8 Days Uganda Safari – Gorillas, Wildlife, Chimpanzees & Scenery Viewing Uganda Tour

8 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Overview

Our 8 Days Uganda safari tour is a remarkable 8-day wildlife safari in Uganda offering chimpanzee and gorilla trekking, wildlife and scenery viewing and community tours.

It further allows you to have game-viewing safaris in one of the most ideal parks for Uganda wildlife safaris.

This 8 Days Uganda safari will take you on gorilla trekking in Bwindi Bwindi Impenetrable National Park– a UNESCO world heritage site holding almost 50% of the Mountain gorillas on earth.

Also, this amazing safari in Uganda allows you to have a memorable encounter with Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park– the primate capital of Africa.

On this 7 nights and 8 days safari in Uganda, you’ll also have a golden opportunity of exploring the great Big Five game animals of Africa. And among these include Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, and Elephants in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.

The magnificent Rhinos will be spotted in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary– where you’ll enjoy Rhino tracking on foot adventure!

This charming Uganda tour will take you also to Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda’s most beautiful lake) to unwind and also visit the Bigodi community for a memorable cultural experience in Uganda.

Lastly, on this Uganda trip, you’ll enjoy an amazing stop at Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe for incredible photoshoots standing in the center of the earth!

Book Or Customise Now This 8 Days Uganda Safari Tour And Encounter The Amazing Wildlife And Incredible Primates In Uganda!

8 Days Uganda Safari – Safari Prime Activities

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi park
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
• Wildlife game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.
• A memorable boat cruise on the Kazinga channel and the Nile
• Hike to the top of eye-catching Murchison falls
• Tracking the tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth park
• Uganda Equator Line experience at Kayabwe

8 Days Uganda Safari – Featured Safari Parks (Destinations)

Day 1: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary And Murchison Falls National Park

Day 2: Murchison falls park

Day 3 & 4: Kibale forest national park

Day 5 & 6: Queen Elizabeth park

Day 7: Bwindi national park

8 Days Uganda Safari – Highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route for Rhino tracking on foot

Day 2: Undertake a morning game drive and an afternoon Nile boat cruise to the bottom of the giant Murchison Falls

Day 3: Visiting the top of Murchison Falls and transfer to Kibale forest national park

Day 4: Enjoy morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, afternoon walk in Bigodi village, and transfer to Queen Elizabeth park

Day 5: Have a morning game drive and an afternoon Kazinga boat cruise.

Day 6: Undertake Ishasha game drive en route and transfer to Bwindi national park

Day 7: Do mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi park and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

Day 8: Transferring back to Kampala, enjoy an en-route stop at Uganda Equator Kayabwe

8 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer To Murchison Falls National Park, Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En-route For Rhino Tracking On Foot

On the first day of your 8 days Uganda safari holiday, you’ll wake up early around 6:30 am, and enjoy an early breakfast from your lodge in Kampala.

Then, meet your professional driver guide and embark on a 310km (5-6 hours) drive to Murchison park- Uganda’s biggest park. This picturesque drive will take you through amazing busy roads, lush countryside, local markets as well as quiet rural villages.

While on this drive, you’ll make an en-route stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to enjoy a unique and amazing adventure of Rhino tracking on foot.

This 2-hour memorable encounter will enable you to encounter Uganda’s only 32 wild Rhinos on foot.

It’s such an amazing experience worth undertaking while on your Uganda tour! It allows you to have a close remarkable encounter with one of the African safari Big Five- the Rhinos.

Following this thrilling experience with White- Rhinos, enjoy lunch at the nearby Kabalega Dinner, and after continue the drive to Murchison Falls NP.

Murchison park is ideal for Uganda wildlife safaris as it’s home to almost 144 mammal species counting 4 of the Big Five game (Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, and Elephants).

Note:

Also, its boasts over 451 bird species including the rare Shoebill and the beautiful Red-throated Bee-eaters.

This famous park is also bisected by the legendary Nile River- the world’s longest river and holds the strongest waterfall in the world– Murchison Falls.

Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a short safari game drive as you head to your lodge to unwind, have dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation options include: Budget, Midrange, and Luxury

Drive distance& time: Approx. 310km (5-6 hours drive)

Day Activities And Services Of Day:

• On foot Rhino trekking in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Transfer to Murchison national park

Other Optional Activities You Can Choose To Do On This Day Include:

• Undertaking a night game drive experience in Murchison falls NP
• Enjoy a bush dinner
• Birding watching

Day 2: Undertake A Morning Game Drive And An Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise To The Bottom Of The Giant Murchison Falls

Wake up early get your breakfast around 6 am from your lodge and after, meet your driver guide, and transfer for a game drive.

