Uganda · Safari

8-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari with Rhino Tracking and Lake Bunyonyi

8 Days Round trip from Uganda Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Track Southern white rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with experienced rangers
  • 02 Explore Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks through game drives and boat safaris
  • 03 Look out for the famous tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and cruise on scenic Lake Bunyonyi
  • 04 Enjoy a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park for close-range wildlife viewing
  • 05 Stop at the equator for a unique photo opportunity before returning to Entebbe

Explore Uganda's diverse wildlife and landscapes on this immersive 8-day safari, featuring game drives in Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Lake Mburo National Parks, a boat safari on the Victoria Nile, and rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Discover crater lakes and tea plantations near Kibale, walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, and look out for the famous tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. The journey also includes a scenic canoe or boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo, and an equator stop before departure.

Wake up early and have breakfast before heading for a morning sunrise game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may spot the famous tree-climbing lions resting in sycamore fig trees.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Kabale, Fort Portal, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Transfer to Murchison Falls and Rhino Tracking at Ziwa

  • Have breakfast and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, driving through the Luwero Triangle and Budongo Forest in the western arm of the Rift Valley while enjoying splendid countryside views.
  • Arrive at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, have lunch, and track Southern white rhinos on foot with experienced rangers while observing these endangered animals in their natural habitat.
  • Proceed for a game drive and expect to see several animals, with chances of spotting lions and leopards around Delta Point where the Nile flows north out of Lake Albert.
  • Check in to Fort Murchison Lodge or Red Chilli Hideaway Camp or Hornbill Bush Lodge for dinner and overnight stay after the afternoon game drive.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

2
Day 02

Morning Game Drive, Victoria Nile Boat Safari and Falls Hike

  • Have an early breakfast before sunrise and begin your morning game drive during the golden hours when wildlife is most active, with chances to spot elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and leopards.
  • Return to the lodge for lunch and later enjoy a three-hour boat safari upstream on the Victoria Nile towards the falls while observing crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, water birds and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
  • Disembark near the waterfall and hike for about one to one and a half hours to the top of the falls while enjoying scenic views.
  • Continue with a short sunset game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

3
Day 03

Top of Murchison Falls Walk and Transfer to Kibale

  • Enjoy your last sunrise and breakfast in the park followed by a walk to the top of Murchison Falls for about 30 minutes to one hour while witnessing the powerful Nile forced through a narrow gorge and creating a dramatic waterfall and rainbow spray.
  • Begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park via Fort Portal, enjoying scenic views of the Mountains of the Moon, tea plantations and beautiful landscapes with several stopovers along the way.
  • Arrive in Fort Portal for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing your journey.
  • In the afternoon, go for a guided Crater Lakes and Plantation Walk through picturesque landscapes featuring deep crater lakes, villages, tea plantations and waterfalls.
  • Check in to Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve and Community Campsite or Kibale Forest Camp or Kibale Forest Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

4
Day 04

Bigodi Wetland Walk and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth

  • After breakfast, go for a community swamp walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary where you will explore a rich ecosystem home to primates, bird species, butterflies, reptiles and diverse plant life including papyrus, fig trees and wild palms.
  • Return for lunch and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park while enjoying scenic landscapes along the way.
  • Arrive in the afternoon and proceed for an afternoon sunset game drive with opportunities to spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, bush pigs and various antelope species.
  • Check in to The Bush Lodge or Tembo Safari Lodge or Pumba Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight stay after the game drive.
  • Optional chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park is available at an additional cost.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

5
Day 05

Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

  • Set out early in the morning for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and explore its diverse landscapes of plains, forests, rivers and volcanic craters while spotting wildlife such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, topis and bushbucks.
  • Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation before continuing with afternoon activities.
  • Head to Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat safari where you will observe large numbers of hippos, elephants, buffaloes and various animals gathering along the shoreline, along with abundant birdlife.
  • Enjoy a short sunset game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

6
Day 06

Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Lake Bunyonyi

  • Wake up early and have breakfast before heading for a morning sunrise game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may spot the famous tree-climbing lions resting in sycamore fig trees.
  • After the game drive, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi while enjoying scenic views of the beautiful countryside along the way.
  • Arrive for lunch and later enjoy a canoe or boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, visiting several of its 29 islands including the floating island and the historic Punishment Island.
  • Check in to Itambira Island or Seeds of Hope Hotel or Bunyonyi Overland Resort for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

7
Day 07

Transfer to Lake Mburo and Afternoon Game Drive

  • After an early breakfast, depart from Lake Bunyonyi and drive to Lake Mburo National Park via Kabale Town while enjoying scenic countryside views along the journey.
  • Enter the park and observe herds of zebras, buffaloes, elands and various antelope species grazing across the savannah landscape.

  • Arrive in the afternoon, have lunch and proceed for an afternoon game drive with opportunities to spot zebras, buffaloes, impalas, warthogs, waterbucks and a variety of bird species including kingfishers, fish eagles, weavers, starlings, herons, pelicans and shoebills.

  • Check in to Hyena Hill Lodge or Eagles Nest Lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and drinking water included.

8
Day 08

Walking Safari, Equator Stop and Departure

  • Enjoy your final sunrise followed by a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park where you will observe zebras, giraffes, elands, topis, antelopes and Cape buffaloes at close range.
  • Continue the walk to higher viewpoints if time allows and take in panoramic views of Lake Mburo and the surrounding lakes within the park.
  • After the walking safari, begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe while enjoying scenic landscapes along the way.
  • Stop at the equator for a unique experience and photo opportunities before continuing to Entebbe International Airport for drop-off at least three hours before your departure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and drinking water included.

Murchison Falls, Victoria Nile boat safaris, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary rhino tracking, Lake Bunyonyi canoe rides

Where this trip takes you

Murchison Falls, Victoria Nile boat safaris, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary rhino tracking, Lake Bunyonyi canoe rides

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Uganda 10 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • All park entrance fees.
  • White rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Top of Murchison Falls walk at Murchison Falls National Park.
  • Morning, afternoon and sunset game drives at Murchison Falls National Park.
  • Boat safari on the Delta River/Albert Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park.
  • Guided nature walk at Amabere Caves, Nyakasura, Fort Portal Tourism City OR guided nature walk at Crater Lakes & Plantations.
  • Guided nature walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (KAFRED).
  • Morning, afternoon and sunset game drives at Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Boat safari on Kazinga Channel, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Boat/canoe ride on the beautiful scenic Lake Bunyonyi.
  • Morning, afternoon and sunset game drives at Lake Mburo National Park.
  • Walking safari at Lake Mburo National Park.
  • Equator experience and photo moments.
  • Park ranger.
  • All en-route meals.
  • Vehicle park entry fees.
  • All relevant government taxes.
  • Full-board accommodation and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Full-time English-speaking driver/guide.
  • Ground transportation by a fully fuelled 4x4 safari van or Land Cruiser vehicle.
  • Airport transfer.
  • Bottled drinking water on all days en-route.

What's Not Included

  • Chimpanzee tracking/trekking at Kibale National Park is optional at an additional fee of $250 per person, or at Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, or Kalinzu Forest Reserve at an additional fee of $150 per person.
  • Airfares (international air tickets and airport taxes).
  • Visa fees.
  • Personal insurance.
  • Expenses of a personal nature such as drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages), tips, laundry, telephone, accommodation and meals not indicated in the itinerary, and optional activities.
  • Accommodation on your first night before the safari starts and the last night after the safari in Uganda.
  • Any other items which are not included in the above itinerary.

What to bring

  • If this is your first time in Uganda or your first time on a safari, this packing list below can help you be well prepared and comfortable during your safari. If you do forget a few things, don't worry - you can buy them in the city here before you start your safari.
  • Remember, it's not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours - khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
  • Rain poncho (lightweight).
  • Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm.
  • Long-sleeved shirts (lightweight).
  • Shorts.
  • Long trousers.
  • Underwear.
  • Socks.
  • Sleepwear.
  • Travel towel.
  • Waterproof trousers.
  • Sturdy hiking boots or sandals.
  • Sun hat.
  • Sunglasses.
  • T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change).
  • Thermal underwear, gloves and a warm hat (during May - Sept).
  • Rain coat and rain trousers (during the rainy season Mar - May and Oct - Dec).
  • Travel documents.
  • Valid passport.
  • Yellow fever vaccination records/certificate.
  • Uganda visa.
  • Copy of flight itinerary.
  • Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.
  • Personal medical/dental insurance cards.
  • Credit card (Visa and Mastercards are most widely accepted).
  • Cash in U.S. dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2009 or later).
  • Cameras and memory cards.
  • Binoculars.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Hand sanitisers and wet wipes.
  • Insect repellent and any necessary medications must be brought by you either from your hometown or Kampala.
  • Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops, etc.).
  • Malaria tablets.
  • Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines.
  • Flashlight or headlamp.
  • Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone, etc.
  • Power adapter to fit the UK-style electrical socket.
  • Porters are available to hire if needed when going for Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzee tracking.
  • Walking sticks will also be provided when going for Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees for those who may need them.

Know before you go

  • Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag. These are ideal for packing into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into vehicles.
  • Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication, etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
  • Keep luxury items such as hair dryers or straighteners, expensive jewellery, makeup, and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
  • If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet, and money belt, just in case something happens to one of those carried items.
  • Leave some space in your luggage for all the important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL, etc.; however, this can sometimes be an expensive option.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Entebbe International Airport, Kampala Road, Entebbe, Uganda
Tour start
Uganda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Uganda.

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Starting from

USD 1,670 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,670.00 — $3,215.00
Double Sharing $1,670.00 — $2,200.00

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