Ultimate Safari: Rhino, Gorilla, and Chimpanzee Expedition
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Murchison Falls National Park
Kibale National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Duration
- 10 days
- Main destinations
- 5
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Murchison Falls National Park
Kibale National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This 10-day Uganda safari showcases the country's most iconic wildlife and primate experiences. Track rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, explore the wildlife-rich savannahs of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, and encounter mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It is the ultimate Uganda adventure for travelers seeking the very best of the Pearl of Africa.
Entebbe > Kampala City
Ziwa Sanctuary in Nakasongola.
Murchison Falls National Park.
Kibale Forest National Park.
Starting point for Chimpanzee tracking.
Semuliki National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Bwindi National Park.
Starting point for Gorilla tracking
Kampala > Entebbe
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in the wild. Founded in 2005, the sanctuary established a breeding program to restore a population lost to poaching in the 1970s and 1980s. Four rhinos from Kenya and two from the United States formed the original breeding population, which had grown to 48 by July 2025. A visit offers the memorable experience of tracking rhinos on foot, and your entrance fee supports their conservation and eventual reintroduction to Uganda's savanna parks.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda's largest national park, known for its varied landscapes, including Budongo Forest, the Nile and savanna grasslands. Its wildlife includes elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, hippos and crocodiles, alongside more than 500 bird species. The highlight is Murchison Falls, where the Nile surges through a gorge about 7 m wide.
Kibale National Park is a rainforest renowned as the primate capital of the world, with a chimpanzee population of more than 1,500. Guided chimpanzee treks are offered in the morning and afternoon and can involve hiking for one to three hours before spending up to an hour observing a habituated community.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's best-known wildlife destinations. Founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, it was renamed Queen Elizabeth National Park two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The park supports more than 95 mammal species and 600 bird species. Within the Rift Valley, Lake Edward and Lake George are linked by the 40 km Kazinga Channel, while several communities coexist with wildlife inside the park's boundaries.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda. Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by biologically diverse rainforest and support nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. During a guided trek, you may hike for several hours to find a habituated gorilla family, then spend up to one unforgettable hour observing them before returning to the trailhead.
Arrive at Entebbe Airport.
Pick up from the airport by our driver guide.
Transfer to Kampala City which is 1 hour drive.
Check in at a hotel for the night.
Early pickup from your hotel after breakfast.
3-hour drive from Kampala to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola.
Lunch at Ziwa Sanctuary.
Drive from Ziwa to the southern gate of Murchison Falls.
Proceed to the lodge. Below are the lodge options:
Upon arrival, check in, dinner, campfire and sleep early by 9 pm
6 am Breakfast.
6.30 am Game drive in Murchison falls National Park. Animals likely to be seen are elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, leopard, antelopes, etc.
10.30 am Back to the lodge, relax, swim, etc.
12 pm Lunch.
1 pm Transfer to River Nile.
2 pm: take a 3-hour boat safari on the Nile, looking for hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife before viewing Murchison Falls from below.
5 pm Drive to visit the top of the magnificent Murchison water falls.
Later, return to your lodge for dinner, a campfire and a restful evening.
Enjoy a leisurely morning.
9 am Breakfast.
Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park, approximately 8–9 hours excluding stops, with lunch in Hoima.
Evening arrival in Kibale and check in. Below are the lodge options.
Have dinner and sleep early.
6:30 am Breakfast
7 am Transfer to the starting point for Chimpanzee tracking. You will get a detailed briefing before entering the Kibale forest to start tracking.
Trekking usually starts at 8am. It can take between 1 – 3 hours hike before finding the chimpanzee community. You will enjoy the journey in the rainforest.
Upon finding the chimpanzees, you will spend a full 1 hour with them as you watch them relax, feed and move around.
After, hike back to the starting point. You will be provided with hiking sticks.
When done with the activity, you will be driven back to the safari lodge so that you have enough rest
8 am Breakfast.
2-hour transfer to Semuliki National Park to visit Sempaya Hot Springs, where the water is hot enough to boil an egg in about 10 minutes.
Visit Amabere caves and falls.
After have an evening gentle hike in the hills of Tooro, overlooking the Rwenzori mountains, to see a number of crater lakes.
Later transfer back to your lodge.
Dinner and sleep at leisure.
8 am Breakfast.
3 hours transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Arrive and check in. Below are the lodge options:
Have lunch.
2 pm Transfer to Kazinga Channel for a safari boat cruise.
3 pm Have a 2 hour safari boat on Kazinga seeing animals like Hippos, crocodiles and many bird species. You will also be able to sail on Lake Edward. On this boat cruise, you will see one of the communities that stay inside the park.
5 pm Transfer to Lake Katwe to see the local methods of salt mining.
Late evening, transfer back to the lodge, refresh, dinner, campfire and sleep at leisure.
6 am Breakfast.
6:30 am Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Animals likely to be seen are elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopard, antelopes, etc.
10:30 am Back to the lodge, refresh, have an early lunch and check out.