During a 3-4 hours game drive in the picturesque Buligi game area, expect to spot over 80% of the wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park.

You’ll enjoy starting your day with early grazers as they come out from their hideouts of the night.

Also, the beautiful sunrise along the scenic golden plains of the park helps to brighten your day!

While undertaking this exciting game drive, keep an eye on:

• Elephants
• Buffaloes
• Giraffes
• Warthogs
• Lions
• Leopards
• Various antelopes such as Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda kobs, Waterbucks, Bushbuck, and Oribis Spotted Hyenas

Furthermore, you’ll encounter several amazing bird species such as Secretary birds and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill as well as the Palm-nut Vulture.

After the drive, transfer back to your lodge to unwind and enjoy lunch.

At 2 pm, your driver guide will transfer you for an afternoon scenic boat cruise on the Nile to the bottom of the great Murchison Falls.

While on this 17km boat cruise to explore the strongest waterfall in the world, you’ll encounter several Hippos amazingly submerged in water.

Giant Nile Crocodiles, Elephants, Buffaloes, and several antelope species are residents along the river banks.

Also, countless beautiful birds such as attractive Kingfishers and Red-throated Bee-eaters are hardly missed.

The highlight of this incredible cruise on the Nile is getting close to the roaring Murchison Falls!

You’ll enjoy the breathtaking views of these giant falls as the fabled Nile River plunges along a 45m cliff creating dramatic views dabbed as the Devil’s cauldron.

After exploring these incredible falls, transfer to your lodge to relax, and have dinner as well as an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options Include: Budget, Midrange, and Luxury

Day Activities And Services:

• Remarkable morning safari game drive in Murchison park
• A tranquil boat cruise on the Nile to the bottom of the giant falls

Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:

• Undertaking a night game drive safari in Murchison falls park
• Enjoy a bush dinner
• Hot air ballooning safari experience
• Sport fishing along the Nile- World’s longest River (6650km long)

Day 3: Visiting The Top Of Murchison Falls And Transfer To Kibale Forest National Park

On day 3 of your 8 Days Uganda safari tour, you’ll wake up and enjoy a relaxed breakfast from your lodge around 8 am and drive to the top of the giant falls.

This is intended to offer you great views of Murchison Falls from another amazing perspective!

While at the top of the falls, you’ll have memorable views of the mighty Nile River (50m wide) fighting to pass through an 8m narrow gorge.

This area is characterized by the great roar and trembling of rocks as well as an amazing cloud of spray due to the much pressure of water.

From here, transfer to Kibale National Park for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking adventure.

You’ll enjoy a scenic 6-7 hours drive offering lovely views of the Albertine Rift Valley, and encounter local men and women undertaking their local activities such as gardening.

On reaching Fort Portal town, you’ll have lunch in one of the best restaurants in town and continue the drive to Kibale forest national park. Kibale offers the best chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.

This park holds the highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa with over 13 primate species.

Among these include over 1500 chimp population out of the 5,000 Chimpanzees population in Uganda.

Other 12 primate species in Kibale Forest include:

• Red-tailed Monkeys
• L’hoest’s Monkeys
• Olive Baboons
• Black-and-white colobus Monkeys and,
• Vervet Monkeys

Upon arrival at your lodge, you’ll check in at your lodge, have dinner as well as an overnight stay.

Accommodation choice includes: Budget, Mid-range, and Luxury

Drive Distance & time: Approx. 340km (6-7 hours drive)

Day Activities And Services:

• Visiting the top of Murchison Falls
• Transfer to Kibale National Park

Optional activities on this day:

• Afternoon birding session in Kibale Forest
• Undertaking cycling tours in Mpanga Tea Estate
• Visiting the Amabere cave area
• Enjoying a hike to Fort Portal Crater Field
• Nocturnal forest walk in Kibale

Day 4: Enjoy Morning Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park, Afternoon Village Walk In Bigodi, And Transfer To Queen Elizabeth Park

You’ll wake up for an early breakfast around 6:30 am from your lodge so that you catch up with a chimpanzee trekking briefing at 8 am at Kibale park headquarters.

During the briefing, a knowledgeable park ranger will share with you the dos and don’ts while undertaking chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park.

