12 Day Budget Gorilla Safari
Murchison Falls · Kibale Forest · Queen Elizabeth · Bwindi Impenetrable
From $4,010 pp in a group of 4
12 days · Uganda · Mid-range
12 Day Mid Range Gorilla Safari in Uganda
Twelve mid-range days from Entebbe through Ziwa rhinos, Murchison Falls, Kibale chimps, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha lions, Bwindi gorillas, and Lake Mburo game drives with equator stop before Kampala or airport finish. Mid-range lodges across savanna and forest sectors keep drive days realistic while treks follow authority briefings.
from$4,664pp in a group of 4
$7,535 pp for a solo traveller. See every group size
- 12days
- 1country
- 4travellers at most
- Mid-rangestyle
In brief
What this safari is
- Rhinos
- Bigodi
- Kazinga
- Ishasha
- Gorillas
- Mburo
Northwest Nile savanna, Kibale rainforest, Queen Elizabeth rift scenery, Bwindi gorilla slopes, and Lake Mburo acacia country show Uganda's diversity on one loop.
Before you go
Chimp and gorilla treks require forest hiking that may last several hours on steep paths. Game drives and boat trips are mostly seated but days start early; permits are included when secured for your dates.
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
Airport welcome and transfer to Entebbe hotel for dinner and overnight to prepare for northwest safari departures on day two.
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Day 2: Rhinos toward Murchison
Murchison Falls
Drive northwest via Luwero Triangle to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for on-foot rhino tracking, lunch at Kabalega resort, then continue through Kichambanyobo or Tangi gate into Murchison Falls National Park.
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Day 3: Game drive and Nile boat
Murchison Falls
Early game drive through Borassus palm forest and savanna toward Lake Albert, afternoon boat up Nile to Murchison Falls watching crocodiles at the base with optional climb to cliff-top viewpoint.
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Day 4: Tea country to Kibale
Kibale Forest
Hearty breakfast and scenic drive past tea plantations into Kibale Forest National Park block hosting thirteen primate species including chimps, mangabeys, and red colobus.
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Day 5: Chimps and Bigodi
Kibale Forest
Morning chimp tracking trek in Kibale rainforest, afternoon guided Bigodi swamp walk for birds and primates on community-managed boardwalk trails.
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Day 6: Equator to Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park crossing equator marker with possible wildlife sightings on evening game drive before lodge dinner and overnight.
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Day 7: Queen drives and Kazinga
Queen Elizabeth
Early morning game drive across crater lakes and savanna, lunch at lodge, then afternoon Kazinga Channel boat among hippos, buffalo, elephants, and dense birdlife.
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Day 8: Ishasha to Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable
After breakfast traverse Ishasha for tree-climbing lions and large mammals, lunch at safari lodge, then south through bamboo forest scenery to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lodge.
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Day 9: Gorilla trek and village
Bwindi Impenetrable
Morning gorilla trekking briefing and forest adventure with up to one hour with gorillas, optional pygmy community village walk or forest waterfall nature walk in afternoon.
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Day 10: Lake Mburo transfer
Lake Mburo
Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park through acacia woodland with game drive on approach seeing eland, zebra, impala, and varied habitats from hills to swamps.
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Day 11: Mburo walk and boat
Lake Mburo
Morning guided nature walk into the wild returning for hearty breakfast, afternoon boat trip on Lake Mburo among hippos, warthogs, buffaloes, and possible leopard habitat.
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Day 12: Equator and Entebbe
Entebbe
Depart for Kampala with Kayabwe equator stop to stand in both hemispheres for photos, arriving late afternoon for airport transfer or hotel drop-off.
Sunset over a dirt track at Murchison Falls.
Your group
Price for your group
2 travellers: $6,711 each, $13,422 in total.
| Travellers | Per person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7,535 | $7,535 |
| 2 | $6,711 11% off | $13,422 |
| 3 | $5,336 29% off | $16,008 |
| 4 | $4,664 38% off | $18,656 |
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
Mid-range lodges near Murchison, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo follow rhino tracking, palm forest game drives, chimp treks, Bigodi swamp walks, and Kazinga Channel cruises. En suite rooms and lodge meals support early departures on permit days.
Getting there
Entebbe International Airport pickup on day one transfers you to hotel for dinner and overnight. Day twelve ends in Kampala or Entebbe Airport after equator stop depending on your booking preference.
Good questions
Questions about this safari
Is rhino tracking included?
Day two includes rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the drive northwest toward Murchison Falls National Park through the Luwero Triangle. White rhinos are tracked on foot within the sanctuary woodland.
Will we see tree-climbing lions?
Day eight crosses Ishasha sector famous for lions lounging in fig trees while watching Uganda kob herds below. Sightings are likely though not guaranteed when cats hunt in grassland instead of climbing.
What happens at Lake Mburo?
Days ten and eleven include morning nature walk, game drive on entry, and afternoon boat trip on Lake Mburo seeking eland, zebra, impala, hippos, and birds among acacia woodland.
How fit must I be?
Gorilla trekking may range from a few hours to most of a day on muddy forest slopes depending on gorilla movements. Chimp day is similarly active while boat and drive days are gentler.
Where do we meet?
Day one warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport leads to hotel transfer for dinner and overnight. Day twelve equator stop precedes Kampala or airport drop-off late afternoon.
What is Bigodi swamp?
Day five afternoon guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary managed by Kibale community association supports rural livelihoods while showcasing birds, primates, and papyrus vegetation.
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.
- Mid-range 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.
Next
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