10-Day Uganda Safari: Big Five, Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Experience Uganda’s ultimate wildlife adventure with World Blossom Safaris. This 10-day Uganda safari for Big Five, gorillas and chimpanzees combines thrilling game drives, mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, spectacular waterfalls and breathtaking African landscapes. Explore Uganda’s most famous national parks with a professional driver-guide, comfortable accommodation and unforgettable wildlife encounters.

Discover why Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa on a private safari designed for couples, families, friends, solo travelers and wildlife photographers.

Tour Name: 10-Day Uganda Safari: Big Five, Gorillas and Chimpanzees
Tour Operator: World Blossom Safaris Ltd
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Destination: Uganda, East Africa
Tour Type: Wildlife Safari, Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking
Departure Point: Entebbe or Kampala
Accommodation: Budget, midrange or luxury lodges
Transport: Private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
Main Activities: Big Five wildlife viewing, rhino tracking, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives and boat cruises.

Tour Overview

This 10-day Uganda safari for Big Five, gorillas and chimpanzees takes you through some of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife destinations. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Track white rhinos on foot at Ziwa, search for lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes on savannah game drives, and cruise along the Victoria Nile and Kazinga Channel. In Kibale Forest, encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat, then travel to Bwindi for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience.

With World Blossom Safaris, you can tailor your journey to your preferred accommodation level, travel dates and budget while enjoying the services of a local Ugandan tour operator.

Tour Highlights

• Search for all members of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.
• Track rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
• Explore Murchison Falls National Park and witness the mighty Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge.
• Enjoy a guided game drive in search of giraffes, lions, elephants and other wildlife.
• Take a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls.
• Track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.
• Discover the savannah plains and wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Enjoy a Kazinga Channel boat cruise to see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and waterbirds.
• Search for the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.
• Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to encounter endangered mountain gorillas.
• Travel through Uganda’s beautiful countryside with an experienced driver-guide.

Detailed 10-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Your Hotel

Welcome to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa! Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your World Blossom Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a relaxed introduction to Entebbe, visit the lakeshore or simply rest after your international flight. Your guide will brief you about the upcoming adventure, including wildlife activities, gorilla trekking preparations and the journey through Uganda’s national parks.

Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation: Hotel in Entebbe
Meals: Depending on your arrival time and hotel arrangement

Day 2: Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey north toward Murchison Falls National Park. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino-tracking experience on foot.

Accompanied by trained sanctuary guides, learn about rhino conservation and observe these impressive animals in their protected habitat. This experience contributes to completing your Big Five wildlife checklist.

Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, known for its savannah landscapes, abundant wildlife and spectacular Nile River scenery. Depending on arrival time, visit the Top of the Falls viewpoint before checking into your lodge.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Activities: Rhino tracking and Top of the Falls visit
Accommodation: Safari lodge near Murchison Falls
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 3: Murchison Falls – Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Start the morning with an exciting game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park. Look for African elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and lions. Leopards may also be spotted with some luck.

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. Observe hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds along the riverbanks while enjoying views of the powerful waterfall.

This is one of the major wildlife highlights of your 10-day Uganda safari for Big Five, gorillas and chimpanzees, offering excellent opportunities for photography and wildlife observation.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Activities: Morning game drive and afternoon Nile boat cruise
Accommodation: Safari lodge near Murchison Falls
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 4: Murchison Falls – Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart for western Uganda and continue toward Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its chimpanzees and diverse primate population.

Enjoy scenic views of rural communities, green countryside, plantations and traditional settlements along the route. There will be suitable stops for refreshments and lunch.

Arrive in the Kibale or Fort Portal area later in the day and check into your lodge. Relax and prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee tracking experience.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Activities: Scenic countryside drive and lodge relaxation
Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides before entering the forest in search of chimpanzees.

Follow experienced guides through the tropical rainforest as you listen for chimpanzee calls and observe the behaviour of these intelligent primates. When the habituated chimpanzee group is located, visitors are normally allowed a regulated viewing period of up to one hour, subject to current park rules.

You may also encounter other primates and forest birds during the trek. In the afternoon, you can relax at your lodge or arrange an optional guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking and optional Bigodi Wetland walk
Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 6: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a renowned wildlife destination featuring open savannah, crater lakes, wetlands and rich biodiversity.

Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive or a relaxed exploration of the surrounding area, depending on your arrival time. Search for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other savannah animals. Lions and leopards may also be encountered.

The park’s diverse landscapes make it a rewarding stop on your 10-day Uganda safari for Big Five, gorillas and chimpanzees.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activities: Scenic transfer and game drive, subject to arrival time
Accommodation: Safari lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Rise early for a game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, one of the park’s well-known wildlife-viewing areas. Look for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and lions, with leopards possible.

Later, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel attracts large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and waterbirds, offering wonderful photography opportunities.

Depending on your interests and timing, your guide can also help arrange a visit to a nearby community or a suitable cultural experience.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activities: Morning game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Accommodation: Safari lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, travel south through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can search for the famous tree-climbing lions.

Continue through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its mountain gorillas and rich montane rainforest.

Arrive at your lodge in the gorilla trekking sector confirmed for your permit. Your guide will brief you on the next day’s activity, including appropriate clothing, walking conditions and how to prepare for the trek.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activities: Ishasha wildlife viewing and scenic transfer
Accommodation: Lodge in the confirmed gorilla trekking sector
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to the selected package

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today brings one of the greatest highlights of your 10-day Uganda safari for Big Five, gorillas and chimpanzees: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After an early breakfast, report to the designated park headquarters for a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will then enter the forest with your assigned guide and tracking team to search for a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location and the terrain. Once the family is found, visitors are generally allowed one hour to observe the gorillas, subject to current regulations.

Watch these remarkable primates as they feed, rest, groom and interact within their natural habitat. After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation and a well-earned evening meal.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activities: Mountain gorilla trekking
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to th