Lion in Queen Elizabeth NP ALL-INCLUSIVE UGANDA GORILLAS, PRIMATES WILDLIFE SAFARI- 9 DAYS

All-Inclusive Uganda Gorillas, Primates Wildlife & Murchison Falls Safari - 9 Days

Gorillas and Wildlfe Safaris Hall of Fame Trip Advisor RecommendedIf you are dreaming of that truly unforgettable African wildlife and primates safari experience with bits of virgin remote Africa, then you will definitely love Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris' "9-day Uganda All-Inclusive Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls." 

While putting together this Uganda safari itinerary, I have taken all the time to have only those holiday experiences that leave lasting memories. We have had to consider dozens of past client reviews on each of the tour activities, the tour accommodation facilities in the National Parks, the appropriate safari transportation, whether local guides to use or not, en-route stopovers along the way to the various destinations among other things. Even then, I ultimately ensure that you still get your very affordable safari price.

On this Uganda holiday, you should expect to see more primates, enjoy comprehensive game drives, and beautiful Uganda scenery,  with game viewing on the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls NP  - (giraffe, elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo, and leopard among others, all abound).
You will also be tracking the habituated chimpanzees in Kibale National Park as the endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi.

All-Inclusive Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls - 9 Days

  • Day 1: Start the Uganda safari by meeting with your dedicated tour guide at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala (or at the airport if you are arriving this day in Uganda), drive to Murchison Falls National Park, enjoy tracking the white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, lunch en-route. 
  • Day 2: Lots of game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, a boat trip to the bottom of the falls, try looking for lions, hippos, giraffes, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife.
  • Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park, in the afternoon we have a guided primates' walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The drive is not less than 5 hours but flights can be arranged on request. 
  • Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. This forest also has 11 other primates species. The Chimpanzee Tracking could be done either in the morning or afternoon.
  • Day 5: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route is very scenic with the Rwenzori Mountains and lots of beautiful crater lakes. We also attempt game drives as we proceed to your lodge. Our guides always have several engaging options for this day.
  • Day 6: More Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a boat trip on Kazinga Channel. Again we shall be engaging gears looking for lions, hyenas,  hippos, giraffes, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife. This park has over 660 bird species! The park habitat diversity could keep you outdoors for the entire day - just watch out!
  • Day 7: Day for game drives to search for the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha as we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In the Ishasha Sector are also several other BIG 5 wildlife species. 
  • Day 8: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 
  • Day 9: Departure Day! We drive back to  Entebbe for departure back home, or you could also request to be dropped at Rwanda's Kigali for a home departing flight.

We shall stick to using private vehicle transfers for this Uganda safari so that you have the unhindered freedom to explore all the country's bits. On some experiences however, like the gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimps tracking in Kibale, and boat trips for closer wildlife viewing, we might have other tourists joining you. We also have a dedicated Uganda safari guide for the whole safari. S/he is very knowledgeable about the country and the national parks and will be communicating in good English.

The transportation for this Uganda safari is mostly customized safari land-cruisers or land-rover with wide-opening windows, popping-up roofs, air-conditioning, and 4x4 off-road driving. In the several parks, we go to, we also engage local park guides just in case we think they have more knowledge. The tour can start/end from Entebbe in Uganda or Kigali in Rwanda, on any day, so long as the corresponding gorilla permits are available.

Day 1: Meet in Entebbe or Kampala, start your Uganda Safari with Murchison Falls National Park, and track the white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

To start this All-inclusive Uganda Safari, we shall arrange to meet up with you at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at 8 a.m. We can also meet at the Entebbe airport if you are planning to arrive on this day, but it shouldn't be later than 11 a.m.

Your dedicated Uganda safari guide will then give you a short brief about the tour and the country generally and after which you will be good to go off for your Uganda holiday.

Our first destination shall be Murchison Falls National Park but we have plenty of activities along the way.  

