10 Days Best of Uganda Safari

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Uganda is the Pearl of Africa, and our 10 days best of Uganda safari shows you why. This feature trip links six top wildlife areas in one smooth loop from Kampala. You walk with white rhinos at Ziwa, cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls, track chimps in Kibale, take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, trek mountain gorillas and finish with a relaxed game drive in Lake Mburo.

Trip overview

On the 10 days best of Uganda safari route, you see a remarkable range of wildlife. In Murchison Falls National Park, look for the rare Rothschild’s giraffe and the patas monkey, the fastest monkey in Africa. Then, in Kibale Forest, you meet wild chimps and walk through Bigodi Swamp. Next, in Queen Elizabeth National Park, African fish eagles hunt over the Kazinga Channel, while giant forest hogs and leopards live in the park. After that, you head to the far south-west to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Finally, you look for the eland in Lake Mburo National Park. In short, it is the unique, unforgettable experience you have been looking for.

Tour highlights

Walk on foot with white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
See the Nile burst through a 7-metre gap at Murchison Falls.
Spend time with wild chimpanzees in Kibale.
Cruise the Kazinga Channel past hippos, buffaloes and water birds.
Trek a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Spot impalas and zebras on a relaxed Lake Mburo game drive.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Murchison Falls

Your driver picks you up early, before the roads get busy, and heads north towards Murchison Falls. The first stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District. It is the only place in Uganda where you can walk on foot right up to white rhinos grazing in the open. There is no vehicle window between you and a two-tonne animal, so it will change your whole idea of “close”. After lunch here, we continue to Murchison Falls National Park. As a result, you arrive in time to settle in and watch the light change over the bush.

Driving time: ± 9 hours

Accommodation: Fort Murchison

Day 2: Game drive, Top of the Falls and boat ride

After an early breakfast, you set off on a game drive across Murchison’s open savannah. Look for elephants, giraffes and buffaloes and, if luck is on your side, lions. The drive lasts about 2–3 hours. Afterwards, you have a quick packed lunch and visit the Top of the Falls.

Then, at 2pm, you join a 2–3 hour boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. From the boat, you see the entire river squeeze through a gap barely seven metres wide and explode out the other side. The thundering sound and rushing water make amazing photos. Along the banks, you will also see Nile crocodiles, hippos and other wildlife, sometimes even the shoebill stork. Finally, you return to the lodge for dinner.

Accommodation: Fort Murchison

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Today is another early start, because in Uganda the good stuff rewards early risers. We head south for Kibale, and the drive itself is a highlight. First, we skirt Lake Albert. Then, on a clear day, the view from the top of the Albertine Rift escarpment will leave you speechless as the valley floor drops away beneath you. We reach your lodge by late afternoon, with just enough daylight to settle in before an early night. Tomorrow is all about the chimps.

Driving time: ± 9 hours

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Swamp walk

After an early breakfast, you enter the forest by 8am at Kanyanchu. Kibale has one of the highest densities of chimpanzees left in Africa, and the walk in is a reward in itself. When you find the chimps, you watch wild animals go about an ordinary day. For example, they groom, squabble and crash through branches a few metres overhead.

In the afternoon, we slow right down for a walk through Bigodi Swamp. It is a birder’s dream, with well over 370 species recorded. In addition, you have a decent chance of spotting the shy, semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope in the reeds.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After another early departure, we drive through Fort Portal and past green tea plantations. By midday, you reach your accommodation, check in and have lunch. Later, in the late afternoon, we set off on a game drive. As the sun drops low over the Kazinga Channel, expect grazing kobs glowing golden in the light and hippos grumbling their way back to the water. If you are lucky, you may even see a lion getting up to hunt.

