10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari: Ultimate Gorilla Trekking and Big Five Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari with Gorilla Nests Safaris, where the Pearl of Africa’s untamed wilderness unfolds in a symphony of roaring falls, mist-shrouded forests, and savanna spectacles.

This meticulously crafted itinerary blends heart-pounding gorilla trekking in Uganda with thrilling chimpanzee tracking adventures, immersive Big Five safari encounters, and serene boat cruises, all while championing ethical tourism and community upliftment.

Designed for nature enthusiasts seeking luxury amid conservation, our tour traverses Uganda’s iconic western circuit: from the explosive Murchison Falls to the primate paradises of Kibale and Bwindi, and the biodiverse Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Over 10 immersive days, you’ll track endangered mountain gorillas in the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, spot tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, and witness hippo pods on the Kazinga Channel. Expect over 500 bird species, cultural village walks, and optional white-water rafting on the Nile for adrenaline junkies.

With seamless transfers in air-conditioned 4×4 vehicles, stays at eco-luxury lodges, and all-inclusive meals, this African safari tour prioritizes comfort without compromising authenticity.

Priced from $4,500 per person (excluding international flights), it supports local rangers and Batwa communities, ensuring your journey leaves a positive footprint.

Why Uganda? Home to half the world’s mountain gorillas, this biodiversity hotspot offers unparalleled primate encounters alongside classic Big Five safari thrills—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—all in one compact itinerary.

Travel in the dry season (June-October or December-March) for optimal wildlife viewing, though our expert guides adapt to any weather.

This isn’t just a trip; it’s a transformative odyssey into Africa’s soul, where every rustle in the undergrowth whispers stories of survival and splendor.

Brief Itinerary of the 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari

• Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Kampala Welcome
  Airport pickup, city tour, and briefing. Overnight: Kampala Serena Hotel (Luxury).
• Day 2-3: Murchison Falls National Park – Game Drives & Boat Safari
  Transfer north; afternoon game drive spotting elephants and giraffes. Day 3: Hike to the falls’ top, Nile boat cruise to the Delta. Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge.
• Day 4: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Rhino Tracking
  En route south, track rhinos on foot. Continue to Kibale. Overnight: Kibale Forest Camp.
• Day 5: Kibale Forest – Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk
  Morning chimp habituation, afternoon community village tour. Overnight: Kibale Forest Camp.
• Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP – Evening Game Drive
  Scenic drive; spot savanna wildlife at dusk. Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
• Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Highlights – Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Lion Tracking
  Morning game drive for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha; afternoon boat safari with hippos and crocs. Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
• Day 8: Journey to Bwindi – Community Walk
  Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha; evening Batwa cultural experience. Overnight: Buhoma Lodge.
• Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking
  Full-day trek to meet mountain gorilla families. Evening relaxation. Overnight: Buhoma Lodge.
• Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi Relaxation & Return to Entebbe
  Morning boat tour on the lake; transfer to airport for departure.

This Uganda gorilla trekking package guarantees 95% sighting success for primates, with flexible pacing for all fitness levels. Total distance: ~1,200 km, blending road adventures with wildlife immersion.

Detailed Itinerary of the 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe 

As the sun dips low over Lake Victoria, your flight touches down at Entebbe International Airport, the shimmering gateway to one of Africa’s most biodiverse nations.

Our Gorilla Nests Safaris guide, clad in a crisp khaki shirt and armed with an infectious smile, awaits you at arrivals with a sign bearing your name.

The air hums with the scent of frangipani and distant rain—welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, where 10 days of unparalleled wildlife safaris in Uganda await.

The 45-minute transfer to Kampala snakes through lush suburbs dotted with flame trees and bustling markets hawking fresh matooke.

Uganda isn’t just a destination; it’s a living tapestry of 56 ethnic groups, volcanic craters, and rainforests teeming with life.

Check into the opulent Kampala Serena Hotel, a five-star oasis blending Swahili architecture with modern luxury. Your suite overlooks the city’s skyline, where minarets pierce the dusk.

After a welcome dinner of tilapia grilled with Nile perch spices and ugali (maize porridge), Samuel briefs you on the itinerary.

Over chilled Nile Special beer, discuss customizations: perhaps adding a shoebill stork hunt in Mabamba Swamp or a coffee plantation tour to trace Uganda’s export legacy.

