11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari, Chimps, & Gorilla Trekking Tour by Renai Venture Safaris

Arrival and Transfer to Murchison Falls

Your 11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari adventure begins as we pick you up from Entebbe International Airport or your accommodation in Kampala for a scenic road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey will take approximately 5-6 hours, giving you the chance to observe Uganda’s countryside—lush forests, rolling hills, and small rural villages. The drive offers a glimpse into Uganda’s daily life, with frequent stops at small towns, farms, and scenic viewpoints.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Tracking Rhinos on Foot

En route to Murchison Falls, your first wildlife experience will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to Uganda’s only population of white rhinos, and you’ll have the opportunity to track them on foot. Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you’ll get close to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, learning about the rhino conservation efforts that have successfully reintroduced them to Uganda. Rhino tracking is a thrilling experience and an excellent introduction to Uganda’s wildlife.

Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls: An Awe-Inspiring Natural Wonder

Once you reach Murchison Falls National Park, prepare for another adventure—hiking to the top of Murchison Falls. This 45-minute hike takes you through lush vegetation to the viewpoint at the top of the falls, where the mighty Victoria Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge before plunging over a 43-meter drop. The power and beauty of the falls are truly awe-inspiring, and the panoramic views are perfect for photography.

Evening Game Drive: Introduction to Murchison’s Wildlife

As the sun sets, you’ll embark on your first evening game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos. Evening game drives are excellent for spotting predators as they become more active after dark. The cooler temperatures bring out animals like hyenas and leopards, offering great opportunities for wildlife photography.

Morning Game Drive: Exploring Murchison’s Savannah

Your second day starts early with a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The park’s savannah plains are teeming with wildlife, including lions, elephants, and giraffes. As you explore the park, keep your eyes peeled for buffaloes grazing near waterholes, and be on the lookout for predators like cheetahs and leopards. The park’s landscape, with its vast open spaces and dense thickets, is ideal for wildlife sightings.

Boat Cruise on the Victoria Nile: A Water Safari Experience

In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. The cruise offers an incredible perspective of the park’s wildlife from the water. You’ll likely see hippos wallowing in the river, crocodiles basking in the sun, and a variety of bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. The boat also takes you near Murchison Falls, where you can enjoy close-up views of the waterfall’s raw power as the Nile rushes over the rocks.

Evening Game Drive: Last Chance to Spot Nocturnal Animals

After the boat cruise, you’ll head out for another game drive in the evening. As the sun begins to set, the animals become more active, and the cooler temperatures encourage movement. This is the best time to spot nocturnal animals like hyenas, civets, and bush babies, as well as lions and leopards. Your 11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari guide will help you spot these elusive creatures, ensuring you make the most of this thrilling experience.

Morning Game Drive: Final Wildlife Sightings in Murchison

On Day 3, you’ll enjoy your final morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. As you drive through the park’s savannah and forested areas, you’ll have one last chance to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. The early hours are the best time for spotting wildlife, so your 11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari guide will take you to the prime locations to maximize your chances of encountering animals.

Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After the morning game drive, it’s time to travel to Kibale Forest National Park, which takes approximately 5-6 hours by road. As you journey south, you’ll pass through scenic landscapes, small villages, and rolling hills, offering a glimpse of the diversity of Uganda’s countryside. Kibale Forest is famous for its chimpanzee population, and it’s a must-visit for primate lovers.

Chimpanzee Tracking: A Primate Safari in Kibale Forest

Your fourth day begins with an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale is home to one of the highest concentrations of chimpanzees in Africa, and this experience allows you to observe these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. After a briefing from your 11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari guide, you’ll trek into the forest in search of a habituated group of chimpanzees. Once you find them, you’ll be able to spend an hour watching them interact, feed, and play.

