9 Days Uganda Safari | Best Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking & Game Drives
If you’re looking for a complete and unforgettable wildlife adventure in East Africa, this 9 Days Uganda Safari is your perfect match. Combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, and immersive game drives in Uganda’s top national parks, this itinerary offers the best of Uganda’s natural wonders in just nine days.
At Nextgen Safaris, we’ve designed this 9 Days Uganda Safari to balance primate encounters, savannah wildlife, and scenic landscapes without rush or compromise. You’ll stand face-to-face with a family of endangered mountain gorillas, listen to chimpanzees vocalize in the treetops of Kibale Forest, cruise along the Kazinga Channel past elephants and hippos, and track lions through the Kasese plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
What sets this 9 Days Uganda Safari apart is the natural flow—from north to south—minimizing backtracking and maximizing every moment on the road. Whether you’re a wildlife photographer, primate enthusiast, first-time visitor, or seasoned traveler looking for authenticity, this trip delivers depth, comfort, and wild discovery.
We will walk you through the full 9 Days Uganda Safari itinerary, highlight what makes it special, and show you how to book it directly with our team at Nextgen Safaris—trusted experts in Uganda safari planning.
Safari Highlights – 9 Days Uganda Safari Itinerary
This 9 Days Uganda Safari brings you face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas, lively chimpanzees, and Africa’s iconic savannah wildlife. Carefully paced and expertly guided, it takes you across Uganda’s most diverse ecosystems—from Murchison Falls to the impenetrable rainforests of Bwindi.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Airport pickup and overnight
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3: Game drive and Victoria Nile boat safari in Murchison Falls NP
Day 4: Scenic transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Crater Lakes and optional drive
Day 7: Morning game drive and Kazinga Channel boat safari
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest via Ishasha – Optional community visit
Day 9: Gorilla trekking experience and return transfer to Entebbe or Kigali
Whether you choose the budget, midrange, or luxury version of this 9 Days Uganda Safari, it includes all essential permits, expert guides, comfortable accommodation, and private or group transport options with guaranteed departures.
Safari Itinerary– 9 Days Uganda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Your 9 Days Uganda Safari
Your 9 Days Uganda Safari begins upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where a Nextgen Safaris representative will meet you for a warm welcome and private transfer to your accommodation. Depending on your flight time, you may choose to relax by Lake Victoria or explore nearby highlights like the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or local craft markets.
This first day is designed to help you unwind, receive your safari briefing, and prepare for the journey ahead. Your 9 Days Uganda Safari can start on any day of the week and can be customized to suit your flight schedule, budget, and travel style.
Accommodation Options in Entebbe:
Budget: ViaVia Entebbe / Airport Guesthouse
Midrange: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Boma Hotel
Luxury: Hotel No.5 / Serena Lake Victoria Resort
Meal Plan: Dinner (if arriving before 7 PM)
Airport Pickup: Included
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Stopover – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, your 9 Days Uganda Safari heads northwest toward the famous Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary—the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos in the wild. A guided walking safari with experienced rangers gives you the chance to track these endangered giants on foot, contributing directly to their protection and future reintroduction into national parks.
After lunch at the sanctuary, continue to Murchison Falls, arriving in the late afternoon. Depending on time and energy levels, you may opt to visit the Top of the Falls, where the Nile River is forced through a 7-meter gorge in a thunderous spectacle.
Every part of this 9 Days Uganda Safari can be adjusted—want to skip Ziwa? Add another night in Murchison? Extend to 10 days or shorten to 7? Just let us know, and we’ll tailor it for you.
Accommodation Options in Murchison Falls NP:
Budget: Hornbill Safari Lodge / Fort Murchison
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge
Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge
Travel Distance: Entebbe to Murchison (via Ziwa): ~350 km (7–8 hrs with stops)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities: Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary (included)
Day 3: Game Drive & Victoria Nile Boat Safari – Murchison Falls National Park
Your 9 Days Uganda Safari continues with an early morning game drive on the northern bank of the Victoria Nile, one of Uganda’s best areas for Big Five wildlife viewing. With your expert Nextgen Safaris guide, you’ll search for lions, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, leopards, and a variety of antelope species across the open Buligi Plains and riverine forests.
Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and a few hours of rest before your next adventure: a 3-hour boat safari on the Nile River, leading to the base of the mighty Murchison Falls. This stretch of water is rich with wildlife—expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and hundreds of birds including African fish eagles and bee-eaters nesting on the riverbanks.
The combination of a savannah game drive and river safari makes this day one of the most diverse and exciting of your 9 Days Uganda Safari.
Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 2
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities Included: Morning game drive, afternoon boat safari
Day 4: Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest – Uganda’s Primate Capital
After breakfast, your 9 Days Uganda Safari transitions from the savannahs to the lush forests of western Uganda. You’ll drive south through the scenic countryside of the Albertine Rift Valley, passing tea plantations, traditional villages, and panoramic crater lake regions.
Arrive in the Kibale Forest area by late afternoon and settle in at your lodge near the park. Known as the “Primate Capital of the World,” Kibale is home to 13 species of primates, including over 1,500 chimpanzees, as well as red colobus monkeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
Tomorrow, you’ll enter this rich ecosystem to track wild chimpanzees—another unforgettable highlight of your 9 Days Uganda Safari. This day can also be extended to include a cultural stop in Fort Portal, crater lake walks, or a tea plantation visit on request.
Accommodation Options in Kibale Forest:
Budget: Rweteera Safari Park / Kibale Forest Camp (non-self-contained tents)
Midrange: Turaco Treetops / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Luxury: Ndali Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale
Travel Distance: Murchison to Kibale – ~320–340 km
Estimated Travel Time: 6.5–8 hours with scenic/photo stops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Wetland Walk
Day five of your 9 Days Uganda Safari is all about primates. After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Kibale Forest Visitor Centre for a briefing and begin your chimpanzee tracking experience. With the help of Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, you’ll trek through the rainforest to locate and observe a fully habituated chimpanzee group.
The trek can take 1 to 3 hours depending on where the chimps are located, and once you find them, you’ll spend up to one hour in their presence—watching them feed, play, groom, and call to each other with incredible intensity. The proximity to these wild primates is a humbling and emotional part of the 9 Days Uganda Safari.
After lunch and a rest at your lodge, you’ll head to the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run eco-tourism initiative where you’ll enjoy a guided walk through swamps and forest trails. Look out for monkeys, rare birds (including the great blue turaco), butterflies, and medicinal plants while supporting conservation and local development.
Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 4
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activities: Chimpanzee tracking permit, Bigodi Wetland Walk
Optional Upgrade: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (4-hour version instead of 1 hour)
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Crater Lakes Drive & Optional Evening Safari
After breakfast, your 9 Days Uganda Safari heads south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular wildlife park. The route winds through the Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lake region, offering spectacular scenery of volcanic landscapes, tea plantations, and small farms. You can stop for photo opportunities or a short crater walk upon request.
Arrive in Queen Elizabeth in time to check into your lodge and enjoy sweeping views over the Kazinga Channel or Kasenyi Plains. Depending on your energy level and arrival time, you can opt for a sunset game drive to spot elephants, kobs, warthogs, and the elusive leopard preparing for its nightly hunt.
This day bridges the primate-rich forests of Kibale with the open savannahs of Queen Elizabeth, making your 9 Days Uganda Safari incredibly dynamic and geographically diverse.
Accommodation Options in Queen Elizabeth NP:
Budget: Bush Lodge / Pumba Safari Cottages
Midrange: Elephant Hab Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp
Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge
Driving Distance: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth NP – ~120 km
Estimated Travel Time: 3.5–4.5 hours with stops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Add-on: Evening game drive or crater exploration
Day 7: Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Queen Elizabeth NP
Day seven of your 9 Days Uganda Safari starts early with a sunrise game drive in the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is prime lion and hyena territory, with open grasslands that make for ideal hunting grounds. With your expert Nextgen Safaris guide, you’ll track elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kobs, and warthogs in golden light—a photographer’s dream.
After breakfast and a short rest at the lodge, you’ll head to Mweya Peninsula for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and boasts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. Along the banks, you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless birds like fish eagles and kingfishers—one of the most iconic moments in any 9 Days Uganda Safari.
