12 days - Murchison Falls, Kibale and the gorillas of Bwindi
Twelve days from Entebbe through Murchison Falls and Kibale’s chimpanzee forest, then Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi’s mountain gorillas and Lake Mburo, returning to Entebbe for the flight out.
The journey
One of the two dry seasons. Forest trails are drier for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, and game viewing is strong on the plains.
Entebbe, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Lake Mburo, with the drive back to Entebbe.
Upon your arrival in Uganda, we will transfer you to a hotel in Entebbe for an overnight stay. Your safari guide will provide a brief overview of the upcoming safari and what to expect during your adventure.
After breakfast, you will depart from the hotel and begin your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, one of the top safari destinations for wildlife, stunning scenery, and spectacular landscapes. Your first stop will be at Luwero Market to pick up some fresh fruits, followed by a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a close-up experience with the southern white rhinos. Continue your drive to Murchison Falls National Park, where you will arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay at a lodge.
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a thrilling game drive, where you’ll have the chance to encounter a variety of wildlife, including buffaloes, Uganda kob, elephants, and many other species. In the afternoon, enjoy a rewarding boat cruise to the base of the falls. From the comfort of your boat, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to capture stunning photographs of elephants, hippos, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species. Later, you’ll hike to the top of the falls, where the mighty Nile River crashes violently, creating a powerful waterfall. Dinner and an overnight stay will follow at a lodge.
After breakfast, head to Kibale National Park, one of Uganda’s top tourist destinations and a highlight of Africa’s natural wonders. Located in western Uganda, the park protects a lush, evergreen rainforest and lies within the districts of Kabarole and Kamwenge. Kibale is home to the highest concentration of primates in Africa, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
After breakfast, you will embark on a thrilling chimp trekking adventure. During the trek, you may encounter primates such as white colobus monkeys and various bird species. In the afternoon, enjoy a nature walk at Bigodi Sanctuary, known for its exceptional birdwatching opportunities. Here, you’ll find numerous bird species, including the papyrus gonolek, as well as various monkeys. In the evening, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, often referred to as the “Medley of Wonders.” This park is blessed with a rich variety of wildlife, stunning scenery, and diverse landscapes. Upon arrival, you will head out for a sunset game drive, offering a chance to encounter many of the park’s iconic animal species. In the evening, we will transfer you to a lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast at the lodge, you will depart early in the morning to catch sight of the early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. During the morning game drive, you may encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes, and various species of birds.
In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward to Lake George. This cruise offers the opportunity to spot a variety of animals and bird species along the water’s edge.
On this day, you will visit the home of the rare mountain gorillas. After breakfast at the lodge, you will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En route, you will pass through the famous Ishasha Sector, where you can spot the unique tree-climbing lions, along with several other wildlife species. Continue your journey to Bwindi, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at a lodge.
After breakfast at the lodge, you will depart with your packed lunch and head to the park headquarters for a briefing. Once there, you will be divided into groups based on the gorilla family you will be tracking. Afterwards, you will venture into the forest, following trails to begin your gorilla trek. Along the way, you may encounter various primate species and a wide variety of bird species.
When you reach the gorillas, you will have one hour to observe, take photos, and capture videos of these majestic and gentle creatures—an experience that will stay with you forever. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
On this day, we will transfer you to Lake Mburo National Park, passing through the stunning Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.” You will stop for lunch in Mbarara town before continuing on to the park for a sunset game drive.
After breakfast, you will head out for an early morning game drive in search of various wildlife, including elands, impalas, zebras, buffaloes, and many more. In the afternoon, prepare for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you’ll have the chance to spot water animals, bird species, and local fishermen.
You will depart from the lodge early in the morning for a guided nature walk. During this experience, you’ll have the opportunity to get up close to various wildlife, perfect for photography. Afterwards, you’ll return to the lodge to refresh before heading back to Entebbe to catch your outbound flight.
The detail
Twelve days through Uganda’s national parks, from the Nile at Murchison Falls to the forests of Kibale and Bwindi. You begin with a game drive and a boat cruise to the base of the falls, then track chimpanzees in Kibale and walk the Bigodi wetlands.
Queen Elizabeth National Park follows, with a game drive, a cruise on the Kazinga Channel and a chance of tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. At Bwindi you track mountain gorillas and spend an hour with a family. The journey ends at Lake Mburo, with game drives, a boat cruise and a bush walk before the drive back to Entebbe for your flight out.
Good to know
Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.
Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.
The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.
After a briefing at the park headquarters you walk with a guide to find your gorilla family, then spend one hour with them. Treks vary from under an hour to most of a day. The minimum age is 15, and park rules ask you to keep your distance and avoid flash.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is on foot, and you may meet colobus monkeys and many bird species on the way. The Bigodi walk that afternoon is a gentle birdwatching walk.
Several days include longer drives between parks, including Murchison Falls, Kibale and the road through the Kigezi Highlands. Your guide breaks the journeys with stops, such as the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on day 2.
Cruises at Murchison Falls, on the Kazinga Channel and on Lake Mburo are good for hippos, buffalo, elephants and birds. Bring a hat, sunscreen and binoculars.
A zoom lens suits the plains and the water, and a fast lens or a high ISO helps in the dim forest light. Keep gear in a dry bag and carry spare batteries.
Guides, trackers and lodge staff are customarily thanked with a tip at the end of the stay. Your final documents give a guide to amounts.
Plan this journey
Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.
