Tour overview
embark on 15 Days Uganda Safari to experience the best of Uganda without the extreme drives of the 18-day route. This balanced circuit covers Ziwa rhinos, Murchison Falls (two nights), Kibale chimps, Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi, Kazinga and Ishasha), Bwindi gorillas, Lake Bunyonyi, Mgahinga golden monkeys, and a finale at Lake Mburo — the perfect first Uganda safari for travellers with two weeks.
Buffer days at Bunyonyi and Mburo prevent the end-of-trip fatigue common on compressed gorilla itineraries.
Places you visit
Key stops along this itinerary — customise dates and lodges when you enquire.
- Entebbe (Start, End)
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Entebbe — welcome to your best-of Uganda safari
Meet-and-greet at Entebbe International Airport or your Kampala hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing on the 15-day balanced circuit — Ziwa, Murchison, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi, Kazinga, Ishasha), Bwindi gorillas, Lake Bunyonyi buffer days, Mgahinga golden monkeys and Lake Mburo finale.
Transfer to a lakeside hotel. Your guide confirms gorilla, chimp and golden-monkey permit allocations secured at booking.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Entebbe hotel
Day 1 | AccommodationZiwa rhino tracking — transfer to Murchison Falls
Early departure north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for on-foot rhino tracking (1.5–2 hours with armed rangers). Continue to Murchison Falls National Park and the top of the falls viewpoint.
Check in at Paraa for two nights — allowing a full wildlife day tomorrow without packing.
Drive time: 5–6 hours total
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Ziwa rhino tracking on foot
Walk among southern white rhinos before entering Murchison — the perfect northern-circuit opener for a first Uganda safari.Day 2 | AccommodationMurchison Falls — game drive & Nile boat cruise
Dawn Buligi game drive on the northern bank — Rothschild’s giraffe, elephant, buffalo and lion possible. Afternoon Nile launch cruise to the falls base among hippos and crocodiles.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls
Afternoon launch on the Victoria Nile — classic Uganda boat safari with elephant, hippos and crocodiles at close range.Murchison to Kibale Forest — western transfer
After breakfast, drive west to Kibale National Park (approx. 6–7 hours) via Masindi, Hoima and Fort Portal. The landscape shifts from Nile savannah to tea plantations and volcanic crater lakes as you approach the Albertine Rift — your guide points out the Rwenzori foothills on clear days.
Stop for lunch in Fort Portal, then continue to your forest lodge near Kanyanchu. Evening at leisure before tomorrow’s chimp trek; optional nocturnal walk near the lodge if offered by your accommodation.
Drive time: 6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 | AccommodationChimpanzee trekking in Kibale & crater-lake tour
Morning chimp trek at Kanyanchu (2–4 hours typical, one hour with the group). Afternoon crater-lake tour near Fort Portal — viewpoints over Ndali and Kasenda crater chain with optional tea-factory stop.
Trek duration: 2–4 hours typical
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale
Track habituated chimps through Kibale’s rainforest — Uganda’s premier chimp destination and a highlight of the best-of circuit.Kibale to Queen Elizabeth — Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Morning transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (2–3 hours). Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat safari among hippos, elephant and buffalo on the banks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Kazinga Channel boat safari
Two-hour cruise linking Lakes George and Edward — dense hippo pods and outstanding Rift Valley birding.Day 6 | AccommodationKasenyi Plains — dawn predator game drive
Pre-dawn game drive on the Kasenyi Plains — Queen Elizabeth’s prime lion territory. Uganda kob herds attract predators at first light; leopard, hyena and elephant are regular. Return for breakfast and midday rest.
Afternoon optional crater-lake drive or relax at lodge before tomorrow’s Ishasha transfer.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Kasenyi Plains game drive
Dawn predator drive on open savannah — lion stalking Uganda kob with the Rwenzori range as backdrop on clear mornings.Ishasha — full day tree-climbing lion search
Full day in the Ishasha sector scanning fig trees for tree-climbing lions — behaviour seen in only two places in Africa. Elephant bulls along the Ntungwe River and buffalo herds in the riverine forest are regular bonuses.
