The 8-Day Big Five Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari is an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife and primate destinations, combining Big Five wildlife viewing, chimpanzee trekking, and mountain gorilla trekking in one carefully designed adventure.
The safari begins in Kampala or Entebbe with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will have the opportunity to track Uganda’s southern white rhinos before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you will enjoy exciting game drives and a boat safari along the Victoria Nile, with opportunities to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife.
From Murchison Falls, the journey continues to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Africa’s premier destinations for chimpanzee trekking. You will then explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its diverse wildlife and the spectacular Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
The final highlight of the safari takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Here, you will embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, hiking through the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family.
Detailed 8-Day The Big-5 Uganda Tour
Day 1: Arrival – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from Kampala or Entebbe and a journey north toward Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience, where you will have the opportunity to observe Uganda’s southern white rhinos at close range while learning about their conservation and reintroduction.
After the rhino experience, continue your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, enjoy dinner, and relax overnight.
Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park – Morning Game Drive & Boat Safari
Wake up early for a morning game drive across the park’s savannah plains. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, Uganda kob, warthogs, and other wildlife, with the possibility of spotting leopards.
After lunch, enjoy a boat safari along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Watch hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and numerous water birds along the riverbanks before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Murchison Falls – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and travel south toward Kibale Forest National Park. Enjoy the changing landscapes, local communities, farmlands, and scenic countryside along the way.
Arrive in the Kibale area in the evening, check in at your lodge, and relax in preparation for the following day’s chimpanzee trekking experience.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early breakfast, proceed to Kibale Forest headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking experience. Explore the rainforest with experienced guides and rangers in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. You may also encounter other primates and numerous bird species.
After the trek, have lunch before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, and relax overnight.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Begin the day with an early game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the Kasenyi Plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, leopards, and other wildlife.
After lunch, enjoy a spectacular boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its large concentration of hippos and crocodiles. You may also see elephants, buffaloes, and many species of water birds along the shoreline. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on the route, you may pass through the scenic Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, subject to road and park conditions.
Continue toward Bwindi through the beautiful hills and countryside of southwestern Uganda. Arrive at your lodge, check in, relax, and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. Enter the ancient Bwindi rainforest accompanied by experienced guides and Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas and forest conditions. Once you find the gorillas, enjoy a memorable encounter observing their behavior, family interactions, and daily activities in their natural habitat.
After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 8: Bwindi – Transfer to Entebbe/Kampala or Kigali
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe or Kampala, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda along the way.
8-Day Big Five Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary entrance and rhino tracking experience
- Park entrance fees for Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi
- Accommodation in selected lodges on a full-board basis
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as specified in the itinerary
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport/hotel pick-up and drop-off
- All transportation and transfers throughout the safari
- Game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Murchison Falls boat safari on the Victoria Nile
- Kazinga Channel boat safari
- Gorilla trekking ranger and guide services
- Chimpanzee trekking ranger and guide services
- Fuel and vehicle expenses
- Drinking water during the safari
- Government taxes and applicable local taxes
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Border-crossing assistance if ending the safari in Kigali
- Emergency assistance and support from the Jomert Gorilla Safaris team
Exclusions
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Rwanda visa fees, where applicable
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, and souvenirs
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Tips for guides, drivers, rangers, lodge staff, and porters
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Porter fees during gorilla or chimpanzee trekking
- Personal hiking equipment and clothing
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Any costs resulting from changes to the itinerary requested by the traveler
- Any other services or expenses not specifically mentioned under the inclusions
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