How to Maximize a 10-Day Trip in Uganda
To maximize a 10-day trip in Uganda, focus on the top wildlife and nature experiences. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a deep jungle adventure with rare mountain gorillas. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest brings you close to playful primates. Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks provide excellent game viewing, birdwatching, and boat cruises. Don’t miss tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and the calm waters of the Kazinga Channel or River Nile. Adding cultural experiences in Kampala or Entebbe gives your trip more meaning. The journey needs planning, but the rewards are rich and full of life.
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda and Transfer to Kampala
Your guide will meet you at Entebbe International Airport and drive you to Kampala for your stay. During the drive, the guide will share stories about Uganda’s history and present-day life in the capital. Once you reach your hotel, you will check in and receive a full briefing about your safari plans. After some rest, enjoy your first dinner in Uganda and prepare for the next day’s long trip.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Forest Cottages
Mid-range: Cassia Lodge
Luxury: Kampala Serena Hotel
Destination: Kampala
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls with a Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, start your journey to Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. You will pass through the Luwero Triangle, which is known for its role in Uganda’s past conflicts. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for guided rhino tracking on foot. After lunch in Masindi, continue to the park. Entering the park offers beautiful views and a chance to see wildlife near the road.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Red Chilli Safari Lodge, Heritage Safari Lodge, or Parkside Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge
Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Nile
Wake up early for a game drive on the northern banks of the River Nile in search of animals. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions, hartebeests, and several bird species in open savannah. After the game drive, return to your lodge for lunch and prepare for an afternoon boat cruise. The boat ride takes you to the base of the powerful Murchison Falls. You will see hippos, crocodiles, and other animals drinking along the riverbank. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park
After an early breakfast, your guide will drive you southwest through rolling hills and local farms. You will enjoy views of small villages, banana plantations, and roadside markets along the way. This long drive takes about seven to eight hours, passing along the Albertine Rift Valley. Once you arrive at Kibale National Park, check into your lodge and relax before dinner.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp
Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Visit
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing from the rangers. Rangers will guide you through the forest to find chimpanzees and other monkeys. Once the chimps are found, you’ll spend one hour watching them swing and play in the trees. After lunch at the lodge, visit Bigodi Wetland, a community-run reserve with birds, monkeys, and scenic views. Return to the lodge for dinner and prepare for the next leg of your journey.
Day 6: Drive from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After morning breakfast, set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park located further south. The drive offers views of crater lakes, tea plantations, and hills covered with green vegetation. You may spot elephants or antelopes near the park border before checking into your lodge. Once at the lodge, enjoy your evening at leisure and prepare for the next day’s activities.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Bush Lodge
Mid-range: Marafiki Safari Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Ride
Leave early for a game drive in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Look for lions, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, and many antelope species. Bird lovers will enjoy spotting many birds across open savannah and bushland. After lunch, enjoy a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbirds. Return to the lodge in the evening.
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha for Tree-Climbing Lions
After an early breakfast, drive south toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This journey takes you through the Ishasha sector, which is known for its rare tree-climbing lions. You may get lucky and spot them resting on fig tree branches. Continue the drive through green hills and terraced farms until you reach the edge of Bwindi Forest. Check into your lodge and rest for the night.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest
Start your day early with breakfast and report to the park offices for a safety briefing. Carry your packed lunch, bottled water, and rain jacket for the trek. Rangers will lead you into the thick forest to find a gorilla family. Once found, you are allowed one hour to observe their daily life from a safe distance. After the trek, return to the lodge for rest and reflection on this powerful wildlife moment.
Day 10: Return to Kampala or Connect to Entebbe Airport
After breakfast, start your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. You will pass through rolling hills and small towns in western Uganda. Stop for lunch in Mbarara town before continuing to the Equator for quick photos and souvenir shopping. Once in Kampala or Entebbe, the guide will drop you at your hotel or airport.
Optional Activities for Extra Time
If you have more time before your flight, consider a short tour around Kampala or Entebbe. Visit the Ndere Cultural Centre for live dance and music shows. Explore the Uganda Museum or stop by the Entebbe Botanical Gardens for birdwatching and a quiet walk near Lake Victoria.
Travel Tips for a Smooth Safari
Best Months: Visit during dry seasons from June to August and December to February.
Booking: Reserve your gorilla and chimpanzee permits at least six months before your trip.
Packing: Bring light clothes, a rain jacket, insect spray, and strong walking shoes.
Insurance: Buy travel insurance to protect your trip from delays, illness, or lost items.
Health Needs: Get yellow fever shots and check for any malaria prevention drugs before arrival.
