8-Day Uganda Wildlife, Chimpanzee & Gorilla Trekking Safari

Uganda

Experience the best of the Pearl of Africa on an active 8-day circuit across Uganda’s top national parks.

From tracking wild white rhinos on foot and watching the Victoria Nile thunder through Murchison Falls, to searching for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and standing face-to-face with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this itinerary delivers a complete wildlife experience.

Safari Overview & Highlights

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Primary Destinations: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Key Experiences: On-foot rhino tracking, top of Murchison Falls visit, Nile River boat launch, Kibale chimpanzee tracking, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, mountain gorilla trekking, and Batwa cultural encounter
Pacing: Active full circuit (Private 4WD Land Cruiser / Safari Van)

Custom Route Options Available

We offer three distinct routings for this 8-day itinerary depending on your specific travel priorities:

Option A (Recommended Full Circuit – Detailed Below): Ziwa Rhinos $\rightarrow$ Murchison Falls $\rightarrow$ Kibale Chimps $\rightarrow$ Queen Elizabeth $\rightarrow$ Bwindi Gorillas. Best for travelers wanting a complete Big 5 and primate circuit.
Option B (Direct Primate Focus): Skips Murchison Falls and Ziwa to reduce long driving hours, spending more dedicated time in Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Kibale.
Option C (Big 5 & Scenic Lake Relaxation): Covers Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Gorillas, swapping Kibale Chimps for boat trips and relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi.

Detailed 8-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Track Wild Rhinos at Ziwa & Transfer to Murchison Falls

Your safari guide meets you early in Kampala or Entebbe for a brief orientation before setting off north toward Nakasongola. Your first stop is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a 2-hour guided trek on foot to view Southern White Rhinos in their natural habitat.

After lunch in Masindi, proceed into Murchison Falls National Park. Drive straight to the top of the falls to feel the ground tremble as the entire Victoria Nile squeezes through an 8-meter canyon before plunging 43 meters below. Check into your lodge for dinner and rest.

Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) | Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) | Hornbill Safari Lodge (Budget)

Day 2: Morning Savannah Game Drive & Nile River Boat Cruise

Cross to the northern sector of Murchison Falls for an early morning game drive. Explore the open savannahs to spot Rothschild’s giraffes, Cape buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, hyenas, and various antelope species.

In the afternoon, board a 3-hour launch cruise up the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. Look out for Nile crocodiles, pods of hippos, and elephants cooling off along the riverbanks, alongside rare birds like the Shoebill stork.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) | Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range) | Hornbill Safari Lodge (Budget)

Day 3: Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

Leave Murchison Falls behind and travel south through traditional homesteads and tea plantations toward Fort Portal, situated beneath the Rwenzori Mountains.

After lunch in Fort Portal town, continue into the dense rainforest canopy of Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 distinct primate species. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon for relaxation ahead of your chimp trek.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge / Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range) | Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth

Gather at the Kanyanchu Visitor Center at 7:00 AM for a ranger briefing on chimpanzee tracking guidelines. Head into the tropical rainforest to locate habituated chimp troops as they feed, play, and swing through the canopy. You have one full hour in their presence once found.

Return to the lodge for lunch, then check out and drive south into Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking in views of crater lakes and savannah plains along the way.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) | Enganzi Game Lodge / Bush Lodge (Mid-range) | Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget)

Day 5: Kasenyi Savannah Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Head out onto the Kasenyi plains at dawn for a morning game drive targeting lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, Uganda kobs, and herds of elephants.

After lunch at the lodge, embark on a 2-hour boat cruise along the natural Kazinga Channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel holds one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa, alongside buffaloes, waterbirds, and Nile crocodiles basking along the shore.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) | Enganzi Game Lodge / Bush Lodge (Mid-range) | Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget)

Day 6: Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha & Transfer to Bwindi

Depart the northern sector of the park and drive through the southern Ishasha sector. Conduct a targeted game drive in search of Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions, often seen resting in the branches of large fig trees to escape heat and flies.

Continue south through terraced hills into the misty rainforest borders of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check into your lodge and rest up for your gorilla trek.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury) | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Haven Lodge (Mid-range) | Trekkers Tavern / Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)

Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early 7:30 AM briefing at the park headquarters, join a group of up to eight trekkers led by armed rangers and trackers. Hike into Bwindi’s dense rainforest to locate your assigned habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek takes between 2 to 7 hours depending on gorilla movements.

Once located, spend one hour observing the gorillas as they feed, groom, and interact. Return to headquarters to receive your official gorilla tracking certificate. In the late afternoon, opt for an immersive cultural walk with the local Batwa community to learn about their ancestral forest life and traditions.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Luxury) | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Haven Lodge (Mid-range) | Trekkers Tavern / Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)

Day 8: Travel Back to Kampala or Entebbe via the Equator

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before starting the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe (approximately 8 hours). Stop for lunch at the Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara, followed by a photo opportunity at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe to perform the water flow demonstration and purchase souvenirs.

Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the late afternoon for drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

What Is Included & Excluded

Included in the Tour

Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Trekking Permit ($800)
Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Permit ($250)
On-foot Rhino Tracking Permit at Ziwa
All park entrance fees and activity charges
Private 4WD Safari Vehicle with pop-up roof
7 nights accommodation on Full Board basis
Bottled drinking water inside the vehicle

Excluded

International flights and visas
Travel and medical insurance
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at lodges
Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, and lodge staff
Personal purchases, laundry services, and telephone expenses
Post-tour accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe

Frequently Asked Questions

How fit do I need to be for gorilla and chimp trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi requires a moderate level of physical fitness, as hikes involve steep terrain, dense vegetation, and muddy trails. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is generally on flatter ground but requires walking through dense rainforest for 2 to 4 hours.

Can this itinerary be customized or reversed?

Yes. If you prefer to skip long driving days, we can arrange domestic flights between Entebbe, Murchison Falls, and Bwindi. We can also adjust the route to swap Kibale chimps for relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi (Option C) or focus strictly on the southern parks (Option B).

What is the best time of year to go on this 8-day Uganda safari?

This tour runs year-round. The drier months of June through September and December through February offer the easiest trail conditions for gorilla and chimp trekking, alongside excellent game viewing around waterholes.

Ready to Book Your 8-Day Uganda Safari?

Contact our safari specialists today to check permit availability, request a custom quote, or tailor this itinerary to your preferred travel style.

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Uganda Itineraries