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Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with this meticulously crafted 8 day Ultimate safari through Uganda’s most iconic national parks. This immersive journey combines the raw power of Murchison Falls, the playful antics of chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, the diverse savannah of Queen Elizabeth, and the profound experience of trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Designed for the discerning traveler, this 8-day tour offers an unparalleled concentration of wildlife experiences, from thrilling game drives and scenic boat cruises to intimate primate encounters, all while enjoying comfortable accommodations and expert guidance. It’s the perfect Uganda itinerary for those seeking to witness the Pearl of Africa’s greatest highlights in one seamless, unforgettable trip.
Your 8 day Ultimate safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. We head north, our destination the mighty Murchison Falls National Park. The journey is an adventure in itself, passing through lush countryside and traditional villages. A major highlight of the day is a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a pioneering conservation project. Here, you will embark on a guided trek on foot to track the endangered southern white rhinos. This is Uganda’s only place to see these magnificent creatures in the wild, and your visit directly contributes to their protection and the eventual reintroduction of rhinos into the national park system. After this unforgettable encounter, we continue our drive to the park, crossing the Victoria Nile and entering the vast savannah landscapes. You’ll check into your lodge near the Nile river with the distant sounds of the African bush providing your evening soundtrack, ready for the adventures ahead.
The transfer north is a scenic introduction to the Ugandan landscape. As you leave the city behind, rolling hills and sugarcane plantations give way to open plains. The stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is not just a wildlife viewing opportunity; it’s a critical conservation experience. Trained rangers will guide you through the savannah to observe these prehistoric-looking wild animals at close quarters, explaining the efforts of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and its partners to re-establish a population. After the trek, we proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. The anticipation builds as you enter the park and might spot your first game—perhaps a Jackson’s hartebeest or a patas monkey—on the way to your lodge. Settle in, enjoy a delicious meal, and prepare for the next day’s exploration on your Murchison Falls safari.
Awake early to the chorus of birds for a morning dedicated to exploring the park on a game drive. The Buligi Circuit, north of the Victoria Nile, offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. Your expert guide will navigate the tracks in your comfortable safari van, searching for the diverse inhabitants of this savannah ecosystem. Expect to see large herds of elephant and buffalo, graceful giraffe (the endemic Rothschild’s species), and a variety of antelope. Predators like lion and leopard are also common, often seen lounging in the sun or perched in the sausage trees. The morning light is perfect for photography, capturing these magnificent wild animals in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to the river and the falls themselves. You will take a thrilling boat cruise upstream along the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. This is a fantastic safari activity for viewing game that comes to the water to drink; watch for hippos, crocodiles, and countless birds lining the banks. The boat gets you breathtakingly close to the powerful cascade where the world’s longest river is forced through a narrow 7-meter gorge, creating a thunderous, mesmerizing spectacle. After the cruise, you can hike to the Top of the Falls (or drive) to stand at the very point where the Nile explodes through the rift valley cliff, feeling the spray and witnessing the raw power of nature. You’ll then return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and dinner.
After breakfast, we begin our transfer south and west towards the lush rainforests of Uganda. The journey is long but incredibly scenic, taking you through the heart of the country. You will cross the Equator, a perfect spot for a classic photo opportunity standing in both hemispheres at once. The landscape transforms from savannah to verdant green hills and tea plantations as you approach the charming town of Fort Portal, nestled in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains, or “Mountains of the Moon.” The final leg of the drive brings you to the edge of Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of the world.
Your destination is Kibale National Park, a tropical rainforest boasting the highest concentration of primates in East Africa, including our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees. After checking into your lodge and having lunch, you will head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides. Then, the adventure begins: chimpanzee tracking. Following the energetic chimps as they swing through the canopy is a thrilling experience. You might also spot other primate species like red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. You are allowed a full hour in the presence of the habituated chimpanzees, observing their feeding, social interactions, and playful behavior—an encounter that is both humbling and exhilarating. This chimpanzee trekking experience is a core highlight of any wildlife safari in Uganda.
