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8-Day Best of Uganda safari
From
US $2,441 Per Person
8-Day Best of Uganda: Wildlife & Gorilla Trekking Safari
From
USD $2441
Call A Safari Expert
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8-Day Best of Uganda SAFARI
Uganda is called the “Pearl of Africa” for a good reason. It is full of amazing wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people. Most visitors come to see the famous silverback gorillas in the misty rainforest jungles. But Uganda has so much more. You will find huge lakes, green mountains, volcanoes, and colorful birds everywhere.
Uganda is one of the most special places for nature lovers. It has over 1,000 types of birds, 345 kinds of mammals, 4,500 plants, 142 reptiles, and 1,250 butterflies. This makes it a paradise for wildlife and adventure lovers.
On this 8-day best of Uganda safari, you will visit some of the best places in Uganda, including Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Mutanda, and Lake Mburo National Park. You will see gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, zebras, lions, hippos, and hundreds of birds. Each day brings a new adventure and amazing memories. Let’s go on safari in the country that boasts Africa’s tallest mountain range and largest lake!
Why book This Safari:
- Stand just meters away from mighty silverback gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — an unforgettable, magical wildlife viewing experience.
- Walk through thick rainforest and watch playful chimpanzees swing and eat in their natural home.
- See elephants, crocodiles, lions, and buffalo up close, and cruise the Kazinga Channel surrounded by hundreds of hippos and waterbirds.
- Relax by the peaceful Lake Mutanda with the Virunga Volcanoes in the background, and enjoy kayaking, caneoing, paddleboarding, or a boat ride.
- Choose a walking, biking, or horseback safari to explore zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and over 300 bird species in a small, scenic park.
Your Itinerary Detail
Day 1: Entebbe
Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! Your journey starts the moment you land at Entebbe International Airport. Your Choose Uganda Safaris guide will meet you, help with your bags, and take you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to your nearby guesthouse or hotel.
Entebbe Town sits near Kampala on the shore of Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake) and has a calm, friendly atmosphere. If you arrive early, you can walk through the Entebbe Botanical Garden, take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria, or shop for souvenirs at the Entebbe Craft Village.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Airport Guest House
Middle Class: The Boma Hotel
Semi Luxury: 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Lake View Room With AC)
Luxury: No5 Boutique Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Optional activities
- Entebbe – Craft Village Visit – Free
- Entebbe – Botanical Gardens – USD10
- Sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria USD 180
Day 2: Kibale National Park – Cultural village walk
This morning, you can go out and try a rolex (a chapati rolled around an egg omelette with vegetables). It is a popular Ugandan street food and tastes even better than it sounds! After eating, you will drive about 5 hours (320 km) west to Kibale Forest National Park, a beautiful tropical rainforest in western Uganda. This forest has 13 kinds of primates, more than any other forest in East Africa! It is the best place in Africa to see wild chimpanzees.
You can also see olive baboons, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, and over 370 kinds of birds. If you are very lucky, you may even see forest elephants or leopards.
When you arrive, you will check in, relax, and later take a walk in Bigodi Village. During this walk, you will meet a traditional doctor who will tell you about medicinal plants, herbs, and spirits. You will also learn about the culture and history as you visit a home. A village elder will share stories about traditional weddings, special events, and local life. As you move through the villages, you may also visit a school or a church.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Middle Class: Turaco Treetops Standard Cottage
Semi-Luxury: Turaco Treetops Luxury Cottage
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge
Exclusive: Kibale Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activities:
- Nature walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland – USD30
- Kibale National Park – Canoe Ride – USD25
- Kibale National Park – Community Forest Walk (including park fees) – USD70
- Kibale National Park – Crater Lake Walk – USD10
Day 3: Chimp Trekking – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will go to the Kanyanchu Tourism Centre in Kibale National Park for your chimpanzee trek, which starts at exactly 8am.
The activity begins with a short briefing from the skilled park rangers who will guide you. After the briefing, you will walk into the forest to look for our closest relatives. The trek takes about 3 to 4 hours and can be a bit tough, with muddy paths and thick plants, but the reward is amazing — you get to see chimpanzees in the wild. You will watch them for one hour as they play, feed, and communicate high up in the trees. After the trek, return to the lodge to relax and have lunch.