Our first stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary,  the only place in Uganda you can find white rhinos out of captivity. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhinos and restore rhino populations in Uganda's protected areas at a later stage. Our plan is that you track the rhinos for one hour before proceeding on your way to Murchison Falls National Park. It is highly recommended that this activity is done before 11 am because as the day temperatures get warmer, rhinos tend to be harder to track. If you started driving at 8 am from Kampala or Entebbe, you should be at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary at about 10 am and this is all great for you.

After our 1 hour with the rhinos, we have about 30 minutes of driving before our lunch stop-over in Masindi town. Your tour guide knows the best restaurants to have a great meal from. 

We will then continue on our drive, entering the park at about 1 pm. The first few miles in the park go via Budongo Forest. You should already be spotting some primates along and your driver will be going much slower for you to enjoy and take photographs. Apart from the photographing stops, our other major stop is the top of the falls (Murchison Falls)  which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters.  From here we will continue onto our accommodation place along the Nile river

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest wildlife protected area in Uganda covering 1482 square miles. Put together with the adjacent protected areas of Bugungu Wildlife, Budongo Forest, and Karuma Wildlife Reserve, the Murchison Falls Conservation area is 2050 square miles in total. In the center of it all is the River Nile section (Victoria Nile) running from East to West for about 72 miles.  

This mix-up of rivers, riparian forests, swampland, drylands, and verdant tropical savanna offers tourists the opportunity of seeing large concentrations of wildlife including lion, leopard, civet, hyena, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, host of smaller game, small primates and many bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. The park is especially famous for crocodiles and hippos.

Apart from game viewing, the launch trip to the bottom of the falls is another memorable adventure giving you the experience of the mighty biblical Nile. On the launch trip, you may see schools of crocodiles and hippos basking on the river banks as well as a variety of birds.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Upper Luxury: Cottage at Murchison River Lodge or Deluxe Room at Paraa Safari Lodge

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (tents) | Murchison River Lodge (tents) | Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 2: Safari Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, and boat trip to the bottom of the falls

Your second day on safari is quite busier than you might imagine and you should have your breakfast done by 6:30 am, for we have planned wildlife encounters that can only be best-rewarding before the heat of the day. So after your breakfast, your safari guide will be helping you to the safari vehicle for an extensive game drive north of Murchison Falls National Park. On this game drive, our main plot is to look for the rear lions here, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes, and many more. On many of the game drives, we also spot leopards and hyenas. The game drive is normally as long or short as you might want it to be but on average lasts for about 4 hours.

After the game drive, we shall be back to the lodge for our lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls.

This boat trip along the Nile is often cited as being the highlight of a trip to Murchison since it allows you to get up close and personal with the animals. Along this stretch of the river, there are reported to be around 4,000 hippos in addition to some enormous Nile crocodiles. The birdlife is stunning with brightly colored kingfishers and bee-eaters darting along the riverbanks. If lucky, you may see the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill, which is a cross between the dodo and a dinosaur. The boat takes you to the base of the falls which only adds to their impressiveness.

Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Upper Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge

Luxury: Cottage at Murchison River Lodge or Deluxe Room at Paraa Safari Lodge

Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (tents) | Murchison River Lodge (tents) | Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 3: Kibale National Park; Guided Primate Walk in Bigodi Swamp 

Our drive today is about 5 and a half hours but we want to have some activities later in the afternoon. It helps to set off from the lodge no later than 8 am. We shall be driving through the undulating highlands of southwestern Uganda on our way to the greener and more beautiful Fort Portal area. The way goes through the remotest parts of Africa and b sure to see the true African villages and farmlands that many only dream about!  You have lots f opportunities for scenic photography,  more so as we traverse escarpment areas of the Great East African Rift Valley.
Your journey even gets more interesting as you approach Fort Portal town which is located at the foothills of the Rwenzori mountains with green carpets of tea plantations everywhere, spreading to as far as your eyes can reach separated by flowering freshwater springs, with tea pickers plucking off the fresh leaves.  