Accommodation: Same lodge as Day 6
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Included Activities: Morning game drive, Kazinga Channel boat safari
Day 8: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, your 9 Days Uganda Safari continues south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its rare tree-climbing lions. Unlike other lions, the Ishasha pride frequently rests in large fig and acacia trees during the heat of the day—an unusual behavior seen in only a few places in Africa.
Enjoy a game drive through this remote and less-touristy section of the park, and if you’re lucky, catch the lions lounging in the trees or stalking Uganda kobs in the open plains.
In the afternoon, you’ll leave the savannah behind and ascend into the misty hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Settle into your lodge in preparation for tomorrow’s once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation Options in Bwindi:
Budget: Bwindi Backpackers Lodge / Ruhija Community Rest Camp
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Nkuringo Lodge
Driving Distance: Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) to Bwindi – ~100 km
Estimated Travel Time: 3–4 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional Add-on: Visit to a Batwa (pygmy) community or local school (on request)
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Return to Entebbe or Kigali
This is the crown jewel of your 9 Days Uganda Safari—the day you finally meet the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi. After an early breakfast, your guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll then be assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families and begin your trek into the forest.
Trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is an adventure in itself. The terrain can be steep and dense, but the reward is an unforgettable hour spent observing a gorilla family in their natural habitat. Watch a silverback keep guard, juveniles tumble and play, and mothers gently care for their infants—it’s emotional, humbling, and one of the most intimate wildlife experiences on the planet.
After the trek, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch before beginning your journey back to Entebbe (or Kigali, if flying out of Rwanda). Depending on your departure time, you may stay overnight in Entebbe or request a transfer directly to the airport. This marks the end of your unforgettable 9 Days Uganda Safari.
Driving Distances (Optional Routes):
Bwindi to Entebbe: ~460 km (8–9 hours)
Bwindi to Kigali: ~170 km (4–5 hours via Cyanika or Gatuna border)
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Optional Add-on: Overnight stay at Lake Bunyonyi or Entebbe (on request)
Why Choose This 9 Days Uganda Safari?
In a sea of cookie-cutter tours, this 9 Days Uganda Safari stands out because it’s expertly designed for depth, flow, and flexibility. You won’t just tick boxes—you’ll explore Uganda’s landscapes from savannah to rainforest, meet its most iconic wildlife, and move at a pace that allows you to absorb it all.
What Makes It Exceptional:
Primate-packed itinerary: Includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and chimp tracking in Kibale—plus Big Five game drives.
Efficient routing: From north to south, no backtracking. Save time and cover Uganda’s highlights smoothly.
Full customization: This 9 Days Uganda Safari can be shortened, extended, or upgraded to luxury or adapted for budget travel.
Expert-guided & locally led: Travel with knowledgeable, certified guides who know Uganda inside and out.
Impact-driven: Stay in locally owned lodges, visit community tourism projects, and support conservation directly.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or as a small group, this 9 Days Uganda Safari is a perfect blend of wild, soulful, and unforgettable. And with Nextgen Safaris, it’s professionally planned and passionately delivered.
Book Your 9 Days Uganda Safari Now
This is more than a tour—it’s your chance to track gorillas in the wild, hear chimps call through the forest, and drive through lion-filled savannahs. Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, or group of friends, this 9 Days Uganda Safari offers the flexibility and depth you need.
Book now with Nextgen Safaris for guaranteed permits, seamless planning, and local expertise every step of the way.
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Included/Exclude
What’s Included in Your 9 Days Uganda Safari:
All ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
All fuel, driver/guide fees, and logistics throughout the safari
Accommodation for 8 nights (budget/midrange/luxury, based on your choice)
All meals as indicated in the itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Gorilla trekking permit ($800 USD per person – Uganda)
Chimpanzee tracking permit ($250 USD per person – Kibale Forest)
Park entrance fees to all national parks
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary tracking experience
All game drives and boat cruises (Murchison, Kazinga Channel, Ishasha)
Bigodi Wetland community walk
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
English-speaking professional safari guide
Airport pickup and return transfer (Entebbe or Kigali)
24/7 emergency assistance and trip coordination
What’s Not Included:
International airfare
Uganda or Rwanda entry visa
Optional activities not listed (e.g., Lake Bunyonyi, village visits)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Tips, souvenirs, and personal expenses
Travel insurance (recommended)
Tour Plan
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