8-Day Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife family tour

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Our 8 day Uganda family safari packs the very best of the Pearl of Africa into one easy, well-paced trip. You track rhinos on foot, cruise the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls and look for chimpanzees in a hidden gorge. Then you search for tree-climbing lions, meet mountain gorillas in Bwindi and finish with zebras and impalas at Lake Mburo. As a result, every day brings something new for parents and older children alike.

Trip overview

The trip starts and ends in Kampala or Entebbe. First, you head north to Murchison Falls National Park, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way. Next, you drive south-west to Queen Elizabeth National Park for chimps, boat trips and game drives. After that, you continue through the Ishasha sector to Bwindi for your gorilla trek. Finally, you spend a night at Lake Mburo before the journey home.

Because the route moves from savannah to river to rainforest, you see a huge range of Uganda’s landscapes. In addition, the drives are broken up with stops at the equator, tea estates and local trading towns.

Highlights of this 8 day Uganda family safari

Rhino trekking on foot with local guides at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
A boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls, followed by a hike to the top.
Game drives for elephants, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, lions and antelope.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, a sunken forest in Queen Elizabeth.
A Kazinga Channel cruise past hippos, crocodiles and water birds.
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.
Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Zebras and impalas on a game drive in Lake Mburo.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Murchison Falls

Your 8 day Uganda family safari begins with an early breakfast. Then, at 6:30 am, your driver and guide helps you load your luggage into the safari vehicle. Soon after, you set off north towards Murchison Falls National Park. On the way, you stop at Migyera on the Kampala–Gulu highway for a short break to stretch your legs.

Next, you continue to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here, you go rhino trekking on foot for about two hours with well-trained local guides. Afterwards, you enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Finally, you continue the journey to Murchison Falls National Park.

Accommodation: Heritage Safari Lodges.

Day 2: Game drive and boat ride to the falls

You are up at 6:00 am for breakfast. Then you head out on a game drive to watch the sun rise over the open savannah, woodland and riverine forest along the Nile. Murchison Falls offers some of the best game drives in Uganda. In fact, the park is home to 76 mammal species, including herds of buffalo and elephants. It also has leopards, several lion prides and the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe. Along the riverbanks, you will also see hippos and crocodiles.

Between 10 and 11 am, you return to the lodge to relax and have lunch. Then, at 2:00 pm, you set off on a three-hour boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. The cruise ends at the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment. Here, you leave the boat and hike to the top of the falls, so wear sports shoes on the boat.

At the top, you watch the Nile force its way through a 7-metre gap in the rock. Meanwhile, the misty spray cools you down after the climb. Take plenty of photos. Afterwards, your guide meets you at the top and drives you back to the lodge for dinner and the night.

Accommodation: Red Chilli Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, your driver and guide briefs you on the days ahead. Then you set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The road passes through green countryside and large tea plantations. Along the way, you stop for lunch and a photo at the equator. Depending on your arrival time, you may also enjoy an evening game drive.

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s most popular park, and it is easy to see why. Its mix of savannah, humid forest, lakes and wetlands supports classic big game and ten primate species, including chimpanzees. In addition, more than 600 bird species have been recorded here.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Kazinga Channel boat ride

After breakfast, you head to Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee trekking. This sunken tropical forest is about 100 metres deep and forms part of the Queen Elizabeth conservation area. It is home to many birds and primates. Afterwards, you return to the lodge in time for lunch.

In the afternoon, you take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This natural channel is 32 kilometres long and links Lake George with Lake Edward. As a result, it attracts a wide range of animals and birds. Then you enjoy another late afternoon game drive on the way back to the lodge.

Most of the park is open grassland and savannah. Thorny acacia trees dominate, while candelabra trees, a type of cactus-like euphorbia, grow along the channel and on the Kasenyi plains.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge.

Day 5: Ishasha tree-climbing lions and drive to Bwindi

After breakfast, you drive to the Ishasha sector in the south of the park. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which rest in the fig trees above herds of Uganda kob. After lunch, you continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home of the mountain gorillas.

You arrive at your lodge in the evening and relax. Bwindi lies in south-western Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its misty hills are covered by one of Uganda’s oldest and richest rainforests. In fact, the forest is over 25,000 years old and holds almost 400 plant species. Most famously, it protects about half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

After breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the park and the gorilla trek. Then you set off on what may be the most memorable walk of your life. The trek can take as little as two hours or as long as seven. Once you find the gorilla family, you can spend up to one hour with them.

Besides gorillas, Bwindi shelters about 120 other mammals. These include primates such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. The forest also hosts around 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Moreover, at least 200 butterfly species and many reptiles live here.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge.

Day 7: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, you drive to Lake Mburo National Park. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks. It also sits on ancient rocks that are more than 500 million years old. The park is home to 350 bird species, as well as zebras, impalas, eland, buffalo, oribi, defassa waterbuck, leopards, hippos, hyenas, topi and reedbuck. In the afternoon, you enjoy a game drive. Then you return to the lodge for dinner and the night.

Accommodation: Eagle’s Nest.

Day 8: Morning game drive and return to Kampala or Entebbe

After breakfast, you head out on a final morning game drive. Afterwards, you begin the journey back to Entebbe, either to the airport or to your hotel. The road winds through the green hills of western Uganda. Along the way, you stop for lunch and at the equator for souvenir shopping and a last photo. This marks the end of your 8 day Uganda family safari.

Who this family safari suits

This trip is a great fit if you want to show your family the classic highlights of Uganda in just over a week. It mixes active days with easier ones, so nobody gets too tired. For example, a long trekking morning is often followed by a relaxed afternoon at the lodge.

However, please note that the Uganda Wildlife Authority sets age limits for some activities. Gorilla trekking is only open to travellers aged 15 and over. Therefore, if you are travelling with younger children, tell us their ages when you enquire. We will then suggest the best way to plan the gorilla day for your family.

Best time to go

You can take this safari all year round. That said, the drier months from June to September and December to February are the most popular. During these months, forest trails are less muddy and the grass on the savannah is shorter, so animals are easier to spot. On the other hand, the wetter months bring lush green scenery, fewer visitors and great birding.

Gorilla permits are limited and set by the wildlife authority, and prices change from time to time. So, we recommend booking early, especially for school holidays. We will confirm the current permit rate when you enquire.

Tips for your 8 day Uganda family safari

Pack good walking shoes. You will need them for the rhino trek, the hike to the top of the falls and the gorilla trek.
Bring layers. Mornings in Bwindi can be cool, while the savannah is warm by midday.
Carry rain gear. A light rain jacket is useful in the forest in any season.
Pack snacks and games. Long drives feel shorter for children with a few treats and activities.
Bring binoculars. Ideally, give each child a pair so they can spot animals too.
Follow your guide. Rangers will explain the rules for each trek, so listen carefully at every briefing.

Extend or combine your trip

This route is easy to adjust. For instance, you can add more forest time with a chimpanzee trek on one of our primate tours in Uganda. Alternatively, you can browse more ideas for family safaris in Uganda, including shorter and longer trips. You can also read our guide to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before your gorilla day.

Every trip with Roots Tours & Travel is tailor-made. Simply tell us your dates, the ages of your children and what your family loves most. Then, we will send you a clear itinerary for free.

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