15-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee and Big Five Safari

Discover the best of Uganda on this 15-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee and Big Five Safari, an unforgettable journey through the Pearl of Africa. Explore spectacular national parks, lush tropical forests, scenic crater lakes and traditional communities while experiencing Uganda’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes.

This Uganda wildlife safari combines mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and exciting Big Five wildlife viewing in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth national parks. You will also enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, explore Lake Bunyonyi and discover the wildlife of Lake Mburo National Park.

Whether you are looking for a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, a chimpanzee and wildlife tour, or a comprehensive 15-day Uganda safari, this itinerary brings together some of the country’s most memorable experiences.

Safari Highlights:

Pickup from Entebbe International Airport

Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Morning Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park

Boat Trip to the Base of the  mighty Murchison Falls

Top of the Falls Hike in Murchison Falls National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Bigodi swamp walk and community visit

Top of the World hike and Crater Lakes Exploration

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Boat Cruise Experience at Kazinga Channel

Crater Exploration Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Tree Climbing Lions in Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Trail in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Lake Bunyonyi Exploration with Canoeing, Birdwatching and Community visit

Game Drive and Nature Walk in Lake Mburo National Park

Transfer back to Entebbe International Airport for Departure

A Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Kampala

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Arcadia Safaris representative will welcome you to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. You will then transfer to your accommodation in Kampala, where you can relax after your international flight. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an optional orientation drive around Kampala or spend the afternoon unwinding at your hotel.

Your first evening provides an opportunity to prepare for the Uganda wildlife safari ahead. Enjoy dinner at your accommodation and rest before beginning your journey to the country’s national parks the following morning.

Destination: Kampala City
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and Rhino Tracking at Ziwa

After breakfast, depart for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park and one of its premier wildlife safari destinations. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience on foot. Accompanied by a trained guide, you will search for southern white rhinos in their protected natural habitat, adding an important Big Five encounter to your Uganda safari.

Continue to Masindi for lunch before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the surrounding wilderness. The park supports elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, Uganda kob, hippos and numerous bird species, creating an exciting introduction to Uganda’s diverse wildlife.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 3: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park. Search for lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeest and Uganda kob as your guide explores areas known for wildlife sightings. Bird enthusiasts can also look out for the secretary bird, black-chested snake eagle and other species that inhabit the park.

After lunch and some relaxation, enjoy a boat cruise along the River Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Watch for hippos, Nile crocodiles and water birds along the riverbanks as the boat approaches the powerful falls. If conditions and timing permit, you may also hike to the top of the falls for spectacular views of the Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 4: Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you may visit the top of Murchison Falls if you did not complete the hike the previous day and the schedule allows. You will then begin the scenic journey south to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through rural communities, green countryside and the rolling hills of western Uganda. The transfer offers a glimpse of everyday life beyond the country’s national parks.

Arrive near Kibale Forest, one of East Africa’s leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking and primate viewing. The forest shelters chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and several other primate species. After checking into your lodge, enjoy dinner and relax in preparation for the following day’s crater lake exploration and outdoor activities.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 5: Top of the World Hike and Fort Portal Exploration

After breakfast, set out for the Top of the World hike near Fort Portal, a rewarding activity for travellers who enjoy nature, walking and scenic landscapes. Depending on your preference and fitness level, choose a gentler trail or a more challenging route. The hike offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, rolling hills and crater lakes that make this part of western Uganda particularly attractive.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before an optional visit to Fort Portal town. You may explore local markets, discover aspects of Tooro culture or visit Tooro Palace, depending on available time and arrangements. This day adds cultural discovery and outdoor adventure to your Uganda chimpanzee and gorilla safari before the main chimpanzee tracking experience.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, head to the Kibale Forest National Park briefing point for instructions from the park rangers. Enter the tropical forest with an experienced guide to search for a habituated chimpanzee community. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you can observe their behaviour for the permitted viewing period, usually up to one hour. Watch them feed, communicate, groom and move through the forest canopy during this remarkable primate encounter.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk through a rich wetland ecosystem. The sanctuary supports a variety of monkeys, butterflies and bird species, including the striking Great Blue Turaco. Your guide will help you identify wildlife and explain the importance of the wetland to surrounding communities. This combination makes Kibale an excellent destination for travellers seeking chimpanzee tracking and birdwatching in Uganda.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

After breakfast, depart Kibale Forest and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife destinations. The park combines open savannah, woodland, wetlands, crater lakes and scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Its habitats support elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, lions, leopards and numerous bird species.

After arriving and checking in at your lodge, enjoy lunch before embarking on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lake George and Lake Edward and attracts large concentrations of hippos, elephants, crocodiles and water birds. The cruise provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and close views of animals gathering along the shoreline. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive and Explosion Crater Drive

Rise early for a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. With your guide, search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks and other wildlife that inhabit the open grasslands. Leopard sightings are possible but never guaranteed. The morning drive also offers opportunities to appreciate the park’s varied landscapes and photograph animals in their natural habitat.

Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before exploring the scenic explosion crater area. The crater drive reveals dramatic volcanic landscapes, sweeping viewpoints and a different side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You may encounter wildlife along the route while enjoying views of the surrounding countryside. Later, return to your accommodation for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 9: Ishasha Sector Game Drive in Search of Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, travel to the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which sometimes rest on the branches of large fig trees. During a guided game drive, your driver-guide will explore suitable areas in search of these unusual cats while keeping an eye out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob and warthogs.

Although sightings depend on wildlife movements and conditions, Ishasha offers a distinctive safari experience and a valuable opportunity to explore a less-developed section of the park. After your game drive, proceed to your accommodation in the Ishasha area, where you can enjoy dinner and the peaceful atmosphere of Uganda’s wilderness.

Destination: Ishasha Sector – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 10: Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start the day with breakfast before heading out for another game drive in Ishasha. A second search provides more time to look for tree-climbing lions and observe other wildlife across the southern plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your guide will select suitable routes according to conditions and recent wildlife activity.

Later, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its mountain gorillas and ancient montane rainforest. After the scenic transfer, check in at your lodge and relax in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure. Your guide will explain the arrangements for the trek, including the importance of following ranger instructions and preparing for steep, sometimes muddy forest trails.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 11: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point. Park rangers will explain the trekking guidelines before leading you into Bwindi’s dense rainforest in search of an assigned habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements, the terrain and the location of the group. Once you find them, you will normally spend up to one hour observing these endangered primates at a regulated distance.

Watching mountain gorillas feed, groom, play and interact in their natural habitat is often the highlight of a Uganda safari. The experience also supports conservation efforts and the protection of this remarkable forest ecosystem. After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation and dinner. Depending on your interests, you can reflect on the experience with your guide or enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding rainforest.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 12: Batwa Cultural Experience and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, enjoy a Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi. Learn about the traditional forest knowledge, cultural heritage and history of the Batwa people, who have longstanding connections with the forest. This encounter offers an opportunity to appreciate local traditions while learning about the relationship between communities, conservation and the surrounding landscape.

Continue to Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda, a beautiful highland lake surrounded by steep, terraced hills and dotted with numerous islands. After checking into your accommodation, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise across the lake and take in the scenery. Depending on your arrival time, optional activities may include canoeing, birdwatching or a community visit. Lake Bunyonyi provides a peaceful change of pace after the forest trekking and wildlife adventures of the previous days.

Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi Exploration, Canoeing and Birdwatching

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before spending the day exploring Lake Bunyonyi and its surrounding communities. Take a traditional dugout canoe excursion to discover some of the lake’s islands while learning about their local history and cultural significance. The peaceful waters and terraced hills create beautiful scenery for photography, relaxation and nature appreciation.

You may also choose a guided birdwatching excursion or visit a nearby community to learn about everyday life in southwestern Uganda. Optional activities depend on local availability and your interests. Later, return to your lodge for lunch and free time overlooking the lake. This day adds cultural encounters, scenic exploration and birdwatching to your Uganda gorilla trekking and chimpanzee safari.

Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and travel to Lake Mburo National Park, passing through the scenic terraced hills of the Kigezi region and the countryside around Mbarara. The journey offers views of rural settlements, cultivated hillsides and changing landscapes as you approach the park. On arrival, check in at your accommodation and enjoy lunch or some time to relax.

Later, head out for an afternoon game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. Look for zebras, impalas, eland, topis, Uganda kob, buffaloes and warthogs across the savannah and woodland habitats. Lake Mburo is particularly well known for its zebra and antelope populations, making it a rewarding destination for wildlife viewing. Return to your lodge for dinner and your final night in Uganda’s national parks.

Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 15: Guided Nature Walk in Lake Mburo and Transfer to Entebbe

Begin your final safari morning with breakfast before joining a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park, accompanied by an armed ranger. Walking through the park offers a different perspective from a vehicle-based game drive and creates opportunities to observe zebras, giraffes, eland, topis and other wildlife at closer range, while learning about the local ecosystem. Wildlife sightings vary, as animals move freely through their natural habitat.

After the walk, return to the lodge for checkout and begin the transfer to Entebbe International Airport. Depending on road conditions, activity duration and your flight departure time, your guide will plan the journey to allow sufficient time for check-in. This marks the end of your 15-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee and Big Five Safari with Arcadia Safaris.

Destination: Entebbe International Airport
Accommodation Option: No (Unless on request)

• Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

PRICE INCLUDES

• Round Trip Airport Transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
• Private Transportation in 4×4 Safari Cars
• Meals Specified on a Full Board basis
• Accommodation with Ensuite Facilities
• Applicable Park Entrance and Activities Fees
• English Speaking Professional Driver-Guide
• Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees
• Chimpanzee Tracking Permit Fees
• All Hotel and Lodge Pickups and Drop-off
• All Applicable Taxes
• Bottled drinking water and Fruits while on safari
• Activities as stipulated in the Itinerary (except those stated as “optional”)

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
• International Flight Fares (unless requested)
• Country Entry Visa
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Telephone Charges
• Laundry Services
• Bar bills and all Alcoholic drinks
• Souvenirs, Gifts and Tips
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• All related medical tests and vaccinations

SAFARI COST: (Rates are Per Person)

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