In the afternoon, you will drive about 2 hours south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way, you will stop at the Equator line monument for photos. This large park is almost 2,000 km² and sits in the Rift Valley. It is bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains in the north and Lake Edward in the west. At the centre is the Kazinga Channel, which links Lakes Edward and George and offers great boat safaris.
West of the channel is a beautiful area filled with volcanic craters. The Kyambura Gorge is a deep valley with rainforest and chimpanzees. Queen Elizabeth National Park has elephants, buffaloes, topis, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and many other animals. It also has more than 600 kinds of birds.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Bush Lodge Self-Contained Tent
Middle Class: Bush Lodge Banda
Semi-Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Safari Tent
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe Room
Exclusive: Honey Bear Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Activities
Start your day with an early breakfast at the lodge, then head out for a morning game drive. Driving through the Kasenyi Plains gives you a great chance to see many famous African animals.
You may spot African elephants, buffaloes, kob, bushbuck, hippos, giant forest hogs, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, hyenas, leopards, and many other animals. This part of the park is also very beautiful, especially in the soft morning light. Bird lovers can also look out for special species like the Shoebill, African Hobby, Rüppell’s Vulture, Bateleur, Brown Snake Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Grey Kestrel, African Finfoot, African Skimmer, Palm-nut Vulture, and Papyrus Gonolek.
After the game drive, return to the lodge to relax and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy another exciting activity! You will go to the Mweya Jetty for a two-hour boat cruise starting at 2pm. A boat trip on the Kazinga Channel is a must-do when visiting the park. You will cruise just a few metres from hundreds of hippos and buffaloes, while elephants drink along the shore.
You will also see many waterbirds, including African Skimmer, pelicans, cormorants, African Openbill, Saddle-billed Stork, Glossy Ibis, African Wattled Lapwing, Water Thick-knee, Grey-hooded Gull, and several types of terns. Nile crocodiles can also be seen along the water’s edge. After the boat cruise, you will take a short game drive along the channel track as you head back to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Optional Activities
Predator Tracking – USD 100
In the morning, you can join a special safari led by a biologist from the park. This expert studies lion prides and some individual leopards. You will learn about their behaviour and movements and get a unique look into their world. The lions (and sometimes leopards) are tracked with radio collars, so you are almost guaranteed to see lions. Leopard sightings are not always certain. Because you are with the biologist, you are allowed to go off the main tracks. The money from this activity supports wildlife research.
Private Boat Safari – USD 350
A private boat trip gives you a closer and more personal wildlife experience. A smaller boat lets you get nearer to animals, move at your own pace, and enjoy the moment with just your group.
Kyambura Gorge Trekking – USD 100
You can also take a breathtaking walk through the Kyambura Gorge. This deep, 100-metre-high and 11-kilometre-long valley cuts through the savannah and holds a beautiful rainforest along the Kyambura River. The forest is home to chimpanzees and other wildlife. Rangers will try to help you find them, but sightings are only about 50%. Even so, the walk itself is stunning and one of the most beautiful hikes in the country. It is a fun and adventurous trek with some climbing and scrambling.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Bush Lodge Self-Contained Tent
Middle Class: Bush Lodge Banda
Semi-Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Safari Tent
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Deluxe Room
Exclusive: Honey Bear Bush Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Lake Mutanda/Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This morning, you will leave the savannas and take a drive of about 3 to 6 hours toward the volcanoes of southern Uganda. The drive is incredibly beautiful and shows just how diverse Uganda is. You will pass rainforests, crater lakes, coffee farms, and rolling mountains and hills until you reach the volcanoes near the stunning Lake Mutanda. The view is unforgettable!
The luxury version of this trip includes a stay in a luxury cottage at the beautifully located Mutanda Lake Resort. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and although it is not a full luxury lodge, we chose it for its amazing setting, warm service, and great food. If you prefer something more luxurious, we can arrange that too.
You can also choose to go rafting today on the Birira River, which flows through the jungle between Ishasha and Bwindi. If you add this rafting trip, you will spend an extra night in Buhoma so you don’t have to drive to Lake Mutanda afterward.
