12 Day Mid Range Gorilla Safari
Murchison Falls · Kibale Forest · The Equator · Queen Elizabeth
From $4,664 pp in a group of 4
12 days · Uganda · Budget
12 Day Budget Gorilla Safari in Uganda
Twelve days across Entebbe, Murchison Falls, Kibale chimps, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi gorillas with Batwa culture, and Lake Mburo on a budget lodge plan with rhino tracking and equator photos on the final drive. Budget lodge nights still mean early game mornings; your guide keeps permit times and park entries aligned each day.
from$4,010pp in a group of 4
$5,830 pp for a solo traveller. See every group size
- 12days
- 1country
- 4travellers at most
- Budgetstyle
In brief
What this safari is
- Ziwa rhinos
- Bigodi
- Gorillas
- Batwa
- Mburo
The route spans the Nile at Murchison, primate-rich Kibale rainforest, Queen Elizabeth savanna and crater scenery, Bwindi gorilla forest, and compact acacia savanna at Lake Mburo west of Entebbe.
Before you go
Chimp and gorilla treks require forest walking on uneven terrain for up to several hours.
Before you book
Quick facts
- Starts at
- Entebbe International Airport
- Length
- 12 days / 11 nights
- Group size
- Up to 4 travellers
- Book ahead
- Please ask at least 7 days ahead
Day by day
The itinerary
Each day shows where you spend it, with today's sunrise and sunset there.
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Day 1: Entebbe arrival
Entebbe
Arrival and transfer to Entebbe hotel to relax and adjust after your flight before the safari begins in earnest.
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Day 2: Rhinos and Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch and a hike to the top of Murchison Falls where the Nile forces through the Rift escarpment.
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Day 3: Murchison game and boat
Murchison Falls
Early expert-led game drive on Murchison savanna learning about wildlife behaviour, then afternoon Nile boat cruise among hippos and crocodiles.
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Day 4: Kibale and Bigodi swamp
Kibale Forest
Transfer to Kibale National Park and guided Bigodi swamp walk for primates, birds, and papyrus habitat at the forest edge.
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Day 5: Chimps and community
Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest with briefing and one hour with habituated chimps, then community tour experiences near the park before second night at Kibale Forest Camp.
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Day 6: Queen Elizabeth transfer
Queen Elizabeth
Early transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park with salt lake visit and check-in to The Bush Lodge bandas or tents for dinner overlooking savanna scenery.
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Day 7: Queen drives and boat
Queen Elizabeth
Morning guided game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park then afternoon boat cruise on the park waterways for hippos, buffalo, elephants, and waterbirds.
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Day 8: Road to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable
Scenic transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through western highlands and forested hills with check-in at Ruhondeza Lodge and Campsite ahead of gorilla trekking.
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Day 9: Gorillas and Batwa
Bwindi Impenetrable
Early mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi with ranger briefing and up to one hour with a habituated family, then Batwa forest cultural trails before relaxing at Ruhondeza Lodge.
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Day 10: Lake Mburo transfer
Lake Mburo
Drive to Lake Mburo National Park among acacia woodland and check in at Eagle's Nest for rest after the long transfer from Bwindi sector.
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Day 11: Mburo game and boat
Lake Mburo
Early guided game drive in Lake Mburo seeking zebra, impala, eland, and birds, then afternoon boat cruise on the lake before second night at Eagle's Nest.
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Day 12: Equator and Entebbe
Entebbe
Transfer to Entebbe International Airport with Kayabwe equator experience for photos and crafts, arriving in time for your outbound international flight.
A wide lake and a big sky in Queen Elizabeth.
Your group
Price for your group
2 travellers: $5,478 each, $10,956 in total.
| Travellers | Per person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,830 | $5,830 |
| 2 | $5,478 6% off | $10,956 |
| 3 | $4,247 27% off | $12,741 |
| 4 | $4,010 31% off | $16,040 |
Prices are in US dollars per person, from the group rates listed with this trip.
The detail
What is included
Included
- All internal airport transfers on the tour
- All meals
- Fully guided safari in a 4x4 vehicle
- All accommodations listed in the itinerary
- All permits and park entry fees including chimps and gorillas
- Ground transport between parks
Not included
- Laundry services
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities
- Transport to and from the meeting point if you do not use the included airport pickup
Nights and arrival
Where you stay and how you get there
Where you stay
Budget lodges and camps such as Airport Guest House, Heritage Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, The Bush Lodge tents, Ruhondeza Lodge, and Eagle's Nest host you close to park gates after rhino walks, Nile cruises, Bigodi swamp, and savanna drives. Meals are included on full safari days according to the itinerary.
Getting there
Day one starts with transfer to Entebbe accommodation after airport arrival. Day twelve returns you to Entebbe International Airport with an equator stop en route.
Good questions
Questions about this safari
What budget lodges are used?
The route names Airport Guest House, Heritage Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, The Bush Lodge tents, Ruhondeza Lodge, and Eagle's Nest on the itinerary. These keep you near park gates for early chimps, gorillas, and game drives.
Is rhino tracking included?
Day two includes rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch plus a hike to the top of Murchison Falls within Murchison Falls National Park. Both are part of the scheduled budget itinerary rather than optional extras.
How fit must I be?
Forest treks for chimps and gorillas can last several hours on steep, muddy paths while savanna days are mostly vehicle-based. A reasonable fitness level helps you enjoy the full twelve-day pace across western Uganda.
Where do we meet?
You arrive at Entebbe International Airport on day one for transfer to Entebbe hotel rest. The safari ends with airport drop-off on day twelve after Lake Mburo and the Kayabwe equator stop.
What is Bigodi swamp walk?
Day four includes Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary near Kibale for monkeys, birds, and papyrus scenery on a community-managed boardwalk trail. It complements the chimp trek on day five.
What wildlife might we see?
Murchison and Queen Elizabeth offer elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, antelope, and lion with leopard possible. Bwindi focuses on gorillas and forest birds rather than savanna big game.
Do I need a visa for this safari?
Most visitors need a visa for Uganda, Rwanda, or Zambia depending on your route. Check current requirements for your passport nationality before you travel.
Are park and trekking permits included?
Your safari includes the park entries and trekking permits listed in the tour inclusions for the days on your itinerary.
Where do we meet on day one?
Your guide meets you at the airport or agreed hotel on arrival day one, as described in the getting there section for this route. Share arrival flight details when you contact us so the guide can meet you after immigration.
Read before you book
Guides for this safari
- How a gorilla trek works Fitness, trek times, what to bring, and why a sighting is never guaranteed.
- Every gorilla trekking safari compared Lengths, styles and prices side by side.
- Budget gorilla safaris in Uganda The same circuit at three standards.
- Chimpanzee trekking safaris Every trip that tracks chimpanzees.
- Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale and Budongo How the longer habituation experience differs from an ordinary trek.
- What a Uganda safari costs Every Uganda trip priced, and what the price covers.
More answers are on our safari questions page and in what guests say. We also arrange flights, hotels and insurance.
How payment works: the balance is due one month before your safari, a reservation made within 45 days of arrival is paid in full when it is confirmed, and a card payment carries a 3.9% service charge. The full wording is in our terms and conditions.
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