13 Day Gorilla and Wildlife Safari
Murchison Falls · Kibale Forest · Queen Elizabeth · Ishasha
From $5,522 pp in a group of 4
15 days · Uganda
15-Day Jinja, Primates and Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Your Ugandan safari starts here and now. With all of the incredible wildlife that this country has to offer, we know that you're keen to get started. And as soon as we introduce you to your guide and answer your questions, we'll get you out there exploring.
from$4,980pp in a group of 5
$6,200 pp for a solo traveller. See every group size
- 15days
- 1country
- 5travellers at most
In brief
What this safari is
We head to the capital city Kampala, which, like Rome, was originally built across seven hills (though its rapid expansion in recent years means it's probably more like 70 today). Chosen as the capital of King Suuna II of Buganda in the 1850s, Kampala now houses more than two million people and serves as the political, intellectual and economic hub of Uganda.
Before you go
Rhino tracking, hiking to the top of the falls, chimpanzee trekking, crater-lake walks, and hiking the three falls at Sipi all ask for steady legs on uneven ground. Share mobility limits when you book so pacing on trails and vehicle seating stay realistic for everyone in the group.
Before you book
Quick facts
- Starts at
- Entebbe International Airport on day one
- Length
- 15 days
- 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: Arrive Entebbe
Entebbe
Arrival and transfer to the hotel, Entebbe International Airport.
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Day 2: Murchison Falls, rhinos and the gorge
Murchison Falls
Transfer to Murchison falls national park, Murchison Falls National Park. This afternoon you will join us for one of our favorite activities when we go rhino tracking.
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Day 3: Murchison game drive and boat cruise
Murchison Falls
You'll look for wildlife and learn all about what you see in Murchison Falls National Park on a guided game drive led by our professional guide early this morning.
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Day 4: Kibale and the Bigodi walk
Kibale Forest
Transfer to kibale national park, Kibale National Park, as the safari moves from Murchison Falls toward the chimpanzee forests of the west after breakfast and checkout at Fort Murchison.
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Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking and community tours
Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee trekking, Kibale National Park, starts with a ranger briefing and a forest walk to locate a habituated community, then time with the chimps according to park rules.
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Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth
Transfer to queen Elizabeth National park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, after breakfast, with the road dropping from Kibale toward the rift valley and Kazinga Channel country.
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Day 7: Queen Elizabeth game drive and boat cruise
Queen Elizabeth
Come with us for a guided game drive early this morning in Queen Elizabeth National Park. As always when Africa's animals are involved, there's so much for you to look forward to.
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Day 8: Semuliki hot springs
Queen Elizabeth
Transfer to semulik NP, Semuliki National Park, heading into a lowland forest landscape that feels different from the Queen Elizabeth plains.
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Day 9: Crater lakes, Toro palace and culture
Queen Elizabeth
Tour the crater lakes, Fort Portal, and hiking crater lake, Fort Portal, so you can walk the rims and look across the western rift countryside.
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Day 10: Transfer to Lake Mburo
Lake Mburo
Transfer to lake mburo national park, Lake Mburo National Park, leaving Fort Portal for a smaller savanna park known for zebra, eland, and lakeshore birds.
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Day 11: Lake Mburo game drive and boat cruise
Lake Mburo
We love showing off the landscapes and wildlife of Lake Mburo National Park, and part of the excitement is about never quite knowing which animals are going to appear.
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Day 12: Jinja and the source of the Nile
Jinja
Transfer to jinja, Jinja, as the safari swings east from Lake Mburo toward the source of the Nile and the adventure stretch of this itinerary.
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Day 13: Busowoko, Nile tubing, on to Sipi
Sipi Falls
Busowoko falls, Jinja, and tubing the nile, Jinja, fill the morning with water and spray before the long transfer east.
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Day 14: Sipi three falls, abseiling and coffee
Sipi Falls
Hiking the 3 falls, Sipi Falls, takes you along cliff paths and village trails between the upper, middle, and lower cascades.
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Day 15: Transfer to Entebbe
Entebbe
Transfer to Entebbe international airport, Entebbe International Airport, after breakfast, with the drive west from Sipi timed around your outbound flight.
