Day 1: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls
Depart early from Entebbe or Kampala, heading north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Embark on a guided walk to track white rhinos, observing these majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls to witness the Nile being funnelled through a narrow 7-meter gorge into a 42-meter deep chasm — a truly breathtaking spectacle. Transfer to your lodge for an overnight stay.
Meals & Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise
Begin the day with an early morning game drive, spotting lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and diverse birdlife. After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Watch for hippos, crocodiles, elephants along the riverbanks, and bird species like kingfishers and fish eagles. Return to your lodge for relaxation.
Meals & Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 3: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park & Night Game Drive
Depart early for Kidepo Valley National Park, located in northeastern Uganda near the borders with South Sudan and Kenya. This remote park features expansive savannahs, rugged valleys, and abundant wildlife, including cheetahs, ostriches, giraffes, elephants, and over 500 bird species. In the evening, enjoy a night game drive, spotting nocturnal animals such as leopards, hyenas, civets, and serval cats.
Meals & Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 4: Morning Nature Walk & Evening Game Drive
Experience the park on foot with a morning nature walk, capturing stunning photos of wildlife and landscapes. Spot giraffes, lions, leopards, elands, buffaloes, and diverse bird species while learning about the park’s ecosystem from your guide. In the evening, go on a game drive to observe wildlife as they become more active during cooler hours.
Meals & Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 5: Bush Breakfast & Cultural Experience
Wake early for a bush breakfast surrounded by Kidepo’s wild landscapes. Visit Karimojong homesteads to experience traditional life, or opt for a hike into the mountains to meet the Ike community, learning about their customs and way of life. This is an immersive cultural experience, perfect for photography and interaction with local communities.
Meals & Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge
Day 6: Return to Entebbe or Kampala
After breakfast, begin the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy scenic stops along the way for photos and refreshments. Arrive late afternoon or evening, marking the end of your unforgettable northern Uganda safari.
Meals: Half board | No accommodation
Day 1: Shoebill Tracking at Mabamba Wetland
Begin the safari with an early breakfast before heading to Mabamba Wetland, home of the legendary Shoebill Stork. Spend 2–4 hours exploring the marshes by local boat, capturing incredible photographs and observing the unique birdlife in their natural habitat. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meals & Accommodation: Hotel No.5, Entebbe
Day 2: Fly to Kisoro and Optional Lake Mutanda Activities
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for a scenic domestic flight to Kisoro, flying over Uganda’s lush landscapes, hills, and volcanoes such as Sabyinyo and Muhabura. Upon arrival, your driver-guide will transfer you to your luxury lodge. Spend the afternoon relaxing or enjoy optional activities such as canoeing on Lake Mutanda or guided community walks, offering cultural insights and a chance to interact with locals.
Meals & Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge, Bwindi
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Rise early for gorilla trekking, a highlight of your safari. After a briefing from your ranger guide, trek through dense jungle in search of the endangered mountain gorillas, spending up to one hour observing and photographing these gentle giants. Trekking duration may vary between 2–4 hours depending on gorilla locations. Keep an eye out for other Albertine endemics, including chameleons, birds, antelopes, and sometimes forest elephants. Return to your lodge for relaxation in luxury.
Meals & Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge, Bwindi
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
After breakfast, set off for golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park. Trek through lush forests with your ranger guide to locate these playful primates, spending approximately 1 hour in their presence. Wear appropriate jungle attire, hiking shoes, and bring sufficient water and snacks. After the trek, relax at your lodge or opt for a cultural visit to local communities for interaction and history.
Meals & Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge, Bwindi
Day 5: Fly Back to Entebbe
Enjoy a relaxed morning before transferring to Kisoro airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe. Depending on your schedule, freshen up at the guesthouse before connecting to your onward flights, marking the conclusion of your luxury primate adventure in Uganda.
Meals: Breakfast | No accommodation
Day 1: Pick-up from Entebbe | Transfer to Lake Mburo | Evening Game Drive
Your safari begins with a warm welcome from our representative in Entebbe. After the briefing, set off towards Lake Mburo National Park — Uganda’s smallest but most scenic savannah park. En route, enjoy short stopovers for refreshments and photo moments along the countryside.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and head out for an evening game drive, where you’ll encounter giraffes, zebras, topis, impalas, buffaloes, and countless bird species. End your day with a beautiful sunset over the acacia woodlands.
