Uganda Big 5 and Primates Safari | 10 days

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Your Uganda Big 5 and Primates Safari  begins after breakfast when your driver-guide picks you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, you’ll stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino trekking experience — your first of the “Big Five.” After about 1.5 hours of walking and observing these majestic animals, you’ll continue your journey through Masindi town, where you can stop to stretch and have lunch.
By afternoon, you’ll enter Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls, where the mighty Nile forces its way through a 7-meter gorge before plunging down with incredible power — a breathtaking sight! Later, check in at your lodge, enjoy dinner, and rest for the night.
Accommodation options:

• Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge / Red Chilli Safari Lodge / Parkside Safari Lodge

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

• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge

Day 2: Game Drive & Nile River Boat Safari in Murchison Falls

Rise early for a morning game drive on the northern bank of the park, where you’ll search for elephants, buffaloes, lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, hyenas, hartebeests, oribis, and if lucky, the elusive leopard. This classic African safari experience offers great photo opportunities and a chance to see wildlife at their most active.
After lunch at your lodge, embark on a thrilling boat cruise along the Nile River toward the base of Murchison Falls. Along the way, you’ll spot Nile crocodiles, hippos, and abundant birdlife such as the African fish eagle and shoebill (if lucky). The boat stops near the falls, offering fantastic views and photo ops before you return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Day 3: Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls behind as you embark on a scenic drive south to Kibale National Park, known as the “primate capital of the world.” Enjoy the changing landscapes, from savannahs to lush tea plantations, with a lunch stop along the way.
By late afternoon or early evening, you’ll arrive at your lodge nestled in or near Kibale’s tropical rainforest. Settle in, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the next day’s chimpanzee adventure.
Accommodation options:

• Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

• Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp

• Luxury: Primate Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4 of Uganda Big 5 and Primates Safari, head to Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest to track wild chimpanzees. Trekking can last 2-4 hours depending on their location, but once you find them, you’ll spend a magical hour observing their playful antics and social interactions — a true highlight of Uganda!
In the afternoon, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse park, with incredible wildlife and crater lakes. Drive through the scenic Kasenda crater area and enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountains before checking in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options:

• Budget: Bush Lodge

• Mid-range: Marafiki Safari Lodge

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 5: Wildlife Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start your day with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, covering the Kasenyi Plains where lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, and hyenas roam freely. Your guide will help track the predators and interpret the behaviors of the wildlife you encounter.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes George and Edward. Watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species such as kingfishers and fish eagles along the shores. Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Day 6: Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha – Home of the Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, check out and drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its tree-climbing lions that lounge in ancient fig trees. Keep your eyes peeled for these rare predators as well as topi and buffaloes in the open plains.
Enjoy a packed lunch or stop in Kihihi town before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the world-renowned home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge nestled on the forest edge, have dinner, and rest up for the next day’s adventure.
Accommodation options:

• Budget: Broadbill Camp

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

• Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Bwindi & Batwa Cultural Visit

Wake early, have breakfast, and head to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. You’ll be grouped (max 8 people) and guided into the forest to search for a habituated gorilla family.
Trekking can last 2-6 hours depending on their movement, but once found, you’ll spend one precious hour with them — watching silverbacks, mothers, and playful juveniles interact. This face-to-face moment with gorillas is one of Africa’s most profound wildlife experiences.
After the trek, freshen up at the lodge and in the afternoon, you can visit the nearby Batwa pygmy community for a cultural encounter to learn about their forest traditions and dance performances. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – The “Switzerland of Africa”

After a leisurely breakfast, depart for the scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi, famous for its 29 islands and stunning vistas. Known as a bilharzia-free and safe swimming lake, it’s a peaceful retreat after your gorilla trek.
Check into your lakeside lodge, have lunch, and in the afternoon enjoy optional activities such as canoeing, boat rides to explore the islands, or simply relax and soak in the views. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation options:

• Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

• Bird Nest Resort

• Arcadia Lodge

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & Optional Activities

After breakfast, head out to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park, often called the “whispers of the wild.” Along the way, stop in Mbarara town for lunch before continuing to the park.
On arrival, check into your lodge and in the afternoon, choose from optional activities (at extra cost) such as a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, a horseback safari, or a bicycle safari to get close to zebras, impalas, elands, and giraffes.
Dinner and overnight at your selected lodge.
Accommodation options:

• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

• Mid-range: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge

• Budget: Eagle’s Nest Camp

Day 10: Nature Walk in Lake Mburo & Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Enjoy a morning nature walk or game walk with an armed ranger guide, offering a great opportunity to spot wildlife on foot — including zebras, impalas, warthogs, and bushbucks. It’s a peaceful way to end your Uganda safari in the fresh morning air.
Return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, and begin your drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. En route, stop at the Uganda Equator for photos and lunch, and perhaps shop for souvenirs at the local craft shops.
Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the late afternoon, and depending on your schedule, you’ll be dropped at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.
This marks the end of your Uganda Big 5 and Primates Safari!