Budget Uganda Gorilla Tours

Plot 23, Old Kampala
Mon-Sat: 07:00 - 18:00

The 10 Days Uganda safari showcases the abundant wildlife and the breathtaking landscapes in the Pearl of Africa. This comes with plenty of opportunities to explore Uganda’s natural wonders from to destinations including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kibale National Park. This trip encompasses a good number of memorable experiences including gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game viewing, boat cruise excursion and more.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up & head off to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 2: Experience the best of game drive & boat cruise (Murchison Falls NP)

Day 3: Set off for unforgettable primate adventure in Kibale National Park

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale with lead of a guide & Bigodi nature walk

Day 5: Kibale, drive to Queen Elizabeth Park –go boat cruise in the afternoon

Day 6: Game drive Kasenyi Plains & at Ishasha en-route Bwindi

Day 7: Go trek Bwindi National Park gorillas & enjoy a cultural experience

Day 8: Drive by car to Lake Bunyonyi, a traditional canoe ride

Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo, afternoon game viewing

Day 10: Depart

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up & head off to Murchison Falls National Park

Set off from your pre-booked hotel in Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park, a 3840sq.km park and home to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls –Murchison Falls. The park extends in the 4 districts; Nwoya, Masindi, Kiryandongo and Buliisa, offering refuge to more than 451 species of birds, and more than 76 mammal species.

En-route to Murchison Falls NP, you will branch off to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos. Expect to explore more than rhinoceros at Ziwa. Multiple of other mammals survive within this sanctuary including bushbucks, waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, bush pigs, duikers, bohor reedbucks, and many birds. After a remarkable trek with Ziwa rhinos, proceed to Masindi for lunch and later, go check in at the lodge in Murchison Falls NP.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge
  • Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge/Fort Murchison
  • Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp/Heritage Safari Camp

Day 2: Experience the best of game drive & boat cruise (Murchison Falls NP)

Board your comfortable 4×4 safari car fully ready to embark on a morning game drive along the Northern section of Murchison Falls NP. This is one of the best sections of the park to witness diversity of mammals and birds. Get great sightings of African bush elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, leopards, lions, Kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest and multiple birdlife.

Embark on a thrilling launch/boat cruise along the Victoria Nile connecting up to the bottom of the falls. The 2-3 round recreational experience comes with remarkable sightings of aquatic species such as hippos, crocodiles and water birds.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge
  • Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge/Fort Murchison
  • Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp/Heritage Safari Camp

Day 3: Set off for unforgettable primate adventure in Kibale National Park

Meet your driver guide after a hefty breakfast and you will set off to Kibale National Park in Kabarole district. Experience the breathtaking landscape in the countryside through Hoima and on arrival at Fort Portal tourism city, expect to have lunch in one of the finest restaurants. Proceed to the respective lodges for a night stay and prepare everything ready for tomorrow’s activities.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
  • Midrange: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Primate Lodge
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale with lead of a guide & Bigodi nature walk

It is a special day to embark on a great adventure through Kibale Forest in search for habituated chimpanzees and other multiple primates. First, you will get briefed at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre and after, set off for actual chimpanzee trekking through Kibale Forest National Park with a guide.

Enjoy one hour exploring more about chimpanzee behaviors and also take as many pictures as you can. Begin trekking back and you will be offered lunch at the lodge, and then continue with a guided nature walk through Bigodi wetland.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
  • Midrange: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Primate Lodge
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 5: Kibale, drive to Queen Elizabeth Park –go boat cruise in the afternoon

A delicious breakfast will be had at the comfort of your lodge and after, leave Kibale side for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Plenty of natural beauty awaits you en-route to Queen Elizabeth NP including the scenic Crater Lakes and Rwenzori Mountains at the backdrop.

Arrive at the park early, settle for lunch and you will proceed for a leisurely launch/boat cruise on Kazinga channel. The 2-3 hours launch cruise excursion includes sighting diversity of aquatic life including birds, hippos, and crocodiles.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Mazike Valley Lodge/Mweya Safari Lodge
  • Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge/Elephant Plains Lodge
  • Budget: Bush Lodge Tents/Simba Camp

Day 6: Game drive Kasenyi Plains & at Ishasha en-route Bwindi

After breakfast, leave the lodge very early in order to catch up with early risers as they become active for the day. Drive through the park’s Kasenyi plains in a 4×4 vehicle with a guide and keep eyes on waterbucks, buffaloes, elephants, Kobs, warthogs, lions, leopards and plenty of birds.

Return while observing more wildlife and you will have early lunch then proceed to Bwindi. Drive via Ishasha area where you stand a chance to come across the tree climbing lions, topis and other unique birds. From Ishasha, proceed to the lodge around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a leisurely dinner and preparation for the next day’s experiences.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Mahogany Springs/Silverback Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
  • Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Camp

Day 7: Go trek Bwindi National Park gorillas & enjoy a cultural experience

Get up early to enjoy your delicious cup of tea/coffee and after, leave for briefing at the park offices at Buhoma area. Meet the park officials who will provide insight into gorilla trekking safety measures, allocate gorilla groups and park guides. At 8:00am, begin the 2-6 hours trek via the mist rainforest of Bwindi with a park guide in search of mountain gorillas in the wild.

A special one hour will be allocated for you to observe how gorillas behave in the wild and maximize this time for taking pictures as well. Make your way back to the lodge and you will have a leisurely lunch, relaxation and then continue to the Batwa community for a thrilling African cultural experience.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Mahogany Springs/Silverback Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
  • Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Camp

Day 8: Drive by car to Lake Bunyonyi, a traditional canoe ride

After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and today, your next destination will be Lake Bunyonyi. Located in Kabale, Lake Bunyonyi is Uganda’s deepest lake and excellent place for you to swim from free of worries of bilharzia and crocodiles. This lake has 29 islands spread across it and using a traditional canoe, you will visit one of them.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort
  • Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Mburo, afternoon game viewing

A hefty breakfast will be followed by check out of the lodge and you will be transferred to Lake Mburo National Park. Take between 6 and 7 hours driving in the spectacular Southwestern countryside, arrive early and you will check in at your respective lodges. At Lake Mburo NP, embark on an afternoon game viewing with the park guide expecting to see lots of zebras, giraffes, impalas, kobs, leopards, buffaloes and birds.

Overnight options

  • Luxury: Kigambira Lodge/Mihingo Lodge
  • Midrange: Rwakobo Lodge/Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
  • Budget: Rwonyo Rest Camp/Leopard Camp

Day 10: Depart

Early in the morning, have breakfast and after, head off for a memorable morning game drive. The beauty about today’s game drive is that you will be guaranteed of exceptional sightings of early risers in Lake Mburo NP and after, proceed to Kampala/Entebbe.

End of safari

Safari Inclusions

  • Gorilla/chimpanzee permits
  • Rhino trekking
  • English-speaking guide/driver
  • Bottled water
  • Cultural experience
  • Boat cruise
  • All trip activities on the itinerary

Safari Exclusions

  • Tips
  • Visas
  • Laundry services
  • Beverages
  • Airfares
  • Telephone bills
  • Insurance