Uganda Big five and primate safari covers some of the best National Parks in the pearl of Africa. Murchison Falls National Park and Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is home to the Big Five, and a river cruise to the bottom of the powerful Murchison falls offers unique experiences and game viewing opportunities. Kibale Forest National Park is home to about 15 primate species including the chimpanzee. Queen Elizabeth National Park with a backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains is dotted with crater Lakes, the Kazinga channel harbors some of the most amazing Big game on earth. The superstars here are the tree climbing lions, herds of elephants and lots of Bird species.

A safari to Uganda is incomplete without visiting the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers the best gorilla trekking experiences.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Uganda.
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Day 3: Game Drive & Afternoon Boat ride to the bottom of the falls.
Day 4: Morning and Afternoon Game Drives.
Day 5: Scenic flight from Murchison Falls to Kasese, Drive to Fort-portal.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park & Bigodi swamp walk.
Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 8: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park & Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.
Day 9; Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 10: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Afternoon craft village walk.
Day 11: Fly to Entebbe; connect to an international flight – optional day excursions.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Uganda.

Adventure Consults’ airport staff will meet you on arrival, assist through customs, get your luggage, and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may have a briefing on your safari today or the following day before setting off for the trip.

Overnight accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Most of the hotels are 10 minutes’ drive from Entebbe airport.
Inclusions: Bed & Breakfasts basis.
Excludes: All meals and Drinks.

Day 2: Entebbe – Drive to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Meet your safari guide at the lobby for a briefing on your safari.

Start your journey Murchison Falls National Park (early departure recommended, not later than 0800 hours).

You will have a de-tour of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The sanctuary was created in 2005 to re-introduce the southern White Rhinos in Uganda after their extinction in the 1980s. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch is so far the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild.

As of April 2023, the sanctuary has for thirty-eight (38) southern white rhinos some of which are newly born babies. You will have a guided/escorted bushwalk in search for the gentle giants that freely roam around on a 70-square-kilometer land. There are also opportunities for sighting Uganda Kobs, Oribis, bushbucks, and waterbucks among others, and lots of Bird species during the Rhino walk.

The drive from Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is approximately 3 hours (+/- depending on the traffic), while the Rhino walk takes about 2 hours.

After the walk, you will relax and have lunch before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park.

The drive from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls National Park is about 3 hours. Could be less but due to speed limits within Protected Areas, expect considerable delays.

Time permitting, drive to the top of Murchison Falls (this is optional). The vantage top point offers the best opportunity for viewing the perfected Nile’s beauty as it’s forced through a seven-meter cleft in the rocks and plunges 45 meters down, forming a spectacular rainbow.

Meals and Overnight at the Safari Lodge.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Most lodges in Murchison falls exclude all drinks.

Day 3: Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Ride to the bottom of the falls.

Have a cup of your favorite beverage (coffee or tea) and head out for an early morning game drive (starting at 6:00 am, and lasting 3-4 hours). Keep an eye out in the thickets, trees, and ground for rewarding Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for a full breakfast.

Lunch at the lodge.  You will later head out to the jetty for a 2pm boat ride to the bottom of Murchison falls. You will cruise upstream by boat on the calm Victoria Nile, providing an opportunity for getting close to Nile crocodiles as well as Hippos, and lots of Birds. Regular visitors to the riverbanks include elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, and a plethora of aquatic birds. The Boat ride on the Nile will take you to the base of the falls just tens of meters from the “Devil’s Cauldron”.

We usually consider scheduled boats. The type of boat to use (either big or small) is to be determined on the day of the boat trip. Private/exclusive boats are available on payment of supplement.

Meals and Overnight at the Safari Lodge.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Most lodges in Murchison falls exclude all drinks.

Day 4: Afternoon and Morning Game Drives.

Today, will be dedicated to exploring the Park with two game drives (morning and afternoon), with a break for lunch and siesta in between.

Murchison Falls National Park’s rich wildlife diversity as well as jaw-dropping scenery provides for more than just game drives. It is undoubtable that every game drive experience is extraordinarily unique.

In the afternoon, you have an option to drive to the top of Murchison Falls (if not visited on day 2). The vantage top point offers the best opportunity for viewing the perfected Nile’s beauty as it’s forced through a seven-meter cleft in the rocks and plunges 45 meters down, forming a spectacular rainbow. Enoy once in a lifetime photo-ops at a point where there’s always a rainbow so long as the sun is out.

