10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour

Pickup from Entebbe/Kampala and Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour begins the moment you’re picked up by our professional guide from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Kampala. As the wheels roll across Uganda’s richly textured landscape, you’ll witness verdant plantations, traditional villages, and bustling roadside markets—a living gallery of Ugandan life.

A major highlight of the day is your visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild white rhinos on foot. Led by experienced rangers, this rhino tracking experience immerses you in thrilling, up-close encounters with these endangered giants. It’s a rare conservation success story and your introduction to the Big Five.

Upon arrival in Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll take a short hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a 7-meter gorge, creating a dramatic roar and mist. As evening sets in, your first game drive in the park provides encounters with elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and possibly lions or leopards, preparing you for the wild wonders to come.

Full Day Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park

Day two of the 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour plunges you deep into the wilds of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. You’ll start with a sunrise game drive, the best time to spot predators like lions and leopards hunting or resting after a night’s prowl. Keep your camera ready for Ugandan kobs, oribis, jackals, and a dazzling array of birdlife.

After breakfast, head for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile, a truly iconic experience. Glide past pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, and flocks of waterbirds as you approach the base of Murchison Falls. The power of the Nile here is hypnotic, and the lush riverside attracts elephants, baboons, and even the rare shoebill stork.

As twilight approaches, your evening game drive opens a window into the nocturnal world of the park. You might spot civets, hyenas, or porcupines, rounding out a day that exemplifies the sheer richness of Uganda’s wildlife.

Morning Game Drive in Murchison Falls and Road Transfer to Kibale Forest

The third day of your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour starts with a final morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. As the mist rises from the grasslands, you’ll have another chance to encounter big cats, herds of elephants, and towering giraffes.

After a hearty breakfast, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, a verdant realm known as the primate capital of the world. The road journey spans 5–6 hours, taking you through some of Uganda’s most scenic countryside—from traditional farms to mountainous terrain. As you arrive in Fort Portal, the gateway to Kibale, the air changes to a refreshing forest breeze, signaling your entry into primate territory.

This transition day not only connects two premier parks but also allows you to appreciate Uganda‘s vast ecological diversity—from savannah to rainforest. Rest and recharge at your eco-lodge nestled on the forest edge in preparation for tomorrow’s thrilling primate experience.

Morning Chimpanzee Tracking and Afternoon Bigodi Swamp Walk

Today’s focus on primates is a defining moment in the 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the Kibale Forest Visitor Center for a briefing. Accompanied by skilled trackers, you’ll set off into the jungle in search of habituated chimpanzee families.

Once you locate them, you’ll spend a magical hour observing their social dynamics—watching mothers groom their babies, alpha males display dominance, and juveniles swing from tree to tree. The forest, with its tangled vines and ancient trees, is alive with other primates too: L’Hoest’s monkeys, red colobus, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

In the afternoon, a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary reveals a peaceful yet biologically rich ecosystem. A haven for birders, this swamp is home to the great blue turaco, papyrus gonolek, and more than 200 other bird species. You’ll also encounter baboons, bushbucks, and a tapestry of medicinal plants used by local communities.

 Wildlife Safari Experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Leaving Kibale behind, your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour leads to the iconic Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive offers sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountains—the fabled Mountains of the Moon. By midday, you’ll be in the park, which straddles the equator and is famous for its ecological diversity.

An afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi Plains reveals herds of buffaloes, warthogs, lions, and waterbucks. With luck, you might even witness a predator-prey chase—nature’s drama in real-time.

Later, embark on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George. The banks teem with hippos, monitor lizards, Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of birds. This relaxed water safari allows for incredible close-ups and panoramic wildlife photography.

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Drive to Ishasha Sector

The sixth day of your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour begins with a morning game drive to further explore Queen Elizabeth’s savannah ecosystem. Spot leopards, hyenas, topis, and maybe even a glimpse of the elusive giant forest hog.

Post-lunch, journey south to the Ishasha Sector, home of Uganda’s most iconic tree-climbing lions. These majestic cats often rest in the limbs of ancient fig trees, offering a unique photographic opportunity. The Ishasha plains also feature elephants, topis, and abundant birdlife, set against a tranquil and less-crowded landscape.

Your evening game drive may reward you with sightings of lion prides lounging in trees—one of the rarest wildlife spectacles in Africa.

Morning Game Drive in Ishasha Sector and Road Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day seven of your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour begins with a sunrise game drive through Ishasha’s golden grasslands. Early hours are the best time to spot tree-climbing lions, herds of elephants, and elands.

From Ishasha, drive to the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of mountain gorilla conservation. Upon arrival, enjoy a deeply moving Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa, once forest dwellers, share stories, demonstrate hunting techniques, and perform traditional dances. It’s a humbling insight into a vanishing culture intimately tied to the forest.

This day seamlessly weaves together wildlife and cultural heritage, preparing you for the emotional and physical journey of gorilla trekking.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Afternoon Relaxation at the Lodge

The emotional and experiential peak of your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour arrives with mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi. After an early start, join expert trackers who will guide you through steep trails, dense vines, and muddy undergrowth. Once your gorilla group is found, spend an awe-inspiring hour just meters away from them. Witnessing their behavior—chest beating, nurturing infants, or quietly feeding—forms an indelible memory.

After trekking, return to your lodge to rest and reflect. Enjoy the soothing comfort of a spa treatment, or sip Ugandan coffee while overlooking the mist-shrouded forest. This day blends physical challenge, wildlife intimacy, and peaceful recovery, all at once.

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Adrenaline Activities and Photography

Your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour transitions to relaxation and adventure with a drive to Lake Bunyonyi, often called the Switzerland of Africa for its terraced hills and island-studded waters. The lake is free of bilharzia and dangerous wildlife, making it perfect for swimming and water activities.

Choose from a range of options: ziplining, canoeing, island hopping, or a gentle hike offering panoramic views. Visit Punishment Island, where cultural history meets natural beauty. Birdwatchers will love spotting crested cranes, kingfishers, and weavers.

As the sun sets over the mirror-like water, you’ll understand why Bunyonyi is a favorite for photographers and honeymooners alike.

Scenic Road Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe for Departure

On the final day of your 10-Day Uganda Big Five Safari & Gorilla Trekking Tour, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before starting the scenic return drive to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. Along the way, stop at Equator Crossing for photos and souvenirs.

This is your moment to absorb the richness of your journey—from roaring waterfalls and endless savannahs to deep jungle encounters and serene lakes. Uganda will have carved a place in your heart, and the memories will last a lifetime.