9-Day Ultimate Uganda Safari Touring Top National Parks

Day 1|✈️ Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for your exciting Uganda safari.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at your selected accommodation.

Lunch, Dinner

Day 2|🦏 Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey north to Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience, offering the unique opportunity to observe southern white rhinos on foot in their natural habitat.

After lunch in Masindi, continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the spectacular Top of the Falls viewpoint, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically below.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

🏨 Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, Red Chilli Rest Camp, Entiko Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3|🚙🚤 Day 3: Game Drive & Nile River Boat Cruise

Start your day with an early morning game drive across the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and, with some luck, elusive leopards.

After lunch, embark on a memorable boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. Witness the dramatic power of the Nile River and enjoy close-up views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and an abundance of birdlife along the riverbanks.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4|🌄 Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, travelling through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda. Pass through Fort Portal and admire the stunning views of the Albertine Escarpment and the Western Rift Valley. Arrive at the Mweya Peninsula in the evening and settle into your lodge.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

🏨 Accommodation Options: Engiri Game Lodge, Kalinzu Eco Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ihamba Safari Lodge, Tembo Safari Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5|🦁 Day 5: Morning Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Enjoy an early morning game drive in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, waterbucks, warthogs, and various antelope species. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also a paradise for bird lovers, boasting over 600 recorded bird species, including migratory birds and Albertine Rift endemics. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your lodge or enjoying optional activities.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6|🐒🚤 Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Chimpanzee Trekking

After breakfast, set out on a scenic boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Observe large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a remarkable variety of water birds. Return to the lodge for lunch before heading to Kyambura Gorge for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience.

If time permits, enjoy a guided walk through Maramagambo Forest and visit the fascinating bat cave, where pythons are sometimes spotted.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7|🦁🦍 Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep an eye out for the famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees—a unique wildlife spectacle found only in a few places in Africa. After lunch, continue to Bwindi and enjoy an evening community walk featuring the Batwa cultural experience.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

🏨 Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas

🏨 Mid-range: Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Camp

🏨 Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8|🦍 Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines. Accompanied by experienced rangers, venture into the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek duration varies depending on the location of the gorillas, but the unforgettable moment of spending one hour with these gentle giants is truly life-changing. Return to your lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing and reflecting on this extraordinary experience.

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9|🚗✈️ Day 9: Return to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, with a lunch stop in Mbarara and opportunities to enjoy the scenic countryside. Depending on your schedule, enjoy a brief Kampala city tour before being transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or to your hotel for an additional overnight stay.