With just over a week in Uganda, you can see most of the country's highlights. You'll visit incredible national parks like Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, and the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You'll track rhinos, seek out gorillas and chimpanzees, and take a boat ride to the roaring Murchison Falls.

 Highlights

  • Enjoy a boat ride to Murchison Falls
  • Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to see monkeys and elephants
  • Look for chimpanzees in the rainforest
  • Hang out with gorillas in Bwindi National Park

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Uganda Entebbe area
Day 2 Rhino tracking in Murchison Falls National Park  Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3 Game drive and boat ride to Murchison Falls Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4 Travel to Kibale Forest National Park Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5 Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Kibale Forest National Park
Day 6 Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7 Track gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8 Depart from Entebbe  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda

Giraffes in Murchison Falls National Park
Giraffes in Murchison Falls National Park

Land at Entebbe International Airport near the shores of Lake Victoria. Check in at your accommodation ahead of an amazing week exploring the national parks of Uganda on various safaris. 

Day 2: Track Rhinos and Explore Murchison Falls National Park

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After breakfast, head out to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You'll be briefed by a ranger, then drive together nearer to where the rhinos are. The ranger will guide you safely to within about 70-100 feet of these powerful animals for the best views. Have lunch at the sanctuary before continuing on to Murchison Falls National Park to spend the night. 

Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Ride in Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls
Murchison Falls

Early in the morning, cross the Victoria Nile river by ferry, then drive to the delta — an area known for its hippos and crocodiles. After your game drive, join a boat ride to the foot of Murchison Falls. Following your time on the water, you can hike up to the waterfall's top for stunning views of the area. Then head back to your lodge in the national park for dinner and drinks.  

Plan your trip to Uganda
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 4: Travel from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

On the road in Uganda
On the road in Uganda

The journey from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park may be long — about six to seven hours — but it's beautiful as you drive through the green hills of the Ugandan countryside. Tonight you'll be staying in a guesthouse in the national park before an early morning hike to see the local chimpanzees. 

Day 5: Seek Out Chimpanzees and Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park

Get ready for some chimpanzee tracking! Head out in the early morning for about two to three hours to see the chimps in their natural habitat. Afterward, stop off for lunch before heading to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This is a stunning area of the rainforest that's home to an abundance of animals: monkeys, birds, and maybe — just maybe — elephants. Keep an eye out for them all before bedding down for the night in Kibale Forest National Park

Day 6: Travel to Bwindi National Park

Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park

The drive from the Kibale area to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is about six to seven hours, so today will mostly be dedicated to traveling before heading to a hillside lodge to check-in (and prepare for gorilla tracking the next day). 

Day 7: Track Gorillas in Bwindi National Park

Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park

Today starts early, but it's totally worth it because you'll spend the day seeking out gorillas in the rainforest. First up, get a briefing from a local ranger before being appointed to a tracking group. Tracking can take a few hours, depending on where the animals are. That means you'll need a bit of patience as you hike through spectacular rainforests and up steep hills. Spend some quality time with the habituated gorillas before heading back to your lodge for the evening. 

Day 8: Depart from Entebbe

Uganda
Uganda

After breakfast, it's time to make the journey back to Entebbe. From there, you could explore more of Uganda or take a flight to your next destination. Maybe Kenya to the east or Tanzania to the south is calling?

More Great Uganda Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Uganda? Check out these other Uganda itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Map

Map of Explore the Nature & Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days
Map of Explore the Nature & Wildlife of Uganda - 8 Days