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8 Days Uganda Rhinos, Chimps, Lions and Gorillas Safari

DESTINATIONS:

Murchison Falls National Park Uganda. Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth national Park, Bwindi Forest National Park

DURATION:

8 Days

Call: +256 782 915 447 REQUEST FOR QUOTE

SAFARI OVERVIEW

The route runs north from Kampala or Entebbe to Ziwa and Murchison Falls, then loops south through Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Ishasha, before finishing in Bwindi for the gorilla trek and Batwa experience. For background on the trek itself, see our guide to mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda, and for the Murchison stretch, our roundup of wildlife experiences in Queen Elizabeth National Park covers what to expect further south on the route.

Because it links Uganda’s north and southwest in a single loop, this is one of the more complete short safaris we offer, and one of the longer driving itineraries, so it suits travelers happy to trade some downtime for covering more ground.

DETAILED ITINERARY

8 Days Exploring Uganda Rhinos, Chimps, Lions and Gorillas

This 8 Days Uganda Rhinos, Chimps, Lions and Gorillas Safari is Uganda's full wildlife circuit in one trip: rhino tracking at Ziwa, classic game viewing and a boat cruise at Murchison Falls, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, the Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi with a Batwa cultural experience to close.

It's built for travelers who want to see all of Uganda's headline wildlife species, rhino, chimp, lion, and gorilla, without splitting the trip into separate visits.

Day 1: Track Rhinos in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Visit 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 to the Bottom of Murchison Falls

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 the 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 Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, take a short walk to the top of Murchison Falls, where the entire Nile forces itself through a gap just a few meters wide before plunging into the gorge below. By late morning, begin the long drive south to Kibale National Park, roughly 6 hours via Fort Portal.

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

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking Adventure and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, head into Kibale's forest for a guided chimpanzee tracking walk, one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. By early afternoon, continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a scenic 2 to 3 hour drive along the Kichwamba escarpment.

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

Day 5: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains 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 6: Search for Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha Sector and Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

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 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience

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.

Most treks finish by early afternoon, leaving time for the Batwa Cultural Experience, where Batwa guides lead demonstrations of traditional hunting, fire-making, and forest life from before Bwindi became a national park.

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

Day 8: Drive Back to Entebbe/Kampala via the Uganda Equator

After breakfast, begin the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe. Stop along the way at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos before continuing 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 8 Days Uganda Rhinos, Chimps, Lions and Gorillas Safari

Ready to see rhinos, chimps, tree-climbing lions, and mountain gorillas on one trip? 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.