Meals and Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock / Similar Midrange Lodge
Day 2: Morning Milking Experience | Nature Walk | Transfer to Bwindi
Begin your morning with a local milking experience at a nearby cattle kraal. Learn about the traditional lifestyle of Ankole herdsmen, enjoy fresh milk, and hear fascinating stories about the long-horned cattle.
After breakfast, embark on a guided walking safari — a rare opportunity to walk alongside zebras, giraffes, and impalas while learning about the park’s ecosystem. Later, continue your journey through the stunning Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
Meals and Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp / Similar Midrange Lodge
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Experience | Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is the highlight of your safari! After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing before venturing into the misty forest. Follow your guide through thick vegetation to meet a family of mountain gorillas — observing their feeding, grooming, and playful behaviour for one unforgettable hour.
After this life-changing encounter, travel north through the scenic Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, before entering Queen Elizabeth National Park for your overnight stay.
Meals and Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge / Similar Midrange Lodge
Day 4: Morning Game Drive | Afternoon Boat Cruise
Enjoy an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and leopards. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most biodiverse reserve, home to over 600 bird species.
In the afternoon, relax on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll see massive pods of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and vibrant birdlife. The close-up views of wildlife along the water make this one of Uganda’s most memorable safari experiences.
Meals and Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge / Similar Midrange Lodge
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge | Drive to Entebbe
After breakfast, descend into the dramatic Kyambura Gorge, also known as the Valley of Apes, for a fascinating chimpanzee trekking experience. This three-hour adventure lets you observe our closest relatives in their natural habitat while exploring a remarkable ecosystem of tropical forest and riverine life.
After the trek, begin your return journey to Entebbe. Stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping before concluding your safari, marking the end of an incredible 5-day gorillas, chimpanzees, and walking wildlife adventure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where a Wild Compass Africa representative will warmly welcome you. Transfer to your hotel near the shores of Lake Victoria and spend the day at leisure. You can visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, explore local markets, Explore the Mabamba Swamp for the Shoebill search or simply relax and prepare for your gorilla adventure.
Overnight: Karibu Guest House | Alternative
Day 2: Fly to Kisoro & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, take an early scheduled flight to Kisoro Airstrip, offering spectacular aerial views of Uganda’s landscapes — rolling hills, crater lakes, and terraced farms. Upon arrival, your guide will transfer you to your lodge in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Spend the afternoon soaking in the mountain views, visiting a local community, or exploring nearby trails before a restful evening.
Overnight: Four Gorillas | Alternative
Day 3: The Gorilla Habituation Experience
Today is the highlight of your safari — the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
After an early breakfast and briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you’ll venture into the dense forest with trackers and researchers to locate a semi-habituated gorilla family. Once found, you’ll spend up to 4 hours observing and photographing them as they feed, play, and interact.
Learn about gorilla behaviour, their role in the forest ecosystem, and the ongoing conservation work that protects these endangered creatures.
This rare, extended encounter offers unmatched insight and emotional connection — a once-in-a-lifetime experience for wildlife lovers.
Overnight: Four Gorillas | Alternative
Day 4: Return to Entebbe or Continue to Rwanda
After breakfast, you may choose to:
Fly back to Entebbe from Kisoro for your international connection, or
Drive back via the scenic southwestern countryside.
Alternatively: Cross into Rwanda through Cyanika Border to continue your adventure (e.g., Kigali City or Volcanoes National Park).
Your safari ends with unforgettable memories of one of Africa’s most profound wildlife experiences.
Day 1: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park & Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience
Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda’s charming and vibrant capital, before heading north through rolling hills to Volcanoes National Park, home of the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
In the afternoon, enjoy an immersive cultural visit at the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where you’ll experience the traditional Rwandan way of life — from drumming and dancing to local crafts and storytelling.
Meals & Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge (Full Board)
Day 2: Golden Monkey Tracking – Dian Fossey Museum – Transfer to Uganda
After breakfast, head into Volcanoes National Park for a golden monkey tracking experience. Watch these lively primates leap through bamboo forests with their distinctive golden-orange fur shimmering in the sunlight.
After lunch, visit the Dian Fossey Museum in Musanze to learn about her groundbreaking conservation work and lifelong dedication to protecting mountain gorillas.
In the afternoon, cross the border into Uganda through Cyanika or Katuna, arriving at Mutanda Lake Resort, perched above the scenic Lake Mutanda.
