About This Journey
This is Uganda in full — nineteen days that take in almost everything the country does best. It opens with rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and the thunder of Murchison Falls, then moves through Kibale's chimpanzee forests and Queen Elizabeth's game-rich savanna, with a detour into the Ishasha sector for the country's famous tree-climbing lions, before the trip's centrepiece — a morning with the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
From there the pace eases: a Batwa cultural experience with the forest's original inhabitants, two nights unwinding on the terraced shores of Lake Bunyonyi, a walking safari and boat cruise at Lake Mburo, and a final stretch of adventure and scenery — white-water rafting country at the Source of the Nile in Jinja, and a guided waterfall hike at Sipi Falls — before returning to Entebbe.
It's a route built for travellers who want the complete picture — big game, primates, gorillas, culture, lakes, and adventure — in one seamless private journey. Every departure is led by an expert Ugandan driver-guide and shaped around your dates and pace rather than a fixed group schedule.
Trip Highlights
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drives and a Nile boat cruise beneath Murchison Falls
- Chimpanzee tracking and a wetland walk in Kibale Forest
- Game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Tree-climbing lions in the remote Ishasha sector
- One unforgettable hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi
- A Batwa cultural experience with the forest's original inhabitants
- Canoeing on the island-dotted waters of Lake Bunyonyi
- A walking safari and boat cruise at Lake Mburo National Park
- Optional white-water rafting and adventure activities at the Source of the Nile, Jinja
- A guided waterfall hike and coffee tour at Sipi Falls
Day by Day
Welcome to Uganda! You're met at Entebbe International Airport by your safari guide and transferred to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria — the first chance to rest and settle in before the journey ahead.
- LuxuryProtea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe · Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort · Hotel No.5 Entebbe
- Mid-rangeBest Western Premier Garden Hotel · Boma Hotel Entebbe · 2 Friends Beach Hotel
- BudgetAirport Guest House · ViaVia Entebbe · Elementis Guesthouse
- Meals
- Dinner
Depart Entebbe for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to track southern white rhinos in the wild — a rewarding walk on foot with an armed ranger to find them grazing in the bush. Continue on to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in time to visit the Top of the Falls, where the entire Nile is forced through a gap barely seven metres wide before plunging into the gorge below.
- LuxuryParaa Safari Lodge · Nile Safari Lodge · Baker's Lodge · Chobe Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangePakuba Safari Lodge · Murchison River Lodge · Sambiya River Lodge · Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
- BudgetRed Chilli Rest Camp · Heritage Safari Lodge · Parkside Safari Lodge · Boomu Women's Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning game drive across the park's northern savanna, watching for elephant, lion, buffalo, and giraffe, followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile past pods of hippo and basking crocodiles, with the falls themselves rising ahead as the boat approaches.
- LuxuryParaa Safari Lodge · Nile Safari Lodge · Baker's Lodge · Chobe Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangePakuba Safari Lodge · Murchison River Lodge · Sambiya River Lodge · Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
- BudgetRed Chilli Rest Camp · Heritage Safari Lodge · Parkside Safari Lodge · Boomu Women's Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long, scenic drive south through the rolling hills and tea plantations of western Uganda, arriving at Kibale Forest — home to the highest density of primates found anywhere in Africa — in time to rest before the next day's tracking.
- LuxuryPrimate Lodge Kibale · Crater Safari Lodge · Kyaninga Lodge
- Mid-rangeTuraco Treetops · Kibale Forest Camp · Isunga Lodge
- BudgetChimpanzee Forest Guest House · Kibale Guest Cottages · Chimps Nest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning tracking a habituated chimpanzee community through the forest, following their calls and watching them feed and move through the canopy overhead. In the afternoon, a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary adds monkeys, birdlife, and butterflies to the day's sightings.
- LuxuryPrimate Lodge Kibale · Crater Safari Lodge · Kyaninga Lodge
- Mid-rangeTuraco Treetops · Kibale Forest Camp · Isunga Lodge
- BudgetChimpanzee Forest Guest House · Kibale Guest Cottages · Chimps Nest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time for an evening game drive across its open savanna, where lion, elephant, and Uganda kob are regular sightings.
- LuxuryMweya Safari Lodge · Kyambura Gorge Lodge · Katara Lodge
- Mid-rangeEnganzi Game Lodge · Marafiki Safari Lodge · Park View Safari Lodge · Elephant Hab Lodge · Buffalo Safari Lodge
- BudgetSimba Safari Camp · The Bush Lodge · Pumba Safari Cottages
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A further morning game drive, followed by an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel — one of the best wildlife-viewing boat trips in Africa, with hippo, elephant, buffalo, and a huge variety of waterbirds gathered along its banks.
- LuxuryMweya Safari Lodge · Kyambura Gorge Lodge · Katara Lodge
- Mid-rangeEnganzi Game Lodge · Marafiki Safari Lodge · Park View Safari Lodge · Elephant Hab Lodge · Buffalo Safari Lodge
- BudgetSimba Safari Camp · The Bush Lodge · Pumba Safari Cottages
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
South to the remote Ishasha sector, where lions have taken to climbing into the branches of fig trees — one of the strangest and most photographed sights on an East African safari. A game drive here is spent scanning the treetops as much as the ground.