After, you’ll undertake an impressive 2-5 hours hike in the Kibale jungle in search of these amazing and intelligent close cousins of man.

Research has it that Chimpanzees share over 98-99% of man’s DNA thus considered the close genetic relatives of man.

Along the chimp trekking trail, expect to spot several primates and some of the 370 bird species in Kibale. And among these include the Great-blue Turaco, African-grey Parrot, White-napped Pigeon, and Blue-breasted Kingfishers.

On encountering the endangered cousins of man, you’ll spend one hour observing and learning about their amazing behaviors. Visitors are free to take photos but, use flash-less cameras.

After having a thrilling experience with chimps, trek back to park headquarters to get awarded a chimpanzee tracking certificate as well as enjoy your packed picnic lunch.

Later in the afternoon, undertake a captivating village walk in the Bigodi community nearby to explore and learn about the distinctive lifestyles of the natives.

You’ll have a memorable time with locals as you visit the:

• Traditional healer
• Homes of elderly men and women
• Local schools
• People making local beer and,
• Bigodi Women’s Group for a beautiful souvenir.

Then from here, transfer 157km (2-3 hours) drive to Queen Elizabeth NP for wildlife viewing.

This famous park in Uganda holds an eye-catching landscape with a great biodiversity of over 600 bird species and about 95 animal species. And among these include 4 of the African safari big except Rhinos.

Upon arriving in the evening, you’ll check in at your lodge, have dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation choices include: Budget, Midrange, and Luxury

Drive distance & time: Approx. 157km or 2-3 hours

Day Activities And Services:

• Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
• A great cultural encounter in Bigodi village nearby Kibale park
• Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Optional Activities On This Day:

• Afternoon bird-watching session in Kibale Forest

Day 5: Enjoy A Morning Game In Queen Elizabeth National Park And An Afternoon Boat Cruise On Kazinga Channel

On day 5 of your 8 days Uganda safari tour, you’ll wake early around 6 am to have your breakfast. Then, meet your driver guide to embark on a 3-4 hours game drive.

During this drive in the picturesque plains of the Kasenyi area- (northern section of Queen’s park), expect to spot a variety of animals including 4 of the Big Five game of Africa. And among these include:

• Buffaloes
• Elephants
• Leopards
• Lions
• Many antelope species, counting Uganda kobs, Bushbucks, Waterbucks, and Oribis.

Usually, during a game drive in the Kasenyi area, you’ll spot birds like Palm-nut Vultures, Hooded Vulture, Brown Snake Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, and Bateleur.

After, you’ll transfer to your lodge to relax and get lunch.

In the afternoon, your driver guide will transfer you for a 2 pm exciting boat cruise on Kazinga channel.

This 2 hours scenic launch trip will offer you an amazing close encounter with a range of wildlife including:

• Over hundreds of Hippos amazingly submerged in water
• Myriad Crocodiles stretching out on channel banks with their jaws open
• Buffaloes wallowing in mud
• Elephants bathing amazingly and,
• Various antelope species on the channel banks.

Also, on the Kazinga channel boat cruise, you’ll encounter numerous water birds including colorful Kingfishers, Cormorants, Pelicans, and Yellow-billed Storks.

You should note that the Kazinga channel boasts the highest concentration of Hippos in the world!

After, you’ll retire from this remarkable cruise and enjoy a short game drive while heading to your lodge along the channel track.

On reaching the lodge, you’ll unwind, have dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 6: Undertake Ishasha Game Drive En-Route And Transfer To Bwindi National Park

On day 6 of your 8 days Uganda safari tour, wake up for a relaxed breakfast around 8 am, and after, undertake a 4-7 hours memorable drive to Bwindi park- the best site for gorilla trekking in Uganda Africa.

En route the drive, you’ll enjoy a thrilling game drive in the Ishasha sector in search of the rare tree-climbing Lions.

On encountering these mysterious Lions, you’ll watch them resting comfortably in big Fig tree branches staring at their prey the kobs feeding.

Unquestionably,  many people wonder why lions climb trees.

It’s assumed these incredible Lions in the Ishasha sector climb trees to:

• Escape from the great heat on the ground
• Get great views of their prey and,
• Run from biting insects on the ground.

Normally, during this remarkable game drive, visitors also spot Elephants, Buffaloes, Topis and Uganda kobs.

Upon finishing this pleasing encounter, you’ll go for lunch in a premium lovely lodge within this sector and after continue the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

This scenic drive takes you through the beautiful rolling terraced hills of southwestern Uganda.

