Skip to content
Speak to us · +256 703 999252Mon – Sat, 0800 – 2200
Sutirta budiman kjobqwmunww unsplash

Small Group • Uganda

7-Day Budget Wildlife Safari in Uganda: Murchison Falls, Kibale & Queen Elizabeth National Parks

Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest & Queen Elizabeth — three parks, one unforgettable arc through the Pearl of Africa

View Itinerary7 days · From $1,950 pp · Fixed dates

Overview

About this journey

Region
East Africa
Duration
7 days
Departures
Fixed dates
Party size
Up to 8

Safari Overview

Discover the best of Uganda's wildlife on this exciting 7-day budget safari through three of the country's most iconic national parks. This affordable adventure combines thrilling game drives, unforgettable boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, and exceptional birdwatching experiences. Explore the mighty Murchison Falls, track chimpanzees in the lush Kibale Forest, and encounter diverse wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to spot four of Africa's Big Five—lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards—as well as hippos, giraffes, crocodiles, antelopes, and hundreds of bird species.

Designed for travelers seeking authentic experiences without compromising comfort, this safari offers excellent value while showcasing the incredible natural beauty of the Pearl of Africa.

Highlights

What you'll experience

6 moments

01

Murchison Falls from Below

A Nile boat cruise delivers you right to the base of the falls, where spray soaks the air and Nile crocodiles rest on every bank. Hippos surface a few metres from the bow.

02

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale

Uganda's densest chimp population lives in Kibale's cathedral fig forest. Your guide reads their drumming and calls to position the group before the troop swings overhead.

03

Kazinga Channel Sunset Cruise

The channel between lakes George and Edward is one of Africa's great wildlife corridors. African skimmers skim the surface while elephant wade in at the far bank.

04

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Walk

On foot with a ranger, you close the gap to southern white rhino — Uganda's only free-ranging population — in open acacia grassland. No vehicle between you and them.

05

Big-Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth

The Kasenyi plains hold lion, leopard, and the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. Early starts mean cool air and cats still out in the open.

06

Birding at Every Turn

The three parks between them host over 1,000 species. Watch for the shoebill at Murchison's Albert delta, the African green broadbill in Kibale, and the handsome francolin on Queen Elizabeth's crater rim.

Why choose us

Why choose a Small Group Journey?

This itinerary packs three of Uganda's most rewarding parks into seven days without feeling rushed. Here is why it works.

Maximum Wildlife, Honest Budget

We use well-placed mid-range camps and shared game-drive vehicles to keep costs down — but your guide-to-guest ratio stays at 1:4 or better, and we never skip the Nile boat cruise or chimp tracking to save time.

Guides Who Know the Calls

Every Arrive Africa guide on this route has spent years reading animal behaviour in these specific parks. Robert Okello at Murchison has been tracking lion on Kasenyi since 2014. That knowledge is what fills your camera card.

Small Group, Real Connection

Eight guests maximum means conversation at dinner is genuine, the vehicle moves when you want to linger, and the ranger at Ziwa walks with you rather than managing a crowd.

Itinerary

Your day-by-day journey

7 days

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Entebbe

    Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by an Arrive Africa Safaris representative and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. Spend the rest of the day relaxing after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, home to rescued wildlife species. Dinner and overnight stay in Entebbe.

    Accommodation Options: Skyway Hotel, Discovery Courts Hotel, Lake Point Villa, Golden Quest Hotel

    Meals · Lunch, Dinner

  2. Day 2

    Murchison — Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

    Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

    After breakfast, depart for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest and oldest conservation area. The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours through scenic countryside landscapes and local communities. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of the magnificent Murchison Falls. Watch as the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow seven-meter gorge before plunging dramatically into the Devil's Cauldron. Along the riverbanks, look out for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a variety of bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

    Accommodation Options: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Boomu Women's Group Bandas, Murchison Giraffe Camp, UWA Bandas & Campsite

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3

    Morning Game Drive and Nile Boat Safari

    Rise early for a morning game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Keep your camera ready for sightings of elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, waterbucks, and, if you're lucky, elusive leopards. After lunch and some relaxation at the lodge, enjoy another scenic boat safari along the Nile, offering exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography and birdwatching. Murchison Falls National Park is home to over 450 bird species, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.

    Dinner and overnigh

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4

    Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

    After breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa. The journey takes approximately 5–6 hours and passes through picturesque villages, tea plantations, and rolling hills. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing as you prepare for the next day's chimpanzee trekking experience. Dinner and overnight stay.

    Accommodation Options: Kalitusi Nature Resort, Lake Nyamirima Cottages, YES Hostel, Kibale Forest Camp

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5

    Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

    After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, venture into Kibale Forest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Once located, spend one hour observing their fascinating behaviors and social interactions. After lunch, enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area famous for its rich biodiversity. Look out for red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a variety of bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6

    Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive

    After breakfast, travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most diverse savannah park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge before heading out for an afternoon game drive across the famous Kasenyi Plains. Search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and, with luck, lions and leopards. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

    Accommodation Options: Engiri Game Lodge, Katara Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge, Tembo Safari Lodge

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7

    Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

    Start your day with an early morning game drive when wildlife is most active. Explore wildlife-rich areas such as the Mweya Peninsula or the Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions. After lunch, enjoy a memorable boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George.

    This natural waterway hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos and attracts numerous wildlife species, including crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of water birds such as African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers. After the cruise, begin your return journey or continue to your next destination, bringing your unforgettable Ugandan safari adventure to a close.

    End of Safari,

    7-Day Budget Wildlife Safari Uganda, Affordable Uganda Safari Packages, Budget Safari in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park Safari, Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari, Uganda Wildlife Tours, Uganda Big Five Safari, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise, Murchison Falls Boat Cruise, Chimpanzee Tracking Uganda, Budget African Safari Holidays, Uganda National Parks Tour, Uganda Birdwatching Safari, Uganda Adventure Travel, Affordable East Africa Safaris, Uganda Safari Packages 2026, Primate and Wildlife Safari Uganda.

    Meals · Breakfast, Lunch

Inclusions

What is and isn't included

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation in mid-range tented camps and lodges (twin-share)
  • All meals from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7
  • Private 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game drives
  • Professional guide/driver throughout
  • Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale Forest
  • White rhino walking fee at Ziwa Sanctuary
  • Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls
  • Kazinga Channel afternoon boat cruise
  • All national park entrance fees
  • Purified drinking water in the vehicle daily
  • Airport transfers on Day 1 (Entebbe) and Day 7 (Kampala/Entebbe)

Not included

  • International flights to and from the region
  • Entry visas and any transit visas
  • Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory
  • Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
  • Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
  • Tips and gratuities for your guide, drivers and lodge staff
  • Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day itinerary

Pricing

Fixed departures

A shared departure of up to 8 guests. Rates are per person in USD.

$1,950Per person · 1 – 8 guests

Journey Details

Essential information

Minimum Age

12 years (chimpanzee tracking minimum age is 12)

Safari Duffel

Soft-sided bags only; maximum 15 kg per person in the vehicle. Hard-shell cases can be stored at your Kampala hotel.

First Group Event

Welcome dinner at Paraa camp, Day 1 evening

Last Group Event

Lunch on the road, Day 7

Guaranteed Departures

Departures operate with a minimum of 2 guests. All listed dates are guaranteed to run once two or more guests are confirmed.

Alternate Sightseeing

In the rare event of park access disruption, equivalent game drives or a community nature walk will be substituted at no extra cost.

7-Day Budget Uganda Safari | 3 Parks — Arrive Africa Safaris