Uganda Flying Safari Tour
Safari Overview
10 Days Uganda Fly-in Safari
This 10 Days Uganda fly-in safari lets you see the best of Uganda in comfort and style. You will travel by small plane from one highlight to the next, which means no long car rides and more time for adventure. The trip takes you through open savannas, rushing rivers, green rainforests, and tall waterfalls. You will go on game drives to look for lions, elephants, and giraffes.
In the rainforest, you will search for chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. On boat safaris, you can see hippos, crocodiles, and many colorful birds. After each day, you will relax in luxury lodges surrounded by beautiful nature. These lodges offer comfort, great food, and peaceful views. This safari is perfect if you want to enjoy Uganda’s amazing wildlife and landscapes in a short time, while flying between highlights and staying in the best lodges.
What Makes This Trip Special
- Save time with short domestic flights instead of long car journeys
- Enjoy game drives in open safari jeeps provided by the lodges
- Stay in Uganda’s most beautiful and luxurious accommodations
- Experience private boat safaris on the Nile in Murchison Falls and on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Trek through Budongo Forest to see wild chimpanzees
- Join a lion tracking experience with researchers in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Meet the rare mountain gorillas during a guided trek in Bwindi National Park
Itinerary In Brief
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, transfer to hotel
Day 2: Flight to Murchison Falls National Park & Afternoon Safari
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls
Day 4: Top of the falls Visit & Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest
Day 5: Flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Afternoon Safari
Day 6: Lion Tracking and Private Boat Safari
Day 7: The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
Day 8: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 9: The great gorilla trekking
Day 10: Flight to Entebbe – afternoon at Lake Victoria
Gallery
Itinerary In Detail
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Welcome to Uganda! Your 10-day fly-in safari begins as soon as you arrive at Entebbe International Airport. A friendly guide from Choose Uganda Safaris will meet you, help with your bags, and drive you in a comfortable air-conditioned car to your nearby hotel. Entebbe is a quiet town on the shores of Lake Victoria, just 44 km (27 miles) from the capital, Kampala. With its fresh air, warm sun, and relaxed pace, it is the perfect place to start your journey in the “Pearl of Africa.” The name Entebbe means “seat” in the local Luganda language, as it was once the seat of government. Even today, the president of Uganda has an office and residence here.
If time allows, you may enjoy an optional visit to one of the local attractions such as the National Botanical Gardens, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, or Mabamba Swamp—famous for the rare shoebill birds. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and a restful night at your hotel. Tomorrow your safari adventure truly begins!
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Breakfast)
Luxury: No. 5 Boutique Hotel (Breakfast)
Day 2: Flight to Murchison Falls National Park - Jeep Safari
After breakfast in the garden, you will return to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. On arrival, a lodge representative will meet you and take you to your accommodation.
In the afternoon, you will set off on your first jeep safari in the park. The open landscape is beautiful, with rolling savannas, tall Borassus palms, and the mighty Nile River flowing through the heart of the park. Murchison Falls is especially green and full of life because of the Nile River, which also creates the powerful waterfalls that gave the park its name.
During your safari, you may see elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffalo, lions, leopards, crocodiles, hippos, antelopes, and many colorful birds. The late afternoon is one of the best times for game viewing as the wildlife becomes more active, and the golden light makes the scenery even more magical. In the evening, you will return to your lodge to relax by the campfire and enjoy the sounds of the African wilderness before dinner and overnight stay.
Note: The jeep safaris are organized by your lodge and may be shared with other guests staying there.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Nile Safari Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 3: Lions, elephants and hippos during the safaris
Today is all about wildlife and the beauty of Murchison Falls National Park. Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will head out on a jeep safari across the savanna plains. This is one of the best times of day to spot animals, as the air is cool and the sun is rising over the grasslands. Along the way, you may see lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and many antelope species. At the Nile River, you can watch hippos lounging in the water. The safari is organized by your lodge and may be shared with other guests.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a private boat safari on the Nile. Slowly drifting down the river, you will pass crocodiles resting on the banks, hippos grunting in the water, and colorful birds flying overhead. With a bit of luck, you might even spot elephants coming down to drink. The highlight of the trip is reaching the base of the powerful Murchison Falls, where the longest river in the world squeezes through a narrow gap and drops 40 meters below.
