7 Day Uganda Essentials: Nile, Chimps and Savannah
Murchison Falls, Kibale's chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth's Kazinga Channel in one week, with the gorillas left for a longer trip.
Go beyond the expected.
A week for travellers who want the classic Uganda: big game and the Nile at Murchison Falls, a chimpanzee trek in Kibale, and game drives and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth, with rhinos on foot at Ziwa on the way. The pace is steady, the lodges are mid-range, and every drive has stops built in.
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drive and boat cruise at Murchison Falls
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Kazinga Channel launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Equator crossing photo stop on the way back to Entebbe
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- 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 transfers
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 Arrival in Entebbe
Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Your guide meets you for a briefing.
Day 2 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
Drive north, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track southern white rhinos on foot, then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 3 Game drive and Nile boat cruise
Murchison Falls National Park
A morning game drive on the northern savannah, then an afternoon launch cruise to the base of Murchison Falls, watching hippos, crocodiles and birds on the banks.
Day 4 To Kibale National Park
Fort Portal and Kibale National Park
Drive southwest through Masindi and Hoima to Fort Portal and Kibale, with views of tea estates and crater lakes.
Day 5 Chimpanzee tracking, then Queen Elizabeth
Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Track a habituated chimpanzee community in Kibale, then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Rwenzori foothills.
Day 6 Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains for lion, elephant and buffalo, then an afternoon launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 7 Return to Entebbe
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kayabwe and Entebbe
A full day's drive back to Entebbe with lunch and a stop at the equator line near Kayabwe, arriving for an evening flight or a final night in Entebbe.
On this safari
Places you will visit
Travel Guide
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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 7 Day Uganda Essentials: Nile, Chimps and Savannah
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.