10 Days Uganda Safari Tour - Gorillas & Chimps, Wildlife, Communities, Scenery

10 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Overview

The 10 Days Uganda Safari Tour is quite a rewarding safari to Uganda offering amazing wildlife in the Largest Savannah Park in Uganda – Murchison Falls & Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzees in Kibale, other primates in Semuliki, and the famous Sempaya hot springs, as well as wonderful gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

10 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Highlights

Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park & visit the top of the falls.

Day 2: Do game drive & boat cruise along the Nile.

Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 4: Do Chimp trekking & visit Bigodi wetland

Day 5: Drive to Semuliki Valley National Park

Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Do the game drive & the boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel

Day 8: Drive to Bwindi.

Day 9: Do gorilla trekking

Day 10: Transfer to Kampala.

10 Days Uganda Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park & Visit The Top of The Falls.

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park over 348km about 6 hours’ drive from Entebbe. You will branch off at Nakitoma to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary about 175km from Kampala.

Continue with the journey to Masindi for lunch and proceed to the park to visit the top of the falls. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Murchison River lodge (Midrange/standard), Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/basic) or Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 2: Do Game Drive & Boat Cruise Along The Nile.

Wake up early enough to catch up with the ferry crossing at 07:00am to the northern side where you will be able to do game drive.

You will be able to spot a range of game including; Giraffes, Jackson Hartebeest, Lions, Buffalo, elephant, Uganda Kobs, among other species.

Return from this activity at 11:00am and relax at the lodge till lunch time after which you draw closer to Paraa to catch up with the Nile boat cruise at 02:00pm.

On this boat ride, you will enjoy sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, water birds and other dwellers including the rare shoe bill stork. Many animals are also seen drinking on the river side.

Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous lodge.

Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale national park 441km about 9 hours’ drive through the lush country side and magical scenery of the western rift valley plus the Rwenzori Mountains before arriving in Fort Portal and Kibale in the evening.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Chimps Nest (Midrange/standard) or CVK resort (Basic/budget).

Day 4: Do Chimp Trekking & Visit Bigodi Wetland

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing about the Chimpanzee trekking activity at 08:00 am.

Set off to the forest of Kibale full of birds, 13 primate species of which chimpanzee is among and other remarkable fauna.

The activity takes over 2 – 5 hours and one hour is available for you to interact with Chimps and take photos. Afternoon, proceed to traverse Bigodi wetland for birds, Sitatunga and a simple community encounter.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 5: Drive to Semuliki Valley National Park

After an early breakfast, embark on 110km over 3 hours’ drive to Semuliki National Park. You will reach early and do a game drive to enjoy the sights of primates and forest birds.

Species to note include; Vervet monkeys, olive baboons, De Brazza’s monkey among other primate species. Visit the Sempaya hot springs in the afternoon and retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Semuliki Safari Lodge or Kirimia Guest House.

Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will pass via Fort Portal to have an encounter with Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves, the King’s Palace and continue to arrive in Queen in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/standard), Simba Safari Camp (Budget/basic) or Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 7: Do The Game Drive & The Boat Cruise Along The Kazinga Channel

Wake up as early as 6:30 to set off for an early game drive along the Kasenyi tracks. You will be able to spot a range of game including; lions, buffalo, elephant, a range of antelope species among other wildlife.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation till lunch time. Set off at 02:00 pm to catch up with the 2 hour boat cruise on Kazinga channel at 03:00pm where you will be able to see wildlife drinking on the channel side, birds on the shores and the aquatic species like Hippos and Nile crocodiles.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 8: Drive to Bwindi.

Take a journey to Bwindi (Rushaga or Nkuringo) for 367km approximately 8 hours’ drive from Mweya. You will pass through Ishasha sector where you will be able to spot tree climbing lions. Have Lunch en route and arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Gorilla safari lodge (Upmarket/luxury) or Nshongi Camp (Basic/budget).

Day 9: Do Gorilla Trekking

Wake up early enough to take breakfast and to gather at the Park headquarters Buhoma at 08:00am for briefing about the whole gorilla trekking activity.

After briefing, you will set off for the 2 – 8 hour gorilla trekking encounter. Upon encountering them, you have one hour of direct interaction while taking photos and asking some questions regarding gorillas from your respective guide.

Return to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you can reach out to the Batwa Village to have a look at these short threatened people and their way of life before retiring for overnight.