The Start of Your Safari Journey

Your thrilling 7 Days Uganda Big Five & Chimpanzee Tracking Tour adventure begins with a pickup from Entebbe or Kampala, Uganda’s two main international entry points. After a brief introduction and safety briefing by your expert guide, you’ll begin your road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, the oldest and largest park in Uganda. This scenic drive, lasting approximately 5 to 6 hours, allows you to witness Uganda’s stunning rural landscapes, diverse wildlife, and picturesque villages.

Along the way, you will also make a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, located about halfway to Murchison Falls. The sanctuary offers a rare opportunity for visitors to track rhinos in a safe and natural environment. Your rhino tracking experience is guided by experienced rangers, allowing you to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures.

Arriving at Murchison Falls: Hike to the Top of the Falls

Upon arriving at Murchison Falls, you’ll be greeted by spectacular views of the falls. The highlight of your first day is a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. The hike is an exciting 1 to 2-hour trek through the park’s forested trails, and the views from the top of the falls are absolutely breathtaking. You will have the chance to see the Victoria Nile squeezing through a narrow 7-meter-wide gorge, where the water crashes down with immense power.

Evening Game Drive: Exploring Murchison Falls National Park

In the evening, you will embark on your first game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. This is a fantastic time to spot a variety of wildlife, as the animals are more active during the cooler evening hours. You can expect to see lions, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, and many other species. As the sun sets over the park’s savannah, you’ll have the opportunity to observe nocturnal animals such as hyenas and leopards.

Morning Game Drive: Early Wildlife Encounters

On Day 2, you’ll start the day early with a morning game drive, where you’ll head out before dawn to catch the wildlife in its most active state. This is a prime time to spot the Big Five and other predators. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants. Your expert 7 Days Uganda Big Five & Chimpanzee Tracking Tour guide will take you through different habitats within the park to maximize your chances of spotting wildlife.

Boat Cruise on the Victoria Nile: A Unique Wildlife Experience

After the morning game drive, you will enjoy a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. The boat cruise provides a unique perspective on the park’s diverse wildlife, especially animals that rely on the river for survival. You’ll have close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks, and a variety of bird species, including the shoebill stork. The boat ride also offers incredible views of Murchison Falls from below, where the mighty river rushes through the narrow gorge.

Evening Game Drive: Sunset in Murchison Falls

After a relaxing afternoon, you’ll embark on another evening game drive, which offers you the chance to explore parts of the park you haven’t visited before. As the sun begins to set, you might spot predators on the prowl or see herds of elephants and buffaloes returning to their resting grounds. This is another opportunity to encounter Uganda’s unique wildlife in the golden light of dusk.

Morning Game Drive: Final Wildlife Encounters in Murchison Falls

Your third day begins with another morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The early hours are perfect for seeing predators like lions and leopards. This drive will take you through different ecosystems, offering a variety of wildlife sightings, including giraffes, zebras, and antelope species. As you explore the park further, your guide will provide fascinating information about the flora and fauna.

Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After your game drive, you’ll depart for Kibale Forest National Park, located in western Uganda. This scenic 5–6-hour road transfer will take you through rolling hills, farmlands, and local villages, giving you a glimpse of life in rural Uganda. Upon arriving at Kibale, you’ll check into your lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening. The forest is known for its remarkable biodiversity, including a variety of primates.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

On Day 4 of 7 Days Uganda Big Five & Chimpanzee Tracking Tour, prepare for one of the highlights of your safari: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. Kibale is home to one of the largest populations of chimpanzees in Africa, and it is one of the best places in the world to encounter these fascinating creatures. You will begin your adventure early in the morning with a briefing from your guide about chimpanzee tracking protocols and safety. Then, you’ll set off into the forest on foot, searching for a group of chimps. Once found, you’ll have an hour to observe them as they go about their daily activities, including playing, feeding, and grooming.

Bigodi Swamp Walk: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise

In the afternoon, you will explore the Bigodi Swamp, a rich wetland area located near Kibale Forest. The Bigodi Swamp Walk offers a peaceful and scenic experience, where you can spot various primates, including red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. The swamp is also an excellent location for birdwatching, as it is home to over 200 species, including the Great Blue Turaco and the Papyrus Gonolek.

Crater Lakes and the Mountain of the Moon

On Day 5 of 7 Days Uganda Big Five & Chimpanzee Tracking Tour, you will have the chance to visit the Crater Lakes and the stunning Mountains of the Moon. The Crater Lakes are beautiful volcanic lakes formed by the eruption of ancient volcanoes. They offer spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), which rise majestically along the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Visit to Tea Plantations

Next, you’ll visit the tea plantations of western Uganda. The lush, green hills are covered with tea farms that stretch across the landscape. Here, you will learn about the tea cultivation process, from planting to harvesting, and you may even have the opportunity to sample freshly brewed tea while exploring the scenic plantations.

Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most famous parks. This park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, and the famous tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector. You’ll embark on an exciting game drive through the park’s diverse landscapes, including savannah, forests, and wetlands. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of antelope species, as well as the park’s impressive birdlife, including the African fish eagle and papyrus gonolek.

Morning Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6 is dedicated to a full-day adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The morning starts with a game drive, where you’ll have the chance to see wildlife in the park’s more remote areas. You may spot lions, elephants, and leopards, as well as large herds of buffaloes and various species of antelope.

Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise is an excellent way to see a variety of wildlife up close, including hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species, including pelicans, kingfishers, and eagles. The boat ride offers a unique opportunity to photograph animals from a completely different angle, with the backdrop of the stunning landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Final Journey: Scenic Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe

On the final day of your 7 Days Uganda Big Five & Chimpanzee Tracking Tour, you’ll begin your scenic road transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe. This drive will take you through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, giving you one last opportunity to experience the country’s diverse landscapes before heading to the airport.

Once you arrive in Kampala or Entebbe, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, marking the end of your incredible 7-day Uganda Big Five Safari & Chimpanzee Tracking Tour.