7-Day Uganda Gorilla Safari with Chimp Trekking and Murchison Falls

We will pick you up on arrival, either from your hotel or from the airport. Your driver-guide for the tour will be an English-speaking professional, and from there you will begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park are the thunderous rapids of Murchison Falls and the wide open plains of Uganda's largest national park. Along the way and in the park, you may spot lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, elephants, and other wildlife.

There will be a lunch break during the journey. If time allows, you can also enjoy a late afternoon to evening game drive in the park.

Note: If you are staying at the hotel or if you leave the airport early, you can make a slight detour to visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and spend an hour tracking rhinos. This visit is optional and costs an additional $50 per person. If you prefer not to do it, we will continue directly to Murchison.

After breakfast, set out on a morning game drive through the wide plains of Uganda's largest national park. Keep your eyes open for wildlife such as lions and leopards, although leopards can be difficult to spot. Birdwatchers will also enjoy the many different bird species that can be seen during the drive.

Return to your accommodation to relax and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, head out on a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls. During the cruise, you will see more wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.

If you wish, you can hike to the top of the falls at an extra cost. The hike can be challenging, but the feeling of reaching the summit is unforgettable. Afterwards, return to your accommodation and relax.

Wake up early and drive to Budongo Forest Reserve, about 1 hour and 15 minutes away. You will arrive in time for the 8:00 am briefing. After the meeting, head into the forest to search for one of humanity's closest relatives in its natural habitat.

Enjoy a guided walk through the beautiful tropical forest as you look for a habituated group of chimpanzees. Along the way, your guide will share information about the animals and plants you encounter during the trek.

After the hike, relax and have lunch at Budongo Eco Lodge. Later, continue on a short drive to Hoima City, where you will spend the night at your pre-booked accommodation.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation before driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch, take a short rest, and then head out for an evening game drive.

During the drive, watch for wildlife such as reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthogs, elephants, lions, and buffaloes, among others. Alternatively, you may choose the scenic crater drive through the park's explosion craters. This route offers a wonderful chance to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and striking scenery in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You may also see wildlife along this drive, with Cape buffaloes and elephants being among the most commonly seen animals. Afterwards, return to your accommodation to relax, have dinner, and stay overnight.

Wake up early and go for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. Keep watch for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards, although leopards can be difficult to spot.

Return to the lodge and check out, then continue to the Ishasha sector in search of the famous tree-climbing lions. You have a good chance of seeing them, around 70%, although they can sometimes be hard to find, especially when they are down in the grasslands hunting for food. If you do spot them, it is a beautiful sight and one you are likely to remember for a long time.

After leaving Ishasha, continue to your accommodation near Bwindi National Park in the Ruhija sector. Arrival is expected in the evening, at around 6:00 pm.

After breakfast, go to the ranger station for an important briefing on the dos and don'ts of gorilla trekking. Afterwards, enter Bwindi Forest for this exciting experience.

This rainforest is truly beautiful, with steep and densely forested terrain crossed by many animal trails used during the trek. The duration of the trek and the type of terrain covered will vary depending on where the gorillas have moved that day.

Once you find a gorilla family, you will spend one hour with them. Watching these gentle giants, which are sadly endangered, is an unforgettable and thrilling experience.

After the trek, return to your accommodation, check out, and continue to Lake Mburo National Park for your overnight stay.

Enjoy breakfast and then head out for a morning walk in Lake Mburo National Park. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. During this guided walk, you may see zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, other antelope species, and Cape buffaloes at close range.

Follow the trail to the highest point of the hills for views over Lake Mburo and beyond. From here, you can see 9 of the 12 lakes that surround Lake Mburo National Park.

Afterwards, return to your accommodation, check out, and begin the journey back to Entebbe.