This private boat safari lasts about three hours and is a very special experience. Unlike the larger group boats, the smaller private boat allows you to get closer to the wildlife, move at your own pace, and fully enjoy the peaceful atmosphere—just you and the river. In the evening, you’ll return by boat to your lodge, where dinner and a relaxing overnight stay await.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Nile Safari Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 4: Top of the falls Visit & Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo
Today you will explore more of Uganda’s most wildlife-rich park. After breakfast, you will set out with a packed lunch for a walk to the top of Murchison Falls. Here, the Nile River squeezes through a gap only seven meters wide before crashing 43 meters into the valley below. From different viewpoints, you can feel the spray, hear the thunder, and see the raw power of this waterfall—one of the strongest on the planet. It is the perfect place to enjoy your picnic lunch with breathtaking views.
In the afternoon, you will continue to Budongo Forest, the largest rainforest in Uganda and home to about 800 chimpanzees. Guided by an experienced ranger, you will begin your chimpanzee trekking adventure. As you move through the forest, you’ll listen for their loud calls and look for signs like broken branches and footprints. The excitement grows as you get closer. Soon, you may see them swinging through the trees, grooming each other, or resting on the forest floor—sometimes just a few meters away.
Budongo is quieter and less crowded than other trekking areas, making this encounter even more special. Besides chimpanzees, the forest is also home to monkeys, baboons, and over 360 bird species, including many rare ones. After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge to relax, enjoy the views, and spend a peaceful evening surrounded by nature.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Nile Safari Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 5: Flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Afternoon Safari
In the morning, your lodge driver will take you to Pakuba airstrip for your flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park. When you land, another driver will be waiting to take you to your lodge inside the park. Here, you can relax, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and have a delicious lunch before your first safari.
In the afternoon, you will set off on a jeep safari through the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most beautiful reserves, stretching over 2,000 km² in the Great Rift Valley. It is framed by the Rwenzori Mountains in the north and Lake Edward in the west. At its heart lies the famous Kazinga Channel, home to hippos, crocodiles, and countless waterbirds. The park also has volcanic craters, open savannas, and deep valleys filled with rainforest.
During your safari, you may see large herds of elephants and buffalo, graceful Ugandan kobs, topi antelopes, lions, leopards, and even hyenas. As the sun sets, the golden light makes the savannas and crater lakes even more stunning, while animals become more active for the evening. You will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the African night sky.
Note: The jeep safari is organized by your lodge and may be shared with other guests.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe room (Full board)
Exclusive: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 6: Lion Tracking & Private Boat Safari
After breakfast this morning, you will go on safari with a professional biologist who studies the park’s lions and leopards. Using radio collars, the biologist can track the movements of lion prides and sometimes even leopards.
This gives you a unique chance to see lions up close, learn about their behavior, and experience the savanna through the eyes of a researcher. Because you are with the biologist, you are also allowed to leave the regular tracks and drive off-road. This makes the experience even more exciting. The income from this activity supports wildlife research in the park.
In the afternoon, you’ll board a private boat for a safari along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. This waterway is one of the best places in Africa to see hippos—often hundreds in one day! You may also spot crocodiles basking on the banks, buffalo cooling off in the water, and herds of elephants coming down to drink and play.
The birdlife here is incredible, with countless species along the shore. Having your own private boat makes this safari even more special. You can move closer to wildlife, set your own pace, and enjoy the peaceful setting without the crowds. In the evening, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing night under the African stars.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe room (Full board)
Exclusive: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 7: The tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
After a relaxed breakfast, your lodge representative will drive you to the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This quiet, remote area is dotted with ancient fig trees and the Ntungwe River, giving a real feeling of African wilderness.
In the afternoon, you will set off on a jeep safari in search of Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions. These lions often rest in the treetops, creating a rare and unforgettable sight. Along the way, you may also see buffalo, herds of Ugandan kobs, other antelope species, and hippos in the river. The warm afternoon is the perfect time for spotting wildlife as the sun begins to set.
After your safari, you will return to your lodge for a refreshing drink and dinner. The evening can be spent around a campfire under the stars, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the African wilderness. The jeep safari is operated by your lodge and may be shared with other guests.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Full Board)
Day 8: Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Start your day with one last morning safari in Ishasha, searching for tree-climbing lions, leopards, topi, and other wildlife. Early mornings are the best time to spot predators, and as the sun rises, the lions often climb into the trees, giving you perfect photo opportunities. Your jeep safari is organized by your lodge and may be shared with other guests.
