9 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps and Big 5 Wildlife Safari

A friendly guide from Giant Holiday Safaris will pick you up and take you to Murchison Falls National Park. There, you can look out for the Big Five animals, enjoy a boat ride to the bottom of the falls, and hike up to the top. After that, you’ll travel to Kibale Forest National Park to go chimp tracking. Next, you’ll visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive and a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Accommodation

When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, our tour driver will meet you and welcome you to Uganda also known as the Pearl of Africa. Then you’ll go to your hotel where you’ll be staying for a night. If you arrive early in the day, you’ll take a short tour around Kampala city in the afternoon. You might visit places like the Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine. After the tour, you’ll head back to your hotel to relax and overnight stay.

Accommodation: ViaVia Uganda Entebbe

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls via Ziwa rhino sanctuary

After breakfast, you will start your trip to Murchison Falls National Park. This park is known for its powerful waterfalls and wide open grasslands. It’s the biggest national park in Uganda, and you’ll get a chance to see animals like lions, giraffes, hartebeests, buffaloes, and elephants. You’ll also be amazed by the large number of hippos and Nile crocodiles. If you like birds, the park has around 450 kinds, including the rare shoebill stork, dwarf kingfisher, white-thigh hornbill, and the Goliath heron.

On the way, you’ll stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos up close your first Big Five animal! You’ll spend about an hour tracking them. Then, you’ll stop in Masindi to have lunch. After that, you’ll head to the park, check in to your lodge, and relax for the rest of the evening.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls

You’ll start your day with breakfast, then head out for a game drive in the northern part of the park to look for some of the Big Five animals like buffaloes, lions, elephants, and maybe even leopards. You might also see Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, waterbucks, and different kinds of antelopes.

After the drive, you’ll go back to your lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, you’ll go on a 3 hour boat ride to the bottom of the falls. This is one of the best parts of the Murchison Falls safari because it lets you get close to animals living in the water. You’ll pass by large groups of hippos, crocodiles, and many birds along the riverbank as you head toward the powerful waterfall. Don’t forget your camera you’ll have plenty of chances to take great pictures.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Hike to the top of the falls and transfer to Kibale National Park

Start your day with an exciting hike to the top of Murchison Falls. This amazing adventure takes you along a trail with views of the Nile River as it squeezes through a narrow gap in the rocks. The water rushes down with great power, creating one of the strongest waterfalls in the world. As you walk up the path, you will feel the cool mist and hear the roar of the water. At the top, you will enjoy breathtaking views and great photo moments.

After the hike, you will begin your journey to Kibale National Park. This park is famous for its large population of chimpanzees and other forest animals. The drive takes you through beautiful countryside, small villages, and green forests. You might spot monkeys, birds, and other wildlife along the way.

When you arrive at Kibale, you will check into your lodge and relax after the day’s adventures. Get ready for more fun the next day, as you prepare to explore the forest and meet the playful chimpanzees. This day combines nature, adventure, and a chance to see some of Uganda’s most beautiful places.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Chimp trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

On Day 5, get ready for an exciting morning as you head into the forest for chimpanzee trekking. You’ll hike through the beautiful jungle, guided by an expert who helps you find the chimpanzees in their natural home. Watch as they swing from trees, play, and interact with each other it’s a fun and unforgettable experience. After the trek, enjoy a relaxing lunch and get ready for your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through scenic countryside and small villages, with great chances to see local wildlife and landscapes along the way. Once you arrive, you’ll check in at Enshama Game Lodge, where you will rest and enjoy the evening.

Accommodation: Enshama Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga channel

Start your day with an exciting morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. As the sun rises, you will head out to search for wild animals like elephants, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes. You may also spot warthogs and hyenas as they move through the grasslands. A guide will help you find the best places to see the animals and learn more about them.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a peaceful boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George. While on the boat, you will see many hippos and crocodiles in the water. You may also see elephants and buffaloes coming to drink, along with colorful birds flying nearby. After the boat trip you will return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Enshama Game Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Game Drive in Ishasha Sector and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will enjoy an exciting game drive in the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, which you will see resting in fig trees. As you drive through the open savannah, keep your eyes open for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many types of birds. After the game drive, you will leave Ishasha and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes you through beautiful hills and green countryside. When you arrive in Bwindi, you will be close to one of the world’s most special places home to the endangered mountain gorillas. You will check in the lodge and rest for the night, get ready for the exciting gorilla trekking experience the next day.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

Early in the morning you will have breakfast, pack your lunch in the boxes and head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking before going on an exciting gorilla trekking adventure in the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you will be given a gorilla family to trek in groups of 8 people, you’ll hike through the thick forest with a ranger guide to look for a family of mountain gorillas. Once you find them, you’ll spend one full hour watching them eat, play, and move around. It’s an amazing experience that you’ll never forget! After the trek, you will return back to the park offices to collect your gorilla trekking certificate. You’ll then take a scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa. The lake is calm, with many small islands and hills around it. You’ll check in at Bunyonyi overland resort and enjoy a peaceful afternoon. You can choose to relax, take a swim, or simply enjoy the view after a long day of adventure. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Bunyonyi overland resort.

Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Transfer back to Entebbe

You will enjoy a relaxing breakfast at Bunyonyi overland resort with an amazing view of the small islands right in front of you. After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Entebbe International Airport. Along the way you will have a stopover in Mbarara town for lunch at Igongo cultural center and another stopover at the Uganda Equator line in Kayabwe to take some great photos and maybe buy some local art. You will then continue the drive and arrive at the airport later in the afternoon or evening and that will be the end of 9 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimps and Big 5 Wildlife Safari.