As night falls, the city pulses with boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) horns and laughter from street-side chapati vendors. Lie in bed listening to the equatorial chorus—crickets, distant hyrax calls—and feel the anticipation build.

Tomorrow, the real adventure ignites. This arrival day sets the tone for your Uganda safari itineraries: seamless logistics, cultural immersion, and a promise of wonders beyond imagination.

Overnight at Kampala Serena Hotel. Meals: Dinner.

Day 2: Road to Murchison Falls – Savanna Spectacles Unfold

Dawn breaks with a golden haze over Kampala’s rooftops. After a buffet breakfast of tropical fruits, Rolex (chapati-egg wraps—a local street food icon), and strong Uganda coffee, you hit the road at 7 AM in our custom Toyota Land Cruiser.

The 300-km drive north to Murchison Falls National Park—Uganda’s largest protected area—unfurls like a National Geographic reel.

Highways give way to red-dirt tracks flanked by papyrus swamps and villages where children wave from thatched homesteads.

Stop at the equator line for the classic photo op: one foot in the Northern Hemisphere, the other in the Southern, balancing a raw egg on a nail to defy gravity (a fun physics demo courtesy of local entrepreneurs).

Samuel explains how this invisible divide influences Uganda’s microclimates, fueling its status as a best time for Uganda safaris year-round.

By midday, enter Murchison’s 3,840 sq km expanse, a UNESCO tentative site where the Nile River carves through savanna. Your first Uganda game drives begins: an afternoon loop through the Buligi sector.

Dust clouds part to reveal African elephant herds—matriarchs with calves in tow, their tusks glinting like ivory sabers.

Giraffes nibble acacia pods with languid grace, while Uganda kob (antelopes with chocolate-brown coats) freeze in alarm at your approach.

Birders rejoice: over 450 species here, from the shoebill’s prehistoric stare to carmine bee-eaters darting like rubies. Spot a leopard draped over a sausage tree branch, its spots a camouflage masterpiece—your first Big Five Uganda tick.

As sunset paints the sky crimson, return to Paraa Safari Lodge, perched on the Nile’s bend. Dinner under stars: roasted goat nyama choma, fresh salads, and stories from Samuel about poaching battles won through ranger patrols.

This day encapsulates the thrill of Murchison Falls National Park: raw power meets intimate encounters, priming you for deeper dives. (312 words)

Day 3: Murchison’s Roar – Falls Hike and Nile Delta Cruise

Rise before the sun kisses the savanna. A 6 AM game drive in the Delta sector yields lion prides at a waterhole, their manes tousled by dawn breeze—prime Big Five safari drama.

Buffaloes wallow in mud, crocs lurk like submerged logs, and hippos yawn cavernous maws, their grunts echoing like thunder.

Post-breakfast, trek the 1.5-km trail to the Murchison Falls summit. The path winds through vine-draped forests, past monkeys chattering like gossiping elders. At the top, the Nile funnels through a 7-meter gorge, exploding in a 43-meter cascade that shakes the earth.

Mist rises like dragon’s breath, rainbows arc in the spray—a sensory assault that inspired Winston Churchill to call it “the most powerful waterfall in the world.” Feel the vibration in your bones; this is Uganda’s untamed heart.

Afternoon: Board a motorized canoe for the Murchison Falls boat cruise to the Delta. The Victoria Nile’s turquoise waters teem with life—400 Nile crocs, hippo pods numbering 50 strong, and waterbucks grazing shallows.

Eagles plunge for fish, kingfishers flash azure. Disembark at the papyrus-fringed Delta for a picnic amid bird calls. Samuel points out the rare sitatunga antelope, half-submerged phantoms.

Back at Paraa Safari Lodge, unwind with a sundowner gin-and-tonic overlooking the river. Dinner features lake victoria tilapia, grilled to flaky perfection.

As hyenas whoop in the distance, reflect on this Nile River safaris pinnacle: where water shapes wildlife destinies, mirroring your own journey’s flow.

Overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge. Meals: All.

Day 4: Rhino Revival – Ziwa Sanctuary and Kibale 

Bid Murchison adieu after breakfast, tracing the escarpment south. The 250-km route dips through Hoima’s tea plantations, where emerald hills roll like ocean waves. Mid-morning halt at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda’s rhino reintroduction success story. Since 2005, 20+ white rhinos roam this 70-sq-km haven, guarded by armed rangers against poachers.

