14 Day Uganda Rhinos, Primates and Wild Rivers
Rhinos on foot, Murchison Falls, chimpanzees, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth and a gorilla trek, with a shoebill swamp to finish.
Go beyond the expected.
Fourteen unhurried days with two nights at each major stop. Track rhinos at Ziwa, spend two days at Murchison Falls, track chimpanzees in Kibale, explore the Congo-style forest of Semuliki, then Queen Elizabeth and its tree-climbing lions, a gorilla trek in Bwindi, and a last-day birding trip for the shoebill at Mabamba Swamp.
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Two days at Murchison Falls National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Semuliki National Park's hot springs and forest
- Kazinga Channel cruise and Ishasha's tree-climbing lions
- Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Shoebill search at Mabamba Swamp
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers to and from Entebbe
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle for game drives and transport
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Rhino tracking, game drives, chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trek, boat trips, nature walks and Mabamba canoe trip as listed
- Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee permits, subject to availability
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 airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Drive north and track southern white rhinos on foot with a ranger at Ziwa.
Day 3 Murchison Falls: arrival and game drive
Murchison Falls National Park
Continue to Murchison Falls National Park for an afternoon game drive.
Day 4 Murchison Falls: the falls and the Nile
Murchison Falls National Park
A morning game drive on the northern savannah, then a launch cruise to the base of the falls and a hike to the top.
Day 5 To Kibale
Fort Portal and Kibale National Park
A long drive southwest to Kibale, with lunch at Fort Portal.
Day 6 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Kibale National Park
Track a habituated chimpanzee community and spend an hour with them. The afternoon is free for a walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 7 To Semuliki
Semuliki National Park
Drive over the Rwenzori foothills to Semuliki National Park on the Congo border, an extension of the Congo Basin forest.
Day 8 Semuliki: hot springs and forest
Semuliki National Park
Visit the Sempaya hot springs and walk the forest trail for rare forest birds and primates found nowhere else in Uganda.
Day 9 To Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive.
Day 10 Kazinga Channel cruise and Ishasha
Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ishasha Sector
A morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, the afternoon launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, and a search for the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector.
Day 11 To Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive south to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi and prepare for the gorilla trek.
Day 12 Mountain gorilla trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Trek with rangers to a habituated gorilla family and spend one hour with them.
Day 13 Free day in Entebbe
Entebbe
Return to Entebbe for a free day: the Botanical Gardens, the lakeshore or a rest before the flight.
Day 14 Mabamba Swamp and departure
Mabamba Swamp and Entebbe
An early canoe trip in Mabamba Swamp with a bird guide, looking for the shoebill, then transfer to the airport.
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 →
Semuliki National ParkExplore place →
Queen Elizabeth National ParkExplore place →
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkExplore place →
Mabamba SwampExplore place →
Fort PortalExplore place →
Kazinga ChannelExplore place →
Ishasha SectorExplore place →Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
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Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
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Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari: Routes and Planning
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East Africa Conservation Culture
Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
East Africa Birding Planning a Safari
Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
Match your dates to the birds, not just the weather.
Wellness Safari Uganda: Lake Bunyonyi, Forest and Gorillas
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Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
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 14 Day Uganda Rhinos, Primates and Wild Rivers
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.