Primates & Big Game
The Nile, the forests and the gorillas — Uganda's four great parks.
- Duration
- 10 days, 9 nights
- Parks
- Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable
- Vehicle
- Private 4x4 and guide
- Pace
- Full but never frantic
Ten days is where a Uganda itinerary stops being a compromise. This route takes the northern savannah at Murchison, the forest at Kibale, the channel and plains at Queen Elizabeth, and the gorillas at Bwindi — in the order that makes geographic sense, so you are always moving south and west rather than doubling back.
Highlights
- Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa on the way north
- Murchison Falls from below by boat and from above on foot
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
- Kazinga Channel cruise and the Ishasha sector
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi
Who this suits
Travellers with the time to see the country properly rather than sample it.
Pace. Full but never frantic. Two nights minimum at every stop.
Day by day
Drive times are realistic rather than optimistic, and every one includes the stops.
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Day1
Kampala to Ziwa, then Murchison
Track white rhino on foot at Ziwa Sanctuary, then continue north to the park.
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Day2
Northern bank and the river
Dawn game drive for elephant, giraffe, buffalo and kob. Afternoon boat cruise to the base of the falls.
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Day3
Top of the falls
Hike to the top of the falls for the view into the gorge, or track chimpanzees in Budongo Forest instead.
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Day4
Murchison to Kibale
South through Hoima to Fort Portal, the landscape shifting from savannah to tea estates and crater country.
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Day5
Chimpanzee tracking
Morning briefing and tracking in Kibale. Afternoon at Bigodi wetland or free.
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Day6
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
Short transfer south. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
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Day7
Kasenyi, then south to Ishasha
Dawn game drive on the plains, crater lake drive, then transfer to Ishasha for the evening.
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Day8
Ishasha to Bwindi
Morning drive among the fig trees, then into the Bwindi hills. Afternoon to rest before the trek.
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Day9
Gorilla trekking
Briefing at 8am, then the trek. One hour with the family. Afternoon free, or a Batwa community visit.
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Day10
Bwindi to Entebbe
A long road day east, or a scheduled flight from Kihihi to Entebbe if you would rather save the day. We will show you both options.
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 on the route and packed for the long transfer days and the trek. The towns on this circuit — Hoima, Fort Portal, Kasese, Mbarara — all have halal dining.
Prayer
Each day is built around prayer times, with planned stops on the transfer days. The trek day is discussed with you in advance, since its timing cannot be fixed.
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.
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