Uganda Safari Tour With Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Adventure

9 Days | 8 Nights

From $2,365 / person

Your trip overview

Experience the ultimate Uganda safari on this 9-day wildlife and gorilla trekking tour, designed for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This immersive journey combines thrilling game drives, close encounters with chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, and breathtaking scenery across Uganda’s most iconic national parks.

Highlights include visits to Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Lake Mburo National Park.

From the powerful waterfalls of the Nile to dense tropical rainforests and savannah plains teeming with wildlife, this tour offers the best of Uganda’s primates, big game, and birdlife in one unforgettable itinerary.

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda

Kibale Forest National Park

Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Uganda

Lake Mburo National Park

Uganda

Planning Your Safari

Organizing a safari in Uganda, can be overwhelming due to the many choices available for transport, accommodation, and activities.

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, your Uganda safari adventure begins as your dedicated Tubale Safaris guide picks you up for the scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, home to the world’s most powerful waterfall.

Along the way, enjoy a memorable stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track wild white rhinos on foot. After this thrilling encounter, continue the journey with a lunch break en route.

Upon arrival at Murchison Falls National Park, head straight to the top of the falls for a breathtaking hike, witness the Nile River forcefully squeeze through a narrow gorge before plunging 43 meters below. Though the hike is physically demanding, it offers incredible views and photo opportunities that make it truly rewarding.

Later, transfer to your lodge for relaxation and dinner.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge – Mid-range lodge located within Murchison Falls National Park.

Where to stay

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Day 2: Game Drive and Nile River Boat Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Start your day with an early breakfast before embarking on an exciting morning game drive across the vast savannah of Murchison Falls National Park. This prime wildlife viewing opportunity gives you a chance to spot a variety of iconic African animals such as African elephants, Cape buffaloes, Uganda kobs, giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, and possibly elusive predators like lions and leopards.

The game drive lasts approximately three hours, after which you’ll return to the lodge to relax and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon, experience the park’s signature activity, a boat cruise along the Nile River. Glide past pods of hippos, lurking Nile crocodiles, and a dazzling array of birdlife, including kingfishers, herons, and the rare shoebill stork. As you approach the base of the thundering Murchison Falls, marvel at the force of the Nile squeezing through a 7-meter gorge before plunging powerfully into the river below, a dramatic and unforgettable sight.

After the boat safari, return to the lodge to unwind and soak in the serene ambiance.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge – Mid-range lodge located inside Murchison Falls National Park.

Where to stay

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Day 3: Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After a hearty breakfast, check out from your lodge and begin your journey to the lush Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa. This scenic drive takes you through the breathtaking Albertine Rift Valley escarpments, offering panoramic views of rolling hills, traditional homesteads, and Uganda’s picturesque countryside.

Along the way, enjoy a leisurely lunch stop in Hoima, a vibrant town in western Uganda, before continuing your drive toward Kibale. You’ll arrive in the early evening and check in at your lodge, nestled just outside the park’s edge and surrounded by forest.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent) – Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale National Park, ideal for chimpanzee tracking experiences.

Where to stay

Kibale Forest Camp

Mid-range tented camp

Kibale Forest Camp

Mid-range tented camp

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

Start your day with an early breakfast, then transfer to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center at Kibale Forest National Park by 7:00 AM for a pre-trekking briefing led by expert guides. You’ll then venture into the dense tropical rainforest for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience, one of Uganda’s top wildlife encounters. The trek lasts between 2 to 5 hours depending on the chimpanzees’ location, but the reward is unforgettable, watching these intelligent primates as they feed, groom, and swing through the canopy.

Along the trail, keep an eye out for other primate species such as red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and olive baboons, as well as colorful birds, butterflies, and an incredible diversity of tree species.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, begin your scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular safari destination known for its rich biodiversity. En route, enjoy views of the spectacular Rwenzori Mountain Ranges, also known as the Mountains of the Moon, and pass through Kasese town, where the warm hospitality of the locals will greet you.

Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge – Mid-range lodge located just outside Kyambura Gorge, a perfect base for chimpanzee experiences and wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth NP.

Where to stay

Elephant Hab Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Elephant Hab Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Day 5: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Kick off your day with an early breakfast before heading out on a wildlife game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, a prime area within Queen Elizabeth National Park for spotting the iconic African tree-climbing lions, elusive leopards, and large herds of elephants, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs. You may also encounter bushbucks, Defassa waterbucks, and warthogs, as well as a remarkable variety of birdlife, over 200 bird species have been recorded here. The game drive lasts approximately 2–3 hours, offering incredible opportunities for photography and animal sightings in their natural savannah habitat.

Return to the lodge for lunch and a bit of relaxation before the afternoon highlight, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This scenic 32-kilometer waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is famous for its dense concentration of wildlife. From the boat, you’ll enjoy close-up views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes cooling off at the water’s edge. The birdwatching is also phenomenal, with chances to spot kingfishers, African fish eagles, and if lucky the elusive shoebill stork.

Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge – A comfortable mid-range lodge located near Kyambura Gorge, offering ideal access to chimpanzee trekking and wildlife experiences in Queen Elizabeth NP.

