Grand Tour of Uganda
Five parks, the Nile and the gorillas, at a pace that lets you enjoy them.
- Duration
- 12 days, 11 nights
- Parks
- Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, Lake Mburo
- Vehicle
- Private 4x4 and guide
- Pace
- Generous
Every park on the main circuit, with the extra days spent slowing down rather than adding stops. That means three nights at Murchison instead of two, a recovery day after the gorilla trek, and Lake Mburo at the end so the final drive to Entebbe is short. If you have the time, this is how Uganda is best seen.
Highlights
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa
- Three nights at Murchison — the falls from below, from above, and Budongo's chimpanzees
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and the Bigodi community walk
- Kazinga Channel, Kasenyi plains and the Ishasha sector
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi, with a rest day after
- Lake Mburo to finish, so the last day is easy
Who this suits
Travellers with two weeks who would rather go deep than tick off parks.
Pace. Generous. Recovery days built in, and the last transfer deliberately short.
Day by day
Drive times are realistic rather than optimistic, and every one includes the stops.
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Day1
Entebbe to Ziwa, then Murchison
Track white rhino on foot at Ziwa, then continue north into the park for the evening.
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Day2
Northern bank game drive and river cruise
Dawn on the northern savannah, then the afternoon boat to the base of the falls.
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Day3
Top of the falls and the delta
Hike to the top of the falls, then a delta cruise in the afternoon for birds and hippo.
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Day4
Budongo Forest, then south
Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest in the morning, then continue south towards Fort Portal.
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Day5
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Morning tracking in Kibale, which has the highest success rate in the region. Afternoon free.
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Day6
Bigodi and the crater lakes
Community wetland walk at Bigodi in the morning, crater lakes in the afternoon.
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Day7
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
Short transfer south. Afternoon Kazinga Channel cruise.
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Day8
Kasenyi and Kyambura
Dawn game drive on the plains. Optional chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge, or a crater lake drive.
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Day9
South to Ishasha
Transfer into the quieter southern sector. Afternoon game drive among the fig trees.
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Day10
Ishasha to Bwindi
Morning drive, then into the Bwindi hills. Afternoon to rest properly before the trek.
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Day11
Gorilla trekking, then east
Briefing at 8am and the trek. Afterwards, the drive east to Lake Mburo — or, if the trek runs long, a second night at Bwindi and a shorter final day. We build both into the plan.
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Day12
Lake Mburo to Entebbe
A final morning game drive or boat trip, then the short drive to Entebbe, timed to your flight.
Accommodation is described by standard rather than by name. We confirm the exact properties with you in writing before you pay anything, and we tell you if a preferred property cannot accommodate a halal meal request.
Halal dining and prayer on this route
Arranged in advance for this specific itinerary, not added on request.
Halal dining
Halal meals arranged at every property, and packed for the trek and the long transfers. Every town on this circuit has halal dining available.
Prayer
With twelve days there is room to plan prayer comfortably into every day, including the transfer days. The trek day is the one exception and we discuss it with you in advance.
What is and is not included
Both stated in full, so there are no surprises later.
Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a raised roof, and a window seat for everyone
- A dedicated English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Airport transfers from and to Entebbe International Airport
- Accommodation as described, on the board basis confirmed at booking
- Halal meals arranged at every property, and packed meals on full activity days
- Prayer mats and a qibla compass in the vehicle, and planned prayer stops
- Drinking water in the vehicle throughout
- All national park entrance fees for the parks on your itinerary
- Game drives, boat cruises and guided walks as listed in the day-by-day plan
Not included
- International flights to and from Entebbe
- Uganda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa fees
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits — secured on your behalf and quoted at the official rate current when you enquire
- Travel and medical insurance, which we ask every traveller to hold
- Personal expenses, laundry and telephone charges
- Tips for your guide, porters and lodge staff
- Any activity marked optional in the itinerary
- Internal flights, where you choose them over a road transfer
CLIENT: confirm this inclusion list matches what you actually sell before the site goes live.
Book this itinerary
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with availability and a firm price.
Where you will go
Murchison Falls
The Nile forced through a seven-metre gap
Kibale
Thirteen primate species and the best chimpanzee tracking in East Africa
Queen Elizabeth
Crater lakes, a channel full of hippo, and the Ishasha sector
Bwindi Impenetrable
Mountain gorillas in a forest older than the last ice age
Lake Mburo
Uganda's most accessible park — zebra, walking safaris and open waterNot quite the right trip?
Every itinerary here can be lengthened, shortened or rearranged. Tell us what you would change.