Join a 2-hour guided rhino tracking Uganda walk—boots squelching in red soil, binoculars scanning thorn scrub. Spot a bull rhino grazing, its armored hide scarred from territorial scraps; calves nurse under mom’s vigilant eye.

Learn from your ranger about horn myths debunked and anti-poaching tech like GPS collars. This intimate encounter completes your Big Five Uganda quest, a testament to conservation’s triumphs.

Lunch at a lakeside café: peanut-sauced chicken and posho (maize meal). Resume the drive to Kibale Forest National Park, arriving by dusk.

The air thickens with orchid scents as you enter “Africa’s Primate Capital.” Check into Kibale Forest Camp, tented suites with verandas overlooking monkey troops.

Evening: A fireside briefing on tomorrow’s Uganda primate safaris. Dinner of forest mushroom stew and cassava leaves sets a cozy tone. Ziwa’s rhinos linger in mind—symbols of resilience, urging you onward to Kibale’s chimp symphony.

Day 5: Kibale’s Chimps – Trekking and Cultural Connections

An electric 6:30 AM start: breakfast of passionfruit yogurt and avocado toast fuels the hike. At Kanyanchu Visitor Center, rangers brief on chimp etiquette—no flash photos, maintain 8-meter distance. Enter Kibale Forest National Park, a 795-sq-km rainforest mosaic of 351 tree species and 13 primate kinds.

The chimpanzee tracking Uganda trail meanders through buttressed figs and lianas. After 45 minutes, hoots erupt—a 40-strong troop swings overhead, pant-grunts signaling hierarchy. Watch silverbacks knuckle-walk, mothers cradle infants, adolescents play-fight with sticks.

One bold juvenile stares back, eyes mirroring your awe. Spend an hour in their world: forging, feeding on figs, a raw glimpse into our shared evolutionary tree.

Return exhilarated for lunch at camp. Afternoon: Bigodi Wetland Walk, a 2-hour guided stroll through papyrus marshes. Spot red colobus monkeys leaping, otters splashing, and 200+ birds like the African grey parrot.

Transition to a community tours Uganda in Bigodi village: meet the Bakiga people, sip banana gin, learn basket-weaving from elders. Witness how tourism funds schools and clinics, embodying Gorilla Nests’ ethos.

Sunset gin at camp, dinner of matoke stew. Kibale’s chorus lulls you—chimps’ legacy etched in your soul.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth En Route – Savanna Sunset Drive 

Post-breakfast, the 150-km transfer south to Queen Elizabeth National Park rewards with volcanic vistas—the Rwenzori Mountains’ snow-capped sentinels on the horizon. Uganda’s second-largest park (1,978 sq km) fuses savanna, lakes, and craters into a 600-bird, 95-mammal paradise.

Arrive by noon; lunch at Kyambura Gorge Lodge, treehouses cantilevered over fig canopies. Afternoon Uganda game drives in the Kasenyi plains: herds of elephants trumpet across grasslands, buffaloes form defensive circles. Lions laze under fever trees, cubs tumbling in mock hunts—your Big Five safari intensifies.

Venture to the Ishasha Sector for a teaser: scan fever trees for tree-climbing lions, a rare quirk unique to this 200-sq-km enclave.

Spot a pride lounging 20 feet up, tails flicking like metronomes. As dusk falls, golden light bathes acacias; hyraxes scamper, jackals yip.

Dinner at lodge: impala steak, starlit. Queen Elizabeth whispers promises of tomorrow’s aquatic ballet.

Day 7: Kazinga Channel Majesty – Boat Cruise and Lion Quest 

Dawn game drive in Ishasha: coffee in hand, track lion prides. Females stalk kob herds, a stealthy symphony of survival. Breakfast back at lodge.

Mid-morning: Transfer 30 km to Mweya for the Kazinga Channel boat cruise, a 33-km waterway linking Lakes George and Edward. Board the launch; 100+ hippos surface like submarines, their pink hides steaming.

Crocs ambush fish, elephants wade trunk-high, buffaloes quench thirst. Birds dominate: fish eagles snatch tilapia mid-air, pelicans glide in V-formations.

