8 Day Uganda Big Five Trail
Rhino, lion, elephant and buffalo, plus chimpanzees and gorillas, ending at Lake Bunyonyi.
Go beyond the expected.
Eight days chasing Uganda's big game and primates. Rhinos at Ziwa, a full day in Murchison Falls, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, two days at Queen Elizabeth with a boat cruise and tree-climbing lions, a gorilla trek in Bwindi and a rest day at Lake Bunyonyi.
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Full day at Murchison Falls
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and Kyambura
- Kazinga Channel cruise and tree-climbing lions
- Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Lake Bunyonyi rest day
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle with driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Mountain gorilla and chimpanzee permits as listed, 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 Entebbe to Murchison Falls via Ziwa
Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
Drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see white rhinos, then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
Day 2 Murchison Falls full day
Murchison Falls National Park
A full day exploring the park and its falls, with game drives for big game and a launch trip on the Nile.
Day 3 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Kibale National Park
Drive to Kibale, the primate capital of Uganda, and track chimpanzees.
Day 4 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Gorge
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, near Kyambura Gorge, with an afternoon game drive.
Day 5 Kazinga Channel and Ishasha
Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ishasha Sector
The Kazinga Channel launch cruise, a game drive and a search for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, with Kyambura Gorge available for chimpanzee viewing.
Day 6 Mountain gorilla trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive to Bwindi and trek to a habituated gorilla family, with permits subject to availability.
Day 7 Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi
A short drive to Lake Bunyonyi for a restful day: canoe among the islands or walk the terraced hills.
Day 8 Return to Entebbe
Lake Bunyonyi and Entebbe
A long drive back to Entebbe 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 BunyonyiExplore place →
Kyambura GorgeExplore place →Kyambura Wildlife ReserveExplore place →
Kazinga ChannelExplore place →
Ishasha SectorExplore place →Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
Wellness Safari Uganda: Lake Bunyonyi, Forest and Gorillas
Lake canoes, forest walks and one gorilla trek at a slow pace.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
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.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari: Routes and Planning
Plains, craters and gorillas across three countries.
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.
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 8 Day Uganda Big Five Trail
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.