10 Days Uganda Safari | Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Tour 2025

Welcome to this ultimate 10 Days Uganda Safari, a carefully crafted journey that combines everything Uganda is famous for—gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Big Five game drives, and the thunderous beauty of Murchison Falls. This is not just a safari; it’s a full-circle immersion into Africa’s most biodiverse and welcoming destination. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a nature photographer, or a backpacker-turned-safari explorer, this 10-day itinerary delivers adventure, connection, and unforgettable memories.

Safari Highlights – 10 Days Uganda Safari

This 10 Days Uganda Safari is designed to showcase the very best of Uganda’s wildlife, landscapes, and culture. From the source of the Nile to the heart of the rainforest, every day is packed with purpose and adventure:

• Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Airport pickup and welcome night at Lake Victoria

• Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

• Day 3: Game drive and Nile boat safari in Murchison Falls National Park

• Day 4: Scenic transfer to Kibale Forest – Overnight near chimpanzee territory

• Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale & Bigodi Wetland walk

• Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Crater drive en route

• Day 7: Morning game drive & afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise

• Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha – Chance to see tree-climbing lions

• Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi relaxation & return to Entebbe or onward departure

This 10 Days Uganda Safari is available as a budget, midrange, or luxury package and includes all key permits, transport, accommodation, guiding, and park fees. It’s your ultimate route through Uganda’s primates, predators, and natural wonders.

At Nextgen Safaris, we’ve designed this 10 Days Uganda Safari to be the perfect blend of raw wilderness and travel ease. You’ll trek through the dense rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of endangered mountain gorillas, listen to the calls of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, cruise the Nile under the shadow of elephants in Murchison Falls National Park, and search for lions and leopards in the vast savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Unlike rushed or generic tours, this 10 Days Uganda Safari includes thoughtful transitions, handpicked accommodations (available in budget, midrange, or luxury options), and opportunities to meet local communities along the way. Every detail—from park permits to scenic routes—has been optimized to make your Uganda journey seamless, meaningful, and fully customizable.

So if you’re looking for a 10 Days Uganda Safari that goes far beyond ticking boxes, this is your invitation to dive deep into one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.

Safari Itinerary – 10 Days Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Your 10 Days Uganda Safari

Your 10 Days Uganda Safari begins the moment you land at Entebbe International Airport, located on the shores of Lake Victoria. A Nextgen Safaris representative will warmly receive you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to explore nearby attractions like the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Lake Victoria sunset views, or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

This day is all about settling in, recovering from your flight, and receiving a pre-safari briefing to prepare you for the journey ahead.

Accommodation Options in Entebbe:

• Budget: ViaVia Entebbe Guesthouse / Airport Guesthouse

• Midrange: Boma Hotel / 2 Friends Beach Hotel

• Luxury: Hotel No.5 / Protea Hotel by Marriott

Driving Distance: 5–10 minutes from Entebbe Airport
Meal Plan: Dinner (if arriving before 7pm)

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Stopover – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, your 10 Days Uganda Safari sets off northwest toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. En route, you’ll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where white rhinos roam freely in a protected environment. A guided walking safari with a local ranger gives you the chance to track rhinos on foot—a thrilling and ethical experience.

Following lunch at the sanctuary, continue the drive through scenic savannah, rural villages, and river valleys until you reach the southern gate of Murchison Falls. If time allows, you may catch a glimpse of the sunset over the Nile or take a short hike to the top of the falls, where the mighty river forces itself through a narrow 7-meter gorge.

Accommodation Options in Murchison Falls:

• Budget: Fort Murchison (Tented Rooms) / Hornbill Safari Lodge

• Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge

• Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge

Driving Distance:

• Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – approx. 170 km (3 hours)

• Ziwa to Murchison Falls NP – approx. 140 km (2.5–3 hours)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Game Drive & Nile Boat Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Day three of your 10 Days Uganda Safari begins with a sunrise game drive on the northern bank of the Nile River, where Uganda’s richest wildlife densities unfold. With an expert guide, you’ll explore the Buligi Game Tracks, famous for sightings of elephants, lions, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, leopards, and more. Early mornings offer the best chances to observe predators on the move.

Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and a bit of rest before heading out in the afternoon for a boat safari on the Victoria Nile. This 3-hour cruise is a highlight of any 10 Days Uganda Safari, taking you upriver to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge. Along the riverbanks, expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a variety of birdlife including the iconic shoebill stork if lucky.

Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 2
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities Included: Morning game drive, afternoon Nile boat safari

Day 4: Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, your 10 Days Uganda Safari continues with a full-day scenic transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa and home to the highest concentration of chimpanzees on the continent. The journey takes you along the Albertine Rift Valley, through tea plantations and crater lakes, with chances to stop for photos or lunch in Fort Portal, a charming colonial town set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest in the late afternoon and check in for a peaceful evening ahead of tomorrow’s chimpanzee adventure.

Accommodation Options in Kibale Area:

• Budget: Isunga Lodge / Rweteera Safari Park

• Midrange: Turaco Treetops / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

• Luxury: Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale

Driving Distance: Murchison to Kibale – approx. 340 km
Estimated Travel Time: 6.5 to 8 hours with breaks
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk – Kibale Forest National Park

On day five of your 10 Days Uganda Safari, you’ll wake early and head to the Kibale Forest Visitor Centre for a briefing before your chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, you’ll enter the dense rainforest in search of one of the most intelligent and charismatic primates on Earth.

Tracking can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on where the chimps nested the previous night. Once found, you’ll spend one hour observing their behavior—feeding, grooming, calling, and even displaying complex social structures. With over 1,500 chimps in the forest, your chances of a sighting are very high.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run eco-tourism site known for its biodiversity, birdlife (including the great blue turaco), and local cultural interactions. This is one of the best community experiences included in any 10 Days Uganda Safari.

Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 4
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities Included: Chimpanzee trekking permit, Bigodi swamp walk
Optional Add-on: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (4 hours instead of 1 hour)

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Crater Lakes Drive

After a relaxed breakfast, your 10 Days Uganda Safari continues south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular and diverse safari destination. En route, you’ll pass through the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lake region, a breathtaking landscape of ancient volcanic lakes, scenic hills, and tea plantations. Optional stops can be made for photos or local community visits.

Arriving in Queen Elizabeth National Park by early afternoon, you’ll check in to your lodge and enjoy sweeping views of the savannah or crater escarpment. Depending on time, you can opt for a sunset drive in the Kasenyi plains or relax at your accommodation in preparation for the game drives and boat safari that follow.

Accommodation Options in Queen Elizabeth NP:

• Budget: Bush Lodge / Pumba Safari Cottages

• Midrange: Kasenyi Safari Camp / Elephant Hub Lodge

• Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Driving Distance: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth – approx. 120 km
Estimated Travel Time: 3 to 4 hours with scenic stops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Game Drive in Kasenyi & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Queen Elizabeth NP

Your 10 Days Uganda Safari continues with an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, one of the most wildlife-rich areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park. With your professional guide, you’ll explore the park’s open savannahs in search of elephants, lions, Ugandan kobs, buffaloes, hyenas, and—if lucky—leopards. Morning drives provide the best chances for predator sightings as they hunt or return to rest.

After lunch and a short rest at the lodge, you’ll head to Mweya Peninsula for a Kazinga Channel boat safari, a highlight of any Uganda safari. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is teeming with hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and a stunning array of waterbirds. You’ll cruise just meters from the shore, offering some of the best photography opportunities of the trip.

Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 6
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities Included: Morning game drive, afternoon boat safari

Day 8: Ishasha Game Drive – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On day eight of your 10 Days Uganda Safari, you’ll travel through the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park known as Ishasha, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. These unique lions are often seen lounging on large fig trees, especially during the heat of the day. You’ll enjoy a game drive through this wild and less-traveled part of the park in search of this unusual behavior and other savannah species.

After your game drive, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the crown jewel of Uganda’s rainforest reserves and home to over 50% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your lodge near the gorilla trekking sector (Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, or Ruhija—depending on permit availability).

Accommodation Options in Bwindi:

• Budget: Bwindi Backpackers Lodge / Broadbill Forest Camp

• Midrange: Gorilla Valley Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp

• Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge

Driving Distance:

• Queen to Ishasha: approx. 80 km (2 hrs)

• Ishasha to Bwindi: approx. 65–100 km (3–4 hrs depending on sector)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities Included: Ishasha game drive, transfer to Bwindi

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – The Ultimate Highlight of Your 10 Days Uganda Safari

Today is the most anticipated day of your 10 Days Uganda Safari—a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to the briefing point by 7:00 AM for registration and a short orientation led by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

You’ll then set off on foot, led by an expert tracker, into the dense jungle. Depending on the gorillas’ location, your trek may take anywhere from 1 to 5 hours through thick vegetation, steep slopes, and tangled vines. But the reward? An unforgettable hour spent face-to-face with a family of mountain gorillas—watching them feed, groom, play, and interact in complete freedom.

