11 Days Best of Uganda Safari

Tour overview

The definitive 11 days best of Uganda safari covers every headline experience in a single clockwise circuit: Ziwa rhinos, Murchison Falls, Kibale chimps, Queen Elizabeth (Kasenyi and Kazinga), Bwindi gorillas, and recovery days on Lake Bunyonyi. This is the itinerary most repeat visitors wish they had booked the first time. Driving is substantial but logical — north to west to southwest — with no backtracking between major parks. Fly-in options for the Bwindi leg can shorten Day 9 if needed.

Places you visit

Key stops along this itinerary — customise dates and lodges when you enquire.

Entebbe (Start)

Murchison Falls National Park

Kibale National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Lake Bunyonyi

Entebbe (End)

Day-by-day itinerary

Arrive Entebbe — welcome briefing

Your safari begins with a meet-and-greet at Entebbe International Airport or your Kampala hotel. After a short briefing on the clockwise route ahead — north to west to southwest — transfer to a lakeside hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Depending on arrival time, you may stroll the Entebbe botanical gardens for colobus monkeys and hornbills, or simply unwind by the pool. Your guide confirms permit documents and tomorrow’s early departure for Ziwa and Murchison. Meals: Dinner Accommodation: Entebbe or Kampala hotel

Day 1 | Accommodation

Options based on your package

Luxury: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, No.5 Boutique Hotel
Mid-range: Boma Guesthouse, Lake Victoria Serena
Budget: Airport Guesthouse, Entebbe Backpackers

Ziwa rhino tracking — transfer to Murchison Falls

Depart early north on the Gulu highway to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch in Nakasongola (approx. 3 hours from Kampala). On foot with armed rangers, track southern white rhinos to within safe viewing distance.

Safari activity | Ziwa rhino tracking on foot

Walk with armed rangers to within safe viewing distance of southern white rhinos — Uganda’s only wild rhino experience before entering Murchison Falls National Park.

After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit the top of the falls viewpoint where the Nile squeezes through a 7-metre gorge. Check in at your Paraa-area lodge. Drive time: Approx. 5–6 hours total Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 2 | Accommodation

Options based on your package

Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge, Bakers Lodge
Mid-range: Paraa Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison
Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Heritage Safari Lodge

Murchison Falls — game drive & Nile boat cruise

Pre-dawn tea, then a morning game drive on the northern bank Buligi circuit — Rothschild’s giraffe, elephant herds, buffalo and Uganda kob are common; lion and leopard are possible at first light.

Safari activity | Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls

Afternoon launch on the Victoria Nile toward the base of the falls — hippos, crocodiles, elephant at the water’s edge, and classic birdlife along the papyrus banks.

After lunch, board the afternoon launch cruise on the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. Hippos yawning at close range and Nile crocodiles on the banks make this one of Uganda’s classic boat safaris. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 2

Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest

After breakfast, begin the long drive southwest (approx. 6–7 hours) through Masindi, Hoima and Fort Portal. The landscape shifts from northern savannah to tea plantations and crater lakes as you approach the Albertine Rift. Stop for lunch en route — often in Fort Portal with views of the Rwenzori foothills on clear days. Arrive at your Kibale National Park lodge by late afternoon. Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4 | Accommodation

Options based on your package

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
Mid-range: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale

Early briefing at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, then join UWA rangers for a chimpanzee trek through Kibale’s mature rainforest. Tracking typically takes 2–4 hours with one hour observing grooming, feeding and loud pant-hoots.

Safari activity | Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale

Track a habituated chimp community through mature rainforest with UWA rangers — one hour with the group once located, with excellent chances of close-up social behaviour.

Afternoon optional Bigodi Wetland walk or Amabere ga Nyinamwiru caves near Fort Portal. Evening at leisure. Trek duration: 2–4 hours typical Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Kibale to Queen Elizabeth — Kazinga boat

Morning drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 2–3 hours) via Kasese. Check in near Mweya and lunch at the lodge.

Safari activity | Kazinga Channel boat safari

Two-hour boat cruise on the channel linking Lakes George and Edward — dense hippo pods, elephant and buffalo on the banks, and outstanding birding.

Afternoon 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat safari — one of Africa’s densest hippo populations; buffalo and elephant herds drink at the banks. Drive time: Approx. 2–3 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Kasenyi game drive & Ishasha tree lions

Dawn game drive on the Kasenyi Plains — lion prides stalk Uganda kob at first light; leopard, spotted hyena and elephant are regular. Return for breakfast, then check out.

Safari activity | Ishasha tree-climbing lion tracking

Afternoon drives in the southern Queen Elizabeth sector — scan fig trees for lions resting in branches, a behaviour unique to Ishasha and Tanzania’s Lake Manyara.

Drive south to the Ishasha sector (approx. 2 hours) for afternoon game drives scanning fig trees for tree-climbing lions. Buffalo, elephant and topi graze the open plains along the Ntungwe River. Overnight at Enjojo Lodge or Ishasha Jungle Lodge. Drive time: Approx. 2 hours to Ishasha Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 7 | Accommodation

Options based on your package

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Mid-range: Enjojo Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Budget: Topi Lodge

Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Morning Ishasha game drive with a final tree-lion search, then continue into the Kigezi highlands toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (approx. 3–4 hours). The road climbs through terraced hillsides and tea plantations before dropping into Bwindi’s montane forest belt. Arrive at your sector lodge by afternoon. Evening briefing on gorilla etiquette, trekking gear and tomorrow’s early start. Sector (Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija or Nkuringo) follows your permit allocation. Fly-in options for the Bwindi leg can shorten this day if pre-arranged — ask when booking if you prefer to skip the Ishasha–Bwindi road transfer. Drive time: Approx. 3–4 hours after Ishasha Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Accommodation: Bwindi sector lodge

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Early breakfast and transfer to park headquarters for briefing. With UWA rangers and trackers, begin your mountain gorilla trek into Bwindi’s montane forest — trekking can take 2–8 hours depending on the assigned family’s location.

Safari activity | Mountain gorilla trekking

Track a habituated gorilla family through Bwindi’s montane forest with UWA rangers — one hour with the group on contact, then your gorilla trekking certificate on return.

On contact, spend one hour with the habituated gorilla family. Return for your certificate and a restful afternoon at the lodge. Trek duration: 2–8 hours round trip Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner

Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

Relaxed morning drive to Lake Bunyonyi (approx. 1–2 hours) — 29 islands, terraced hillsides and cool highland air. Check in at a lakeside lodge or cottage.

Safari activity | Dugout canoe on Lake Bunyonyi

Afternoon paddle among the islands — Uganda’s classic post-gorilla recovery stop with terraced hillsides, birdlife, and optional community visits.

Afternoon canoe ride and optional island visit. Bunyonyi is bilharzia-free and ideal for swimming after the demanding gorilla trek. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 10 | Accommodation

Options based on your package

Luxury: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort, Arcadia Cottages Premium
Mid-range: Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Lake Bunyonyi — Entebbe departure

Breakfast overlooking the lake, then begin the return journey to Entebbe (approx. 7–8 hours) via Mbarara and the Equator at Kayabwe. Alternatively, exit through Kigali (3–4 hours) if your international flight departs from Rwanda. Airport drop-off in Entebbe or Kigali for evening flights. Eleven days covering rhinos, Murchison, chimps, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha lions, gorillas and Bunyonyi — the itinerary most repeat visitors wish they had booked the first time. Drive time: 7–8 hours to Entebbe; 3–4 hours to Kigali Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Tour overview

Places you visit

Route

Uganda