17 Days Uganda Grand Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda!

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport on your 17 days Uganda wildlife adventure you will be warmly welcomed by your safari guide who will brief you about your upcoming adventure. After transferring to your hotel, take time to relax after your flight. If time allows, you may enjoy a peaceful sunset stroll along the shores of Lake Victoria or visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens where you might spot monkeys and colorful birds such as the Great Blue Turaco. This is your first taste of Uganda’s incredible natural beauty and friendly atmosphere.

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Transfer to Murchison Falls

After breakfast, begin your safari journey by heading north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos roam freely in the wild. Here, you will enjoy an exciting rhino tracking experience on foot, bringing you close to these endangered giants while supporting vital conservation work. Continue your scenic drive through traditional Ugandan countryside to Murchison Falls National Park, where you’ll check into your lodge nestled amidst wildlife and savannah views.

Day 3: Game Drive & Boat Safari to the Bottom of Murchison Falls

Rise early for a thrilling game drive on the northern plains of Murchison Falls. Look out for lions, graceful giraffes, towering elephants, spotted hyenas, and herds of antelopes grazing against the sunrise. In the afternoon, set off on a boat safari along the Nile, heading toward the base of the mighty falls. Hippos bob in the water, crocodiles bask on sandbanks, and the riverbanks teem with kingfishers, bee-eaters, and African fish eagles. As you approach the thundering falls, the sight of water squeezing through a narrow gorge is simply unforgettable.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest via Rift Valley Landscapes

Today you travel south through Uganda’s rich landscapes, crossing the Albertine Rift Valley and passing through small towns and vibrant markets. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of tea plantations and crater lakes dotting the landscape. Your destination is Kibale Forest National Park, a tropical rainforest home to the largest diversity of primates in East Africa. Arrive in time to relax at your lodge, nestled on the forest edge and often visited by monkeys and forest birds.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Birding Walk

This morning, step into the cool shade of Kibale Forest for your chimpanzee tracking adventure. Listen to the calls echoing through the trees as you follow expert trackers until you find a troop of chimpanzees — watch them swing through the canopy, groom each other, and forage on the forest floor. In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run haven for birds and primates. Look for papyrus specialties like the Papyrus Gonolek and elusive swamp antelope, the sitatunga.

Day 6: Transfer to Semuliki – Birding & Sempaya Hot Springs

Drive to the remote lowlands of Semuliki National Park, famous for its Congo biome bird species and hot springs. Visit the dramatic Sempaya Hot Springs, where boiling geysers shoot up from underground. Birders will enjoy searching for rare species like the White-crested Hornbill and Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill. The forest here is an extension of the Congo Basin, offering a different wildlife experience compared to Uganda’s other parks.

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Crater Lakes Visit

After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most famous wildlife reserve. Along the way, stop at scenic crater lakes formed by ancient volcanic explosions — perfect for photography. Arrive at your lodge with sweeping views of the park’s savannah plains and the distant Rwenzori Mountains. As the sun sets, listen for the sounds of the wild — hyenas calling and hippos grunting from nearby waterholes.

Day 8: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Head out early for a classic game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, where you’ll search for lions stalking Uganda kobs, herds of elephants, buffaloes, and the occasional leopard. In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This channel is a magnet for wildlife: spot hippos in the hundreds, Nile crocodiles, and vast flocks of African skimmers, pelicans, and pink-backed pelicans.

Day 9: Ishasha Sector – Search for Tree-Climbing Lions

Drive south into the Ishasha sector, a wilder and less visited part of the park, renowned for its population of tree-climbing lions. Keep your eyes on the giant fig trees where these lions often lounge in the branches during the heat of the day. Along the way, you’ll also encounter topis, buffaloes, elephants, and rich birdlife. Ishasha’s remote setting offers a tranquil and intimate safari experience.

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Buhoma Sector

Journey from the savannah to the misty mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. As you climb into the highlands, the scenery transforms into terraced hills and lush forests. Arrive at your lodge near Buhoma, the gateway to gorilla trekking, and relax with views over the dense forest canopy.

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Bwindi

Today is the highlight of your Uganda Grand Safari — the gorilla trekking experience. After a briefing, venture into the dense forest with expert guides and trackers, following trails until you encounter a gorilla family. Spending an hour in their presence as they feed, play, and interact is a deeply moving experience and a privilege few will ever forget. In the afternoon, you may choose an optional Batwa cultural visit to learn about the forest’s original inhabitants.

Day 12: Transfer to Ruhija – Birding & Mountain Views

After breakfast, travel to Ruhija, the eastern sector of Bwindi famous among birders for its Albertine Rift endemics. Along the drive, enjoy spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes and forested ridges. Your lodge here offers a peaceful retreat with cool mountain air and birdsong at dawn. Rest and prepare for tomorrow’s birding adventure or optional gorilla trek.

Day 13: Mubwindi Swamp Birding or Optional Second Gorilla Trek

Today, keen birders can embark on a full day birding hike to Mubwindi Swamp, home to rare species such as Grauer’s Rush Warbler, African Green Broadbill, and Shelley’s Crimsonwing. The trek offers sweeping views over Bwindi’s valleys and distant volcanoes. Alternatively, you can opt for a second gorilla trekking experience to meet another gorilla family in a different part of the forest.

Day 14: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Continue your journey southwards to

, where the three Virunga Volcanoes rise dramatically on the horizon. This park is the meeting point of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, offering unique wildlife and cultural experiences. Relax at your lodge with views of the volcanic peaks and prepare for another golden primate encounter.

Day 15: Golden Monkey Trekking or Volcano Hike

This morning, trek to see the endangered golden monkeys that live in the bamboo forests of Mgahinga. These playful primates are a delight to watch as they leap through the trees and forage on bamboo shoots. For adventure seekers, an alternative is to hike Mount Gahinga or Mount Sabinyo, offering panoramic views over the Virunga range and the Great Rift Valley below.

Day 16: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Evening Game Drive

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park, a compact but beautiful park known for its acacia woodlands and diverse wildlife. Arrive in time for an evening game drive, where you’ll spot zebras, impalas, elands (Africa’s largest antelope), and graceful waterbucks. The park’s open plains and rocky outcrops offer great sunset photo opportunities.

Day 17: End Of Your 17 days Uganda wildlife adventure

Begin your final safari day with a unique cycling safari through Lake Mburo’s savannah, accompanied by a ranger. Pedal quietly among herds of zebras and impalas, enjoying the park at your own pace. After breakfast, set off on the drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Uganda Equator for memorable photos and souvenir shopping. Arrive in the late afternoon for your departure flight or optional overnight stay. Your epic17 days Uganda wildlife adventure ends with unforgettable memories of Uganda’s wildlife, landscapes, and warm-hearted people.