1 pm: transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi, approximately 2–3 hours from Ishasha or 5–6 hours from Mweya, excluding stops.
Arrive in Bwindi and check in. Below are the options.
Relax in the evening, dinner and sleep early.
6:30 am Breakfast.
7 am Transfer to the starting point for Gorilla tracking. You will get a detailed briefing before entering the Bwindi forest to start tracking.
Trekking usually starts at 8am. It can take between 1 – 3 hours hike before finding the members. You will enjoy the journey in the rainforest.
Upon finding the gorillas, you will spend a full 1 hour with them as you watch them relax, feed and move around.After, hike back to the starting point.
When done with the activity, you will be driven back to the safari lodge.
Have lunch.
Rest for the rest of the day, for a long return journey, the next day.
Dinner and sleep.
7 am Breakfast.
Full-day return journey to Kampala with a lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara.
Evening arrival in Kampala and drop off at the Entebbe airport.
End of Safari.
Hotel Eliana, situated on Ntinda-Kiwatule Road in Kampala, Uganda, offers guests a blend of comfort and convenience. The hotel features elegant rooms, including Executive, Twin, Deluxe, and Standard options, each equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs.
Fairway Hotel & Spa, located on Kafu Road in Kampala, Uganda, offers guests a tranquil retreat with expansive lush gardens and an outdoor pool. The hotel provides a variety of rooms, each equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies overlooking the gardens.
The Kampala Serena Hotel, located on Kintu Road in central Kampala, Uganda, is a 5-star establishment set amidst 17 acres of landscaped grounds and water gardens. The hotel features 186 guest rooms, including 14 suites, each adorned with African artwork and private balconies offering garden views.
Ikorom Safari Lodge, located near the Tangi Gate of Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, offers a blend of traditional African design and modern comfort. The lodge features 12 grass-thatched cottages, each with en-suite facilities, providing options for single, double, twin, triple, and family accommodations.
Sambiya River Lodge, situated in the heart of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, offers guests a serene retreat amidst lush landscapes. Located just a 20-minute drive from the top of the iconic Murchison Falls, the lodge provides convenient access to the park's main attractions.
Paraa Safari Lodge, established in 1954, is located in Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. The lodge overlooks the Victoria Nile near Murchison Falls, where the river narrows through a gorge about 7 m wide before cascading 43 m.
Mountains of the Moon Hotel sits in the heart of Fort Portal, surrounded by lush gardens and views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Guests enjoy comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and easy access to nearby attractions. With a relaxed ambiance and local charm, it provides a serene retreat in western Uganda.
Turaco Treetops Lodge sits at the edge of Kibale National Park, offering panoramic forest views and easy access to chimpanzee trekking. Guests can unwind in spacious rooms, immerse themselves in nature walks, and embrace genuine Ugandan hospitality.
Chimpundu Lodge sits near Kibale National Park, offering modern comfort and prime access to chimpanzee trekking adventures. Guests can enjoy sweeping forest views, guided nature walks, and warm Ugandan hospitality. It provides a tranquil base for unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Simba Safari Lodge sits on a hill near Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering sweeping savannah views. Guests can venture on guided game drives or boat safaris to encounter Uganda’s diverse wildlife. With comfortable accommodations and friendly hospitality, it’s an ideal base for exploring this iconic safari destination.
Acacia Wilderness Lodge overlooks the sweeping savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering an intimate safari retreat. Guests can spot abundant wildlife on guided game drives or boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel. With comfortable cottages and genuine Ugandan hospitality, it provides a memorable wilderness escape.
Mweya Safari Lodge rests in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel and the Rwenzori Mountains. Guests can enjoy guided game drives, boat cruises, and abundant wildlife sightings. With comfortable accommodations and warm Ugandan hospitality, it ensures a memorable safari getaway.
Rushanga Gorilla Havens Lodge sits near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, offering comfortable cabins amid lush greenery. Guests can trek to see mountain gorillas, explore forest trails, and immerse themselves in Uganda’s biodiversity. With warm local hospitality and an eco-friendly focus, it promises a memorable jungle getaway.
Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge perches on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering panoramic forest views. Guests can embark on gorilla treks, forest hikes, and cultural experiences to explore Uganda’s natural wonders. With cozy accommodations and genuine hospitality, it provides an immersive wildlife retreat.
Four Gorillas Lodge nestles on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, providing a prime base for gorilla trekking. Guests can enjoy sweeping forest views, cozy accommodations, and local hospitality. With a focus on eco-friendly practices, it offers an unforgettable jungle escape in Uganda.
Your transport will be either a Toyota safari van or a Toyota Land Cruiser, depending on the price option you choose.
The Toyota safari van is a safari minivan that can accommodate up to 6 passengers. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a 4x4 SUV that is ideal for 7-8 passengers. Both vehicles are equipped with pop-up roof, fridge, charging ports and AC. The vehicles are well maintained and have a professional driver. They are also equipped with a first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable trip, we recommend packing the following items: