10 Days Uganda Murchison, Chimps, Lions and Gorillas Safari

This 10-day Murchison Falls to Bwindi Safari gives Uganda's biggest park the time it deserves, three full nights at Murchison Falls with two separate chimp-trekking experiences, before continuing south through Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi for the mountain gorilla trek, with a relaxing stop at Lake Bunyonyi to close.

It's built for travelers who want real depth in the north rather than a single overnight stopover, without sacrificing any of the classic southwestern circuit.

Day 1: Track Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Depart Kampala or Entebbe in the morning for the 3 hour drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda's only place to track wild rhinos on foot. After the tracking activity, continue a further 2 to 2.5 hours to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in the afternoon.

Overnight: lodge in Murchison Falls National Park (full board).

Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Nile River

Start the day with a game drive across the park's northern plains, home to elephant, lion, giraffe, and buffalo. In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, known as the Devil's Cauldron, with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife along the banks.

Overnight: lodge in Murchison Falls National Park (full board).

Day 3: Visit the Top of the Falls and Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest

After a short morning walk to the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before plunging into the ravine below, head to Budongo Forest for a chimpanzee trekking walk, home to the largest chimpanzee population in Uganda with sighting rates of around 80 percent. Round off the day with a visit to the Boomu Women's Group, a community cultural project offering a genuine look at rural Ugandan life.

Overnight: lodge in Murchison Falls National Park (full board).

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, begin the long drive south to Kibale National Park, roughly 6 hours via Fort Portal, passing tea plantations and rural villages along the way.

Overnight: lodge near Kibale National Park (full board).

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Community Walk

After an early breakfast, head into Kibale's forest for a second chimpanzee tracking experience, in one of the highest primate-density forests in Africa. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project bordering Kibale known for birdlife and monkey sightings.

Overnight: lodge near Kibale National Park (full board).

Day 6: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Late Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a scenic 2 to 3 hour drive along the Kichwamba escarpment. Check in at your lodge, with time for a late afternoon game drive before dinner.

Overnight: lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (full board).

Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start with a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, where large herds of Uganda kob, buffalo, and elephant attract predators including lion. In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa's best wildlife-viewing waterways.

Overnight: lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (full board).

Day 8: Track Tree-Climbing Lions and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, head to the Ishasha sector for a game drive in search of its famous tree-climbing lions, resting high in fig trees. From Ishasha, continue roughly 3 hours to the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, arriving in the afternoon.

Overnight: lodge in the Ruhija sector, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (full board).

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a Boat Cruise

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for the ranger briefing, typically between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, where trekking groups are assigned their gorilla family. The trek through dense rainforest can run from 30 minutes to several hours, followed by a strictly enforced hour with the gorillas. Check our gorilla trekking packing list before you travel.

Once the trek concludes, continue roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to Lake Bunyonyi, arriving in time for a relaxing boat cruise around some of the lake's 29 islands.

Overnight: lodge at Lake Bunyonyi (full board).

Day 10: Relaxed Breakfast, Drive to Kampala/Entebbe via a Lake Mburo Stopover and the Uganda Equator

After a relaxed breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, breaking the journey with a stop at Lake Mburo National Park for lunch and a short game drive, before continuing to the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos and on to your final drop-off in the evening.

For current permit rules and pricing, see our Uganda gorilla trekking permits booking and pricing guide. Permits are issued directly by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the official body managing Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi.

Book This Murchison Falls to Bwindi Safari

Ready for extra time at Murchison Falls plus the full southwestern circuit on this Murchison Falls to Bwindi Safari? Browse more itineraries, tell us what you have in mind through Build My Safari, or contact us directly to check permit availability for your dates.

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