Afternoon: Return to Ishasha for dedicated tree climbing lions Uganda spotting. Climb a viewing platform; binoculars reveal maned monarchs ascending like leopards, a genetic anomaly from inbreeding. Evening drive yields leopards in thickets.

Lodge dinner: crocodile tail curry, innovative twist. The channel’s echoes—splashes, bellows—reverberate, deepening your Queen Elizabeth safaris bond.

Day 8: To Bwindi’s Embrace – Ishasha Lions and Batwa Heritage 

Early breakfast; 100-km winding drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, skirting Lake Edward’s hippo haunts. Pause in Ishasha for final lion scans—success: a coalition scales a eucalyptus, photo gold.

Arrive Buhoma sector by lunch. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a 331-sq-km UNESCO site, harbors 459 mountain gorillas—half the global population—in tangled montane jungle. Check into Buhoma Lodge, balconies framing misty ridges.

Afternoon: Batwa community walk, a 2-hour cultural safari with Pygmy descendants evicted in 1991 for conservation. Trail through forests where ancestors hunted; learn honey-harvesting with flaming torches, arrow-making from bamboo.

Hear laments turned triumphs—tourism now sustains their crafts. End with throat-singing around a fire, sharing waragi (banana liquor).

Dinner: gorilla-shaped plantain chips amuse. Bwindi’s fog-shrouded peaks call, priming for primates. (182 words)

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Triumph – Intimate Primate Encounter 

The pinnacle: 7 AM briefing at park HQ. Permits in hand (booked months ahead), join rangers—armed with rifles against buffalo.

The gorilla trekking Uganda begins: 2-7 hours uphill through elephant grass, stinging nettles, and mud-slick roots. Porters carry packs for $15; walking sticks steady your climb.

Then, a silverback’s chest-beat thunders. Crouch silently; enter the clearing. A family of 15: silverback patrols, blackbacks wrestle, mothers nurse chestnut infants. Gorillas munch 30 kg of foliage daily, grunts and purrs their language. A juvenile charges playfully—pure joy.

One hour flies: observe grooming rituals, a female’s gentle forage. Eyes lock with the silverback’s soulful gaze; humanity’s mirror in fur.

Descend euphoric, certificates awarded. Lodge lunch, then spa massage. Evening bonfire tales. This mountain gorilla safaris moment—ethical, profound—redefines connection, funding habituation that saves species. (198 words)

Day 10: Bunyonyi Bliss – Lakeside Farewell and Departure

Gentle morning: Transfer 2 hours to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second-deepest crater lake (900m), ringed by terraced hills. No bilharzia here—safe for swims. Board a dugout canoe for a Lake Bunyonyi boat tour: paddle past 29 islands, spot otters and pied kingfishers. Legends whisper of Bunyonyi (“many little birds”) as a healing sanctuary.

Breakfast picnic: fresh tilapia, mangoes. Reflect on highlights—falls’ roar, chimps’ swing, gorillas’ gaze. Samuel shares contacts for future African safari tours.

By noon, 5-hour drive to Entebbe. Airport drop-off with souvenirs: Batwa baskets, chimp sketches. As your plane climbs, Uganda’s green expanse fades, but memories endure.

Meals: Breakfast.

End of the 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari!

Tour Inclusions of the 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari

Our package is designed for immersion and comfort, covering:

• Gorilla and Chimp Permits
• Accommodation: 9 nights in eco-lodges .
• Meals: All full-board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• All listed Activities:
• Park Fees and Entry: All national park entrances, ranger fees, and community levies.
• Entebbe Airport Transfers: Round-trip
• Support Services

Tour Exclusions 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari

To keep pricing transparent, the following are not included:

• International Flights
• Visas: Uganda e-Visa ($50/person; apply online).
• Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, extra drinks, or optional activities like white-water rafting or spa treatments.
• Tips/Gratuities: Guide ($15–20/day), porters/rangers ($10–15/trek), drivers ($10/day)—total
• Travel Insurance: Mandatory for medical/evacuation
• Alcoholic Beverages: Beyond sundowners; available at lodges (~$5/drink).
• Vaccinations/Medications: Yellow fever certificate required; malaria prophylaxis advised.

Physical Preparation: How Fit Should You Be? 

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is moderately demanding—expect 2–7 hours of hiking on steep, muddy trails at 1,100–2,500m altitude, with uneven terrain, vines, and possible rain.

