Your 10-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
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Start: Entebbe (Day 1)
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End: Entebbe (Day 10)
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Destination Highlights: Murchison Falls, Kibale NP, Queen Elizabeth NP (Ishasha Sector), Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Kampala
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), you will be met by your driver-guide and transferred to Uganda’s bustling capital city, Kampala. After settling into your lodge, you can begin to explore. Your chosen accommodation, Cassia Lodge, is a highly-rated mid-range option perched on a hill in the Buziga area, offering stunning views of Lake Victoria . It’s a serene escape from the city, featuring an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a terrace perfect for watching the sunset . Enjoy a relaxing evening and prepare for the adventures ahead.
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Accommodation: Cassia Lodge
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Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, you’ll embark on the scenic drive northwest to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey takes you through the famous Luweero Triangle and past the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You’ll arrive at Tilenga Safari Lodge in time for dinner . This lodge is situated on the northern boundary of the park, a haven of comfort and serenity just a short distance from the Tangi gate .
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Accommodation: Tilenga Safari Lodge
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park – Game Drive & Boat Cruise
Today is your first full day of wildlife exploration. Rise early for a morning game drive on the northern banks of the River Nile. This area is renowned for its wildlife, and you can expect to see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, and a variety of antelopes like the Jackson’s hartebeest . After lunch back at the lodge, embark on a spectacular boat cruise along the Nile to the base of the mighty Murchison Falls. This is one of Uganda’s most iconic experiences, offering close-up views of hippos, enormous Nile crocodiles, and a plethora of birdlife along the riverbanks. The sheer power of the water forcing its way through a 7-meter cleft in the rocks is a sight to behold .
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Accommodation: Tilenga Safari Lodge
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, you’ll depart Murchison Falls and head south towards the beautiful Kibale National Park. This is a long but scenic drive through the Albertine Rift, with changing landscapes of rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages . You’ll arrive at Turaco Treetops in the late afternoon. This charming, great-value lodge is nestled on a forest property just outside the park, with wonderful views of the Rwenzori Mountains . Unwind in your cottage or take a walk on the lodge’s grounds, where you might spot colobus monkeys and colorful birds .
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Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kibale National Park – Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland
Today is a highlight for primate lovers. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the forest in search of wild chimpanzees. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimps and offers one of the best chimpanzee trekking experiences in Africa. Your expert guide will lead you through the lush forest, and once a group is found, you’ll spend a magical hour observing their fascinating social behavior . In the afternoon, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project. A guided walk through the swamp offers excellent opportunities to see more primates (like black-and-white colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys) and over 200 bird species .
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Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy breakfast with a view of the Rwenzoris before departing Kibale for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive is short and exceptionally beautiful, passing through the crater lakes region . You’ll arrive at Enshama Game Lodge and Campsite, your base for exploring the park’s diverse habitats . After checking in, you might opt for a relaxing afternoon or a short, introductory game drive in the nearby areas. Enshama offers a restaurant, bar, and services like car and bike rental for exploring the local area .
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Accommodation: Enshama Game Lodge and Campsite
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Another day of incredible wildlife encounters awaits. Set out at dawn for a game drive in the Kasenyi area, famous for its high concentration of wildlife and predators, including lions . After lunch and some rest, you’ll embark on a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. The cruise provides phenomenal, safe viewing of hippos, buffaloes, elephants, and crocodiles wallowing and grazing along the water’s edge .
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Accommodation: Enshama Game Lodge and Campsite
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Ishasha Sector (Tree-Climbing Lions) & Transfer to Bwindi
Today you’ll drive south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a region famed for its population of tree-climbing lions. Spend the morning game driving through this scenic savannah, hoping to spot these majestic cats lounging in the branches of fig trees . After your game drive, you’ll continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas. You’ll stay at Topi Lodge, a budget-friendly yet comfortable lodge located right at the edge of the Ishasha sector, offering views of the park and surrounding landscape .
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Accommodation: Topi Lodge
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Gorilla Trekking
This is the day your safari has been building up to. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters with your packed lunch for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides. Then, the gorilla trekking begins! You’ll venture into the dense, misty forest with your guides and trackers in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the moment you find them is truly unforgettable. You’ll spend one precious hour in their presence, watching them interact, feed, and care for their young . After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge, tired but filled with an immense sense of wonder. For your final night, you’ll stay at Dorotia Bwindi Eco Tourism Resort. Located in the Rushaga sector, this resort offers large, en-suite rooms with balconies overlooking the forest canopy, a perfect place to reflect on your adventure .
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Accommodation: Dorotia Bwindi Eco Tourism Resort
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Transfer back to Entebbe & Departure
After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time to begin your journey back to Entebbe. You’ll drive through the beautiful countryside, with a stop at the Uganda Equator for photos and souvenirs . You’ll be transferred to Entebbe International Airport in time to catch your onward flight, bringing your unforgettable 10-day Ugandan safari to a close.
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Accommodation: None (Departure)
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Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
โจ Final Tips for a Smooth Safari
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Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permits: These must be booked well in advance, as they are limited and sell out quickly, especially during peak season. Ensure your tour operator includes these in your package.
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Packing Essentials: Pack neutral-colored clothing (green, khaki, beige), a waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking boots for trekking, long-sleeved shirts and trousers for insect protection, a good pair of binoculars, sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent.
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Health: Please consult your doctor or a travel health clinic about necessary vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis well before your travel date. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Uganda.
This itinerary offers a perfect blend of Uganda’s top attractionsโfrom vibrant city life and powerful waterfalls to diverse wildlife and unforgettable encounters with chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.
Have a wonderful trip.