Return to the lodge and have sometime to relax.

Meals and Overnight at the Safari Lodge.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Most lodges in Murchison falls exclude all drinks.

Day 5: Scenic flight from Murchison Falls to Kasese – Drive to Fort-portal.

After breakfast, transfer to Pakuba airstrip in time for your scenic flight to Kasese airstrip. The flight takes about one hour while the drive from Kasese Airstrip to the Lodge is about 2 hours.

The caravan Bush planes, with experienced pilots, fly at a low altitude, providing breathtaking views of the Great Nile River, varying ecosystems, and Wildlife from above. As you fly towards western Uganda, keep an eye out for the magnificent landscapes dotted with stunning Lakes, Rivers, wetlands, road networks, and rolling Hills. Prior to landing at Kasese airstrip, the mystical snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain Range will welcome you.

Baggage restrictions on domestic flights:  Maximum luggage weight is 15 kgs /33lbs in soft-sided bags.  Standard luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, 18 inches (45cm) length, and 13 inches (33cm) width. Any excess luggage can be paid for at 3$ per Kg depending on space availability or can make advance reservation.

Adventure Consults’ guide will meet you at Kasese airstrip and transfer to Fort Portal. The 2 hours’ drive (+/-) will take you through the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains christened the “Mountains of the Moon”. Depending on the time, you might have lunch in Fort Portal, or continue to the lodge arriving in time for lunch.

The afternoon will be spent at leisure- relaxing or heading for a crater walk or hike to the top of the worldwhere you will enjoy the views of the village farmlands, rural homesteads, and lots of Birds, or play soccer with the locals.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest NP and Bigodi swamp walk

After Breakfast, begin the day with a transfer to Kanyanchu Park Headquarters in time for a briefing that starts at 7:30 am, then later head out to the forest to observe the endangered chimpanzees.

Scientifically known as Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, the Eastern chimpanzees are found in the moist evergreen Kibale Forest National Park with over 1500 individuals. This 795-square-kilometer Protected Area is popular for sheltering the highest concentration of primates in the world – 13 species, including the very ‘localized’ Red Colobus as well, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, to mention but a few.

During the chimpanzee trek, the Ranger guide will provide detailed information on more than just primates. The forest is endowed with some of the oldest trees in Africa out of which some are medicinal, and others are used by Chimpanzees for communication. Your walk will be interestingly informative and exciting. You don’t have to be a birding enthusiast to enjoy the competition of Chimpanzee calls and bird sounds.

Today, you have there’s an option for a Uganda meal to give you a true feel of Africa. At Tinka’s homestay, food is served in a grass thatched hut while seated on a mat. You however have an option for other international cuisines or dishes at any of the lodges in Kibale area (discuss with the guide on the type of preferred type of lunch).

In the afternoon, you may simply relax at the lodge or go for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp for primate and bird viewing. The approximately 4.5 Km round walk takes you through a swamp that shelters over 200 species of birds that include Great Blue Turacos, Papyrus gonolek, Blue, Crowned eagles, Purple-breasted sunbirds, African Pitta, Papyrus Canary, and many more swamp endemics. During this wetland walk, you are likely to see more primates such as Olive baboons, Black and White Colobus, Red Tailed monkeys, L’Hoests Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Blue Monkeys among others.

The local guides will share exciting details of the local lifestyles, history, and culture of the community. On returning to the Lodge in the evening, you can relax while watching the sun as it dips down in the snow-capped Mountains of the moon, and many hills surrounding the lodge.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park. App. 3 hours’ drive.

After breakfast, head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, via the frontier town of Kasese, surrounded by the breathtaking snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain Range. You will arrive at the lodge early afternoon.

After lunch, go for a game drive. This savannah park is a haven for about 95 species of mammals that include Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Lions, Topis, Hippos, Leopards, Bushbucks, side-stripped jackals, warthogs, spotted hyenas, African bush elephants, and Cape buffaloes among others.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 8: Game drive & Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.

Make sure you are up before so that you don’t miss out the colorful sunrise session!