Overnight Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Enjojo Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Ishasha tree-climbing lion search
Dedicated full day in Ishasha — fig-tree lions, riverine elephant and the southern gateway toward Bwindi.Day 8 | AccommodationIshasha to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Morning optional final Ishasha drive scanning fig trees for lions still resting on branches. Scenic transfer into the Kigezi highlands toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (3–4 hours) — terraced hillsides, tea plots and misty forest ridges signal your arrival in gorilla country.
Check in at sector-matched lodge (Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija or Nkuringo per your permit). Buffer day before the trek: evening briefing on gorilla etiquette, pack waterproof boots, gardening gloves and arrange porter hire for tomorrow.
Drive time: 3–4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9 | AccommodationMountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Early breakfast and transfer to park headquarters. Full morning gorilla trek with UWA rangers (2–8 hours). One hour with the habituated family, certificate on return, afternoon rest at lodge.
Trek duration: 2–8 hours round trip
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Mountain gorilla trekking
One hour with mountain gorillas in Bwindi — the centrepiece of the best-of Uganda safari; porters recommended on steep trails.Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi — relaxation begins
Short transfer to Lake Bunyonyi (1–2 hours) — 29 islands, terraced hillsides and cool highland air without malaria-risk mosquitoes. First of two nights at the lake deliberately buffers gorilla fatigue before Mgahinga and Mburo.
Afternoon optional dugout canoe, Batwa community visit or simply rest on your cottage veranda overlooking the water. Bunyonyi is Uganda’s deepest lake and a classic post-trek recovery stop.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 11 | AccommodationLake Bunyonyi — leisure day
Full leisure day at Bunyonyi. Optional zip-line, birding walk, island-hopping by dugout canoe, or Batwa community visit. Cool highland air and terraced hillsides — ideal recovery after gorilla trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Lake Bunyonyi dugout canoe
Optional island-hopping by dugout on Uganda’s deepest lake — deliberate rest day built into the best-of itinerary.Bunyonyi to Mgahinga — golden monkey trekking
Morning transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (1–2 hours). Afternoon golden monkey trek through bamboo forest — lively, photogenic primates endemic to the Virunga volcanoes.
Overnight Mount Gahinga Lodge or Kisoro area.
Trek duration: 2–4 hours typical
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga
Track golden monkeys in bamboo forest at the base of the Virunga volcanoes — lighter primate encounter after Bwindi gorillas.Day 13 | AccommodationMgahinga to Lake Mburo — afternoon game drive
Drive north to Lake Mburo National Park (4–5 hours) via Mbarara. Uganda’s smallest savannah park is the only one with impala — afternoon game drive across acacia woodland for zebra, eland, topi and Rothschild’s giraffe.
The open terrain makes Mburo rewarding for photography on short drives; leopards are shy but present on night drives (optional supplement). Check in at Mihingo Lodge, Rwakobo Rock or equivalent for your penultimate night.
Drive time: 4–5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Safari activity | Lake Mburo afternoon game drive
Penultimate wildlife drive in Mburo’s open plains — zebra, impala and giraffe in compact terrain ideal for photography before tomorrow’s boat cruise finale.Day 14 | AccommodationLake Mburo boat cruise — return to Entebbe
Morning boat cruise on Lake Mburo for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds, then return to Entebbe (3–4 hours) via Equator stop at Kayabwe for photos and lunch. Airport drop-off for evening flights.
Drive time: 3–4 hours after boat cruise
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Safari activity | Lake Mburo boat cruise
Final morning launch on Lake Mburo — hippos and fish eagles before the Equator stop and Entebbe departure.What's included
- Gorilla and chimp permits, golden monkey permit
- Ziwa rhino tracking
- All park fees, game drives and boat cruises
- 14 nights accommodation, 4×4, guide
- Meals as indicated
What's not included
- Bunyonyi zip-line and canoe extras
- Flights, visa, insurance, tips
Accommodation & comfort level
Entebbe hotel, Paraa Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge or Primate Lodge, QE bush camps, Bwindi sector lodge, Birdnest Bunyonyi, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mihingo Lodge.
Request Pricing & booking information
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