Day 1: Travel to Murchison Falls National Park
Your journey begins early in the morning with a departure from Kampala or Entebbe, driving approximately 5-6 hours northwest to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park. Along the way, you'll stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot, where you'll observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat - one of the only places in Uganda to see rhinos. After lunch at the sanctuary, you'll continue to Murchison Falls, arriving in the late afternoon to check into your lodge. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy the stunning savannah views while preparing for the exciting wildlife adventures ahead, with possible sightings of elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species around your accommodation.
Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Safari at Murchison Falls
Start your day with an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, where you'll have the best chances of spotting lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and numerous antelope species including Uganda kobs, hartebeests, and oribis. The park is also home to warthogs, bushbucks, and if you're lucky, you might spot hyenas or even the rare patas monkey in the acacia woodland. After returning to the lodge for lunch and a brief rest, you'll embark on an afternoon boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls, offering spectacular views of hippos, massive Nile crocodiles (some over 5 meters long), elephants and buffaloes coming to drink at the riverbanks, and incredible birdlife including the rare shoebill stork, kingfishers, and fish eagles. The boat journey culminates at the dramatic Murchison Falls themselves, where the entire Nile River forces through a 7-meter gap in the rocks, creating a thunderous cascade.
Day 3: Murchison Falls to Kibale National Park
Today involves a long but scenic drive of approximately 7-8 hours from Murchison Falls to Kibale National Park, traveling through the beautiful Ugandan countryside with views of the Rift Valley escarpment. You'll pass through Fort Portal town, known as the tourism city of Uganda, with opportunities to see tea plantations and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance if weather permits. Along the route, you'll spot various birds and may see local wildlife in the rural areas, including monkeys in the roadside forests. Upon arrival at Kibale in the late afternoon, you'll check into your lodge in the forest zone and can take a gentle evening walk around the lodge grounds, where you might encounter red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, or the beautiful great blue turaco among the trees.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
This morning brings the highlight of Kibale - chimpanzee trekking in one of the best places in Africa to observe our closest relatives in the wild, with Kibale hosting approximately 1,500 chimpanzees. After an early breakfast and briefing from park rangers, you'll enter the lush tropical rainforest and trek through the diverse ecosystem until you locate a habituated chimpanzee community, spending a magical hour watching them feed, play, groom each other, and move through the canopy. Besides chimpanzees, Kibale Forest is home to 12 other primate species including red colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, blue monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and olive baboons, making it the primate capital of the world. In the afternoon, you can take a guided nature walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you'll spot numerous bird species (over 200 recorded), sitatunga antelope, mongooses, otters, and more primates including the rare red colobus monkey.
Day 5: Crater Lakes and Return Journey
On your final day, you'll explore the stunning crater lakes region around Fort Portal before beginning your journey back, visiting the scenic "top of the world" viewpoint where you can see multiple crater lakes dotting the landscape like emeralds set in the green hills. During walks around the crater lakes, you'll encounter various bird species, butterflies, and possibly see more primates including vervet monkeys and baboons in the surrounding forests. The area also offers opportunities to spot bush pigs, bushbucks, and duikers in the undergrowth, while the lakes themselves may host monitor lizards and various water birds. After this peaceful morning exploring the craters and enjoying the spectacular views, you'll begin your drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (approximately 5-6 hours), arriving in the evening with unforgettable memories of Uganda's incredible wildlife and landscapes.
Inclusions
Transportation:
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Fuel for the entire trip
- English-speaking professional driver/guide throughout the safari
- Airport/hotel pickup and drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe
Accommodation:
- 4 nights' accommodation (1 night in Murchison Falls area, 1 night en route or second night in Murchison, 2 nights in Kibale area)
- Choice of budget, mid-range, or luxury lodges based on your preference
Meals:
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) from Day 1 lunch to Day 5 breakfast
- Drinking water in the vehicle throughout the safari
Activities & Park Fees:
- Rhino tracking permit and entrance fee at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees for 2 days
- Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
- Boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale Forest National Park ($250 per person)
- Kibale National Park entrance fees
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nature walk and community fees
- Crater lakes exploration and viewpoint visits
- All ranger and guide fees for activities
Support & Safety:
- Travel insurance for Uganda (basic coverage)
- First aid kit in the vehicle
- Emergency evacuation arrangements (covered under insurance)
Exclusions
Personal Expenses:
- International flights to and from Uganda
- Visa fees for Uganda (currently $50 for most nationalities)
- Personal travel insurance (comprehensive coverage recommended)
- Tips and gratuities for driver/guide (suggested $10-15 per day), lodge staff, and rangers
- Laundry services at lodges
Meals & Beverages:
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at lodges
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Snacks and drinks purchased along the way