

Accommodation: Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Chimpanzee Forest

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive southwest toward Kibale National Park, known as the “Primate Capital of the World.”

The journey passes through beautiful Ugandan countryside, tea plantations, and local communities.

Arrive in Kibale in the afternoon and relax at your lodge. Depending on time, you may enjoy a nature walk around the lodge area.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Kibale Forest Experience – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest National Park.

You will enter the rainforest with experienced guides searching for chimpanzee communities while learning about forest ecology and other primates, including:

• Red-tailed monkeys
• Black-and-white colobus monkeys
• Blue monkeys

After the trek, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Enjoy an evening game drive as you enter the park.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kasenyi Plains Game Drive & Tree-Climbing Lions

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the famous Kasenyi Plains, one of Uganda’s best wildlife viewing areas.

The open savannah plains provide opportunities to see:

• Lions
• Elephants
• Buffaloes
• Uganda kobs
• Hyenas
• Antelopes

Continue toward the Ishasha sector, famous for its unique population of tree-climbing lions.

Spend time searching for these remarkable lions resting on large fig and acacia trees.

Later, continue driving toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation: Bwindi Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, prepare for the highlight of your Uganda safari — mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

After briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides, enter the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.

The trek may take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Once found, you will spend one magical hour observing these endangered primates as they feed, play, and interact.

Later in the afternoon, visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience. Learn about the traditions, history, music, and forest heritage of the indigenous Batwa people.

Accommodation: Bwindi Area
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Wildlife Experience

After breakfast, drive toward Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo is Uganda’s closest savannah park to Kampala and is famous for:

• Zebras
• Giraffes
• Impalas
• Buffaloes
• Elands
• Hippos
• Birdlife

Enjoy an afternoon game drive or optional boat cruise on Lake Mburo.

Accommodation: Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Lake Mburo – Equator Experience in Masaka – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive before departing Lake Mburo.

Drive toward Entebbe/Kampala with a stop at the Equator line in Masaka for photographs and souvenir shopping.

Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, or transfer to your hotel in Kampala.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

End of Safari