Following a hearty breakfast, we depart Kibale and continue our journey, descending into the Great Rift Valley. Our destination is the immensely diverse Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive itself is a game viewing opportunity, offering panoramic views of the Rwenzori Mountains and the park’s varied ecosystems, which include sprawling savannah, shady, humid forests, sparkling lakes, and fertile wetlands. This diversity supports an astounding array of wildlife, making it one of the most popular national parks in Uganda. You will check into your lodge, often with stunning views of the channel or the park, and enjoy some lunch.
In the afternoon, we embark on our first game drive within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Kasenyi plains, on the northern shore of Lake George, are the prime location for this activity. Here, the open grassland is home to large herds of Uganda Kob, the primary prey for the park’s healthy population of lions. Your guide will expertly track game, and you can expect to see elephants, buffalo, warthogs, and perhaps even a solitary leopard resting in a fig tree. The backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains provides a stunning setting for photography. As the sun begins to lower, casting a golden glow over the savannah, we will make our way back to the lodge, reflecting on the incredible wildlife safari experiences of the day.
This morning offers a completely different perspective on the park’s wildlife with a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This natural, 40-kilometer-long waterway linking Lake George and Lake Edward is a magnet for animals, especially during the dry season. The boat cruise is arguably the best in East Africa and a must-do safari activity. You will glide along the water, getting remarkably close to enormous hippos yawning and wallowing, buffalo crowding the banks, and elephants bathing and drinking. The channel is also a birder’s paradise, with hundreds of species recorded, including majestic African fish eagles, colorful kingfishers, and skimmers.
After the boat cruise and lunch, we will begin our transfer southwards through the park towards Bwindi. This route takes us through the famous Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions. These majestic predators are often spotted lounging in the branches of large fig trees, a behavior unique to this region. A game drive through the Ishasha plains provides another opportunity to search for these lions, as well as topi and other savannah game. In the late afternoon, we exit the park and begin the climb into the highlands, with the landscape becoming more mountainous and misty. We arrive at your lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening, the anticipation for the next day’s gorilla trek building with every moment.
These two days are dedicated to the pinnacle of your 8-day safari: mountain gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast and a short drive to the respective park headquarters (the specific sector depends on permit availability), you will be briefed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides on the trekking rules and etiquette for your encounter. Then, the trek begins! Following your guide and trackers, you will venture into the dense, ancient forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can be physically demanding, navigating steep and muddy terrain, but it is an adventure in itself, and the reward is immeasurable.
Upon locating the family, you will spend a magical and awe-inspiring hour in their presence. Watching a massive silverback relax, infants playfully tumbling, and mothers tenderly caring for their young is a profoundly moving experience that often ranks as the top wildlife encounter in the world. The gorillas are typically curious and may pass by within mere feet of you. This hour passes all too quickly, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime. The trek back to the starting point is often filled with excited chatter about the incredible encounter. The remainder of your two days in Bwindi can be spent at leisure, relaxing at the lodge, or participating in optional activities such as a guided forest walk to see waterfalls, visiting a local Batwa community to learn about their culture, or simply soaking in the breathtaking views of the mist-covered “impenetrable” forest.
After a final breakfast overlooking the majestic Bwindi forest, we begin our drive to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. The journey is long but offers a final chance to soak in the beautiful Ugandan landscape, from the highland terraced farms to the bustling towns. We will stop for lunch en route. Depending on your flight schedule, we may have time for a short stop at the Equator line for some last-minute souvenir shopping and photos. We will ensure you arrive at the airport in good time for your international departure, marking the end of an incredible 8-day safari filled with the wonders of Uganda‘s primates, wildlife, and majestic landscapes.
This meticulously planned itinerary offers the ultimate Ugandan adventure, combining the best primate encounters and classic safari experiences. Pristine Tours Ltd. guarantees an expertly guided, seamless, and deeply memorable journey. Our commitment to responsible tourism ensures your visit supports conservation and local communities.
Guaranteed Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Permits
Expert Local Guides with Over 10 Years of Experience
Comfortable 4×4 Safari Vehicles & Carefully Selected Lodges
A Perfect Blend of Primate Trekking, Game Drives & Scenic Beauty
Spaces for gorilla trekking permits are extremely limited and sell out months in advance.
📞 Contact Us Now to Secure Your Place!
Call/WhatsApp: +256 753 538 933
Website: www.pristinetoursuganda.com
Don’t just dream about the adventure—live it. Book your spot on this premier 8-day gorilla trekking safari today
