The 15 Days Uganda gorilla safari offers the best of Uganda’s wildlife, adventure and cultural experiences with gorilla trekking as the major highlight. Visit the country’s major national parks such as Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth national park for incredible game viewing experiences.
The tour also includes breathtaking primate encounters such as gorilla tracking and chimpanzee tracking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Kibale national park respectively. The 15 Days Uganda gorilla safari can still be customised to suit the visitor’s safari interests, budget and travel time.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park
- Game drive in Murchison falls national park
- Boat cruise on the Nile River
- Top of the falls experience in Murchison falls national park
- Game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino tracking
- Nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
- Cultural experience with the Batwa pygmies
- Exploration of Lake Bunyonyi activities
- Game drive in Lake Mburo national park
- Walking safari in Lake Mburo national park
- Exploring Entebbe or Kampala city tour
Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport & transfer to your hotel
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & transfer to Murchison falls national park
Day 3: Game drive & boat cruise in Murchison falls national park
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park & evening game drive
Day 7: Morning game drive & Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Day 8: Ishasha Sector (Tree-climbing lions) & transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 9: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 10: Batwa cultural experience & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi relaxation & activities
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park & afternoon boat cruise
Day 13: Walking safari & transfer to Entebbe/Kampala
Day 14: Entebbe exploration & optional activities
Day 15: Departure
Detailed itinerary – 15 Days Uganda gorilla safari
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your safari guide and transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala. Depending in your arrival time, you can relax of go for brief tour around Entebbe or Kampala.
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Murchison falls national park
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive northwards to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can white rhinos in the wild on foot. After the breathtaking encounter with the rhinos, proceed to Murchison falls national park enjoying the scenery and changing landscape along the way. Head straight to the magnificent Murchison falls for the top of the falls experience. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Nile squeezing through a 7-meter gorge. Proceed and check into your lodge.
Day 3: Game drive in the park and boat cruise on the Nile River
Enjoy a morning game drive in the northern bank of the Nile as you look out for lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks as well a variety of bird species. In the afternoon, go for a thrilling boat cruise along the Nile to the bottom of Murchison falls. The cruise offers fantastic views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and a variety of waterbirds. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park
After your breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kibale national park, the home to over 12 primate species. Enjoy beautiful views along the way including changing landscapes, plantations, local communities, and rolling hills. Arrive in Kibale and check into your lodge and get ready for the chimpanzee tracking adventure.
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and nature walk in Bigodi wetland Sanctuary
Take an early morning breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the chimpanzee tracking exercise. Head into the forest led by experienced guides and rangers searching for a community of habituated chimpanzees. Observe these highly intelligent primates as they feed, groom and play in their natural habitat.
Chimpanzees, just like gorillas share 98% of the human DNA and you will immediately realise it when you meet them. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-based initiative. This is a hotspot for birdwatching and primates such as the red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Kibale.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park and evening game drive
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth national park. This is a scenic drive that includes views of the snow-caped peaks of the Rwenzori mountains, plantations, crater lakes and local communities. After lunch and relaxing at your lodge, go for an evening game drive in the Kasenyi plains of the park. The area is known for its abundant wildlife including lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and more. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 7: Morning game drive and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Start the day with an early morning game drive for a chance to spot predators like lions and leopards which are most active in the early mornings. Continue with the encounter and meet more wildlife including large herds of elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species. In the afternoon, go for an exciting boat cruise on Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise offers excellent sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and an array of waterbirds. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 8: Ishasha Sector (Tree-climbing lions) and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
After breakfast, head south through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth national park, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Look out for these magnificent felines which usually sit in fig trees as they spot prey. Proceed with your drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park, the home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Enjoy scenic views of the terraced hills on your way to the park. Arrive and check into your lodge near your gorilla trekking sector as you get ready for breathtaking encounter.
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
This is the day of your safari highlight, gorilla trekking! Take early breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the encounter. You will be divided into groups (maximum of 8 people) and assigned a gorilla group to track. Head into the Bwindi jungle led by experienced guides and rangers searching for these elusive gentle giants.
The trek may take between 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas in the forest. Upon finding them, spend the magical hour in their presence observing how they play, feed and rest in their natural habitat. At the end of the experience, head back to the headquarters to collect your gorilla tracking certificate before returning to your lodge to relax and refresh. Lunch and dinner at your lodge.
Day 10: Batwa cultural experience and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After a relaxed breakfast, you can opt to go for a cultural tour in the Batwa pygmy community. The Batwa are the indigenous dwellers of the Bwindi forest. You will learn about their amazing traditional way of life, hunting skills as well as getting entertained by their dances and storytelling. In the afternoon, drive to the stunning Lake Bunyonyi, known for its dozens of beautiful Islands and birdlife. Check into your lodge and enjoy the serene views as you relax by the lake. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi exploration and relaxation
Today you will spend a relaxed day at the lake and you can choose to explore a few activities from a variety of option. They include canoeing or boat ride to explore the Islands, birdwatching, village walks, swimming (Bilharzia-free), and hiking in the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo national park and afternoon game drive
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo national park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park but rich in wildlife. The park is home to a variety of game including zebras, impalas, giraffes, elephants, elands, topi. Lake Mburo is also the only park in Uganda where you can do a walking safari. In the afternoon, embark on a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Mburo and enjoy views of hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 13: Walking safari and transfer to Entebbe/Kampala
Enjoy an early morning walking safari to explore the beauty of Lake Mburo national park on foot. Get up close to zebras, giraffes, elands and other antelope species as well as a variety of bird species. After the walk and breakfast, embark on your return drive to Kampala/Entebbe. Have a brief stopover at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping before proceeding to Kampala/Entebbe and check into your hotel.
Day 14: Entebbe exploration / Kampala city tour
Spend your day exploring Entebbe or Kampala. You can choose from a variety of optional activities including visiting the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on a boat cruise to see the see the rescued chimpanzees thriving on the Island. Others include visiting the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) which doubles as a zoo for a chance to see more wildlife.
Visiting the Botanical gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria offers a chance to relax in the lush gardens with diverse plant and primate species. You can also opt for souvenirs shopping in the local markets and shopping malls around Entebbe.
If you opt for a Kampala city tour, you can enjoy visiting local markets around the city such as Owino and Nakasero, cultural sites like the Kasubi tombs and religious sites such as Gaddafi Mosque and Bahai Temple. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 15: Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to go for last-minute souvenir shopping or relaxing at one of the beaches near the airport.
Important considerations for the 15 Days Uganda gorilla safari
The 15 Days Uganda gorilla safari offers an opportunity to explore most of Uganda’s wildlife, adventure and cultural experiences at a more relaxed pace. The tour features gorilla trekking as the major highlight alongside other thrilling experiences.
Gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits should be booked at least 6 months in advance through a credible tour operator. The gorilla permit in Uganda is sold at $800 per person while the chimpanzee permit is at $250 per person. The dry and warm period between June to September and December to February is the best season to trek gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda.
However, gorilla tracking tours and other wildlife safaris take place take place throughout the year in Uganda. Some of the crucial gear to pack for gorilla trekking include sturdy hiking boots, pair of khaki trousers, long-sleeved shirt, pair of gloves and a camera. Gorilla trekking requires a relative level of fitness to enable you navigate through the thick and dense montane rainforest without much difficulty. The minimum age allowed for gorilla tracking in Uganda is 15 years.