- LuxuryIshasha Wilderness Camp · Savannah Resort Hotel
- Mid-rangeIshasha Jungle Lodge · Enjojo Lodge
- BudgetIshasha Tree Climbing Lions View Lodge · Bull Bush River Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A scenic drive through the terraced hills of the Kigezi highlands to Bwindi, home to nearly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. The afternoon is free for a community or nature walk before the trek ahead.
- LuxuryNkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge · Chameleon Hill Lodge · Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangeIchumbi Gorilla Lodge · Gorilla Mist Camp · Bakiga Lodge
- BudgetRushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge · Rushaga Gorilla Camp · Broadbill Forest Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day you came for. After an early briefing at park headquarters, rangers and trackers lead you through the forest to a habituated gorilla family for one unforgettable hour in their company, before you return to the trailhead with a certificate marking the trek.
- LuxuryNkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge · Chameleon Hill Lodge · Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangeIchumbi Gorilla Lodge · Gorilla Mist Camp · Bakiga Lodge
- BudgetRushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge · Rushaga Gorilla Camp · Broadbill Forest Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A guided visit with the Batwa, the forest's original inhabitants, who share their traditional hunting and gathering skills, forest knowledge, and music. The rest of the day is yours to relax at the lodge.
- LuxuryNkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge · Chameleon Hill Lodge · Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangeIchumbi Gorilla Lodge · Gorilla Mist Camp · Bakiga Lodge
- BudgetRushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge · Rushaga Gorilla Camp · Broadbill Forest Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of the few lakes in Uganda safe for swimming, with 29 islands scattered across its still water. Spend the afternoon on a canoe ride or simply relaxing at the lodge.
- LuxuryBirdNest @ Bunyonyi Resort · Arcadia Cottages
- Mid-rangeLake Bunyonyi Rock Resort · Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
- BudgetBunyonyi Overland Resort · Crater Bay Cottages
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive north to Lake Mburo, Uganda's smallest savanna park and the only one home to impala, arriving in time for an evening game drive across its acacia woodland and open grassland.
- LuxuryMihingo Lodge · Kigarama Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangeRwakobo Rock Lodge · Arcadia Cottages Mburo
- BudgetEagle's Nest Mburo · Leopard Rest Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning walking safari — one of the few Ugandan parks where this is possible, thanks to the absence of lions — followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the lake past hippo, crocodile, and waterbirds.
- LuxuryMihingo Lodge · Kigarama Safari Lodge
- Mid-rangeRwakobo Rock Lodge · Arcadia Cottages Mburo
- BudgetEagle's Nest Mburo · Leopard Rest Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long drive east via Kampala to Jinja, on the shore of Lake Victoria where the Nile begins its 6,600km journey to the Mediterranean.
- LuxuryLemala Wildwaters Lodge · Nile Porch
- Mid-rangeThe Black Lantern · 2 Friends Guest House Jinja
- BudgetNile Village Hotel · Explorers River Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A visit to the source of the Nile, where the river leaves Lake Victoria, with the rest of the day free for optional white-water rafting, kayaking, or a gentler boat cruise on the river.
- LuxuryLemala Wildwaters Lodge · Nile Porch
- Mid-rangeThe Black Lantern · 2 Friends Guest House Jinja
- BudgetNile Village Hotel · Explorers River Camp
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Sipi Falls on the foothills of Mount Elgon, where three waterfalls tumble through coffee-growing hillsides. A guided hike takes you to the falls, with wide views back across the plains below.
- LuxurySipi Heritage Lodge (formerly Sipi River Lodge)
- Mid-rangeSipi Falls Lodge · Lacam Lodge
- BudgetThe Crow's Nest · Twilight Campsite
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A long drive back across the country to Entebbe, arriving in the evening with the whole trip behind you.
- LuxuryProtea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe · Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort · Hotel No.5 Entebbe
- Mid-rangeBest Western Premier Garden Hotel · Boma Hotel Entebbe · 2 Friends Beach Hotel
- BudgetAirport Guest House · ViaVia Entebbe · Elementis Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depending on your flight time, spend the morning browsing local craft markets or visiting the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre before transferring to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's Included
Included
- 18 nights' accommodation in hand-picked lodges
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B/L/D)
- Private English-speaking Ugandan driver-guide and 4×4 pop-up-roof vehicle
- All fuel and bottled water in the vehicle
- Rhino tracking fee at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- 1 gorilla trekking permit per person (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
- 1 chimpanzee tracking permit per person (Kibale Forest National Park)
- Batwa cultural experience
- Murchison Falls boat safari and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Lake Mburo walking safari and boat cruise
- All national park and conservation fees for parks visited
Not Included
- International airfares
- Uganda entry visa
- Personal travel and medical insurance
- All alcoholic drinks
- Meals and snacks not indicated in the itinerary
- Optional adventure activities in Jinja (white-water rafting, kayaking, quad-biking, bungee jumping, etc.) — available at a supplement
- A porter for gorilla trekking (optional — carries your daypack)
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guide and hotel staff
- Personal expenses — laundry, souvenirs, and items of a personal nature
Accommodation
Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe
Paraa Safari Lodge
Primate Lodge Kibale
Mweya Safari Lodge
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Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
BirdNest @ Bunyonyi Resort
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Mihingo Lodge
Lemala Wildwaters Lodge
Sipi Heritage Lodge
Ready to Plan This Safari?
Every trip we run is private and tailored around you — your dates, your pace, your budget. Tell us what you have in mind and one of our safari planners will craft it into a detailed, costed proposal.
