Itinerary Overview

Day 1: Entebbe – Kampala → Day 2–3: Murchison Falls National Park → Day 4: Kibale National Park (chimpanzee tracking) → Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park → Day 6: Bwindi Gorilla Tracking → Day 7: Return to Entebbe for departure. A 4x4 safari vehicle (with driver) is recommended for the entire trip, with drives of 5–7 hours per segment. Alternatively, book a domestic flight for the Kampala–Kisoro leg.

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Entebbe Airport. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or relax at a hotel along the Nile. Confirm your next-day itinerary and gear (waterproof hiking boots, long sleeves, rain gear) with your safari operator.

Days 2–3: Murchison Falls National Park

• Day 2: Head north via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided walk to see white rhinos (part of a species reintroduction project) → Arrive at Paraa in the evening and stay at a camp on the northern bank of the Nile.
• Day 3: Early morning game drive to spot lion prides, giraffes, and elephants → Afternoon boat safari up the Nile to the base of the falls, where the river squeezes through a 7-meter-wide gorge and plunges 43 meters. Optional: Add a hike to the top of the falls if you’re up for it.

Day 4: Kibale: Chimpanzee Tracking

Head south to Kibale National Park, surrounded by emerald tea plantations. Join a morning chimpanzee tracking session (permit costs around $200–$250) and spend an hour with our closest relatives, guided by a ranger’s whistle. In the afternoon, opt for a swamp walk to see monkeys and birds. Overnight in Fort Portal.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Cross the equator monument to reach Queen Elizabeth Park. Morning game drive to see elephant herds, waterbucks, and lions. At noon, enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains (weather permitting, you might spot Margherita Peak) from the Mweya Peninsula viewpoint. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel—home to the highest density of hippos and Nile crocodiles in East Africa. Prefer culture? Swap the afternoon for a visit to Ishasha to spot tree-climbing lions (spotting them in fig trees requires luck).

Day 6: Bwindi: Mountain Gorillas

Early morning departure to either the Buhoma or Ruhija sector (assigned by permit). After a briefing on gorilla-tracking etiquette, hike 2–6 hours through the forest to spend exactly one hour observing mountain gorillas up close (no flash photography, maintain a 7-meter distance). This is the most expensive single experience in Africa—and an unforgettable highlight.

Day 7: Departure

Return to Entebbe via Mbarara and Masaka (around 8–9 hours) or take a domestic flight from Kisoro/Kihiihi. Depart in the evening.

Tips

• Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are extremely limited in peak season—book permits first before arranging other plans.
• Domestic flights (Aerolink, Bar Aviation) save over 6 hours of driving, with a 15 kg soft-bag luggage limit.
• Confirm fuel and lunch stops with your driver before each day’s departure—remote areas have limited services.