Small Group • Uganda
9-Day Uganda Safari – Explore Uganda’s Best National Parks 🦍🦏🦁
Gorillas, chimpanzees, rhinos, and the Kazinga Channel — one country, four parks, no filler
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- East Africa
- Duration
- 9 days
- Departures
- Fixed dates
- Party size
- Up to 8
Experience the very best of Uganda on this unforgettable 9-day safari adventure, combining breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife encounters, and immersive cultural experiences.
This carefully crafted itinerary takes you through Uganda's most iconic destinations, including Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Highlights include tracking endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, rhino tracking on foot, exciting game drives, scenic boat cruises, and opportunities to spot the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
Uganda safari package, gorilla trekking Uganda, chimpanzee tracking Kyambura Gorge, Murchison Falls safari, Queen Elizabeth National Park safari, Bwindi gorilla tour, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Big Five Uganda, Uganda wildlife safari, tree-climbing lions, Uganda birdwatching safari.
Highlights
What you'll experience
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Push through the moss-draped slope until the forest goes quiet in a different way — that is when you know the Rushegura group is close. An hour in their presence, watching a silverback yawn, passes in about four minutes.
White rhino tracking at Ziwa
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where southern white rhinos walk free. Your ranger reads the mud for fresh prints, and you follow on foot until a square-lipped face turns toward you from the papyrus.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
Kibale holds one of Africa's densest chimpanzee populations. The tracking begins before the mist lifts, and the hooting that ricochets through the fig trees is something you feel in your chest before you hear it properly.
Murchison Falls — the Nile forced through six metres
Stand at the top of the falls and watch the entire volume of the Victoria Nile press through a gap barely wider than a bus. The spray soaks your shirt from twenty metres away and the rainbow doesn't move.
Kazinga Channel boat cruise
The channel between Lakes George and Edward is one of Uganda's great afternoon rituals. African fish eagles call overhead while elephants wade chest-deep, and a Goliath heron stands on the bank looking entirely unbothered by the boat.
Game drives on the Ishasha Plains
The southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Your guide Daniel once counted eleven lions in a single fig tree at dawn — most mornings you settle for three, which is still extraordinary.
Why choose us
Why choose a Small Group Journey?
Uganda rewards attention, and this itinerary is built around the moments that require it — not rushed past them.
Eight guests maximum
Small groups mean smaller vehicles, quieter sightings, and guides who can actually talk to you rather than manage a crowd. Every activity permit is booked for your group specifically.
Guides who know the ground
Every driver-guide on this circuit works their home park. They grew up reading these landscapes. When your Bwindi guide says to stop and listen, you stop and listen.
Conservation at the centre
Your gorilla permit fee directly funds Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger salaries and the communities that border Bwindi. Ziwa's rhino programme is guest-supported. The economics of this trip work for the wildlife.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for your exciting Uganda safari.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at your selected accommodation.
Meals · Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, begin your journey north to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience, offering the unique opportunity to observe southern white rhinos on foot in their natural habitat.
After lunch in Masindi, continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the spectacular Top of the Falls viewpoint, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically below.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
🏨 Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Entiko Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Game Drive & Nile River Boat Cruise
Start your day with an early morning game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and, with some luck, elusive leopards.
After lunch, embark on a memorable boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. Witness the dramatic power of the Nile River and enjoy close-up views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and an abundance of birdlife along the riverbanks.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, travelling through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda. Pass through Fort Portal and admire the stunning views of the Albertine Escarpment and the Western Rift Valley. Arrive at the Mweya Peninsula in the evening and settle into your lodge.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
🏨 Accommodation Options: Engiri Game Lodge, Kalinzu Eco Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Morning Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy an early morning game drive in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, waterbucks, warthogs, and various antelope species. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a paradise for bird lovers, boasting over 600 recorded bird species, including migratory birds and Albertine Rift endemics. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lodge or enjoying optional activities.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
🐒🚤 Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Chimpanzee Trekking
After breakfast, set out on a scenic boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Observe large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a remarkable variety of water birds. Return to the lodge for lunch before heading to Kyambura Gorge for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience.
If time permits, enjoy a guided walk through Maramagambo Forest and visit the fascinating bat cave, where pythons are sometimes spotted.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep an eye out for the famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees—a unique wildlife spectacle found only in a few places in Africa. After lunch, continue to Bwindi and enjoy an evening community walk featuring the Batwa cultural experience.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
🏨 Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas
🏨 Mid-range: Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Camp
🏨 Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. Accompanied by experienced rangers, venture into the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek duration varies depending on the location of the gorillas, but the unforgettable moment of spending one hour with these gentle giants is truly life-changing. Return to your lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing and reflecting on this extraordinary experience.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, with a lunch stop in Mbarara and opportunities to enjoy the scenic countryside. Depending on your schedule, enjoy a brief Kampala city tour before being transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or to your hotel for an additional overnight stay.
🌟 Safari Highlights
✅ Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
✅ Game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
✅ Nile River boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
✅ Kazinga Channel boat safari
✅ Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
✅ Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
✅ Tree-climbing lion viewing in Ishasha Sector
✅ Batwa cultural experience
✅ Incredible wildlife photography and birdwatching opportunities
Meals · Breakfast
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- All accommodation for 8 nights on a full-board basis
- One gorilla trekking permit per person (Bwindi, Buhoma sector)
- Chimpanzee tracking permit, Kibale Forest National Park
- White rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with armed ranger
- Kazinga Channel afternoon boat cruise
- All park entrance fees for Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Bwindi
- Private 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof throughout
- Murchison Falls Nile launch trip
- Return airport transfers (Entebbe/Kampala)
- Kisoro airstrip departure transfer on Day 9 (Entebbe connection available)
- All meals as listed, including picnic lunches on game-drive days
- Drinking water in the vehicle at all times
- Pre-departure digital information pack and packing guide
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.
Journey Details
Essential information
Minimum Age
15 years for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking (Uganda Wildlife Authority regulation)
Safari Duffel
Soft-sided bags only for internal transfers; 15 kg limit on the Kisoro charter if taken
First Group Event
Welcome dinner and trip briefing at Murchison lodge, evening of Day 1
Last Group Event
Breakfast on Day 9 before transfer to Kisoro airstrip or road departure
Guaranteed Departures
Departures run with a minimum of 4 paying guests. You will be notified 45 days in advance if a departure is at risk.
Alternate Sightseeing
In the event of forest closure due to ranger operations, an alternative activity of equivalent wildlife value will be substituted. Gorilla permit fees are non-refundable once issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.