Overview
Step into Uganda’s wild heart on this unforgettable 8-day safari, which combines the best of primates, savannah wildlife, and community encounters. Trek through the misty forests of Bwindi to meet the mountain gorillas, connect with the Batwa people, search for tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, walk among chimps in Kibale, cruise the Nile in Murchison Falls, and end with a rhino trekking conservation success story at Ziwa.
Throughout your journey, you’ll stay in eco-conscious lodges carefully selected for their low-impact design, community partnerships, and support for local conservation initiatives.
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Comfort Level: Mid-range (upgrade to luxury available)
Difficulty Level: Moderate (trekking & long drives)
Style: Small-group, responsible, primate and wildlife immersion
PRICES PER PERSON
| NUMBER OF PAX | PRICES PER PERSON |
| 2Pax | $5,107 |
| 4Pax | $4,379 |
| 6Pax | $3,979 |
Tour Highlights
- Meet the Batwa, Uganda’s indigenous forest community.
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (UNESCO).
- Spot tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth.
- Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel with hippos, elephants, and buffalo.
- Walk among 13 primate species in Kibale Forest.
- Chimpanzee trekking & community visit.
- Explore Murchison Falls: game drives, boat safari, and hike to the top.
- Trek with rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Stay in sustainable eco-lodges that support conservation and local communities.
Day To Day Descriptions
Flight Time: ~1 hr Entebbe → Kihihi/Kisoro | Drive: ~1 hr to lodge | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Forest-edge eco-lodge
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your guide and proceed to the domestic terminal for your flight to Bwindi. Transfer to your forest-edge lodge. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the Batwa cultural experience—storytelling, dances, and traditions of Uganda’s first forest inhabitants.
- Accommodation: Mucha Lodge
Why Mucha Lodge?
- Locally built cottages using natural materials, solar lighting, waste minimization, and produce sourced from community farmers.
- Meals: None
Trek: 2–6 hrs | Drive: ~4.5–5 hrs | Difficulty: Moderate–High | Comfort: Safari lodge
Begin your gorilla trekking adventure early. After a safety briefing, trek through Bwindi’s dense rainforest with rangers until you find a gorilla family. Watching them interact in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After lunch, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions resting on fig trees. Arrive at your lodge in time to relax and unwind.
- Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge
Why Enganzi Game Lodge?
- Perched on the Kichwamba escarpment with sweeping views of the Rift Valley.
- Built using local materials reflecting traditional African design.
- Supports employment of nearby youth.
- Sources food from local farms.
- Promotes community encounters through crafts and storytelling.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Game drive: ~3 hrs | Boat cruise: ~2 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Safari lodge
After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive across Queen Elizabeth’s Kasenyi plains in search of elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and lions. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, set out on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll encounter hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless bird species along the banks.
- Accommodation: Enganzi game Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive: ~4–5 hrs via Fort Portal | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Forest lodge
Travel north through crater lakes and tea plantations toward Kibale, East Africa’s primate capital with a stopover at the Equator. After lunch, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, run by community conservationists. Spot monkeys, butterflies, and over 200 bird species while learning about local initiatives that protect the forest.
- Accommodation: Isunga Lodge
Why Isunga Lodge?
- Small solar-powered lodge built with local materials; employs and trains locals; supports Bigodi community projects and reforestation.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek: 2–5 hrs | Difficulty: Moderate | Comfort: Forest lodge
Begin your day with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, home to 13 primate species. Watch chimps swinging, feeding, and calling in the canopy. In the afternoon, visit a local community project, such as a farmers' market, artisanal workshop, or conservation group, to learn about everyday life and cultural resilience.
- Accommodation: Isunga Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive: ~8–9 hrs with lunch stop | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Riverside safari lodge
Depart after breakfast for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest. Enjoy scenic stops along the Albertine Rift before arriving in the evening. Visit the Top of the Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a 7m gorge in a thunderous display of power.
- Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Why Pakuba Safari Lodge?
- Runs on solar energy; reduced-plastic policy; employs locals; encourages refillable water bottles; ingredients from nearby farms.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Game drive: ~3 hrs | Boat: ~2–3 hrs | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: Riverside lodge
Enjoy a morning game drive on the Buligi plains, where you can spot elephants, giraffes, lions, and more. After lunch, cruise the Nile River to the base of the falls, watching hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds.
- Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive: ~7–8 hrs including stop | Difficulty: Light | Comfort: None (departure)
On your final day, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where rhinos roam. A guided walking safari brings you close to these endangered giants. Continue to Kampala for souvenir shopping and later on transfer to Entebbe for your onward flight.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Includes/Excludes
Included
- Flight to Bwindi National Park
- Gorilla & chimp trekking permits
- Rhino tracking permit
- Park entry fees & activities listed
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with fuel
- Accommodation & meals as specified
- Bottled drinking water in a vehicle
Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda visa
- Travel & medical insurance
- Tips & personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed
Practical Information
- Transport: Comfortable 4×4 safari vehicles with window seats, charging points, and professional English-speaking driver-guides. The domestic flight from Entebbe to Bwindi is included on Day 1.
- Meals: Full-board basis (except Day 1: dinner only; Day 8: breakfast & lunch only). Meals are freshly prepared using locally sourced ingredients, with vegetarian and special dietary options available.
- Accommodation: Mid-range eco-lodges chosen for sustainability, solar energy use, local employment, and cultural integration. Lodges are en-suite and provide mosquito nets.
- Best Travel Period: Year-round, but the best trekking conditions occur in the dry seasons (December–February and June–August).
- Packing List: Lightweight hiking gear, good walking shoes, rain jacket, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, binoculars, insect repellent, and long-sleeved clothing for treks.
- Health & Safety: Yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis recommended. Gorilla and chimp permits directly fund park protection and ranger programs. Strict health protocols are followed to protect primates from diseases transmitted by humans.
- Trekking Notes: Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking can last 2–6 hours, traversing uneven terrain. A moderate level of fitness is required, and porters are available to assist at an additional fee.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available at most lodges, although it is often limited to common areas. Remote areas may have weak mobile network coverage.
- Money Matters: Uganda uses the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). Credit cards are accepted at most lodges, but cash (USD or UGX) is recommended for tips and small purchases.
Comfort & Difficulty
- Comfort: Mid-range eco-lodges with en-suite facilities, solar energy, and strong links to local communities.
- Difficulty: Moderate. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking require stamina (2–6 hrs on uneven terrain). Other activities are light and accessible.
Geography of Destinations
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (South Western Uganda): UNESCO rainforest, home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Western Uganda): Savannah, crater lakes, wetlands, with tree-climbing lions.
- Kibale Forest National Park (Western Uganda): Tropical rainforest, primate capital of East Africa.
- Murchison Falls National Park (North Western Uganda): Largest Park, defined by the Nile and the world’s most powerful waterfall.
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (Central Uganda): The Only site in Uganda for wild rhino conservation.
Community Encounters
- Batwa (Bwindi): Songs, dances, and traditions of Uganda’s first forest people.
- Bigodi Wetland (Kibale): Community-led eco-tourism and conservation.
- Local Farmers/Artisans (Kibale): Authentic cultural interactions.