It’s a raw, emotional, and transformative moment that leaves many travelers speechless. You’ll return from the forest tired but triumphant, your certificate in hand and memories for a lifetime.

Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 8
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Activities Included: Gorilla trekking permit, full guided trek

Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi Relaxation or Return to Entebbe

After days of adventure, day ten of your 10 Days Uganda Safari offers you a chance to unwind. You’ll transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, often referred to as “the Switzerland of Africa” thanks to its cool air, terraced hills, and scenic island views. Depending on your departure plan, you can choose to:

• Spend a few relaxing hours at the lake swimming, canoeing, or just enjoying the view

• Depart directly to Kigali (for Rwanda flights) or return to Entebbe (Uganda) for your international flight

For those flying out of Entebbe, we recommend a night in Entebbe or a late-evening flight to allow for the long but scenic drive back. Your guide will assist with all final transfers, meal stops, and drop-off logistics.

Optional Add-ons:

• Canoe ride to Punishment Island (Lake Bunyonyi)

• Extra night stay at the lake for extended relaxation

• One-way drop-off in Kigali if departing Rwanda

Driving Distances:

• Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi: 60–100 km (2–3 hrs)

• Bunyonyi to Entebbe: approx. 450 km (8–9 hrs)

• Bunyonyi to Kigali: approx. 180 km (4–5 hrs)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (en route)
Accommodation: Optional overnight in Entebbe or Lake Bunyonyi (on request)

Why Choose This 10 Days Uganda Safari?

With dozens of Uganda safari itineraries available online, it’s natural to ask: What makes this one stand out? The answer lies in the balance, depth, and pace of this 10 Days Uganda Safari, which has been carefully crafted by local experts at Nextgen Safaris to give you the most complete and fulfilling African experience—without compromise.

1. Every Highlight, Zero Rush

This 10 Days Uganda Safari doesn’t just check boxes—it allows you to fully experience Uganda’s greatest treasures. From gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, from the Nile boat safari in Murchison Fall National to the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, every stop is timed and paced to avoid fatigue and maximize wildlife moments.

2. Covers Uganda’s Big Three: Gorillas, Chimps & Big Game

Few itineraries include both gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking, plus multiple game drives and two iconic boat safaris. This tour offers the primates of the forest and the predators of the savannah—all in one seamless loop.

3. Led by Passionate Local Guides

At Nextgen Safaris, we don’t subcontract generic tour leaders. Every guide on your 10 Days Uganda Safari is professionally trained, English-speaking (German or French available upon request), and deeply connected to the parks you’ll explore.

4. Flexible for All Budgets

This 10 Days Uganda Safari can be tailored to suit any budget—from shared backpacker-friendly trips to luxurious private tours. Whether you want a lodge with forest views or an eco-camp by the river, we provide transparent options and upgrades.

5. Small Group or Private—Your Choice

Travel solo, with a partner, or with friends—we run guaranteed weekly departures and also create custom private safaris. You’re never forced into a rigid structure.

6. Ethical, Responsible, and Community-Based

We prioritize sustainability. That means using community-run lodges, hiring local porters and guides, and offering experiences like Bigodi Wetland Walks, which support local conservation initiatives. This isn’t just travel—it’s positive impact.

7. Seamless Start & Finish

Begin in Entebbe or Kigali, end at Lake Bunyonyi, Kigali, or back at Entebbe—we arrange the most logical route for your flight and comfort. No backtracking, no lost time.

This 10 Days Uganda Safari stands out because it’s real, balanced, and designed for humans—not search engines (though we’re ranking for them too). Book it because it’s the right adventure, at the right pace, in the right hands.

At Nextgen Safaris, we’re ready to turn your plans into reality. Choose your travel dates, preferred budget (budget, midrange, luxury), and let us handle the rest. We offer fast communication, secure payments, and flexible itineraries that match your travel goals.

10 Days Uganda Safari – Mid-Range Pricing Table

Based on mid-range accommodation options and shared safari vehicle. Prices are indicative and may vary depending on specific lodge choices and seasonal rates.

Get in touch now using the booking form below or email us at info@nextgensafaris.com to book this trip.

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