This 7-day Uganda safari with Mgahinga gorilla trekking takes you through Uganda’s top wildlife destinations, from the savannah plains to the tropical forests and mountain highlands. You will encounter the Big Five animals, track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, and trek the rare mountain gorillas in Mgahinga. Each day offers a new experience, from rhino tracking to cultural encounters with the Batwa people.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick Up and Travel to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your driver guide for a briefing about your safari. Start your journey to Murchison Falls National Park with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot. This experience allows you to get close to rhinos in their natural environment while learning about conservation efforts.
During your visit, you may also spot zebras, warthogs, antelopes, hyenas, and waterbucks. Continue your journey and stop for lunch en route. Arrive at your lodge inside Murchison Falls National Park by evening, check in, have dinner, and relax.
Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, go for a morning game drive in the park. Look out for lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes to complete your Big Five encounters. You may also see giraffes, antelopes, warthogs, topis, and oribis.
Visit the top of Murchison Falls to see the Nile River force its way through a narrow gorge, creating a powerful waterfall and mist that forms a rainbow. Return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile, where you can spot hippos, crocodiles, and several water birds. Animals such as elephants and buffaloes can also be seen drinking along the riverbanks. After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out and drive to Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its large population of chimpanzees. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours, with a stop for lunch along the way. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, check in, have dinner, and relax.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a pre-trekking briefing. Join the rangers as they lead you into the forest to track chimpanzees. The trek can last 3 to 5 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ location. Once found, spend one hour observing them as they feed, play, and move through the trees.
Take photos and videos following the trekking rules explained in the briefing. After the experience, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest.
Day 5: Game Drive and Travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Start your day with breakfast, then head out for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is known for lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. You may also see Uganda kobs, topis, waterbucks, and reedbucks.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch. Later, drive south to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro District, a journey of about 6 hours. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience
After breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. You will be placed in a group of up to eight people and assigned a gorilla family to track. Follow the ranger guides through the forest until you find the gorillas.
Spend one hour observing and photographing them as they feed and interact. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some rest.
In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community, one of the oldest forest-dwelling groups in the region. Learn about their history, culture, and traditions, and enjoy performances of traditional songs and dances. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe for your departure flight. Enjoy an en route lunch on the way. Arrive at the airport in time for your flight home, marking the end of your 7 days Uganda safari with Mgahinga gorilla trekking.
