This 5-day Uganda Wildlife and Primates Safari offers an unforgettable experience across some of Uganda’s most iconic national parks. Explore the majestic Murchison Falls National Park, witness the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The safari also includes a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a close-up encounter with white rhinos and a cultural visit to the Batwa community.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our professional English-speaking driver guide. Begin your journey to Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda with an en-route stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for white rhino tracking. This unique encounter allows you to observe and photograph these majestic creatures up close.
After lunch, continue the scenic drive to Uganda’s largest national park, formerly known as Kabalenga National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy a short game drive and hike to the top of the mighty Murchison Falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge with a thunderous roar. Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge.
Accommodation: Pakuba Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Full Board)
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Start your day with an early morning game drive through the park’s savannah plains. Look out for lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hyenas, Uganda kobs, and various bird species such as the African jacana and grey crowned crane.
Return to the lodge for a short break and lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls. The cruise offers fantastic wildlife sightings including crocodiles, hippos, and a wide array of birdlife such as kingfishers and the elusive shoebill stork. Conclude the day with an optional hike to the top of the falls for a spectacular view.
Accommodation: Pakuba Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Full Board)
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, check out and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park located in western Uganda. Known for its diverse landscape—ranging from savannahs and wetlands to crater lakes—this park supports a rich variety of wildlife.
Upon arrival, proceed to the park’s visitor information center for a briefing, followed by an evening boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lakes Edward and George and attracts one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and numerous crocodiles. Elephants and other wildlife are frequently seen along the shores.
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Full Board)
Day 4: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Enjoy a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, known for its wildlife sightings, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, and hyenas. After your game drive, return to the lodge for lunch before heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the world-renowned home of the endangered mountain gorillas.
The drive through the scenic highlands takes approximately 2–3 hours. Upon arrival, check in, relax, and enjoy dinner in preparation for the next day’s gorilla adventure.
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Full Board)
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing about the mountain gorillas and the trekking protocols. The trek may last between 2 to 7 hours depending on the gorilla family’s location. Once located, you’ll spend a magical one hour in their presence, observing them in their natural habitat and capturing memorable photos.
After the trek, return to the information center to receive your gorilla trekking certificate. In the evening, embark on a cultural walk to visit the Batwa community, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Enjoy traditional storytelling, music, dance, and gain insight into their way of life.
Accommodation: Bakiga Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Full Board)
Day 6: Return to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre for a cultural and historical tour as well as a delicious lunch. Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your return flight, marking the end of your 5-day Uganda wildlife and primates safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch