This 9-Day Uganda Safari offers an exceptional mix of the ultimate African safari experiences. Enjoy the rare privilege of Uganda gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, lion tracking, game viewing and immersive cultural encounters on this affordable, all-inclusive lodge safari in Uganda.
Explore Uganda’s most renowned wildlife parks - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park. Embark on game drives, a boat cruise, walking safaris and cultural visits to rural communities.
On this Uganda Safari, you can choose comfortable accommodation in budget, mid-range, or luxury price ranges on a full-board basis to suit your budget and preferences. The Uganda Safari includes tour transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle, local flights, the services of an English-speaking guide, and more.
__large.jpg "Safari Vehicle")
__large.jpg "Lions in Queen Elizabeth national Park")
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our team warmly welcomes you and drives you to your preferred accommodation, marking the beginning of this 9-day Uganda Safari.
Entebbe is one of the main small towns found along the Northern shore of Lake Victoria and is a great introduction to Uganda. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may wish to explore Entebbe on foot, which is quite easy, or by local motorbike taxis known as boda bodas.
Enjoy a stroll through the Botanical Garden where you can see flora and fauna such as indigenous birds and monkeys. Birding enthusiasts will be thrilled by a visit to the Mabamba Swamp for sightings of the rare shoebill and many other bird species.
If time permits, visit the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary and the craft markets. Meet the friendly locals, and sample local beer at various restaurants, bars, and clubs or relax on a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria.
We start day two of our Uganda Safari with an exhilarating 5-hour journey through the dense papyrus swamps and lush forests of the Nile Delta. In the distance we’ll see the majestic Ruwenzori Mountains looming. These mysterious mountains - known as the “Mountains of the Moon” - are the source of the River Nile.
As we traverse this vibrant landscape, we take a moment to stop en route and savour the breathtaking scenery. Here we enjoy a delicious lunch and refuel for our drive to Kibale National Park.
Kibale National Park covers 766 km² of various kinds of forests such as lowland tropical rainforest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. It includes wetlands and savannahs, all providing habitats for a rich array of animals, birds, and insects, including 144 species of butterflies and moths. Kibale Forest National Park is renowned for its primates and is home to red-tail, colobus and blue monkeys and olive baboons and chimpanzees. Other wildlife found here include duiker, civet, antelopes, and bush pigs and nearly 400 species of birds, including an endemic species only found here.
In the afternoon, we embark on a guided walking tour of Kibale’s spectacular crater lakes region, where the beauty of nature meets the richness of local culture. This immersive experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the traditions and customs of the area through an engaging cultural visit.
Following breakfast today, we drive to Kibale Park Headquarters where our expert guide briefs you on what to expect on the chimpanzee trekking adventure, setting the stage for an enlightening and enchanting day.
Tune in to the noisy tapestry of forest sounds as active chimpanzees move quickly through the forest canopy. We may also spot them near the forest floor foraging, playing, or resting. On the treks in Kibale, visitors often see chimpanzees, sometimes at close range, as they are quite used to humans. Once we have located the chimps, we spend an hour observing them. This exhilarating forest walk offers beautiful scenery and our knowledgeable guide will point out other species of primates like colobus monkeys and also indigenous flora and fauna within the forest as we go about your chimpanzee trek.
In the afternoon, we head to Bigodi Wetlands for an eco-cultural nature and community walk, which is a pillar of the local community-based tourism project. Considered one of Uganda’s best bird-watching locations, Bigodi Wetlands is part of the Bigodi Swamp, which was previously known as the Magonmbe Swamp. It has a rich ecosystem that supports an abundance of birds and primates, like red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red colobus, black and white colobus monkeys and baboons. You will also get to see some of the community women’s projects around this area. Day three of our Uganda Safari wraps up with a return to your lodge, where you can relax and indulge in a scrumptious dinner reflecting on the incredible African experiences of the day and enjoying a restful night’s sleep.
Today, our Uganda Safari takes us on an interesting cultural experience into the lives of the local communities who live on the borders of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, so some of the local tribes live side-by-side with the wildlife that is protected here.
This half-day cultural experience begins after breakfast with a full immersion into the traditional farming practices of the community. We accompany the local cowherds as they escort the cattle into the bush within the community parameters and join in with milking and making yoghurt and ghee. Next, we learn about their marine practices, such as traditional canoe-making, net sewing, and fish preservation stoves, and see how the women of the community make traditional art and crafts.
Afterwards, we head to one of the most beautiful and best locations in Queen Elizabeth National Park to encounter hippos up close and keep an eye out for the 26 species of birds found in the area. If time permits, we will take a walk through the historical swamps to the King of Tooro’s vacation palace before embarking on our drive to our chosen accommodation, where we will relax enjoy dinner and stay overnight, ready for our early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park tomorrow.
Day five begins early with a welcoming cup of coffee and a dawn game drive along Hasenyi and Queen’s Mile. This is one of the best times of the day to spot the abundant species of wildlife that inhabit Queen Elizabeth National Park, elephants, buffalo, water bucks, lions, Uganda Kob and rarer wildlife like giant hogs, and about 638 recorded species of birds. After our game drive, we will return to our lodge for breakfast with some time for relaxation and lunch before we set off on our afternoon boat cruise.
This laid-back boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is an amazing opportunity to see wildlife you don’t always see on game drives. The 32 km-long natural channel links Lake Edward and Lake George and is perfect for a relaxing boat cruise that takes you past fishing villages with lovely views of the Mweya Peninsula and its surroundings. The boat cruise is perfect for spotting herds of elephants, hippos, buffalo, warthogs, antelope, crocodiles, and many species of birds as you drift along the channel. We return to our accommodation where we will stay overnight once more, relaxing, and enjoying a delicious dinner and a restful night’s sleep accompanied by the sounds of the African forest.
