The 9 Days Uganda gorilla safari combines gorilla trekking with other wildlife and primate experiences around the country. Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is the major highlight of this tour with other experiences such as game viewing, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise and cultural experiences added for a comprehensive Uganda safari.
The 9 Days Uganda gorilla safari can still be customised depending on your safari interests, budget and available time. National parks to visit on this safari include Murchison falls national park, and Queen Elizabeth national park for game drives and boat cruises, Kibale national park for chimpanzee tracking and other primate encounters and Bwindi impenetrable national park for the gorilla tracking experience.
Safari highlights
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drive and boat cruise in Murchison falls national park
- Top of the falls experience in Murchison falls national park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park
- Nature walk & birdwatching in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
- Game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrabele national park
- Cultural tour in Bwindi
Trip summary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to your hotel & optional city tour
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls national park with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise in Murchison falls national park
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park & Afternoon game drive
Day 7: Boat cruise at Kazinga Channel & transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 9: Transfer back to Entebbe for departure
Detailed itinerary – 9 Days Uganda gorilla safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe and transfer to your hotel with optional city tour
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet your driver guide for a transfer to your booked hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can either relax at the hotel or go for a brief city tour around Kampala or Entebbe and explore beaches on Lake Victoria, local markets, historical sites and cultural centres. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls national park with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After an early breakfast, head northwest to Murchison falls national park, Uganda’s oldest and largest game reserve (6-7 hours). In addition to the scenic drive, you will have a brief stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a rhino tracking experience on foot. You can have your lunch after visiting rhinos and go for a brief souvenir shopping before continuing with your journey to the park.
Enter the park and head straight to the top of the falls. Witness the spectacle of the powerful Nile waters entering through a narrow gorge creating the magnificent Murchison falls. Drive straight to your lodge and check as you get ready for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Game drive in the park and boat cruise on the Nile
After your breakfast, embark on a morning game drive through the open savanna on the northern bank of the Nile. This area is rewarding for spotting elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, Uganda kobs plus a variety of bird species. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you will go for a thrilling boat cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison falls. While on the cruise, enjoy close-up views Nile crocodiles, hippos, elephants and abundant birdlife along the riverbanks. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale national park
Have your breakfast and head south towards Kibale national park, the “Primate Capital of the World,” (6-7 hours). Enjoy stunning views along the way including rural villages, tea plantations and rolling hills. Arrive and check into your lodge in or around Kibale national park.
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
After your early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Enter the forest led by experienced park guides searching habituated chimpanzees communities. Spend an hour in their company observing their playful antics and social interactions.
After the experience, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a haven to various bird species and several primates species including L’Hoest’s monkeys, red colobus, and black-and-white-colobus monkeys. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park and afternoon game drive
Take your breakfast and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park, a diverse ecosystem made up of vast savannahs, wetlands and forests (3-4 hours). Check into your lodge and have lunch as you prepare for the afternoon game drive. Head to the Kasenyi plains, a prime game viewing area in the park. Look out for big cats like lions and leopards as well other other big game including elephants, buffaloes and Uganda kobs. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 7: Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel and transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector
Take your breakfast and head to Kazinga Channel for a thrilling boat cruise experience. The channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise rewards with views of more wildlife including the highest concentration of hippos on the continent, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and an array of bird species.
After the boat cruise, begin your journey to Bwindi driving through the famous Ishasha Sector of the park. Ishasha is known for its unique tree-climbing lions alongside other species that you will encounter during the game drive in this area. Head straight to Bwindi impenetrable national park and check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Have an early breakfast and head to the park headquarters and join other trekkers to be briefed on gorilla trekking. You will also be divided into into small groups ( maximum 8 trekkers per gorilla group) and allocated a gorilla group to track. Head into the dense jungle of Bwindi searching for the gorillas accompanied by armed rangers and guides.
The trek can last between 1-6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas. Once you find the gorillas, spend the magical hour in their presence observing how they interact with their natural habitat as they feed, play and rest. The up close experience with these gentle giants truly humbling and unforgettable.
Return to the park headquarters and receive a gorilla tracking certificate from park officials. Drive back to your lodge to relax and refresh as you reflect on the breathtaking experience with the gorillas. In the evening you can go for an optional cultural tour in the Batwa pygmy community and learn about their amazing traditions as they entertain you as well. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 9: Return to Entebbe for departure
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and embark on a scenic drive back to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight (8-9 hours). Have lunch en-route and you may decide to enjoy it at the Equator where you can also do some photography and souvenir shopping.
Important considerations for the 9 Days Uganda gorilla safari
Gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits should be booked at least 6 months in advance through a credible tour operator. Uganda’s gorilla permit is at $800 per person while the chimpanzee permit is at $250 per person. The best season to track gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda is during the dry seasons between June to September and December to February.
Crucial items to include in your packing list for gorilla tracking include hiking boots, khaki trousers, long-sleeved shirt, pair of gloves, a hat and a camera. Transport, accommodation and guiding services for your safari are organised by your tour operator at the quoted cost. The minimum age allowed for gorilla trekking is 15 years. A relative level of fitness is required to enable you navigate through the rugged and dense rainforest without much trouble.