10-Day Highlights of Uganda (Gorillas, Chimps, & Savannah Wildlife)

10-Day Highlights of Uganda (Gorillas, Chimps, & Savannah Wildlife)

Overview

  • Duration:10 days 9 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 16 guests
  • Tour Type:Uganda Gorilla Tours
  • Language:English
The ultimate, comprehensive circuit for first-time visitors to Uganda. This masterfully designed loop covers the country's most iconic parks, offering a full picture of Africa's diverse wildlife ecosystems—from rhinos and the Nile to chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.
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Highlights

  • Tracking southern white rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
  • Standing at the thundering brink of the powerful Murchison Falls.
  • Savannah safaris tracking lions, leopards, and Rothschild giraffes.
  • Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale and gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
  • A rare guided bush walking safari inside Lake Mburo National Park.

Includes/Excludes

  • Gorilla Permit ($800 per person)
  • Chimpanzee permit ($250 per person)
  • 9 nights full-board accommodation
  • All activities mentioned in itinerary
  • 4x4 safari customised vehicle
  • Experienced English speaking driver guide
  • Park entry taxes.
  • Bottled drinking water in vehicle
  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Porter hiring fees
  • Tips for guides/rangers
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Airport greeting and transfer to a comfortable, secure hotel in Entebbe or Kampala for briefing and overnight stay.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls National Park

Drive north toward Uganda's largest park. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided foot trek to see wild southern white rhinos, completing the first of Africa's "Big Five". Proceed to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls to watch the Nile squeeze through a 7-meter gorge.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Murchison Falls Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Morning game drive across the northern delta plains searching for giraffes, lions, leopards, elephants, and hartebeests. Afternoon boat safari up the River Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, viewing hippos and giant crocodiles.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Long Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest

A full-day scenic travel journey south along the Albertine Rift Valley escarpment, passing traditional villages and farming communities. Arrive in Fort Portal town / Kibale Forest by evening.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Swamp Walk

Track wild chimpanzees in the high-canopy forest of Kibale. Follow this with a community-guided wetland walk in Bigodi to view diverse monkey species and support local women's craft groups.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Boat Cruise

Drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator. Head straight for an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for unparalleled close-up wildlife photography.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Kasenyi Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Forest

Early sunrise game drive to spot big cats returning from night hunts. Afterwards, drive south through the Ishasha sector to look for tree-climbing lions before heading up into the mountains of Bwindi.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: The Gorilla Trekking Experience

Spend your morning deep inside Bwindi tracking mountain gorillas. The afternoon can be spent relaxing or visiting the local community hospital and schools built around tourism support.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park

Drive east to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's smallest savannah park. Take an evening game drive or a guided night safari to look for leopards, zebras, impalas, and elands that aren't found in Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Walking Safari & Return to Entebbe

Experience a unique morning walking safari with an armed ranger to get up close to zebras and buffaloes on foot. Drive back to Entebbe with a final stop at the Equator, arriving in time for evening flights.

  • Stay:
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Frequently asked questions

Does this trip include Africa's 'Big Five'?

Yes! By including Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Rhinos) along with Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth (Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes), you can check off the full Big Five list.

How much walking is involved outside of the primate treks?

Most wildlife viewing is done via safari vehicles, but this trip includes moderate foot walking at Ziwa and a dedicated walking safari in Lake Mburo.

Is malaria a concern on this 10-day circuit?

Yes, Uganda is a malaria-endemic region. We highly recommend consulting your doctor for malaria prophylactics and using bug spray during the trip.

Can this itinerary handle families or group bookings?

Absolutely. We customize vehicle arrangements and lodge selections to fit families, private groups, or solo travelers seamlessly.

Are meals provided on the long travel days?

Yes. All packages are full-board. On long driving segments, we stop at vetted, hygienic safari hotels for hot sit-down lunches.

Services

Gorilla & Primate Trekking Management

The hallmark service of Gentle Giants Safaris is organizing primate encounters. Permit Acquisition: We secure high-demand Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park, along with chimpanzee tracking permits for Kibale Forest and Nyungwe Forest. Habituation Experiences: We arrange full-day habituation permits to spend extended time with wild gorilla families undergoing human habituation. Logistics & Briefings: We provide pre-trek orientation, gear advice, and coordinating localized ranger and porter arrangements.

Lodge & Accommodation Reservations

At Uganda Rwanda Tours we secure strategic accommodation options across all park networks. Strategic Location Booking: We handpick lodges that align with specific gorilla sector assignments (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo) to avoid early-morning driving delays. Contracted Rates: We utilize preferential B2B trade rates to secure luxury safari lodges, eco-lodges, or budget guest houses for clients. Dietary & Special Requests: We manage dietary needs, honeymoon arrangements, and room preferences directly with lodge management.

Safari Transportation & Flight Connections

We maintain specialized transport fleets to handle long-distance transfers and rough terrain. 4x4 Safari Vehicles: We provide customized, pop-up roof 4x4 Land Cruisers and safari minivans equipped with onboard charging points, fridges, and long-range radios. Fly-In Safaris: We book domestic charter or scheduled internal flights (e.g., Aerolink) connecting Entebbe/Kajjansi to airstrips like Kihihi, Kasese, or Pakuba to eliminate long road journeys. Driver-Guides: We have professional, English-speaking driver-guides trained in animal tracking, defensive driving, and local flora/fauna interpretation.

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