Best of Uganda's National Parks - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, Explore at Leisure

Welcome to Entebbe, a bustling city located on the shores of Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in. Then, spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel's amenities or venture out to explore the city on your own. A good place to start is the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, which serves as both a zoo and a sanctuary for rescued animals. Walk through various habitats that mimic Uganda's national parks, observing iconic species like lions, giraffes, rhinos, and chimpanzees in settings that reflect their natural environments. 

You could also book a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about animal care, participate in feeding sessions, and engage in conservation education programs. If you're looking for a more relaxed activity, head to one of the city's beaches instead, like Aero Beach or Lido Beach. Lay on the sand, go for a refreshing swim, or partake in water sports like jet skiing or kayaking. Wait until sunset so you can watch the sky transform into vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, reflected in the calm waters of the lake before returning to your hotel for the night. 

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Rhino Trek

After a restful night in Entebbe, hit the road on a six-hour transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, named after its awe-inspiring cascade, where the Nile River plunges dramatically through a narrow gorge. Around halfway through the drive, you'll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to the country's only wild white rhinos in their natural habitat. When you arrive, learn about the white rhinos and the ongoing efforts to protect them from poaching as the sanctuary aims to reintroduce these magnificent creatures to Uganda's national parks.

Then, set off on a rhino trek to observe the animals up close. Depending on where the rhinos are, you'll spend one hour watching them graze on the vast grasslands, wallow in mud pools, and interact with each other before sitting down for lunch at Amuka Safari Lodge. When you're done eating, jump back in the car and complete the drive to the national park, passing through the charming town of Masindi, once a British colonial hub. Check in at Pakuba Safari Lodge, perched on the banks of the Albert Nile, and get ready for a delicious dinner at the on-site restaurant.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive, Boat Cruise & Hike

Enjoy a hot cup of coffee and get ready for an early-morning game drive on the southern banks of the Victoria Nile. Traverse the park's different habitats, from savanna grasslands to woodlands and riverine forests, keeping an eye out for the Big Five, which includes lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. The park is also home to over 450 bird species, so keep your eyes on the skies. Look out for the goliath heron, the largest heron in the world, and Uganda's national bird, the grey-crowned crane.

After an action-packed morning, return to the lodge to relax by the pool for a few hours. In the afternoon, you get to see the park from the water as you jump on a three-hour cruise down the Nile toward Murchison Falls. You may be able to see semiaquatic animals from the boat, like hippos or crocodiles. The birding will also continue, as the rare shoebill stork is known to frequent the Nile's shores. When you arrive at the bottom of the falls, disembark and set off on a leisurely hike for an up-close look at the cascade.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park, Bigodi Wetlands Walk

Trade one Ugandan national park for another this morning as you set off on a seven-hour transfer to Kibale National Park, known for having one of the highest densities of primates in Africa. Check in at the Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse on the edge of the Kibale Forest and get ready for a 2.7-mile (4.5 km) walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. As you navigate the well-maintained trails, you'll hear a symphony of bird calls as over 200 species reside here, such as the great blue turaco with its vivid feathers and the elusive African harrier-hawk, known for its distinctive flight pattern. 

You may also hear the shriek of primates since the sanctuary is home to eight species, including the red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus, and olive baboon. Be sure to look down as you walk, as you may see reptiles, like the African water monitor lizard, basking in the sun or gliding through the wetland's waters. End the walking tour at a local Tooro village, where you can learn how to weave baskets, produce a delicious cup of coffee, and meet with the local herbalist to discover traditional herbs and their purposes. 

Day 5: Track Chimpanzees Through the Forest, Lunch at Tinka's 

A visit to Kibale National Park isn’t complete without a chimpanzee spotting, so today you set off on a trek to find these playful primates. Meet your guide at the ranger headquarters at 8 am, then follow them through dense foliage and rugged trails to find the primates. You'll have to be quiet so your guide can listen for the unmistakable hoots and calls of the chimpanzees echoing through the trees. When you find a troop, watch as they swing effortlessly from tree to tree and groom each other on the forest floor. You may also see the forest elephant on this trek, recognizable by its short stature and hairy skin.

Keep a look out above the trees as well, as there are over 335 bird species in the park. After spotting the chimpanzees and learning about their habits and familial roles, head to Tinka's Homestead for a traditional Kitooro lunch. The Tinka family will welcome you into their home and teach you about the ingredients and cooking methods they use to create authentic meals. When the food is ready, sit down with the family under their thatched roof to eat and learn about more culinary traditions. Thank them for their hospitality, then return to your lodge to relax for the rest of the day.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Game Drive 

Say goodbye to the chimpanzees and Kibale National Park this morning as you transfer 1.5 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park, spanning across savannas, wetlands, and lush forests. Check in at Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, overlooking Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mutanda. Then, join your guide on an afternoon game drive in the national park’s wildlife-rich Kasenyi sector.

The cooler afternoon temperatures will bring out plenty of animals, like elephants roaming the savannas, buffalo grazing in the open plains, or hyenas starting their nightly hunt. But, you're most likely to see lions here, as they often stalk the abundant Ugandan kob population. If you’re lucky, you may also see the elusive leopard or the giant forest hog, Africa's largest pig. Be sure to look up, as there are over 600 bird species throughout the park, such as the African fish eagle and secretary bird.

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Free Time

Today, you head to your final destination: the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the richest biological and botanical regions in the world. The two-hour transfer will take you through the scenic southwestern region of Uganda, where you'll traverse rolling hills, lush forests, and verdant tea plantations. When you arrive, check in at the eco-friendly Rushaga Gorilla Camp, built on six acres (2.4 hectares) of land bordering the national park. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool and enjoying dinner at the on-site restaurant. 

Day 8: Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your penultimate day in Uganda starts with an early breakfast and 8 am briefing to prepare you for today's gorilla trek. When it's time, follow your experienced guide through the dense bamboo forest in search of signs of gorillas, such as broken branches, footprints, and leftover food. The trek can be challenging due to the park's steep, rugged terrain, but the reward will be well worth the effort.

When you find the endangered mountain gorillas, maintain a distance of 22 feet (7 m) for everyone's health and safety. Leave your belongings behind and approach the gentle giants with just your camera. Watch them play, sleep, and feed in their natural habitat. If you're lucky, you may spot a few babies high in the trees. After spending one hour with these magnificent creatures, it's time to return to base to minimize the transmission of diseases. 

Day 9: Transfer to Entebbe, Depart

Wake up and have breakfast at your lodge before meeting your driver for a 9.5-hour transfer back to Entebbe for your flight home. The drive begins with a descent from the dense rainforest, winding through terraced hills and rural landscapes. As you travel north, the scenery shifts from lush greenery to more open savanna and farmland. Approaching Entebbe, the route takes you through smaller towns and villages, providing a glimpse into daily Ugandan life. When you arrive in the city, head straight to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!