9-Day Uganda Safari – Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five

Enjoy a 9-day Uganda safari through some of the country’s most famous parks and landscapes. This tour combines nature, adventure, and culture to give you a true African experience. The safari starts and ends in Kampala or Entebbe. From the calm waters of Lake Bunyonyi, you will visit the mountain gorillas in Bwindi, one of the world’s greatest wildlife experiences.

You will also see four of the Big Five animals; lions, elephants, leopards, and buffaloes. The last of the Big Five, the rhino, will be seen at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. The trip also includes chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, and a visit to the famous Murchison Falls.

9-Day Uganda Safari Highlights

• Start and end the safari in Kampala or Entebbe.
• Visit top destinations including Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Murchison Falls, and Ziwa Rhino Ranch.
• Enjoy canoeing and island visits on Lake Bunyonyi.
• Go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
• See the rare tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and enjoy boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel and River Nile.
• Spot four of the Big Five animals in the wild; lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards.
• Track rhinos at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch.
• Trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and visit Bigodi village for a cultural tour.
• Visit the top of Murchison Falls and enjoy wildlife viewing and scenic drives.
• Experience local culture, bird-life, and Uganda’s beautiful landscapes throughout the trip.

Brief 9-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary

• Day 1: Pick up in Kampala or Entebbe and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 2: Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, island visit, and transfer to Bwindi
• Day 3: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha sector)
• Day 4: Game drive to see tree-climbing lions and afternoon boat cruise
• Day 5: Morning game drive in Kasenyi and transfer to Kibale National Park
• Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi village tour
• Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and top of the falls walk
• Day 8: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise
• Day 9: Transfer to Kampala via Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

Detailed 9-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up in Kampala or Entebbe and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Your guide will pick you up from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport and drive you to Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda. The journey takes about nine hours, with a lunch stop in Mbarara. You will also stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos. On arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest for the night.

Day 2: Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, island visit, and transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, enjoy a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi. You will see many bird species and beautiful island views. Take photos and visit one of the islands to meet local communities and learn about their daily life.

You might also see animals such as zebras and antelopes. Return to your lodge for lunch, then check out and drive to the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes about five hours. On arrival, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and sleep.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha sector)

After an early breakfast, pack your lunch and go to the park office for a briefing before your gorilla trek. Walk through the forest with a guide to find a gorilla family. The trek can take 2 to 6 hours, and you will spend one hour watching the gorillas.

After the trek, return for debriefing and then drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, about 63 kilometers away. Check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest.

Day 4: Game drive to see tree-climbing lions and afternoon boat cruise

After breakfast, go for a morning game drive in Ishasha to look for the famous tree-climbing lions. They are only found in two places in the world; Uganda and Tanzania. Take photos of them resting in the trees.

Later, drive to the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, about 76 kilometers away. Relax on the motorboat and see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many birds. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Morning game drive in Kasenyi and transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, go for a game drive in the Kasenyi plains to see lions, buffaloes, elephants, and other animals. The drive lasts about 2 to 3 hours. Afterward, drive to Kibale National Park, with lunch on the way.

You will stop at the Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes for a short walk and to take photos. Learn about their history and importance before continuing to Kibale. On arrival, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest.

Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi village tour

After breakfast, go to Kanyanchu Visitors Center for registration and a short briefing before chimpanzee trekking. Enter the forest with guides to search for a chimpanzee group. Once found, spend one hour watching and taking photos. The trek takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on where the chimps were last seen.

Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi village near the park. Meet the locals, learn about their traditions, and enjoy songs and dances. They will also teach you about handicraft making and cooking local food. You can buy crafts like mats and baskets as souvenirs. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and top of the falls walk

After breakfast, check out and drive to Murchison Falls National Park, about 253 kilometers away. Stop in Hoima for lunch. On arrival, visit the top of Murchison Falls to see the powerful waterfalls and enjoy views of the park. You may also spot birds and monkeys around the area.

Later, continue to your lodge, check in, and relax. Have dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise

After an early breakfast, go for a game drive in the northern part of the park. This is the best time to see lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, and antelopes. You will also see many birds such as vultures, hornbills, and kingfishers.

Return to your lodge for lunch, then go for an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River to the base of the falls. Watch hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and antelopes along the banks. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: Transfer to Kampala via Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch

After breakfast, check out and drive to Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch. It is about 78 kilometers from Murchison Falls. Go for a guided walk to see the white rhinos and learn about conservation efforts. You may also see antelopes and giraffes.

After about two hours of tracking, continue your drive to Kampala with lunch on the way. On arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel or Entebbe Airport for your departure, marking the end of your 9-day Uganda safari.