Bigodi Swamp Walk: Birdwatching and Primate Encounters

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a Bigodi Swamp Walk, which offers a chance to explore the park’s swamp ecosystem. The walk is perfect for birdwatching, with over 200 species of birds, including the rare white-winged warbler and yellow-billed barbet. You may also spot other primates, such as red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as a variety of reptiles and amphibians.

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

On Day 5, you’ll travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most famous wildlife destination. The drive takes about 2-3 hours and offers views of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its diverse landscapes, including savannah, forests, and wetlands, providing excellent opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife.

Game Drive: Explore Queen Elizabeth’s Diverse Wildlife

After arriving in the park, you’ll enjoy a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to over 95 mammal species, including the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinos). As you explore the park’s Kasenyi Plains and Ishasha Sector, you’ll likely encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of antelope species. Queen Elizabeth is also known for its tree-climbing lions, which you can spot in the Ishasha Sector.

Morning Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth

Your day starts with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Early mornings are the best time to spot predators, so keep an eye out for lions and leopards as they hunt or relax in the shade. The park’s varied landscapes, from savannah to wetlands, provide diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. You’ll also see herds of elephants, giraffes, and zebras in the open plains.

Drive to Ishasha Sector: Tree-Climbing Lions

In the afternoon, you’ll drive to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. The sector is a prime location for spotting these rare lions, who climb fig trees to rest during the heat of the day. The sector is also home to other wildlife, including buffaloes, elephants, and kobs.

Morning Game Drive in Ishasha

On Day 7, you’ll enjoy another game drive in the Ishasha Sector. This area is renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions, and you’ll have the chance to observe these incredible creatures up close. The drive will also give you an opportunity to see other wildlife, including leopards, buffaloes, and antelopes.

Road Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After the game drive, you’ll head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to the world-famous mountain gorillas. The drive to Bwindi takes approximately 4-5 hours, with scenic views of Uganda’s rolling hills and rural communities along the way.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

On Day 8, you’ll embark on the highlight of your 11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari: mountain gorilla trekking. Bwindi is home to several habituated gorilla families, and with a permit, you’ll have the chance to track these magnificent creatures in the wild. After a briefing, you’ll trek through the dense forest, following your guides to the gorilla family’s location. The experience of seeing gorillas in their natural habitat is emotional and humbling, and you’ll have one hour to observe them interact, feed, and play.

Relaxation at the Lodge

After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge to relax and reflect on the unforgettable experience. Many lodges in Bwindi offer spa treatments, delicious meals, and breathtaking views of the forest. The afternoon is yours to unwind and enjoy the serene environment.

Scenic Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 9 begins with a scenic transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, known for its stunning beauty and peaceful surroundings. The lake is dotted with islands and framed by hills, offering excellent opportunities for photography, nature walks, and relaxation. It’s a perfect place to unwind after the excitement of gorilla trekking.

Adrenaline Activities at Lake Bunyonyi

For those seeking excitement, Lake Bunyonyi offers ziplining, canoeing, and boat rides around the lake’s islands. You can also explore the surrounding hills and enjoy panoramic views of the lake.

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

On Day 10, you’ll transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, a small but beautiful park located between Kampala and Mbarara. The park is known for its scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, impalas, and buffaloes.

Game Drives and Nature Walk

Upon arrival, you’ll go on a game drive to explore the park’s savannah and forested areas. In the afternoon, you’ll take a nature walk with a ranger guide, allowing you to get up close to the park’s wildlife and learn about its ecosystems. You’ll also have the chance to spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds.

Evening Cycling Tour

Lake Mburo is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can enjoy a cycling safari. In the evening, you’ll take a cycling tour through the park, offering a unique way to experience its wildlife and landscapes. You’ll be accompanied by a guide for safety, and you’ll have the chance to see zebras, impalas, and buffaloes up close.

Final Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe

On the final day of your 11-Day Uganda Big Five Safari, you’ll enjoy a scenic road transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe. The drive will take approximately 4-5 hours, giving you one last opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Uganda’s countryside before your departure.