Your group
Price for your group
2 travellers: $6,000 each, $12,000 in total.
| Travellers | Per person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6,200 | $6,200 |
| 2 | $6,000 3% off | $12,000 |
| 3 | $5,800 6% off | $17,400 |
| 4 | $5,000 19% off | $20,000 |
| 5 | $4,980 20% off | $24,900 |
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
- All meals throughout the safari
- Fully guided hosting with a professional guide
- All accommodations on the published lodge list
- All permits and Park entry fees, including chimpanzee trekking
- Transport between parks, Jinja, Sipi Falls, and Entebbe
Not included
- Laundry Services
- Flights
- Visa
- Souvenirs
- Tips
- Transport to and from the meeting point if you do not use the included transfers
Nights and arrival
Where you stay and how you get there
Where you stay
Nights follow the published lodge list: Latitude 0 hotel beside Entebbe on day one, Fort Murchison for the Murchison Falls sector, Turaco Treetops at Kibale, The Bush Lodge (Banda) in Queen Elizabeth, Nyati lodge for Semuliki, Aramaga rift valley lodge around Fort Portal, Kigarama Wilderness Lodge at Lake Mburo, Tusubila village cottages in Jinja, and Rafiki Lodge Sipi for the waterfall days. Rooms are tourist-standard with meals included, so early starts for game drives, chimpanzee trekking, and hiking stay supported by dinner and overnight at the same property where the itinerary names it.
Getting there
Arrival and transfer to the hotel starts at Entebbe International Airport, where your guide meets you after immigration and drives you to Latitude 0 hotel for the first night.
Share flight numbers in advance so the meet-and-greet lines up with late arrivals, and keep day-fifteen outbound times equally clear so the transfer from Sipi Falls to Entebbe International Airport leaves enough buffer for check-in.
What to bring
- Broken-in hiking boots for rhino tracking, the hike to the top of the falls, chimpanzee trekking, crater walks, and hiking the three falls at Sipi
- Light waterproof jacket for forest, boat spray, and Nile tubing
- Neutral safari clothing in layers, warm fleece for early game drives, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses
- Swimwear and a dry bag for tubing the Nile and boat cruises
- Binoculars and a camera with spare batteries
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, and a refillable water bottle
- Modest clothing for community tours, the royal Toro palace, and coffee processing visits
- Personal medication and photocopies of your passport stored separately from the original
Good questions
Questions about this safari
What is included on this safari?
This safari includes all internal airport transfers, all meals, fully guided hosting, all accommodations on the published lodge list, all permits and park entry fees, and transport between regions.
Where do we sleep each night?
Accommodation follows the day-by-day list: Latitude 0 hotel, Fort Murchison, Turaco Treetops, The Bush Lodge (Banda), Nyati lodge, Aramaga rift valley lodge, Kigarama Wilderness Lodge, Tusubila village cottages, and Rafiki Lodge Sipi.
When do we trek chimpanzees?
Chimpanzee trekking is set for day five in Kibale National Park, after the Bigodi walk on day four, with a ranger briefing and forest time according to park rules.
What happens at Murchison Falls?
Day two is the transfer into Murchison Falls National Park with afternoon rhino tracking, one of our favorite activities, then a hike to the top of the falls. Fort Murchison is the overnight base for both northern nights.
What is the Jinja section like?
Day twelve is the transfer to Jinja with a boat cruise to the source of the Nile, then overnight at Tusubila village cottages. Day thirteen adds Busowoko falls and tubing the Nile before the road climbs toward Sipi Falls.
What do we do at Sipi Falls?
Day fourteen is hiking the three falls, abseiling, coffee processing and community tours, and a community encounter around Sipi Falls, with overnight at Rafiki Lodge Sipi.
How fit do I need to be?
Rhino tracking, hiking to the top of the falls, chimpanzee trekking, crater-lake hiking, hiking the three falls, and abseiling all use uneven ground, stairs, or forest slopes, so regular walking before travel helps.
Are park fees and permits included?
All permits and park entry fees sit in the includes list, covering chimpanzee trekking, national park gates, and the boat-cruise sectors named on this itinerary.
What should I pack?
Broken-in boots, a light waterproof, layered safari clothes, a warm fleece for early drives, hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a dry bag cover rhino tracking, forest treks, boat spray, and Nile tubing.
How does the safari start and end?
Day one is arrival and transfer to the hotel from Entebbe International Airport, then a quiet evening at Latitude 0 hotel so you can rest before the road north.
Read before you book
Guides for this safari
- Chimpanzee trekking safaris Every trip that tracks chimpanzees.
- Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale and Budongo How the longer habituation experience differs from an ordinary trek.
- About Murchison Falls National Park The falls, the Nile cruise and where to go next.
- What a Uganda safari costs Every Uganda trip priced, and what the price covers.
- Best time to visit Uganda Dry and wet months, park by park.
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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