A moderate fitness level suffices: able to walk 5–10 km briskly with inclines, without chronic issues (consult a doctor if heart/lung conditions apply).

Prep Tips (Start 4–6 Weeks Ahead):

• Cardio: 30–45 min brisk walks/jogs 4x/week; add hills/stairs for stamina.
• Strength: Squats, lunges, core work (planks) 3x/week to build leg/ankle stability.
• Endurance: Weekend hikes (3–5 hours) with a 10–15 kg pack.
• Acclimatize: If flying in, rest Day 1; altitude thins air, so hydrate (3L/day).
• Health Checks: Yellow fever vaccine; malaria pills; no trekking under 15 or if pregnant.

With porters for bags, even beginners succeed—focus on steady pacing. Chimp/game drives are easier, but overall, this builds resilience for transformative encounters.

Recommended Travel Gear

Pack light (15–20 kg suitcase + daypack) for dusty roads and forest humidity. Neutral colors (khaki/green) blend in; avoid brights/camouflage.

Category	Essentials	Why?
Footwear	Waterproof hiking boots/gaiters; lightweight trail shoes for drives; socks (2–3 pairs, moisture-wicking).	Muddy slopes, thorns, ants; boots prevent slips.
Clothing	Long-sleeve shirts/pants (quick-dry); fleece/sweater; rain jacket/poncho; hat; buff/scarf. 2–3 outfits total.	Insect/scratch protection; layers for 7–25°C chills.
Accessories	Daypack (20–30L, waterproof); walking poles; gloves (gardening-style); binoculars; headlamp.	Carry snacks/water; poles aid balance; gloves for nettles.
Health/Tech	Sunscreen/insect repellent; reusable water bottle; power bank; camera (no flash); first-aid (blister kits, painkillers).	UV/malaria prevention; charge devices; ethical photos.
Other	Snacks (energy bars); passport copies; cash (USD/UGX for tips).	Fuel for treks; backups for rural areas.

Launder at lodges; we’ll provide laundry bags.

Best Time to Embark 

June–October or December–February for dry trails, clearer views, and peak wildlife (e.g., Murchison elephants at waterholes). June–September is prime for Queen Elizabeth game drives; avoid March–May rains (muddy Bwindi, closed roads). 2025 forecasts mild weather—book now for shoulder-season savings (fewer crowds, same magic).

How Fast Should You Secure Permits? 

Act now—book 6–12 months ahead for peak dates, as only 8 spots/family/day (96 total in Uganda). Permits open monthly; we secure via UWA at no extra cost. Reschedule 2+ weeks prior if needed.

For September 2025 onward, slots fill fast post-Rwanda’s price hike—delay risks disappointment. Email us today for availability.

Among Others: Additional Tips for Success

• Visas/Health: e-Visa online; yellow fever proof mandatory. Get comprehensive insurance covering evacuations (~$2,500 via flying doctors).
• Sustainability: Follow “leave no trace”—no plastics in parks; we offset carbon via tree-planting.
• Customizations: Add golden monkey tracking ($100) or hot-air balloon over Queen Elizabeth ($450). Solo? We pair ethically.
• Currency/Safety: USD accepted; Uganda’s stable (Level 1 US advisory). Use lodge safes; guides ensure 24/7 security.

Join Gorilla Nests Safaris – Your Call to the Wild 

Imagine this: the silverback’s knowing glance, the Nile’s thunderous applause, a chimp’s acrobatic leap—moments that don’t just fill photo albums but reshape your worldview.

In a world of fleeting distractions, a 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari with Gorilla Nests Safaris is your antidote: raw, real, restorative.

We’ve woven luxury—plush lodges, gourmet fusion cuisine—with purpose, channeling 10% of fees to anti-poaching and community grants.

No cookie-cutter tours here; our bespoke touch ensures your best Uganda gorilla tours align with your spirit, whether adrenaline-fueled or serenely observational.

Don’t let desk-bound days dim your fire. Book your Uganda wildlife safari now—spots for 2026 fill fast amid rising gorilla permit demand.

With 5-star Google ratings and alumni raving about “life-altering magic,” we’re not sellers; we’re summoners of Africa’s soul.

Step into the mist with us; emerge forever changed. Contact us today—your transformative primate experience awaits. Let’s trek together.