7 Day Uganda Safari – Murchison Falls, Chimpanzees and Gorillas

After breakfast, meet your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide and begin your journey northwest towards Murchison Falls National Park.

Along the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience. Walk through the sanctuary with an experienced ranger as you search for rhinos and learn more about their conservation in Uganda.

After rhino tracking, enjoy lunch before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park.

On arrival, visit the Top of Murchison Falls, where the River Nile is forced through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging powerfully into the river below.

Spend some time enjoying the views before continuing to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, head out for a morning game drive across the northern section of Murchison Falls National Park.

Explore the open savannah while searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, Uganda kobs, oribis and other wildlife. Leopards and hyenas may also be seen with some luck.

Return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari along the Nile towards the bottom of Murchison Falls.

Look out for hippos and Nile crocodiles in the water, while elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and other animals may be seen along the riverbanks. The river also attracts many species of water birds.

After the boat safari, return to your lodge for a relaxed evening.

An optional evening game drive can also be arranged.

After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls and begin your journey south towards Kibale Forest National Park.

Enjoy the changing landscapes as you travel through Uganda's countryside, rolling hills, farms and small communities.

The journey continues through the beautiful Fort Portal region, where you will see tea plantations and green countryside along the way.

Enjoy lunch during the journey before continuing to your lodge near Kibale.

After arrival, spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Alternatively, you may take an optional visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area known for primates, birds and beautiful wetland scenery.

After breakfast, transfer to the chimpanzee trekking starting point in Kibale Forest National Park.

Meet your ranger guide for a briefing before entering the rainforest in search of a habituated chimpanzee community.

Walk through the forest while listening for chimpanzee calls and watching for movement in the trees. Once the chimpanzees are located, spend the permitted viewing time observing them as they feed, communicate, move through the forest and interact with one another.

After chimpanzee trekking, return to your lodge for lunch before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an evening game drive across the Kasenyi Plains before proceeding to your lodge.

Chimpanzee Trekking Note

Chimpanzee trekking gives you an opportunity to observe a habituated chimpanzee community in its natural forest environment.

Travellers looking for a longer experience can request a chimpanzee habituation experience when booking. This allows more time in the forest following and observing chimpanzees alongside researchers and guides.

Chimpanzee habituation requires a separate permit and is subject to availability.

Start the morning with an early game drive across the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, hyenas and other wildlife while enjoying the park's open savannah landscapes.

After the game drive, continue south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector.

Ishasha is well known for its tree-climbing lions. You will enjoy a short game drive through the area with a chance of seeing these lions resting in large fig trees, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing through the beautiful countryside towards Bwindi.

Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax as you prepare for the following day's gorilla trekking experience.

Today is one of the highlights of your Uganda safari — mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch.

Meet your ranger guides for a briefing about the trekking experience before entering the rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas and the conditions of the forest trails.

Once the gorillas are located, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing them in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, rest, play and interact while your ranger guide helps you understand their behaviour and family structure.

After your gorilla encounter, trek back to the starting point and return to your lodge for relaxation.

An optional Batwa community experience can also be arranged.

Gorilla Trekking Note

Gorilla trekking involves walking through natural forest terrain, and the length and difficulty of the trek varies depending on the location of the gorilla family.

A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Local porters are available to carry backpacks and provide assistance along more challenging sections of the trail.

Travellers interested in spending more time observing gorillas can request the gorilla habituation experience when booking. This requires a separate permit and is subject to availability.

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your journey from Bwindi.

If ending your safari in Entebbe, travel through southwestern and central Uganda with stops for lunch, refreshments and photographs. You can also stop at the Equator for photographs and an opportunity to browse locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Alternatively, your safari can end in Kigali, Rwanda, which provides a shorter road journey from southwestern Uganda. Travellers choosing this option should ensure they have the correct travel and immigration documents for crossing the Uganda–Rwanda border.

Your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide will drop you at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your 7-Day Uganda Safari.