Meals & Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort (Full Board)
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today is the highlight of your safari — gorilla trekking in the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After a briefing, venture deep into the forest with expert trackers until you locate a gorilla family. Spend one precious hour in their presence, observing their behavior, interactions, and sheer power in the wild.
Return to your lodge for relaxation and reflection on this truly moving encounter.
Meals & Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort (Full Board)
Day 4: Canoeing on Lake Mutanda – Return to Kigali
Enjoy a peaceful morning canoe ride on Lake Mutanda, surrounded by volcanic peaks and lush hillsides. Spot aquatic birds and take in the serene atmosphere before beginning your scenic drive back to Kigali, where your safari concludes.
(Note: Canoe activity is subject to flight departure time)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 1–2: Arrival in Nairobi – Transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve
Your adventure begins with a warm welcome in Nairobi. After a briefing, embark on a scenic drive to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, journeying through the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment and rolling hills. Upon arrival, check in, enjoy lunch, and later head out for a relaxed evening game drive. Expect to see giraffes, zebras, elephants, and antelopes.
The following day, dedicate a full day to wildlife viewing. Begin with a sunrise game drive when predators are most active. Explore the savannah in search of lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, and wildebeests. Enjoy a bush breakfast and packed lunch as you proceed to the Mara River to observe hippos and massive crocodiles. Sunset in the Mara is magical—perfect for photos and reflection.
Overnight: Mtiti Mara Camp or equivalent
Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru National Park
After breakfast, depart Masai Mara and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, famously known as a sanctuary for black and white rhinos. Upon arrival, have lunch and embark on a thrilling afternoon game drive. Keep your eyes peeled for buffaloes, lions, waterbucks, pythons hanging from acacia trees, and elusive serval cats. Admire the Makalia Waterfalls and large flocks of pink flamingos along the shores.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Day 4–5: Lake Nakuru – Amboseli National Park
Drive south toward Amboseli, known for its majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and iconic tuskers. En route, observe Maasai homesteads and expansive plains. Arrive in time for lunch, rest briefly, then head out for an evening game drive. Capture incredible images of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and the snow-capped mountain backdrop.
On day 5, start early for the best views of Kilimanjaro before clouds gather. Spend the day exploring Amboseli’s marshlands, where elephants bathe, buffaloes graze, and hundreds of bird species reside.
Overnight: A A Lodge
Meals: Full Board
Day 6: Amboseli – Nairobi – Entebbe (Uganda)
After an early breakfast, depart Amboseli and return to Nairobi. Board your flight to Uganda, where our driver-guide will pick you up at Entebbe International Airport. Transfer to your accommodation for relaxation and overnight rest.
Overnight: The Boma Hotel or Karibu Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Entebbe – Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, embark on a scenic 6.5-hour drive westward to Kibale Forest. The journey offers stunning views of tea plantations, lush forests, and crater lakes. Make stopovers for photography, lunch, and restroom breaks along the way. On arrival, check in to your lodge and relax or enjoy a nature walk in the forest.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Camp | Similar
Meals: Full Board
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start the day early with a hearty breakfast before heading to the ranger station for a briefing. Carry essentials like water, snacks, hiking boots, a rain jacket, and a camera. Trek through Kibale’s rainforest to find a habituated troop of chimpanzees, an exhilarating and educational experience.
After your trek and lunch, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via scenic crater lakes. Watch the terrain shift from rainforest to savannah as you approach the park.
Overnight: Elephant Hab Lodge | Similar
Meals: Full Board
Day 9: Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha
Start the morning with a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. Watch hippos yawning, crocodiles basking, elephants drinking, and colorful birdlife soaring above. This 40-km channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is rich in biodiversity.
Later, drive south through the Ishasha sector, home to rare tree-climbing lions and herds of topis and buffaloes, before arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Overnight: Four Gorillas | Similar
Meals: Full Board
Day 10: Gorilla Trekking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Today is the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking! After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing. With packed water, snacks, and gear, trek through dense forest to find a gorilla family. Once found, spend an awe-inspiring hour in their presence—watching them play, feed, and interact.
After your trek, you’ll receive a certificate and continue to Lake Bunyonyi for a peaceful evening on the shores.