After the morning safari, you’ll begin your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive takes you through beautiful landscapes as you leave the savanna behind and enter the lush, mountainous rainforest. Upon arrival, check into your lodge on the edge of the forest and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the stunning views.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the most important areas in the world for gorilla trekking. This dense rainforest, together with the Virunga Mountains in nearby Rwanda, is home to almost half of all wild mountain gorillas. In addition to gorillas, the park shelters over 120 mammal species and 350 bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife lovers.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Bwindi Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 9: The great gorilla trekking
This morning, get ready for the highlight of your trip: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The trek begins close to your lodge, making it easy to reach the forest. Guided by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers with years of experience, you’ll walk through the dense rainforest, moving carefully and quietly in search of a gorilla family.
As you follow the signs of the gorillas—broken bamboo stems, nests, footprints, and droppings—the anticipation builds. The forest is alive with birds, monkeys, and the sounds of nature, making the journey as exciting as the destination. Then comes the unforgettable moment: you meet a silverback and his family. The majestic gorilla may observe you calmly, almost as if studying you, while his family goes about their day. This close encounter with these gentle giants is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay in your memory forever.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Bwindi Lodge (Full board with drinks)
Day 10: Flight to Entebbe - afternoon at Lake Victoria
After an incredible adventure in Bwindi, it’s time to leave the rainforest behind. The memories of meeting mountain gorillas and experiencing the beauty and power of Central Africa will stay with you forever. A driver will take you from your lodge to Kihihi airstrip, about an hour away.
From there, you’ll fly back to Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you and take you to your guesthouse, where a day room is ready for you to relax, freshen up, and enjoy some downtime.
In the evening, you’ll be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight home. Meals at the guesthouse or nearby restaurants are at your own expense. This marks the end of your unforgettable 10-day Uganda adventure. We hope your journey was filled with amazing sights, incredible wildlife, and memories to last a lifetime!
Price Information
Prices are based on two people sharing a double room. If you are traveling with more people, we can provide a custom quote for your group. The per-person cost decreases as more people join. All prices are starting prices and shown in USD per person.
Luxury Package
- 2 people: $10,395 per person
- 3 people: $9,113 per person
- 4 people: $8,708 per person
Exclusive Package – Low Season
- 2 people: $16,539 per person
- 3 people: $15,122 per person
- 4 people: $14,987 per person
Exclusive Package – High Season
- 2 people: $22,413 per person
- 3 people: $21,468 per person
- 4 people: $20,927 per person
The Price Includes
- Overnight stays in Uganda’s finest accommodations
- Three domestic flights within Uganda
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Most excursions listed in the itinerary
- All entrance fees to national parks
- All safaris in open 4x4 Land Cruisers (may be shared with other travelers)
- All transfers throughout the tour
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
Exclusions (Not Included)
- International flights to and from Uganda
- Drinks unless specified in the itinerary
- Visa fees for Uganda
- Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Tips
Important Information
Accommodation Levels
This carefully curated tour offers two accommodation levels, allowing you to choose the experience that best suits your style. Each day’s options are linked directly to the corresponding lodges, so you can immediately get a feel for these exceptional properties. Price differences between the levels are clearly indicated in the pricing section.
Luxury: Stay at Uganda’s finest lodges, where comfort, service, and cuisine are unparalleled. Enjoy exclusive experiences and amenities that reflect the highest standards.
Exclusive: For discerning travelers and gourmets, these unique lodges offer intimate, small-scale settings, exceptional service, exquisite dining, and thoughtfully curated wine selections.
Transportation During the Trip
Unlike traditional overland tours, this itinerary uses local flights to move efficiently between highlights. Where flights are not available, comfortable 4×4 Land Cruisers provided by your lodges handle all transfers. Upon arrival at each location, a lodge vehicle will be ready to escort you to your accommodation. Safaris are conducted in the lodges’ open 4×4 Land Cruisers. Other guests may occasionally join, though private safaris can be arranged for an additional fee.
Trip Intensity
Uganda sits on the equator, but the high altitude keeps temperatures pleasant, typically ranging from 23°C to 28°C. The trip is designed to be accessible to travelers with a normal level of fitness. Gorilla trekking is the most physically demanding experience on the itinerary. Treks may last anywhere from two to seven hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. If you have concerns about your fitness or stamina, we strongly recommend consulting with us prior to your trip.
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