Ten days across Uganda’s full primate and wildlife circuit, from the thunder of the world’s most powerful waterfall to an hour spent in genuine silence with a family of mountain gorilla.
The journey opens at Murchison Falls, a walking safari toward the region’s white rhino population, a hike to the base of the falls themselves, and boat and game drive exploration of the Nile’s northern delta. From there, the route turns south to Kibale’s forest fringes and the Bigodi wetland sanctuary’s exceptional birding, before Queen Elizabeth National Park delivers a Kazinga Channel boat cruise thick with hippo and birdlife. Kyambura Gorge brings your first primate trek, chimpanzee tracking through a steep forest ravine, followed by Ishasha’s famously tree-climbing lion and a sundowner in true wilderness. The safari’s centrepiece follows at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a full day’s trek to spend a single, unforgettable hour with mountain gorilla in their natural habitat, before the journey closes with a swim and a canoe on Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second-deepest lake, and the return drive to Entebbe.
A comprehensive, privately guided introduction to Uganda’s wildlife and primates, the Pearl of Africa’s signature safari done in full.
This itinerary suits travellers who want Uganda's complete primate and wildlife story in a single trip, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, tree-climbing lion and the world's most powerful waterfall, rather than a single-activity gorilla add-on. It's especially rewarding for experienced safari travellers and dedicated wildlife enthusiasts willing to commit real trekking effort for genuinely rare encounters, and the Lake Bunyonyi finale offers a well-earned, relaxed close.
This itinerary has a genuinely unusual seasonality driven by gorilla permit pricing rather than wildlife patterns: April, May and November carry a discounted $600 gorilla permit against the standard $800 rate, a $200 per person saving that outweighs most other seasonal considerations. These months do bring wetter conditions and muddier tracks in the savannah parks, but Bwindi's gorilla trekking operates year-round regardless of season, since it's rainforest terrain by nature.
On arrival, your SWB guide welcomes you and transfers you to your hotel in Entebbe, where you’ll spend the first night before the adventure begins. Depending on your arrival time, your safari briefing can happen straight away or first thing the following morning.
Early morning, you’ll drive west toward one of Uganda’s largest and most loved national parks, with a stop along the way for a walking safari to track white rhino. Continuing on to Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll drive up to the top of the falls themselves, with the option of a further walk to the base, the most scenic vantage point in the park and, by volume, the most powerful waterfall in the world. A guided game drive rounds out the day as you make your way to your lodge.
An early morning game drive brings the chance to search for elephant, hartebeest, antelope and a wide range of birdlife, with lion and leopard both possible in a single outing on a good day. After lunch, you’ll explore the Victoria Nile up to the base of the falls, past the site where the 1951 film The African Queen was shot, with the option of a further evening game drive or a relaxed evening at your lodge.
Today, you’ll drive south into the jungle fringes of Kibale, in preparation for tomorrow’s walk through the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. Lunch is taken along the way before you arrive at your lodge, where the choice is yours, relax after the long drive, or take a guided walk through the local community.
The day begins with the Bigodi Swamp walk, among the finest birding and monkey viewing anywhere in Uganda, a 4.5-kilometre circuit through forest and swamp habitat rewarding you with a strong variety of primates and bird species. From there, you’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, lunch taken en route, arriving in time for an afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, thick with hippo, birdlife and other wildlife along its banks. A possible evening game drive follows, or simply time to relax at your lodge.
After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to Kyambura Gorge for chimpanzee trekking, checking in for a briefing before being divided into small groups and entering the forest with a park ranger, an activity that typically takes around three hours, including a full hour in the chimpanzees’ company. Carry plenty of drinking water. Afterwards, you’ll transfer to Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lion, checking in before heading out on a game drive. The day closes with a sundowner in the middle of genuine wilderness as the sun goes down.
The day begins with an early morning game drive, a chance to spot elephant, lion, leopard and considerable birdlife. Lion sightings tend to improve once the sun is fully up and warm, so there’s the option to head back to the lodge for a break and return once conditions are better, provided you started early enough to make the most of both windows. From here, you’ll transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, ahead of tomorrow’s gorilla trek.
After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to the briefing point in Bwindi’s forest to be introduced to your mountain gorilla trek. Carry plenty of drinking water and a packed lunch. A porter is available for $15 to carry your bag and assist on steep or slippery sections, well worth considering. After the briefing, you’ll be split into groups of eight, each led by a park ranger, and into the forest itself. Once your group locates the gorillas, you’re permitted one hour in their company before heading back. Rain gear is essential; Bwindi is genuine tropical rainforest. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to your lodge.
After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second-deepest lake after Tanganyika, and widely considered one of Uganda’s most beautiful. The rest of the day is yours, a swim in the lake itself or your lodge’s pool, a canoe trip to take in the scenery, or a walk through the surrounding communities.
After breakfast, you’ll begin the return journey to Entebbe, with a lunch stop at the Equator along the way. Afterwards, there’s time for some shopping for African crafts before continuing to Entebbe International Airport, bringing this ten-day Uganda safari to a close.
Pricing
Low season (Apr, May, Nov), $600 gorilla permit, from $2,900pp. Peak season (all other months), $800 permit, from $3,700 to $4,100pp. Covers guiding, transport, accommodation, park fees and permits. Meals and drinks excluded. Rates confirmed at booking.
Why travel with us
We keep group sizes intentionally small so every guest gets the attention, flexibility, and authenticity a safari deserves.
Our guides are born from the landscapes they lead. Decades of knowledge, sharp eyes, and a genuine passion for East African wildlife.
From comprehensive pre-trip briefings to 24-hour in-country support, your safety and comfort are always our first consideration.
Every safari we operate contributes to wildlife conservation and local community projects across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
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