18-Day Wildlife Wonders of Uganda – Gorillas, Game Drives & the Nile

Your safari adventure begins with a scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way, stop at the Equator Line for photo moments and fun experiments—one of Uganda’s must-see experiences.

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After arriving at the park, enjoy a relaxed afternoon game drive en route to your lodge. Later, take a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, where you’ll spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds as the sun sets over the lake.

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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Drive time: 5–6 hours

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Accommodation: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge / Rwakobo Rock Lodge

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Wake up to the sounds of the wild and set off on a morning walking safari, an unforgettable way to explore the park up close. Spot zebras, giraffes, impalas, and the majestic Ankole cattle—all while guided by expert rangers.

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In the afternoon, dive into local life with a community walk where you’ll meet residents who live around the park and learn about their customs, crafts, and daily routines.

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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Accommodation: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge / Rwakobo Rock Lodge

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After breakfast, drive through Uganda’s beautiful highlands to Lake Bunyonyi—one of the deepest and most scenic lakes in East Africa, nicknamed the “Lake of a Thousand Islands.”

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Enjoy a canoe ride or kayak trip on the lake, taking in the serenity and panoramic views of the surrounding Kigezi hills. You’ll also visit the Batwa Pygmies, one of Africa’s oldest indigenous communities, for a rare and eye-opening cultural encounter.

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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Drive time: 4–5 hours

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Accommodation: Crater Bay Cottages / Birdnest Resort / Bunyonyi Rock Resort

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Depart Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy a mid-morning drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and have lunch before embarking on the Batwa Cultural Trail.

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Led by Batwa guides, this immersive walk reveals the rich history and traditions of the Batwa—Uganda’s indigenous forest people. Learn how they hunted, gathered medicinal plants, and lived in harmony with the forest for centuries. The experience is as educational as it is moving.

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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Drive time: 2–3 hours

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Accommodation: Kisoro Traveler’s Inn / Lake Chahafi Resort

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Today’s highlight is a Golden Monkey trekking experience in the bamboo-rich forests of Mgahinga. After a morning briefing at the park headquarters, you’ll begin your guided trek in search of these rare and playful primates, known for their striking golden coats and energetic behavior.

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The hike may take 1–4 hours, depending on the location of the troop, and along the way, you may also spot other wildlife, birds, and exotic plant species. Once you find them, spend an unforgettable hour observing their natural behavior.

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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Accommodation: Kisoro Traveler’s Inn / Lake Chahafi Resort

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After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through Uganda’s southwestern highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

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Drive past rolling hills, local villages, and lush tea plantations as you make your way to your lodge near the park’s Rushaga or Ruhija sectors. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for tomorrow’s incredible gorilla trekking experience.

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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Drive time: 4–5 hours

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Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Trekkers Tavern Cottages

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Rise early for the Gorilla Trekking Experience of a lifetime! After a hearty breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a briefing, where your expert guides will outline the rules for this incredible trek through Bwindi’s dense forest.

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Trekking through the misty rainforest, you may encounter a variety of wildlife, including forest elephants and colorful birds. After a few hours, you’ll meet face-to-face with a family of Mountain Gorillas—a moment that will stay with you forever. Spend an hour observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat before heading back to your lodge.

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Meal Plan: Full Board (with packed lunch)

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Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Trekkers Tavern Cottages

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After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Ishasha Sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Arrive at your lodge for check-in and lunch, then spend the afternoon on an exciting game drive. You’ll search for the park’s signature tree-climbing lions as well as other wildlife like elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species.

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Meal Plan: Full Board (with packed lunch)

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Drive time: 4–5 hours

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Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge / Ishasha Jungle Lodge

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This morning, enjoy an early game drive in the Ishasha Plains, where you’ll continue your search for the elusive tree-climbing lions. Depending on your luck, you may also spot leopards, Uganda Kobs, and herds of elephants roaming the savannah.

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Return to your lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon of relaxation or optional activities.

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Meal Plan: Full Board (with packed lunch)

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Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge / Ishasha Jungle Lodge

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After a relaxed breakfast, depart Ishasha for the scenic drive northwards to the Mweya Peninsula in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the changing landscape as you pass through rolling savannahs and crater lakes.

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Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and check-in. Take some time to unwind and soak in the incredible views over the Kazinga Channel.

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Later in the afternoon, head out for a rewarding exploration of the Katwe Salt Pans and Lake Munyanyange.

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Meal Plan: Full Board (with packed lunch)

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Drive Time: 3–4 hours

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Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge / Buffalo Safari Lodge

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Wake up to the sounds of the wild and enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in the famed Kasenyi Plains, one of the best spots in Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife sightings.

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In the afternoon, enjoy one of Uganda’s most iconic safari experiences — a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George.

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Meal Plan: Full Board

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Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge / Buffalo Safari Lodge

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After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth and drive north towards Kibale Forest National Park, with a fascinating cultural stopover at the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru Caves. Discover the rich folklore and geological formations that surround these caves, then take a short hike up the Nyakasura Hills for sweeping views of Fort Portal and crater lakes.

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Meal Plan: Full Board (with packed lunch)

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Drive time: 3–4 hours

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Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House / Kibale Homestay

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After an early breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park Headquarters for registration and a briefing on chimpanzee tracking etiquette. Then, set off into the tropical rainforest with your expert ranger guides in search of one of Uganda’s most iconic primates.

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Later in the day, head to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation project. This guided walk takes you along boardwalks and village trails through a rich wetland ecosystem teeming with life.

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Meal Plan: Full Board (with packed lunch)

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Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House / Kibale Homestay

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After a relaxed breakfast, begin your overland journey to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most iconic protected area.

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As you drive northwards, the landscape shifts dramatically. From the lush, rolling hills of Kibale and the fertile tea estates of Fort Portal, the road leads you through vibrant trading centers and quiet countryside villages — offering an authentic window into rural Ugandan life.

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Meal Plan: Full Board

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Drive Time: Approx. 6–7 hours

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Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge

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Rise early for a morning game drive on the northern banks of the Nile. This is prime time for spotting elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, hartebeest, and — if lucky — lions and leopards on the hunt.

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In the afternoon, enjoy one of Uganda’s most iconic safari experiences — a boat cruise along the Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls.

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Meal Plan: Full Board

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Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge

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After breakfast, check out and begin your journey back to central Uganda. En route, make a special stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos.

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Meal Plan: Full Board

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Drive Time: 5–6 hours

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Accommodation: Fairway Hotel & Spa / Forest Cottages Kampala

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After breakfast, meet your guide and set off eastward toward Jinja, often dubbed the adventure capital of East Africa. The drive takes you through Mabira Forest, one of Uganda’s largest natural forests, and past bustling roadside markets and sugarcane plantations.

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In the afternoon, head down to the banks of Lake Victoria for a relaxed boat cruise to the Source of the Nile.

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Meal Plan: Full Board

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Drive Time: ~3 hours

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Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Adrift River Club

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Today is for the bold! After an early breakfast, gear up for a full-day white water rafting adventure on the Nile. Whether you’re a first-timer or an adrenaline junkie, you’ll be in safe hands with professional rafting guides who will steer you through some of the most exhilarating Grade 3–5 rapids on the continent.

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After your rafting adventure (with lunch included), refresh, change, and prepare for your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe.

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Meal Plan: Half Board (Breakfast & Lunch)

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Drive Time: ~3 hours

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