Optional Full-Day Gorilla Rafting – USD 130
Uganda is a fantastic place for jungle rafting! The Rwenzori Mountains feed many rivers in western Uganda, giving you the chance to raft through thick tropical rainforest. Starting from Kambuga, you will raft down the Birira River between Ishasha and Buhoma. This trip is full of adventure and breathtaking scenery. You will float past green hills, banana farms, and forests filled with monkeys and birds. It is perfect for adventurers, nature lovers, and families (children 8+). The day begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM, with a typical Ugandan lunch included. Your safety is taken very seriously. A trained trip leader will be with you on the raft, and two safety kayakers will follow you to guide and assist if needed.
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda is a magical lake in the far southwest of Uganda, resting at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. These giant volcanoes connect Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Around the lake are beautiful rainforests where the endangered mountain gorillas live. This makes Lake Mutanda a perfect base for gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas can be found in nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The area around the lake is full of wildlife. You may spot kingfishers, grey crowned cranes, otters, chameleons, frogs, and lizards.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Gorilla Valley Lodge
Middle class: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage
Semi-luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Exclusive: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Kibale Forest National Park – Chimpanzee Permit & Trek
- Kibale Forest National Park – Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk
Optional Activities:
- Kibale National Park – Canoe Ride – USD25
- Kibale National Park – Community Forest Walk (including park fees) – USD70
- Kibale National Park – Crater Lake Walk – USD10
Special information
Since chimpanzees are usually spotted high in the trees, it might be worth bringing a pair of binoculars to make the most out of your day today.
Day 6: The great gorilla trekking!
This morning, you will travel into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for one of the biggest highlights of your entire trip — gorilla trekking. The Bwindi rainforest, together with the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, is the most important home for mountain gorillas. Though the forest is not very large, it shelters almost half of all the mountain gorillas in the world. It is also home to 120 other mammal species and 350 different birds.
During your trek, you will walk and crouch through thick forest with the help of skilled Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. They will help you follow clues such as gorilla dung, nests, chewed bamboo, and broken branches. Then comes the magical moment — standing just meters away from a mighty silverback and his family. Watching them behave so calmly and naturally in front of you is an experience you will never forget.
Optional Activities
Water Activities at Lake Mutanda
- Swimming in the clean, bilharzia-free lake – free
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding – USD 15
- Kayaking – USD 25
- Canoeing in a dugout canoe (traditional and fun!) – USD 30
- Motorboat ride for birdwatching or a relaxing sundowner with a drink – USD 40
Mgahinga National Park Adventures
- Climb Mount Sabinyo (3,669m high, about 8 hours — stand in 3 countries at once!) – USD 100
- Golden Monkey Trekking – USD 60
Cultural & Nature Experiences
- Visit the Batwa Pygmies – USD 30
- Village walks around the community – USD 30
- Beautiful forest walks in Bwindi – USD 40
Gorilla Habituation Experience – USD 1500
Spend up to four hours with a gorilla family alongside researchers. Only four visitors are allowed, giving you a rare and special look into how gorillas get used to humans over time.
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Gorilla Valley Lodge
Middle class: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage
Semi-luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Exclusive: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Special information
Visits to the gorillas are strictly controlled to reduce possible negative impacts on gorilla health and behaviour. A surgical face mask must be worn while within proximity of the gorillas to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
You will be provided with a walking stick and the option to hire a porter who can carry your day pack and assist you on the trek. It costs 20 USD to hire a porter, plus an optional tip. Hiring a porter not only makes your trek easier but also encourages local communities to embrace gorilla conservation and tourism. Some porters are ex-poachers who now recognize the value in gorilla conservation practices.
Day 7: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
Today you will leave Lake Mutanda with unforgettable memories. Your time with the gentle mountain gorillas — Dian Fossey’s famous “Gorillas in the Mist” — will stay with you forever, along with the beauty and power of Central Africa’s wild landscapes. You will follow the main road that links Rwanda, Kampala, and Kenya as you travel to the beautiful Lake Mburo National Park, a drive of about 5 hours. This is Uganda’s smallest safari park and the only one where you can find impala and eland. At the center of the park lies Lake Mburo, home to hippos, crocodiles, and many different bird species.
