10 Days Classic East Africa Safari: Ultimate Uganda Safari Journey.
The 10 Days Classic East Africa Safari is packed with some of the most amazing experiences of Uganda’s iconic national parks, which include exciting game drives, animal sightings, and the amazing experience of seeing the rare mountain gorillas trekking. With the amazing Uganda safari experience of viewing the power of the Nile River as it passes through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls, the lions, elephants, and other wild animals at Queen Elizabeth National Park, and finally, the amazing experience of trekking to view the endangered species of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Highlights of your safari
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise to the base of the falls
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Game drive and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Day 9: Optional activity and transfer towards Kampala/Entebbe
Day 10: Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Upon arrival, your English-speaking driver guide will welcome you and begin the drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, known for its dramatic landscapes where the Nile River squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging over a powerful waterfall. Along the way, enjoy views of rural Ugandan life, farmland, and changing scenery. Arrive in time for dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise to the base of the falls
The day begins with a game drive during the early morning hours through the northern savannah of the park, where you’ll find elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, and the rare Rothschild’s giraffe. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisure boat ride down the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls for great views of hippos and crocodiles, as well as numerous waterbirds, such as the elusive shoebill stork. Dinner at your lodge and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
You will be journeying to Kibale Forest National Park (the primate capital of the world) after breakfast. This trip will be through the scenic Rift Valley Escarpment and mountainous tea plantations in the south. You will arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and will also have time to relax before your chimpanzee trekking excursion the next morning. Dinner will be provided after checking in at your lodge, where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Once breakfast is done, go to the park offices for a briefing, and after that, proceed to Kibale Forest in pursuit of the chimpanzees. There are more than ten primates living in the forest, and chimp trekking in the forest will offer you the opportunity to watch the chimpanzees eat, vocalise, and move about in the forest canopy. At lunchtime, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park to spend the night there.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (continued exploration)
A full-day excursion through Queen Elizabeth National Park. It has different types of environments such as savanna grassland, wetland, and rainforest. Game drive through Kasenyi Plains for lions, elephants, buffalo, and Uganda kobs. There is also an optional stop at either the Kyambura Gorge, which is famous for its chimps, or driving to see the crater lakes for great views. Meals will be at the lodge. Accommodations will also be provided.
Day 6: Game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Begin the day with a morning game drive in search of predators and large herds of grazing animals. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Uganda, with large concentrations of hippos, buffalo, elephants, and numerous bird species gathering along the water’s edge. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After having breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; you’ll be travelling through the wonderful Kigezi Highlands, which are sometimes called “Switzerland of Africa” because of their terraced hills and rolling countryside. You will travel about three hours in the afternoon to get to your lodge and check in; then you will have some time to relax and prepare for your gorilla trek tomorrow. Dinner and overnight accommodation are included.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing with park rangers before setting off into the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location that day, taking you through dense vegetation alive with birdlife, butterflies, and other primate species such as black-and-white colobus monkeys. After tracking down the gorillas, you will be treated to an hour in which you can watch them eat, play, and take care of their young ones. Afterward, return to the park headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking permit, then head back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Optional activity and transfer towards Kampala/Entebbe
Depending upon your departure schedule, use this morning for some optional activity, be it a Batwa cultural experience, understanding the traditional forest-dwelling community and their unique customs, or a guided nature walk through the forest. Start again that long, picturesque drive back toward Kampala or Entebbe, with views of the southwestern highlands and the Lake Mburo area along the way. Overnight halt en route or near Entebbe, depending upon the flight time.
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight home, marking the end of your 10 days classic East Africa safari.
A quotation includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Park entrance fees for all parks visited
- Full-time English-speaking driver guide
- Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Boat cruises (Murchison Falls and Kazinga Channel)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- 4WD safari vehicle and fuel
- Bottled drinking water
Quotation excludes
- International flight tickets and visas
- Travel and life insurance
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., Batwa cultural visit)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, porter fees, drinks, etc.)