Overnight: BirdNest Resort | Similar
Meals: Full Board
Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi – Boat Tour – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, take a boat tour on Lake Bunyonyi. Learn the history of its 29 islands, including the famous Punishment Island and Upside-Down Island. Later, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda’s smallest yet richest parks in terms of biodiversity.
Enjoy a late afternoon game drive in search of zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, and leopards.
Overnight: Rwakobo Rock
Meals: Full Board
Day 12: Nature Walk – Transfer to Entebbe for Departure
Start your final day with a guided morning nature walk. This close encounter allows you to track wildlife on foot and learn about plants, insects, and animal tracks from your ranger guide. After the walk, return for breakfast, check out, and drive to Entebbe via the Equator line for souvenirs and photos.
End your journey with drop-off at the airport or your preferred location.
Day 1: Entebbe to Bwindi – Into the Jungle
Highlights:
- Domestic flight or scenic road transfer to southwestern Uganda
- Stunning views of volcanic peaks and terraced hills
- Optional cultural walk (time permitting)
Fly from Entebbe to Kisoro (or drive overland through the lush countryside), where your Wild Compass Africa guide will greet you. Transfer to your lodge in the Rushaga or Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in, unwind with views of the forest canopy and soak in the serene jungle atmosphere.
Optional: Take a short nature walk or visit the Batwa community for a glimpse into the forest’s indigenous culture.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge or similar
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Cross to Kigali
Highlights:
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Scenic drive to Rwanda via Cyanika or Gatuna border
- Optional Kigali drop-off or overnight stay
Rise early for your gorilla trek—an unforgettable experience deep in the rainforest. After a pre-trek briefing, hike through the jungle with your expert guide to find one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. You’ll spend up to an hour observing their behaviors, from powerful silverbacks to playful juveniles.
After returning to the lodge for lunch and a freshen-up, cross the border into Rwanda and drive to Kigali. Arrive by early evening for drop-off at your hotel or the airport.
Accommodation: Not included (optional Kigali add-on)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 1: Shoebill Tracking & Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Start your adventure with an early breakfast before heading to Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria. Take a boat ride through the papyrus channels to spot the elusive shoebill stork, along with African fish eagles, kingfishers, and other wetland birds.
Afterward, drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda’s only location to see white rhinos in the wild. Join a guided rhino trek on foot and get close to these majestic giants in their natural habitat.
Overnight at Amuka Lodge or similar.
Day 2: Murchison Falls – Top of the Falls, Boat Cruise & Evening Game Drive
Drive into Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest conservation area. Begin with a visit to the top of the falls, where the Nile plunges 43 meters through a narrow gorge.
Enjoy a boat cruise along the Nile, spotting elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. In the late afternoon, take an evening game drive, encountering lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, kobs, and other savannah wildlife.
Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge or similar.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Kibale National Park
Take an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls to capture wildlife in the golden light. Afterwards, drive south through the Albertine escarpments, enjoying crater lakes, rolling hills, and lush landscapes.
Arrive at Kibale Forest National Park, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees. Dinner and Overnight. Kibale Forest Lodge or similar
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Community Tour
Embark on a morning chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest with experienced guides. Watch chimps feed, groom, and interact, alongside other primates like red colobus and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a cultural and nature experience. Learn traditional crafts, brewing, and farming from the local community.
Overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kazinga Channel Cruise & Evening Game Drive
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing the Ndali-Kasenda Craters and scenic landscapes. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, spotting hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds.
End the day with an evening game drive, encountering lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes.
Overnight at Elephant Hab Lodge or similar.
Day 6: Kyambura Gorge Nature Walk & Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha
Start with a nature walk in Kyambura Gorge, spotting primates and birds along the gorge’s permanent river. Then, drive south to Ishasha, home to the world-famous tree-climbing lions. Enjoy an evening game drive across the savannah. Overnight at Jungle Lodge Ishasha or similar.
Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After a morning game drive, travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in at Four Gorillas Lodge or similar and prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Community Visit
Rise early for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Spend up to one hour observing a family of mountain gorillas, watching silverbacks, females, and infants in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their culture, traditional hunting methods, and forest life.
Overnight at Four Gorillas Lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park – Evening Nature Walk
Drive south to Lake Mburo National Park, passing rolling hills and rural landscapes. Take an evening walking safari, spotting zebras, impalas, giraffes, topis, and other wildlife.
Overnight at Mpogo Farm Lodge or similar.
