8 Day Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari: Murchison Falls, Budongo & Bwindi

Set off early for chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest Reserve. Accompanied by your guide, explore the forest trails in search of a habituated chimpanzee community, with opportunities to observe their behaviour in their natural habitat.

Along the way, look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys and forest birds. Trekking duration varies, and wildlife sightings are subject to natural conditions.

After the trek, return to Pakuba Safari Lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Spend the remaining time resting at the lodge or choose an optional short activity around Murchison Falls National Park before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, searching for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob and predators. Return to Pakuba Safari Lodge for breakfast, followed by free time to relax. Lunch is included during the day.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. Take in the riverside scenery as you approach the waterfall.

Later, hike or travel by vehicle to the Top of the Falls, according to local arrangements and conditions. From the viewpoints, watch the Nile surge through a narrow gorge before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and travel south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy views of Uganda’s changing landscapes along the way, with a stop for lunch en route.

On arrival, check in at Buffalo Safari Lodge and settle into your surroundings. If arrival time permits, enjoy a short evening game drive for an introduction to the park’s wildlife and scenery. Otherwise, spend the evening relaxing at the lodge before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Head out early for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes and herds of Uganda kob before returning to Buffalo Safari Lodge for breakfast.

Enjoy time to relax, with lunch included during the day. In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Watch for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds, as well as elephants and buffaloes along the shoreline. Wildlife sightings vary with natural conditions.

If time and energy permit, choose an optional evening game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge

After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through Uganda’s scenic southwestern highlands. Stop for lunch en route before continuing to Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.

On arrival, settle in and relax before receiving a preparatory briefing for the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking experience. Spend the remaining time at leisure, or choose an optional short community walk or lodge activity, depending on your arrival time.

Enjoy dinner at the lodge and rest ahead of tomorrow’s forest adventure.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

After an early breakfast, transfer to the gorilla trekking briefing point. Receive instructions from the park team before joining your trekking group and guides to explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas.

Once the gorilla family is located, spend the allocated hour observing their behaviour in their natural habitat, following your guides’ instructions. Trekking duration varies depending on the gorillas’ movements and forest conditions. A packed lunch is provided for the day.

Return to Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge to relax after the trek. Depending on your return time and energy levels, you may choose an optional Batwa cultural experience before dinner and your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and begin your return journey to Entebbe or Kampala. Enjoy the changing scenery along the way, with a stop for lunch en route.

If time permits, make an optional stop at the Equator for photographs and a locally presented water demonstration before continuing your journey.

Your 8-day Uganda wildlife and primate safari concludes with drop-off at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, or at Entebbe International Airport. Arrival time depends on road conditions, traffic and stops along the route.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch