16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari with Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees and Big Five Adventure

  • TOUR OVERVIEW
  • DETAILED ITINERARY
  • INCLUSIVES
  • REQUEST A QUOTE
TOUR OVERVIEW

16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari with Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees and Big Five Adventure

TOUR OVERVIEW

Discover the very best of Uganda on this unforgettable 16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari with Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees & Big Five Adventure. This comprehensive safari takes you through Uganda’s most spectacular national parks, combining thrilling wildlife encounters, unforgettable primate experiences, scenic landscapes, cultural interactions, and relaxing lakeside retreats.

Your adventure begins in Murchison Falls National Park, home to the world’s most powerful waterfall and abundant wildlife. Track rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before enjoying exciting game drives and boat cruises on the Nile River.

Continue to Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as Africa’s primate capital, where you’ll trek wild chimpanzees and explore the beautiful Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

The journey continues into Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, leopards, and spectacular Kazinga Channel boat cruise. You’ll also visit Kyambura Gorge for another exciting chimpanzee trekking experience and explore the mysterious Maramagambo Forest.

One of the highlights of this safari is trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, followed by cultural experiences with the Batwa community.

Relax along the scenic shores of Lake Bunyonyi, explore the breathtaking landscapes around Kisoro and the Virunga Volcanoes, before ending your adventure with wildlife viewing in Lake Mburo National Park, home to zebras, giraffes, impalas, and numerous bird species.

This safari is ideal for travelers seeking Uganda’s complete wildlife experience in one incredible journey.

Destination: Murchison, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi and Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island.

Activities: Wildlife Game, Chimpanzee Tracking, Gorilla Trekking, Nature Treks, Boat Launch

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY BY DAY

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

Your safari begins after breakfast with a warm welcome from your Rwanda Gorilla Trips guide. After a safari briefing, depart Kampala or Entebbe and travel north towards Murchison Falls National Park.

On the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track wild rhinos on foot. Enjoy an exciting guided walking safari before continuing to Masindi for lunch.

Later, enter Murchison Falls National Park and visit the spectacular Top of the Falls, where the River Nile squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging over 43 meters into the gorge below.

Proceed to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise

Start early with a game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park.

Look out for: Lions, Elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, Buffaloes, Jackson's hartebeests, Uganda kobs, Waterbucks, Hyenas
and Numerous bird species

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.

In the afternoon, enjoy a memorable boat cruise along the River Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbirds, and occasionally the rare Shoebill Stork.

Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Nile Delta Boat Safari

Today enjoy one of Uganda's finest birding and wildlife experiences.

Take a morning boat safari downstream towards the Nile Delta where the river enters Lake Albert.

This area is famous for: Shoebill Stork, Fish Eagles, Hippos, Crocodiles, Waterbucks, Buffaloes and Numerous migratory birds

Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge while enjoying views of the Nile.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park.

Drive through the scenic Albertine Rift Valley with spectacular views over Lake Albert and rolling tea plantations.

Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your forest lodge surrounded by tropical rainforest.

Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation (Full Board)

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Besides chimpanzees, Kibale Forest is home to: Red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys Over 370 bird species

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community conservation project rich in birds, monkeys and beautiful wetland vegetation.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Leave Kibale after breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through beautiful crater lakes and rolling countryside.

Arrive in time for lunch before heading out on an evening game drive.

Look out for elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes and warthogs.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Enjoy an early morning safari searching for wildlife across the Kasenyi Plains.

Expect to see: Lions, Elephants, Uganda kobs, Hyenas, Buffaloes and Waterbucks

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, famous for one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos.

You'll also see crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of bird species along the shoreline.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Trekking and Ishasha

Travel to Kyambura Gorge for another exciting chimpanzee trekking experience inside a lush underground forest.

After lunch, continue south to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions.

Enjoy an evening game drive before checking into your lodge.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Maramagambo Forest Nature Walk

Today explore the fascinating Maramagambo Forest.

Your guided walk includes: Bat caves, Blue Lake, Crater lakes, Tropical rainforest trails, Bird watching, Butterfly viewing

In the afternoon, enjoy another wildlife game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, and predators.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Begin with another game drive in Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions before continuing to Bwindi through beautiful mountain scenery, tea plantations and rural villages.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon.

Relax before tomorrow's gorilla trekking adventure.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the highlight of your safari.

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.

Hike through the rainforest until your assigned gorilla family is located.

Spend one magical hour observing these incredible primates as they feed, play and interact.

Return to the lodge before visiting a nearby Batwa community to learn about their traditional forest lifestyle.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.

Known as one of Africa's most scenic lakes, it is surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands.

Spend the afternoon relaxing, canoeing, swimming or bird watching.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 13: Transfer to Kisoro

Drive through the breathtaking Kigezi Highlands towards Kisoro.

Enjoy spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes, terraced hills and rural villages.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lodge while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Dinner and overnight.

Day 14: Explore Kisoro and Mgahinga Region

Today offers several optional activities depending on your interests.

Options include: Batwa Cultural Trail, Lake Mutanda canoe excursion, Bird watching, Village walks, Garama Cave visit, Volcano hiking, Nature walks in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 15: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Leave Kisoro after breakfast and drive to Lake Mburo National Park.

After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Lake Mburo is home to: Zebras, Giraffes, Impalas, Elands, Buffaloes, Topis, Warthogs, Hippos

Dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Walking Safari and Return to Entebbe or Kampala

Begin the day with a guided walking safari or morning game drive before breakfast.

Afterwards, drive back to Kampala or Entebbe.

Stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs, souvenir shopping and refreshments before continuing to your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.

This marks the end of your unforgettable 16 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari with Rwanda Gorilla Trips.

INCLUSIVES

Inclusions

  •  UWA Gorilla Trekking Permit – $800 USD
  •  Chimpanzee Tracking Permit – $250 USD
  •  Park Entrance Fees
  •  Meals as per Itinerary
  •  4×4 Safari Transportation to/from airport
  •  English Speaking Tour Guide/Driver

Exclusions

  • Tips for drivers and other staff
  • Bank charges involved
  • Flight tickets and departure taxes
  • Travel documentation (visas)
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Optional excursion
  • Beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle
  • Meals not indicated on your detailed itinerary

Destination: Murchison, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi and Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary Island.

Activities: Wildlife Game, Chimpanzee Tracking, Gorilla Trekking, Nature Treks, Boat Launch

REQUEST A QUOTE

Interested in this tour?

Want to explore other options?

Additional trip ideas to kickstart your journey

Start Planning Your African Adventure

Connect with our safari experts on WhatsApp and begin planning the journey of a lifetime. Receive personalized advice on safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, destinations, and the best times to travel—all tailored to your interests, budget, and travel goals.

Fred Byaruhanga

Travel Expert