Optional Activity
Lake Mburo Night Safari – USD 50
Before dinner, you can head out for an exciting night safari. You will look for galagos, hyenas, and you might even spot a leopard — night is the best time to find them!
Accommodation Options:
Simple: Eagle Nest Lake Mburo
Middle class: Rwakobo Rock
Semi-luxury: Rwakobo Rock
Luxury: Mihingo Lodge
Exclusive: Mihingo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Game Walk or Mountain Bike Safari/Entebbe
This morning, you can choose between a walking safari or a mountain bike safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Because there are no lions or elephants here, these activities are safe and give you a close, personal way to explore the wildlife.
You may also choose a horseback safari, but this is only possible if you spent the night at Mihingo Lodge. After your morning adventure and a late breakfast, you will cross the Equator and drive back to Entebbe, a journey of about 4 to 5 hours. You will reach the airport in the early evening for your flight home. This marks the end of your Uganda journey — we hope it has been a truly wonderful experience!
Optional Activities
Lake Mburo Walking Safari – USD 30
Go on foot with a ranger to look for zebras, buffaloes, eland, and giraffes. It’s also perfect for bird lovers since Lake Mburo has about 310 bird species.
Mountain Bike Safari – USD 60
Explore the park on a mountain bike and enjoy green landscapes, zebras, impalas, and other antelope. The hills make this a fun and active ride — a great way to start your day!
Horseback Riding Safari – USD 100
Ride through the park on horseback for a unique and peaceful wildlife experience. Suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.
Requirements:
- Maximum weight: 90 kg (200 lbs)
- Can only be booked at Mihingo Lodge
- Must check availability on-site
Accommodations: Not Included (End of Tour)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Prices And Levels For This Trip
The selected comfort levels (see the bottom of the page for more information) give you a good indication of the type of accommodations and the total price. We’d be happy to discuss in person whether the accommodations meet your needs and combine different levels where appropriate.
* The prices below are starting prices and are shown in US Dollars per person .
Simple
- 1 Person = US$ 4906
- 2 Pax = US$ 3349
- 3 Pax = US$ 2989
- 4 Pax = US$ 2690
- 5 Pax = US$ 2606
- 6 Pax = US$ 2470
- 7 Pax = US$ 2441
Middle Class
- 1 Person = US$ 5388
- 2 Pax = US$ 3672
- 3 Pax = US$ 3291
- 4 Pax = US$ 2957
- 5 Pax = US$ 2872
- 6 Pax = US$2719
- 7 Pax = US$ 2692
Semi-Luxury
- 1 Person = US$ 5453
- 2 Pax = US$ 3972
- 3 Pax = US$ 3476
- 4 Pax = US$ 3230
- 5 Pax = US$ 3081
- 6 Pax = US$ 2982
- 7 Pax = US$ 2911
Luxury
- 1 Person = US$ 6406
- 2 Pax = US$ 4253
- 3 Pax = US$ 3866
- 4 Pax = US$ 3424
- 5 Pax = US$ 3358
- 6 Pax = US$ 3148
- 7 Pax = US$ 3140
LExclusive
- 1 Person = US$ 13599
- 2 Pax = US$ 9984
- 3 Pax = US$ 9927
- 4 Pax = US$ 8939
- 5 Pax = US$ 8857
- 6 Pax = US$ 8789
- 7 Pax = US$ 8753
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodation as per itinerary (Day 1–7) in your selected category
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari driver–guide
- Airport pickup on arrival
- Airport drop-off at the end of the tour
- All fuel for the trip
- All national park entrance fees
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (Kibale Forest National Park)
- Gorilla Trekking Permit (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (Mweya Jetty)
- Bigodi Cultural Village Walk
- All ranger fees for guided activities
- Scenic stops (e.g., Uganda Equator)
- Nature walks where indicated
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Full-time support from Choose Uganda Safaris
- Lodge amenities such as WiFi (where available)
- All government taxes
- 24/7 assistance from the safari company
Tour Exclusions
- International flight to and from Uganda
- Domestic flight transfers
- Optional Activities
- Travel insurance
- Visa
- Tips
