10 Days Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari

10 Days Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe — Welcome to the Pearl of Africa

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport for your 10 Days Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari, you’ll be warmly greeted by our representative who will brief you about your safari. Entebbe, located on the shores of Lake Victoria, offers a peaceful beginning to your Ugandan journey. You will then be transferred to your hotel to relax after your international flight. Depending on your arrival time, optional excursions can include a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria, a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, or a nature walk through the beautiful Entebbe Botanical Gardens — home to monkeys and over 300 bird species.

Accommodation:

• Luxury: Protea Hotel by Marriott / Lake Victoria Serena Resort

• Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Boma Hotel Entebbe

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, depart Entebbe and embark on a scenic drive to Uganda’s largest protected area — Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track rhinos on foot. Led by an expert guide, you’ll walk close (at a safe distance) to these powerful yet endangered animals — an unforgettable experience as you tick off one of Africa’s Big 5.

Continue through traditional villages and rolling savannah until you reach Murchison Falls. In the evening, visit the top of the falls, where the mighty Nile River funnels through a 7-meter gap and plunges 45 meters with a thunderous roar — a dramatic sight and perfect photo opportunity.

Accommodation:

• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge

Day 3: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Nile Boat Safari

Rise early for a thrilling game drive across the northern plains of Murchison Falls. As the sun casts golden light over the savannah, search for herds of elephants, buffaloes, elegant giraffes, and predators like lions and the elusive leopard. Your guide will navigate through the game tracks where wildlife sightings are best.

Return to the lodge for lunch before your afternoon adventure: a boat safari along the Nile River. Cruise upstream towards the base of the falls, passing huge pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, and a myriad of birdlife including the rare shoebill stork. Watch elephants and antelope coming down to drink at the riverbanks, offering fantastic photographic moments.

Accommodation: Same as above.

Day 4: Scenic Flight to Kibale Forest National Park (Primate Capital)

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the nearby airstrip for your scheduled flight to Kasese, near the famed Kibale Forest. Enjoy aerial views of the Albertine Rift, the Blue Mountains of Congo, and Uganda’s lush countryside as you soar over the landscape. Upon landing, your guide will drive you through fertile tea plantations to your forest lodge, nestled near Kibale National Park.

In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary — a community-run conservation area teeming with primates like red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and rich birdlife. This walk offers cultural encounters with local villagers and insights into the area’s ecosystem, making it a wonderful prelude to your chimpanzee trek tomorrow.

Accommodation:

• Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale / Kyaninga Lodge

• Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House / Turaco Treetops

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today, set out into Kibale Forest, known as the primate capital of the world, for your exhilarating chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by an expert ranger, you’ll follow forest trails in search of a habituated chimpanzee family. Once found, spend a captivating hour watching them feed, groom, play, and call to each other through the treetops. Along the way, spot other primates such as L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and vibrant butterflies and birds.

After this memorable morning, enjoy lunch before embarking on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route offers panoramic views of the Rwenzori Mountains and craters dotting the landscape. Entering the park, keep an eye out for elephants and antelopes as you head towards your lodge.

Accommodation:

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge

• Mid-range: Marafiki Safari Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge

Day 6: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, venture into the Kasenyi Plains for a classic African game drive. Here, predators like lions and leopards hunt among the large herds of Uganda kob antelope. You may also spot elephants, buffaloes, and warthogs grazing in the open savannah. The park’s diverse ecosystems support over 600 bird species, making it one of Africa’s top birding destinations.

In the afternoon, set off on a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This water safari brings you up close to some of Africa’s largest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. You’ll also see elephants bathing, buffaloes cooling off, and colorful kingfishers and fish eagles soaring above — a photographer’s paradise.

Accommodation: Same as above.

Day 7: Game Drive in Ishasha & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Depart after breakfast and drive south through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its rare tree-climbing lions. On your game drive, look high into the branches of giant fig trees where these unique lions lounge during the heat of the day — a behavior rarely seen elsewhere. The sector is also rich in topi antelope, buffaloes, and elephants.

Continue your journey into the mist-shrouded hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge nestled at the forest edge and spend the evening preparing for tomorrow’s once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi — A Life-Changing Encounter

Day 8 of your 10 Days Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari starts with a hearty breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll be assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families and set off with guides and porters into the ancient rainforest. Trekking can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location, through dense vegetation and steep slopes.

The reward is priceless — once you find the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour watching them interact, play, and feed. Feel the deep connection as you lock eyes with a silverback or observe a baby gorilla’s playful antics. This is one of Africa’s most powerful wildlife experiences. After your trek, return to your lodge to relax and reflect on your incredible encounter.

Accommodation: Same as above.

Day 9: Waterfalls Nature Walk in Bwindi & Community Visit

After breakfast, set out for a guided waterfalls nature walk deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This scenic trek takes you along pristine trails shaded by towering trees and laced with vines. Along the way, marvel at colorful butterflies, rare forest birds like the African green broadbill, and playful monkeys swinging in the canopy. The trail leads to beautiful hidden waterfalls cascading through the jungle — a serene and refreshing reward after your hike.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in a community visit to the local villages bordering the park. Meet members of the communities who have lived alongside the forest for generations. You’ll visit local craftspeople, traditional healers who use medicinal plants from the forest, and women’s cooperatives creating beautiful handmade items. It’s a heartwarming cultural exchange that gives you deeper insight into the local way of life and how tourism helps support conservation and community development in Bwindi.

Accommodation: Same as previous night in Bwindi.

Day 10: Fly to Entebbe from Kihihi — Departure

After a relaxed breakfast and a final look at Bwindi’s emerald hills, you’ll transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your scheduled domestic flight back to Entebbe. Enjoy aerial views over Uganda’s picturesque terraced hills, crater lakes, and the Virunga Volcano chain as you say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll connect with your international departure flight or onward journey.

End of your unforgettable 10 Days Best of Uganda Fly-in Safari