Day 10: Morning Farm Visit & Transfer to Entebbe
Visit a local Ankole cattle kraal to experience traditional milking and ghee-making. After breakfast, drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator line for a photo opportunity. End your safari with memories of Uganda’s wildlife, culture, and landscapes.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Relax and Settle In
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your private driver-guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing after your flight and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Entebbe.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel or Karibu Guest House | Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Entebbe – Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, drive southwest to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park, yet rich in wildlife. Arrive at the lodge for lunch and enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring the surroundings, spotting zebras, giraffes, and impalas.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Lake Mburo – Nature Walk and Game Drive
Start the day with a guided nature walk to encounter wildlife up close. Enjoy a bush breakfast (optional) in the wilderness, creating lasting family memories. Later, relax at the lodge or take an afternoon evening game drive, when animals become more active in the golden light.
Optional: Horse riding safari (age restrictions may apply)
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Lake Mburo – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive through scenic countryside and traditional villages to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive at your lodge perched above the Rift Valley escarpment. Spend the afternoon relaxing or observing wildlife from your lodge terrace.
Accommodation: Acacia Wilderness – Mweya | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise
Enjoy an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, spotting lions, elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and birdlife. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s top wildlife waterways, followed by a sunset sundowner.
Accommodation: Acacia Wilderness – Mweya | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Leisure Day
A leisure day allows families to enjoy lodge facilities or optional activities such as extended game viewing or visiting salt lakes. This unhurried day is perfect for rest and relaxation.
Accommodation: Acacia Wilderness – Mweya | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
Drive north to Kibale Forest, passing through tea plantations, crater lakes, and lush countryside. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and settle in. Optional community visits nearby offer cultural immersion for children and adults, including weaving, dancing, and village life experiences.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Kibale Forest – Chimpanzee Trekking
After breakfast, embark on chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, home to East Africa’s highest concentration of chimpanzees. Return to the lodge for lunch and enjoy a relaxed afternoon swimming or exploring the forest surroundings.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Kibale – Murchison Falls National Park
Depart early and drive through Hoima and the Albertine Rift region to Murchison Falls National Park. Arrive by evening and relax at the lodge amid the sounds of the African wilderness.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Murchison Falls – Game Drive & Nile River Cruise
Begin with a morning game drive on the northern bank to spot elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, buffalo, and antelopes. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, witnessing the river funnel through a 7-meter gorge into the Devil’s Cauldron. Return to the lodge to relax or swim.
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Murchison Falls – Top of the Falls & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, visit the Top of Murchison Falls for photography and breathtaking views. Continue south to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience on foot in the late afternoon, completing your Big Five experience in Uganda.
Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino Ranch – Luxury Bandas | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Ziwa – Entebbe (Departure)
After breakfast, depart Ziwa and drive back to Entebbe. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a relaxed breakfast or head straight to the airport for your onward journey.
Accommodation: N/A | Meals: Breakfast
Optional Add-ons: Extend your family safari with mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or a golden monkey experience in Mgahinga National Park for an unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Early Morning – Pick-Up & Transfer to Mabamba Swamp
Your day begins with an early pick-up from your hotel in Entebbe or any other convenient location nearby. After a warm welcome and briefing by your expert birding guide, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to the shores of Lake Victoria. Depending on your access route, you may either drive directly to the swamp area or take a short boat transfer across the lake.
Morning – Shoebill Tracking Experience
Upon arrival at Mabamba, you’ll transfer into a traditional motorized canoe steered by an experienced local guide. You’ll silently navigate the winding channels of the swamp, which are surrounded by tall papyrus and floating vegetation. Your guide will help you spot the elusive Shoebill, often seen standing motionless while hunting lungfish, its primary prey.
Patience pays off, and the early morning hours offer the best opportunity for a successful sighting. During the excursion, you’ll also encounter a wide variety of other bird species, and if lucky, witness some unique wetland behavior.
The Shoebill tracking usually lasts between 1 to 3 hours, depending on weather conditions and bird activity. The serene boat ride also allows for excellent photography opportunities, especially when the lighting is soft and natural.
Late Morning – Return Transfer
After an enriching birding experience, you’ll head back to the docking point, followed by a return drive or boat ride to Entebbe. You’ll be dropped off at your hotel or preferred drop-off location by midday or early afternoon, allowing you to relax or proceed with your next travel plans.