10 Day Pearl of Africa Gorillas, Chimps and Big Game
Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and the Nile at Murchison Falls, in one well-paced circuit through western Uganda.
Go beyond the expected.
Ten days that follow the classic western Uganda circuit: rhinos on foot at Ziwa, game drives and a Nile cruise with a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, the Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi, and a gentle last stop at Lake Mburo. The route and day order follow the standard 10-day itinerary offered by established Uganda operators.
- Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Game drive and boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Kazinga Channel launch cruise and Ishasha's tree-climbing lions
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- A walking or boat safari at Lake Mburo before the flight home
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- Mountain gorilla permit and chimpanzee tracking permit
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Guided activities as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Entebbe to Murchison Falls via Ziwa
Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
Your guide meets you at Entebbe airport and you drive north with lunch on the way. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track southern white rhinos on foot, then continue to Murchison Falls National Park and settle in for the evening.
Day 2 Game drive, Nile cruise and the top of the falls
Murchison Falls National Park
Start with a morning game drive in the northern sector for giraffe, elephant, buffalo and lion. In the afternoon take the launch upstream to the base of Murchison Falls, past hippos and crocodiles, then hike for about an hour to the top of the falls.
Day 3 Murchison Falls to Kibale
Fort Portal and Kibale National Park
A long drive of about six to seven hours southwest to Kibale, with lunch in Fort Portal and views of tea estates, crater lakes and the Rwenzori mountains.
Day 4 Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland walk
Kibale National Park and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
After a briefing at the ranger station, track a habituated chimpanzee community and spend an hour with them. In the afternoon take the community-run walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for birds and monkeys.
Day 5 Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive south for three to four hours through plantations and crater lakes to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with an evening game drive on arrival.
Day 6 Kasenyi game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains for lion, elephant, buffalo and Uganda kob, then an afternoon launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, buffalo and elephants gather along the banks.
Day 7 Ishasha to Bwindi
Ishasha Sector and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A morning game drive in the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees, then continue to Bwindi. In the late afternoon you can take a short community walk past a school, clinic and craft shops.
Day 8 Mountain gorilla trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a briefing at park headquarters, trek into the forest to a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them. Trek times vary from a couple of hours to most of the day.
Day 9 Bwindi to Lake Mburo
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mburo National Park
Drive five to six hours southeast to Lake Mburo, with a lunch stop on the way, and take an evening game drive among zebra, impala and eland.
Day 10 Lake Mburo and return to Entebbe
Lake Mburo National Park, Kayabwe and Entebbe
A guided nature walk with a ranger in Lake Mburo, then drive to Entebbe, stopping at the equator line near Kayabwe, in time for your flight.
On this safari
Places you will visit
EntebbeExplore place →
Ziwa Rhino SanctuaryExplore place →
Murchison FallsExplore place →
Murchison Falls National ParkExplore place →
Kibale National ParkExplore place →
Queen Elizabeth National ParkExplore place →
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkExplore place →
Lake Mburo National ParkExplore place →
Fort PortalExplore place →
Bigodi Wetland SanctuaryExplore place →
Kazinga ChannelExplore place →
Ishasha SectorExplore place →Travel Guide
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Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 10 Day Pearl of Africa Gorillas, Chimps and Big Game
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.
What is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda can be visited year-round. The drier months (roughly December–February and June–September) are generally easiest for trekking and game viewing, while the wetter months bring lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower lodge rates. Gorilla trekking is possible in any month, since it happens in rainforest regardless of season.
What wildlife is Uganda known for?
Uganda is best known for mountain gorillas, it holds roughly half of the world’s remaining population, alongside strong chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and over 1,000 recorded bird species, an exceptional figure for a country of its size.