We start day six of our Uganda Safari with an early breakfast before going lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park. One of the few places where you can go lion tracking in the wild, Queen Elizabeth Park is the only place where you can track lions in Uganda.
This lion-tracking adventure of a lifetime is one of the major highlights of our Uganda Safari, taking us on a quest to study lion behaviours, eating patterns, and social dynamics up close. Pre-booking is necessary because of the limited availability of this exclusive safari activity. The session begins in the early morning and spans approximately 2 to 3 hours, during which a wildlife tracker or researcher will provide insights on what to expect. After an enlightening briefing, we board the safari vehicles to search for lions in their natural environment.
Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park is an immersive experience for wildlife enthusiasts, employing advanced tracking techniques to observe the kings of the jungle in their element. To ensure responsible wildlife encounters, the park limits the number of participants. This helps maintain a minimal human footprint and guarantees a personal wildlife experience. These lion treks take place during the serene hours of dawn or dusk, and occasionally under the veil of night, lasting from one to three hours. The rangers lead safari-goers on quiet, minor off-road forays, with the careful approach of stopping engines to preserve the peace for the lions, providing an unrivalled opportunity to observe these majestic predators up close. It’s important to remember that while the experience is thrilling for visitors, the fundamental goal of lion tracking is to conduct scientific research to deepen our knowledge of lion behaviour and aid in their conservation.
Later, our journey continues with a scenic 6-hour drive along beautiful tea plantations to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, renowned for its verdant high-altitude rainforest teeming with primates and exotic birds. Settle into your preferred accommodation, unwind before dinner and enjoy another night falling asleep to the sounds of Africa, ready for your gorilla trekking adventure in the morning.
Our exciting gorilla trekking experience starts with an early breakfast at our accommodation before being driven to the park headquarters at 08h00. Here, the UWA staff (Uganda Wildlife Authority) brief you on what to expect on your gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest.
This unique, lush and diverse forest, is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa contributing to Uganda being known as the ‘Pearl of Africa’ This ecosystem supports over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees. The Bwindi Forest National Park is a precious conservation area, as an estimated half of the world’s most endangered mountain gorillas live here. There are only about 1000 mountain gorillas left in the world, so this is sure to be another unforgettable highlight of your Uganda Safari.
Expert rangers and trackers will accompany you throughout your gorilla trek into the lush forest and offer insight into these endangered primates throughout your gorilla trekking adventure. Gorilla trekking can be quite strenuous, with a trek lasting anywhere from 2 to 6 hours up and down steep mountain slopes, ravines and dense forests, thus a good fitness level is required as well as sturdy walking shoes. It is best to be prepared and pack a rain jacket and some water and snacks.
Once the park rangers locate a group of gorillas, you will spend about an hour observing these primates in the wild. This rare wildlife encounter allows you to observe the gorillas as they feed, groom, rest and play in their natural habitat. Watching the gorillas interact with one another from about 10 metres away makes the potentially strenuous trek more than worth the effort.
After your once-in-a-lifetime Uganda gorilla trekking experience, you’ll return to your accommodation for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Today we embark on a heartwarming cultural journey into the lives of the Batwa Pygmy people of the Bwindi Forest, followed by an enlightening coffee farm tour in the Kisoro District. After a hearty breakfast, day eight of our Uganda Safari begins with a guided Batwa trail experience. On this guided trip, we immerse ourselves in the rich history and cultural heritage of the Batwa community, who have lived in harmony with these ancient woods for generations. As the original stewards of these woods, the Batwa people will engage us with demonstrations of their age-old forest survival techniques, including foraging, hunting practices, and the crafting of bamboo vessels.
Get a glimpse into their rich culture through folk songs, dances, and storytelling, while they share their methods of traditional agriculture, archery skills, and the gathering of wild honey and medicinal herbs. While the Batwa have been moved to aid conservation, their connection to the land remains strong, allowing us to appreciate their traditions through engaging narratives and demonstrations.
We continue our cultural journey in the fertile lands of the Kisoro District, where we discover the world of Ugandan coffee on a coffee farm tour. Gain a new understanding and appreciation of one of the world’s favourite beverages, as we delve into the fascinating process of coffee production, from green seedlings to aromatic brown beans. We experience the hands-on process of picking, processing, and tasting Ugandan coffee, immersing ourselves in a true farm-to-cup experience.
After a day filled with authentic Ugandan cultural experiences, we will return to our lodge. Sit back and enjoy a delicious farewell dinner while reflecting on the unforgettable adventures, remarkable stories and flavours that have shaped our Uganda Safari. Prepare for your onward journey tomorrow and fall asleep to the symphony of the Ugandan forest once more.
Our 9-day Uganda Safari ends today when our team collects you after an early breakfast and drives you to either Kihiri or Kisoro Airport for your flight back to Entebbe. Arrive at Entebbe Airport at 11h25, with plenty of time to catch your flight.
On this Uganda Safari, you can choose between mid-range, budget and luxury accommodation options based on your budget and preferences. For more information, see the Full Tour Pricing.
This tour does take children.
On this budget Uganda Safari fly to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking, go chimpanzee trekking in Chambura, go game viewing, then fly back to Entebbe
More on this 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour
On this budget Uganda Safari you fly to Bwindi National Park for gorilla trekking, take a wildlife safari and go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park.
This fly-in Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda takes you Bwindi gorilla trekking and on a cultural experience. A short and memorable all-inclusive Uganda Safari.
More on this 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour
This all-inclusive 4-day Uganda Safari includes Bwindi gorilla trekking and community cultural experiences, flying to Bwindi National Park.
More on this 4 Day Gorilla Trekking Tour
This thrilling 12-day Uganda Safari combines gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and rhino tracking, primate habituation experiences, white water rafting and more
Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
