11-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Big Five Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your Nkuruba Community Tours guide will warmly welcome you and provide a brief introduction to your safari before transferring you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.

If time allows, enjoy a relaxing visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the peaceful shores of Lake Victoria before your evening safari briefing.

Drive Time: 15–60 minutes

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe

• Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel

• Budget: Airport Guesthouse

Meals: Dinner (depending on arrival time)

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast, travel north towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest protected area.

Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience before continuing through rural Uganda to the park.

Later, visit the spectacular Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging dramatically below.

Drive Time: 6–7 hours

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

• Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinn

Day 3: Game Drive & Nile Boat Safari

Rise early for a game drive across Murchison's northern plains, where wildlife is most active.

Look out for:

• Lions

• Elephants

• Rothschild's giraffes

• Buffaloes

• Leopards

• Uganda kobs

• Jackson's hartebeests

After lunch, enjoy an unforgettable boat safari along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, where hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife gather along the riverbanks.

Accommodation: Same lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Scenic Journey to Kibale Forest via Fort Portal

Today, travel southwest through changing landscapes of rolling hills, farmland, and tea plantations.

As you reach Fort Portal, pass through the beautiful crater lake region where Nkuruba Community Tours first began guiding walking adventures. Depending on timing, stop at one of the scenic viewpoints overlooking the volcanic lakes before continuing to Kibale Forest.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary—a community conservation success known for monkeys, birds, butterflies, and the iconic Great Blue Turaco.

Drive Time: 6–7 hours

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Turaco Treetops

• Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking & Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, head to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest.

Track wild chimpanzees through the rainforest and spend one unforgettable hour observing their fascinating behavior.

After lunch, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying spectacular views of crater lakes and the distant Rwenzori Mountains along the way.

Drive Time: 2–3 hours

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge

• Mid-range: Enganzi Lodge

• Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin with a sunrise game drive across the famous Kasenyi Plains, one of Uganda's best wildlife-viewing areas.

Possible sightings include:

• Lions

• Leopards

• Hyenas

• Elephants

• Buffaloes

• Uganda kobs

• Warthogs

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos, alongside crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and impressive birdlife.

Accommodation: Same lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Bwindi

After breakfast, travel through the famous Ishasha Sector in search of Uganda's remarkable tree-climbing lions resting in giant fig trees.

Continue through the scenic Kigezi Highlands before arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge

• Mid-range: Bwindi Lodge

• Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience

Today's adventure is the highlight of your safari.

After a ranger briefing, begin your trek through Bwindi's ancient rainforest in search of a mountain gorilla family.

Once you find the gorillas, spend one extraordinary hour quietly observing these gentle giants.

Later, visit the Batwa community, where you'll learn about their traditional forest lifestyle through storytelling, music, dance, and cultural demonstrations.

Accommodation: Same lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Travel northeast to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's smallest savannah park but one of its most scenic.

Unlike many parks, Lake Mburo offers guided walking safaris with an armed ranger, allowing you to explore on foot among zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, and buffaloes.

Guests may also choose an optional cycling safari.

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Mihingo Lodge

• Mid-range: Eagles Nest

• Budget: Leopard Rest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Lake Mburo & Return to Entebbe

Enjoy one final morning game drive before leaving Lake Mburo.

On your journey back to Entebbe, stop at the Uganda Equator Monument for memorable photographs, local crafts, and lunch.

Arrive in Entebbe later in the afternoon.

Drive Time: 5–6 hours

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Protea Hotel Entebbe

• Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel

• Budget: Airport Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed transfer to Entebbe International Airport according to your flight schedule.

As your safari comes to an end, you'll leave with unforgettable memories of Uganda's incredible wildlife, welcoming communities, and breathtaking landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast