11 Day Uganda Great Apes and Big 5 Adventure

Tour OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS ITINERARY INCLUSIONS

Safari Overview

Once-in-a-lifetime journey through Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, on this 11-day Great Apes and Big 5 Adventure. This immersive safari is tailor-made for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts who want to experience the full spectrum of Uganda’s biodiversity. From trekking endangered mountain gorillas deep within misty rainforests, to coming face-to-face with tree-climbing lions, elephants, and the elusive leopard on game drives, this tour blends thrilling encounters with rich cultural experiences.

Your expedition will take you across some of Uganda’s most celebrated national parks including Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Lake Mburo. You’ll also enjoy scenic landscapes, crater lakes, and the warmth of local communities. This journey delivers a full-circle encounter with the Great Apes — chimpanzees and gorillas — and the iconic Big Five of Africa: lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, and rhinos.

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Tour Highlights

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Visit: Begin your safari with a walking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where you’ll track white rhinos in their natural habitat — a rare and powerful conservation success story.

Murchison Falls National Park: Uganda’s largest national park offers a classic Big Five experience (excluding rhinos), incredible birdlife, and the thunderous Murchison Falls where the Nile is forced through a narrow gorge. Game drives and a Nile boat cruise promise exceptional wildlife encounters, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and lions.

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest: Known as the primate capital of the world, Kibale Forest hosts over 1,500 chimpanzees. Trek into the forest with expert trackers and spend an unforgettable hour observing these intelligent apes in their natural setting.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Enjoy classic savannah game drives in this diverse ecosystem, where you’ll search for elephants, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, hyenas, and the famed tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. A boat safari along the Kazinga Channel reveals one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos and hundreds of bird species.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: A highlight of the trip, trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi is a powerful and humbling experience. Spend an hour in the presence of a habituated gorilla family in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lake Mburo National Park: This park offers a gentle conclusion to your journey with walking safaris, bike rides, and game drives among zebras, impalas, elands, and giraffes. It’s a perfect place to unwind before heading back to Kampala.

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your professional driver-guide who will brief you about the journey ahead. After airport formalities, transfer to your hotel in Entebbe for a restful night and dinner. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to explore the botanical gardens or relax by Lake Victoria.

Day 2: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Onward to Murchison Falls

After an early breakfast, begin your journey northwards with a scenic drive through Uganda’s lush countryside. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exhilarating guided rhino tracking walk, the only place in Uganda to see these endangered giants. Later, proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy an en-route game drive as you head to your lodge for check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Safari in Murchison Falls

Wake up early for a sunrise game drive across the northern savannah plains where you may spot lions, leopards, giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, and a variety of birdlife. After lunch at the lodge, embark on a boat safari on the Nile River towards the base of the falls. Along the way, expect close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and elephants coming to drink. The cruise culminates at the thunderous Murchison Falls, offering fantastic photo opportunities. Return to your lodge for the evening.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest via Scenic Fort Portal

After breakfast, set off on a long but rewarding drive to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through small villages, rolling hills, and expansive tea plantations. Break your journey in Fort Portal, nestled in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive in Kibale by late afternoon and settle into your lodge surrounded by lush forest, home to several primate species and rare birds.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

Today’s highlight is chimpanzee tracking. After a briefing at the park headquarters, venture into Kibale’s tropical forest with rangers in search of our closest relatives. Once you locate a troop, spend an hour observing their behavior and social interaction. In the afternoon, take a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community conservation initiative rich in birds and monkeys. Return to your lodge to relax.

Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Crater Lakes Visit

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, explore the picturesque crater lake region near Fort Portal. Arrive in the park in time for an evening game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, keeping watch for large herds of elephants, buffaloes, and possibly a pride of lions on the hunt.

Day 7: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Start the day with a thrilling game drive in the Kasenyi sector, famous for its predator-prey encounters. Later in the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. The channel teems with wildlife including hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and countless bird species like pelicans and kingfishers.

Day 8: Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

Depart Queen Elizabeth and head south through the remote Ishasha sector, renowned for its tree-climbing lions—a rare behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. After a game drive in this area, continue your scenic journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge nestled in the forest and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trek.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Today is the pinnacle of your adventure. After a pre-trek briefing, set off into the ancient rainforest in search of one of the park’s habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek may range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the group's location, but the reward is immense. Once located, spend a magical hour watching the gorillas as they feed, play, and interact. Return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.

Day 10: Drive to Lake Mburo – Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart for Lake Mburo National Park, a small but biodiverse park known for its rich mix of savannah and acacia woodland. Arrive in time for a sunset game drive where you may encounter zebras, elands, impalas, and giraffes. Settle into your lodge overlooking the serene lake.

Day 11: Morning Nature Walk and Return to Kampala/Entebbe

Start the day with a guided walking safari, a unique chance to explore the park on foot with a ranger, bringing you close to nature like never before. Afterwards, check out and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, where you'll be dropped at the airport or hotel. This marks the end of your unforgettable 11-day Uganda adventure.

What's Included?