10-day Safari in Uganda: Explore the Best of the Pearl of Africa – This 10-day safari offers the best of Uganda, from big game safaris to magical encounters with our closest relatives in the wild: mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. It’s a special combination of savanna wildlife and primate experiences in the jungles, visiting iconic destinations such as Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo National Park. Your journey begins and ends in Kampala or Entebbe.
Safari Details
Day 1: Wildlife Trip to Murchison Falls Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest park, covering an area of 3840 sq.km. Located in the northwest of Uganda, you’ll reach Murchison Falls Park via the Kampala-Luweero-Masindi route, a 6-7 hours’ drive. Before entering Murchison Falls NP, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking, then proceed for lunch at a hotel in Masindi. From Masindi to Paraa, it’s about 85kms. Visit the top of the falls and then transfer to your lodge.
Day 2: Full-Day Wildlife Safari (Murchison Falls NP)
Start your day with a memorable game drive through the Northern circuit. This 2-3 hours’ safari will reward you with astonishing sightings of lions, elephants, Uganda kobs, birds, Rothschild giraffes, warthogs, buffaloes, and if lucky, leopards. Enjoy lunch and refreshments at the lodge, then at 2pm, embark on a 2-3 hours’ launch cruise. Experience sightings of swimming hippos, basking crocodiles, and aquatic birds.
Day 3: Kibale Chimpanzee Tour
Kibale National Park, a tropical forest park located in Kabarole district, Western Uganda, is your destination for chimpanzee tracking. Drive from Murchison via Hoima city to Fort Portal, and after lunch in Fort Portal, proceed to the park. The route passes several crater lakes, offering scenic views en-route to your lodge.
Day 4: Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale NP
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale begins after breakfast and a briefing on trekking guidelines at Kanyanchu visitor center. Depart at 8:00am for a 2-4 hours’ primate adventure with an experienced guide. Kibale hosts 13 primate species, including 1500 chimpanzees. Enjoy a 1-hour face-to-face encounter with a chimpanzee community, observing other primates and birds. Optionally, visit Bigodi wetland or proceed directly to Queen Elizabeth National Park for the next safari experience.
Day 5: Game Tour, Launch Trip
Explore Kasenyi plains in Queen Elizabeth NP on a game drive lasting 2-3 hours in a 4×4 vehicle. Animal sightings on Kasenyi track include spotted hyenas, lions, buffaloes, antelopes, elephants, and a variety of birds. Return to the lodge for lunch, then at 2pm, embark on a 2-3 hours’ launch cruise on Kazinga Channel. Encounter numerous wildlife species such as hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Day 6: Bwindi Gorilla Trip via Ishasha Sector
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda, known for gorilla trekking. En-route, pass through Ishasha, known for tree-climbing lions and other wildlife.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi NP
Enjoy an early breakfast, then transfer for briefing at Bwindi National Park trailheads. You’ll be assigned to a gorilla family from over 20 habituated groups. A typical gorilla trek lasts 2-6 hours, including 1 hour for close encounters and photography. Receive a gorilla trekking certificate and visit the Batwa community in the evening.
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi (Kabale)
After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, known as the Switzerland of Africa. Enjoy lunch at the lodge and take a boat ride to Bushara Island/Punishment Island. Relax at the shores or swim in the lake, which is free of crocodiles and hippos.
Day 9: Boat Ride & Lake Mburo NP
Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee, then take a boat ride to one of the 29 islands on Lake Bunyonyi. Enjoy bird watching and breathtaking views. Later, depart for Lake Mburo NP, home to thousands of impalas. Optionally, embark on a night game drive to spot leopards, hyenas, and other nocturnal species.
Day 10: Departure
Rise early, check out after breakfast, and head to the Equator for photos and a water experiment. Have lunch and transfer to Kampala/Entebbe for drop-off at a hotel, concluding your 10-day safari tour in Uganda.