Bwindi is a UNESCO world heritage site holding almost 50% of Mountain gorillas out of the 1063 gorillas living on planet earth and boasts over 120 animal species.

It’s also a birders’ haven in Uganda, home to over 350 bird species counting 23 Albertine Endemics where over 14 are endemic to the park.

Upon arrival, you’ll check in at your lodge to unwind have dinner as well overnight stay

Accommodation Options Include: Budget, Midrange, and Luxury

Drive distance & time: Approx. 160km (4-7 hours drive)

Day Activities And Services:

• Transferring to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Enjoying a game drive in Ishasha plains in search of tree-climbing Lions

Day 7: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Park And Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi For Relaxation

Day 7 of your 8 days Uganda safari tour marks the climax of this safari!

You’ll have an early breakfast around 6:30 am from your lodge and then transfer to Bwindi park headquarters for a gorilla trekking adventure briefing at 8 am.

After the briefing, you’ll get allocated a   habituated gorilla family to track.

Then, a real gorilla trekking adventure in search of the shy gentle giants of the forest will begin.

The 2-8 hours of trekking is relatively challenging in the misty and hilly forest of Bwindi. However, the experience is worth undertaking!

Along the trail in this bio-diverse forest, expect to encounter rare primates, beautiful birds, butterflies as well several plant species.

On spotting these amazing shy giants (gorillas), you’re limited to one magical hour observing them feeding, grooming, and breastfeeding if any as well as having impressive views of the enormous silver back.

Furthermore, you’ll get to learn about their amazing way of communicating.

After this great lifetime encounter, trek back to the briefing point to get your gorilla trekking certificate, have your packed picnic lunch, and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

This lake is known as the most beautiful lake in Uganda holding over 29 eye-catching islands.

The 1-3 hours drive to Bunyonyi Lake takes you through magnificent views of the stunning terraced hills of Kigezi highlands.

Upon arrival, embark on a relaxing boat cruise to explore this spectacular lake!

Normally, travelers visit the Akampene (Punishment) Island. This is a historical island where unmarried pregnant girls could be brought by their fathers to die of hunger or drown while trying to escape.

This cruel act was done to create fear in others from shaming the family!

You’ll retire from this adventure, unwind at your lodge, and have dinner as well as overnight.

Accommodation Options Include: Budget, Midrange, and Luxury

Drive distance & time: Approx. 55-85km (1-3 hours drive)

Day Activities Services:

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Undertake a tranquil boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi

Optional Activities On This Day:

• Nature walks in Bwindi national park
• Batwa community walks around the Bwindi forest
• Birding watching in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 8: Transferring Back To Kampala, Enjoy En-Route Stop At Uganda Equator Kayabwe

Day 8 of your 8 days Uganda safari tour is the last day of this lovely tour in the Pearl of Africa-Uganda. You’ll wake up early around 6 am and enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge.

As you take your lovely morning cup of coffee or tea, you’ll enjoy the amazing melodies of numerous birds.

The lovely songs of these small birds welcoming the new day will make you understand why it was called Lake Bunyonyi– which translates as Lake of Small Birds.

On finishing your coffee, you’ll embark on a 473km (7-8 hours) drive to Kampala via Mbarara and enjoy an en-route lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center for a lovely traditional meal.

If you wish, you can also visit the lovely cultural museum around and then continue your drive to Kampala.

From there, you’ll take another amazing stop at the Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots as well as buy souvenirs from your Uganda tour.

Next, embark on your drive to Entebbe International Airport to catch up with your flight home.

Drive Distance & time: Approx. 473km (7-8 hours drive)

Day Activities And services:

• Transferring to Kampala
• Equator experience and photo shoots
• Traditional lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre

End Of The 8 Days Uganda Safari Tour, Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Tracking Safari

Safari Inclusions

• Full-time English expert safari driver-guide
• 4×4 safari van (4×4 safari land cruiser)- all with pop-up roof for game viewing with a functioning A/C
• Full board accommodation
• Fees for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
• Fees for a boat cruise
• Free Wi-Fi Internet within a safari vehicle
• Bottled water on a trip

Safari Exclusions

• Visa fees
• Laundry services
• Items of personal nature
• International and domestic flight fees
• Tips for a safari guide among others
• Other personal beverages (drinks) like alcohol
• Other safari activities not mentioned in the itinerary above