Sample Itinerary - CLASSIC UGANDA SAFARI 11nts

Day notes

On arrival into Entebbe, the first night is spent at Boma Guest House, a charming and relaxed property set within tropical gardens in a quiet residential area. It’s a gentle introduction to Uganda, with a slightly colonial feel, comfortable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere. The proximity to the airport makes it ideal after an international flight, allowing time to rest before the journey inland begins.

Day notes

The drive north to Murchison Falls is broken at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where guests track rhino on foot – the only place in Uganda where this is possible, completing the ‘Big Five’ experience later in the trip.

Nile Safari Lodge sits on a quieter stretch of the Nile and offers a more intimate and scenic base than many camps in the park. The experience here combines classic safari elements with the river itself: a morning game drive explores the northern plains for elephant, giraffe, lion and buffalo, while the afternoon private boat cruise brings a different perspective, drifting past hippo pods and crocodiles with excellent birdlife. The setting is peaceful and slightly removed, which works well after the long drive.

Day notes

Moving deeper into the park, Papa’s Bush Camp offers a more rustic, adventurous feel and a stronger sense of being in the wild. The drive across includes a visit to Murchison Falls itself, where the Nile forces through a narrow gorge in one of Africa’s most dramatic natural spectacles.

This area tends to feel more remote, and the focus is on unhurried game drives and enjoying the quieter side of the park. The camp’s simplicity is part of its charm, giving a back-to-basics safari experience that contrasts nicely with the more polished lodge stay beforehand.

Day notes

The journey continues south to Kibale, Uganda’s primate capital and one of the best places in Africa to see chimpanzees. Primate Lodge sits right within the forest, allowing direct access to the trekking start point.

A full morning is dedicated to chimp tracking, which is often fast-paced and immersive, following the sounds of calls through dense forest before spending time observing these highly active and social animals. Beyond chimps, Kibale is rich in other primates and birdlife, and the forest setting offers a completely different feel to the savannah parks earlier in the trip.

Day notes

Dropping down into Queen Elizabeth National Park, the landscape opens out into classic savannah dotted with crater lakes. Elephant Plains Lodge sits on the escarpment with wide views across the park.

The highlight here is chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge, a lush, sunken forest dramatically carved into the plains. The contrast between the dry savannah above and the dense jungle below is striking, and the tracking experience here feels very different to Kibale.

Day notes

Further south, the Ishasha sector is one of Uganda’s highlights, known for its tree-climbing lions that lounge in the branches of fig trees. Ishasha Wilderness Camp is small, quiet and beautifully positioned along the Ntungwe River.

An afternoon and morning game drive here focuses on finding these lions, along with elephant, buffalo and a good variety of plains game. The atmosphere is more remote and less visited than the northern part of the park, making it a favourite for many travellers.

Day notes

The safari culminates in Bwindi, home to the mountain gorillas and one of Africa’s most profound wildlife experiences. Buhoma Lodge is ideally located near the park headquarters, with views into the forest canopy.

Gorilla trekking is hopefully the highlight of the journey – a challenging but hugely rewarding hike through dense forest to spend time with a habituated family group. The experience is intimate and moving, often described as one of the most memorable wildlife encounters anywhere in the world. The first afternoon allows time to relax, reflect or explore the surrounding community and forest edge, the next morning is dedicated to gorilla trekking and the afternoon can be spent relaxing or exploring the village and local activities.

Day notes

After the final morning, a short transfer to Kihihi airstrip connects by scheduled flight back to Entebbe, providing a scenic conclusion to the journey and avoiding the long drive back.