Driving time: ± 4.5 hours

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

Day 6: Game drive and Kazinga Channel boat ride

This morning, you enjoy a full game drive across Queen Elizabeth’s plains. They are home to thousands of Uganda kobs and the lions that follow them, as well as elephants and buffaloes. Then, in the afternoon, a two-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel puts you eye to eye with one of the highest hippo concentrations in Africa. You will also see buffalo herds, elephants coming down to drink and a constant parade of water birds along the shore.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Kisoro

Today, the landscape changes completely. We drive south through Kabale, past terraced hillsides and volcanic peaks so dramatic that the region is known as the “Switzerland of Africa”. Along the way, you pass mountains, hills and lakes with terraced fields, as well as tropical rainforest and bamboo forest. Although the drive is long, the views of green hills and traditional homesteads make it worthwhile. Finally, you check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Driving time: ± 6 hours

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge

Day 8: Gorilla trekking

After an early breakfast, we take you to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Park ranger guides explain the dos and don’ts of spending time with mountain gorillas. This briefing usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Afterwards, you head into the jungle for a 3–4 hour trek. The terrain is steep and sometimes muddy, and rain is common, so you need an average level of fitness. Still, coming face to face with a giant silverback more than makes up for the effort.

Along the way, your ranger shares fascinating facts about the forest plants, animals and the lives of the gorillas. Once you find them, you have one hour to relax and watch them play and interact. After this unforgettable experience, you return to your lodge for a relaxing evening.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo

For the final full day, the pace changes completely. Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savannah park and the only place in the country where you will find impalas. The game drive here is relaxed and rewarding. For instance, there are bushbucks everywhere, herds of plains zebras and warthogs. If you are lucky, you may also see a dwarf mongoose scurrying through the grass.

Driving time: ± 5 hours

Accommodation: Eagles Nest Camp

Day 10: Morning game drive and return to Kampala

After an early morning game drive and a late breakfast, we begin the last part of the journey back to Kampala. Along the way, we stop for photos at the Equator, to stretch your legs and for a last round of souvenir shopping. Then, we take you to a guesthouse or hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe. Alternatively, if you are flying home or travelling on, we drop you directly at Entebbe airport.

Driving time: ± 5 hours

What’s included and price per person

Included:

4WD vehicle and fuel
English-speaking driver/guide
Accommodation mentioned
Small first aid kit
Ziwa rhinos
Chimpanzee trekking permits ($250)
Bigodi nature swamp walk

Excluded:

Drinks & personal snacks
Personal expenses, souvenirs
Gorilla tracking permits ($800)
Gorilla habituation ($1,500)
Chimpanzee habituation ($400)
International flights

Price per person:

2 Pax – $2,728

3 Pax – $2,438

4 Pax – $2,098

5 Pax – $2,050

6 Pax – $1,889

7 Pax – $1,884

Who the 10 days best of Uganda safari suits

This trip is ideal if you want to see the very best of the country in one go. It suits first-time visitors, wildlife lovers, photographers and keen birders. Moreover, it balances active days, such as the chimp and gorilla treks, with gentler game drives and boat trips. However, the forest treks need an average level of fitness, and some driving days are long. So, it works best if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Best time to go

You can do the 10 days best of Uganda safari all year round. Even so, the drier months of June to September and December to February usually bring easier forest trails and better game viewing. In the wet season, paths get slippery. On the other hand, the parks look lush and green, and there are often fewer visitors. For more detail, see our guide to the best time for gorilla trekking.

Tips for your trip

Book your gorilla permit early. Permits are limited, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority sets the price. Because rates change from time to time, we will confirm the current one when you enquire.
Pack for every climate. Bring light layers for the savannah and a rain jacket for the forests.
Wear good hiking shoes. They help on muddy forest trails and at Ziwa.
Bring binoculars. They make game drives, boat trips and birding far more fun.
Plan for long drives. Download music or a book, and enjoy the scenery between parks.

For a full list, read what to pack for gorilla trekking.

Extend or change your trip

Want a shorter trip? Then, our 7 day primates and wildlife tour covers Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Alternatively, if you have more time, see the 12 day Uganda safari. We also offer a different 10 day route with its own mix of parks.

Every Roots Tours & Travel trip is tailor-made. Just tell us your dates, group size and interests. Then, we will send you a free itinerary for your 10 days best of Uganda safari.

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