After a cup of coffee/tea, head out for a game. As the sun peeps out of the broken clouds, it reflects on thesavannahs, creating shady moments. The sparkling sunlight reflection on the lakes and green wetlandsgives the best moment for classic big game and colourful birds to hang out.

Two famous game tracks- Kasenyi track, and Queens’s mile will never disappoint! There are high chances of sighting the Leopard, African bush elephants, Hippos, Lions, Cape buffaloes, and several antelope species.

Enjoy a Picnic Breakfast at a beautiful site by the community craft market, facing Lake Bunyampaka. Depending on the season, you might see the colorful flamingos in a distance.

After lunch, drive to the Mweya pier in time for the 2 pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The channel is a 32-kilometer- long natural water stretch that links Lake Edward and George.

The boat cruise on the channel provides the best opportunities for up-close animal viewing and photography with lots of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s bird life is rich, colorful, and stupendous totaling to 600 recorded species.

We normally book scheduled boats. The type of boat to use (either big or small) is to be determined on the day of the boat trip. Private/exclusive boats are available on payment of supplement.

Weather permitting, go for a sundowner and have a taste of Uganda’s finest gin, and a mix of both local and premium drinks as you look at the sun dipping in the horizon. Note that snacks and soft drinks on house, all alcoholic drinks are on own account.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Today, you will head out to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector famous for its tree climbing Lions and multitude of animals. The drive from Mweya sector to Ishasha is about two and a half hours, and a short game drive through Ishasha is about one hour.

The Northern Sector of Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) is still pristine and untouched with only a handful of game vehicles found around the area at any time. Large herds of buffalo are common in Ishasha, as are Uganda Kob. You will not miss the elephant, waterbuck, bushbuck, and topi. The ‘super stars’ of the area are the tree climbing lions that can regularly be seen snoozing on a limb on one of the fig trees.

After a short game drive, have lunch at Savannah lodge, then after proceed to Bwindi/Buhoma, arriving late afternoon.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has got almost 400 species of plants, providing habitat for over 120 mammal species (including 11 primates), 346 species of birds (including 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics), 202 species of butterflies, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many other endangered species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is notable for being home to over 50% of the approximately 1,060 Mountain Gorillas still living on earth.

In the afternoon, go for a tea planation walk and ceremony. Bwindi has got the best soils that favors growth and flourishing of tea farms. You don’t have to be a ‘tea-person’ to learn more about tea! Afte lunch, you will head out for a tea tour and get to know how tea is grown, picked and traditionally processed. The tour also shows how ‘black’, ‘green’ and ‘white’ teas are produced and differentiated. You have an opportunity to sample the fine teas at the end of the tour whilst looking over the impressive forests.

Time permitting, go for a visit to Ride for a woman project:  This is a charitable organization set up to support women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. Your visit indirectly supports the project work and while here, you may participate in basketry, weaving, and have an opportunity for craft shopping. You can as well place your order for African designed cautions, dresses, wrappers, table mats and all that has got an African touch on it! The ladies will ensure your orders are ready for collection within 24 hours or earlier.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 10: Gorilla Tracking – Afternoon Gorilla lab visit

Today is dedicated to visiting the Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

While in Buhoma, you can access Gorilla families of Buhoma or Ruhija sectors. Depending on the sector/family booked to track gorillas, you may leave the lodge either at 0600hrs for Ruhija or 0700hrs for Buhoma area. Breakfast is always ready by 0500 hours or can opt to have a packed breakfast if leaving at 0600hrs.

This beautiful park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 50% of the world’s remaining Gorillas. The rainforest is spectacular, heavily vegetated, and dense landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for trekkers. The time taken to find the Gorillas depends on Gorilla movements and in most cases, they are either looking for food or simply taking time to walk in their territory.

When you finally find them, you are allowed to spend 60 minutes while watching and following their movements. The thrill of spending time with and observing these gentle giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long-lasting memories of a truly unique experience.

Mountain gorillas are generally shy and peaceful creatures, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch and photograph them as they interact with each other.

In the afternoon, Visit Dr. Gladys’ Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) center. This is a non-profit organization that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of the people living around protected areas. CTPH focuses on human and wildlife coexistence in and around protected area. It’s at Conservation through Public Health that samples from the Gorillas are examined as part of the health observation process to ensure the good health of Gorillas. If you are lucky, you may meet the founder (Dr. Gladys Kalema). If not at the center, you are assured of meeting one of her team members who will take you through detailed explanation and experiments of their day-to-day job to ensure animals and local community health is taken care of. Listen to their stories and you will fall in love with Mountain Gorillas.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 11: Fly to Entebbe and connect to an international flight.

