8 Day Big Five & Primates Safari

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. Overnight at Amuka Lodge or Ziwa guest house. Without gorillas, this safari still delivers four of the Big Five plus two great ape species by Day 7. Drive time: Approx. 3 hours Meals: Lunch & dinner Accommodation: Amuka Lodge or Ziwa guest house

Morning transfer into Murchison Falls National Park. Visit the top of the falls viewpoint where the Nile forces through a 7-metre gorge and plunges 43 metres into the Devil’s Cauldron — the park’s defining spectacle before you enter the savannah. Afternoon game drive on the northern bank. Rothschild’s giraffe, elephant herds, buffalo and Uganda kob are common; lion and leopard are possible at dusk. Check in at your Paraa-area lodge overlooking the Victoria Nile. Drive time: Approx. 2–3 hours to Murchison Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Dawn game drive on the Buligi circuit — predators and herbivores are active at first light. Return for breakfast at the lodge. Afternoon launch cruise to the base of Murchison Falls among hippos and crocodiles. Two full days in Murchison maximise lion and leopard chances on the northern bank. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 2

After breakfast, begin the long drive west (approx. 6–7 hours) through Masindi, Hoima and Fort Portal. The landscape shifts from northern savannah to tea plantations and crater lakes. Arrive at your Kibale National Park lodge by late afternoon. Evening at leisure before tomorrow’s chimp trek. Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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 on contact. Afternoon at leisure or optional Bigodi wetland walk. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be added as a two-day extension (permit supplement). Trek duration: 2–4 hours typical Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Morning drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 2–3 hours) via Kasese. Check in near Mweya and lunch at the lodge. Afternoon 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat safari — buffalo and elephant herds drink at the banks; the birdlist exceeds 600 species including African skimmer and malachite kingfisher. Drive time: Approx. 2–3 hours Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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 at the lodge. Afternoon chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge (permit included) or gorge-floor walk. The steep-walled gorge offers a completely different primate experience from Kibale. Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Breakfast at the lodge, then return drive to Entebbe (approx. 6–7 hours) via Mbarara and the Equator at Kayabwe for photos and lunch. The route descends from the Albertine Rift through rolling Ankole cattle country. Rhinos on foot at Ziwa, Murchison elephant and Rothschild’s giraffe, Kibale chimps, Queen Elizabeth lions and Kazinga hippos, and Kyambura gorge chimps — four of the Big Five plus two great ape species in eight days. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be added as a two-day extension on request. Airport drop-off for evening flights, or overnight in Entebbe on request. The clockwise northern arc — Ziwa rhinos, Murchison savannah, Kibale rainforest and Queen Elizabeth’s Kasenyi and Kyambura — delivers four of the Big Five plus two great ape species without a gorilla permit supplement. Drive time: Approx. 6–7 hours Meals: Breakfast & lunch