Where to stay

Elephant Hab Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Elephant Hab Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Day 6: Scenic Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll check out and begin your journey to the world-renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the ultimate destination for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda. Your route takes you through the breathtaking savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a special detour through the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, a must-see on any Uganda safari. Keep your eyes peeled for buffaloes, elephants, and Uganda kobs along the way.

You’ll enjoy a lunch break at Savannah Resort Hotel in Kihihi, then continue your drive into the lush, mist-covered hills of Bwindi, arriving in the evening. Once there, you’ll check in at your lodge and relax in preparation for the next day’s incredible gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge – A charming mid-range lodge located just outside Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering easy access to gorilla trekking trails.

Where to stay

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge

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

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading to the Bwindi park headquarters for a mandatory pre-trekking briefing at 7:00 am. At 8:00 am, you’ll enter the dense, mist-covered forest for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. This once-in-a-lifetime encounter allows you to track one of the habituated gorilla families through the rugged terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location.

Once you find the gorillas, you’ll be allowed to spend a magical hour observing them as they feed, play, and interact, an awe-inspiring moment that’s both humbling and thrilling. Afterward, return to the lodge for some well-deserved relaxation.

If time and energy permit, you’ll head out in the late afternoon for a Batwa cultural experience. Visit a nearby Batwa pygmy community, where you’ll gain insight into their rich heritage, traditional forest survival skills, and enjoy vibrant local dances and storytelling, an enriching cultural highlight of your Uganda safari.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge – A serene mid-range lodge perfectly situated near the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, ideal for gorilla trekking and cultural tours.

Where to stay

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Mid-range lodge

Day 8: Scenic Drive to Lake Mburo National Park & Sunset Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, you’ll check out and begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park known for its rich biodiversity and serene landscapes. En route, you’ll stop at the Igongo Cultural Centre, a historical and culinary hub located in the heart of Ankole, the “Land of Milk and Honey.” Here, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring authentic traditional Ugandan cuisine.

In the afternoon, you’ll head into the park and embark on a sunset boat cruise on Lake Mburo. This tranquil experience offers close-up sightings of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and a variety of aquatic birds, including the majestic African fish eagle and malachite kingfisher. As the sun dips below the horizon, don’t forget to snap stunning photos to capture the golden hour magic over the lake.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge – A peaceful mid-range eco-lodge perched atop a rocky outcrop just outside Lake Mburo National Park, offering sweeping views and cozy accommodations.

Where to stay

Rwakobo Rock Lodge

Mid-range eco-lodge

Rwakobo Rock Lodge

Mid-range eco-lodge

Day 9: Sunrise Game Drive in Lake Mburo & Return to Kampala/Entebbe

Begin your final day on safari with a steaming cup of coffee or tea before heading out for a morning game drive across Lake Mburo National Park’s diverse terrain, from rocky outcrops and scenic hills to open acacia woodlands. This early game viewing session offers excellent opportunities to spot plains wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, topis, waterbucks, and bushbucks, along with a variety of bird species including crested cranes, lapwings, and bee-eaters.

After this thrilling wildlife experience, you’ll return to the lodge to freshen up and check out. You’ll then commence your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, marking the end of your unforgettable 9-day Uganda safari adventure.

Rates Per Person

Start Dates	Solo 1 room	2 people 1 room	3 people 2 rooms	4 people 2 rooms	5 people 3 rooms	6 people 3 rooms
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025	$3,905	$2,915	$2,805	$2,695	$2,475	$2,365
Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026	$3,905	$2,915	$2,805	$2,695	$2,475	$2,365
Jan 1, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027	$3,905	$2,915	$2,805	$2,695	$2,475	$2,365

Safari/Trip

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

Park fees (for non-residents)

Gorilla trekking permit (1 per person, non-resident)

Chimpanzee tracking permit (1 per person, non-resident)

All activities as outlined in the itinerary (unless marked as optional)

All accommodations during the tour (unless listed as an upgrade)

Professional English-speaking driver/guide

All ground transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle

All government taxes and VAT

Round-trip airport transfers

Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary

Drinks as specified in the day-by-day itinerary

Exclusions

International flights (to/from your home country)

Additional accommodation before the tour begins or after it ends

Tips & gratuities (Recommended: USD $10 per person per day)

Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees

Some meals (as specified in the day-by-day itinerary)

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Uganda Safari Tour With Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Adventure

9 Days | 8 Nights

Your trip overview

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Murchison Falls National Park

Kibale Forest National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Lake Mburo National Park

Planning Your Safari

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Where to stay

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Where to stay

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Where to stay

Kibale Forest Camp

Kibale Forest Camp

Where to stay

Elephant Hab Lodge

Elephant Hab Lodge

Where to stay

Elephant Hab Lodge

Elephant Hab Lodge

Where to stay

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Where to stay

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Where to stay

Rwakobo Rock Lodge

Rwakobo Rock Lodge

Rates Per Person

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Inclusions & Exclusions

Enquire this Tour

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