After breakfast, transfer to Kihihi airstrip in time for your morning flight to Entebbe Airport. The morning flight departs Kihihi airstrip at 9:45 am (flight schedule can change and sometimes at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, but in most cases would be for safety reasons).

Baggage restrictions on domestic flights:  Maximum luggage weight is 15 kgs /33lbs in soft-sided bags.  Standard luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, 18 inches (45cm) length, and 13 inches (33cm) width. Any excess luggage can be paid for at 3$ per Kg depending on space availability or can make advance reservation.

The drive from Buhoma to Kihihi airstrip takes about 2 hours. The approximate flight duration is one hour and forty-five minutes. It can be shorter than that, but the actual duration depends on the routing of the day.

You will arrive Entebbe airport by 1125hrs (sometimes earlier). If you have a connecting international/regional flight today, ensure it’s scheduled to depart Entebbe not earlier than 1345hrs.

On arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be assisted through customs and connect to your international/regional flight.

If you have more than 4 hours layover from 11am, Adventure consults offers various options.

  • Complementary transfer to the nearby restaurant (outside the airport) where you will have an early lunch (on own account), then later transfer back to the airport in time for your flight.
  • Day room at a hotel near Entebbe airport (on payment of supplement).
  • Optional day activities to keep you busy and get to see more of Entebbe. Please ask for detailed info and related costs to ensure reservations are in place.

Accommodation options.

There is a wide range of accommodation facilities in Uganda that meet our clients’ standards.

It’s quite difficult to list all of them but have done our best to mention the few we can. Get in touch and we discuss all your safari specifications.

Accommodation in Entebbe

The gateway to Uganda has got several accommodation options that cater for the needs of all visitor categories ranging from large groups to small boutique hotels with 10 to 20 rooms that take care of honeymooners and family travelers. while in Entebbe or Kampala, our safari packages include Bed & Breakfast.

  • Hotel Number 5.
  • Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe.
  • The Boma hotel.
  • Lake Victoria Serena Golf resort and spa.
  • 2 Friends Beach Hotel.
  • Papyrus Guesthouse.
  • Best Western Premier Garden Hotel.
  • K Hotels.
  • Admas Grand Hotel.

Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park accommodation options are quite many. These range from luxury, midrange, to the budget. While at Murchison falls, Adventure Consults’ safari packages include all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).

  • Nile Safari Lodge.
  • Paraa Safari Lodge.
  • Murchison River Lodge.
  • Pakuba Safari Lodge.
  • Sambiya River Lodge.
  • Twiga Safari Lodge.
  • Fort Murchison.

Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation options at/around Kibale Forest National Park are endless. Most if not all facilities have got beautiful views of either the verdant forest, crater lakes, hills or valleys. Some are in Fort-portal town.

  • Ndali Lodge.
  • Kyaninga Lodge.
  • Crater Safari Lodge.
  • Primate Lodge.
  • Turaco Treetops.
  • Chimpundu Safari Lodge.
  • Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge.
  • Kibale Forest Camp.
  • Papaya Lake Lodge.
  • Isunga Lodge.
  • Kibale Forest Lodge.
  • Nyaika Hotel.
  • Fort Motel.

Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park provides a wide array of accommodation options. Some facilities are inside the park and others all outside but within proximity of park activities. All facilities have magnificent views of the savannah plains, lakes, rivers, mountains, and every green craters.

  • Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
  • Elephant Plains Lodge.
  • Mweya Safari Lodge.
  • Katara Lodge.
  • Buffalo Safari Lodge.
  • Enganzi Lodge.
  • Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
  • Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
  • Parkview Safari Lodge.
  • Kasenyi Safari Camp.
  • Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge.
  • Ishasha Jungle lodge.

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi has got a variety of accommodation options. They range from high-end luxury camps/lodges, midrange, to budget camps.

  • Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
  • Buhoma Lodge.
  • Mahogany Springs lodge.
  • Trekkers Tavern Lodge.
  • Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge.
  • Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.
  • Engagi Lodge.
  • Ride 4 a woman Cottages.