If you are not so tired today, in the afternoon,  we shall visit Bigodi Wetland Swamp which is adjacent to Kibale Forest National Park (this can be done on the next day if you prefer to rest). A guided walk in Bigodi offers tourists an excellent opportunity for viewing primates and other forest animals in the forested swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is maintained by the local community and you should also enjoy other traditional cultural activities at the end of the walk - like basket weaving, traditional music, and dance performances, coffee making among others. You will expect birds like the great Blue Turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs, and among others. 

Driving time: ± 5.5 hrs

Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis)

Upper Luxury: Ndali Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge 

Luxury: Ndali Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge  | Primate Lodge Kibale 

Moderate: Isunga Lodge | Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (ensuite cottage) | Kibale Forest Camp | Turaco Treetops

Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park 

Today we have another big primates encounter when we go chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.  There are two chimpanzee tracking sessions starting at 8 am and 11 am. Your tour guide will plan with you to be available at the Kibale Park office in good time for the chimps trek briefing.  

The walk should mostly be gentle with some bouts of gentle hill climbing, so not so physically demanding. Usually, you should be going for 3 hours or so in total. The usual thing is to first walk to where the chimpanzees were last located (the day before) and then follow them from this point. This is usually not so far away and you should be already hearing the chimpanzees' pant-hooting calls, breaking tree branches, and shouting. When you finally get a sight of them, you have 1 hour to enjoy (park rangers aren't that strict and you will most likely have a few more minutes). We get to observe the chimpanzees playing in the tree branches, and going about other chimps' socialization activities like copulating, nest building, and communal hunting of other smaller primates.  

On the chimpanzee tracking experience, you should be able to spot other primates on your way. There are at least 12 other primates species that you could spot while in Kibale National Park -  like black and white Columbus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bushbabies, pottos; many bird species like the yellow-spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk. If you prefer to have more time to track the other primates and wildlife in Kibale, you can ask to book another night/ day here and a forest walk can be arranged for you.

When you get back from the chimps tracking, your driver shall be waiting for you to drive back to your accommodation.

Kibale National Park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. As of 2020, Kibale is inhabited by 6 large communities of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.

Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis)

Upper Luxury: Ndali Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge 

Luxury: Ndali Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Kyaninga Lodge  | Primate Lodge Kibale 

Moderate: Isunga Lodge | Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (ensuite cottage) | Kibale Forest Camp | Turaco Treetops

Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park & Rwenzori Mountains

You can choose to have a relaxed morning at the lodge before our departure to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way (depending on how much time you have for this), we can explore the crater lakes and explosion crater regions of the Fort Portal region.

The drive is characterized by magnificent views of the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains (the famed "Mountains of the Moon") on your right,  one of the great mountain ranges of the world. You could actually book an optional 1-day walk in the foothills of the Rwenzori. This walk can as well be coordinated by your safari guide/driver.

As we enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, we should be already starting to see some game along the roadsides. But to get a good feel of the park, your tour guide has on plan a game drive along the tracks in the north of the park, in the Lake Katwe explosion crater areas, and on the Baboon cliff. This route also has several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally. You should be able to spot teeming herds of impala-like Uganda Kob, as well as topi, elephant and lion, giant forest hog, and Cape buffalo.

This 767-square-mile Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area is bordered on the northeast by Lake George and on the southwest by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Congo Parc du Virunga.  

Accommodation Options in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Full Board)

Upper Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge | Kasenyi Safari Camp | Mazike Game Lodge

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge |  Katara Lodge

Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge |  Enganzi Lodge | Bush Lodge

Budget: Bush Lodge (tents)|  Simba Safari Camp (tents) | Pumba Cottages 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive & Boat Trip

At about 6:30 a.m., your safari guide shall be picking you up for another extensive game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes hyenas, leopards among the other wildlife species here.

Early mornings are particularly the best times for viewing the Big cats in real hunting action owing to the vast population of Uganda kobs and other antelope species in Queen Elizabeth National Park. If all goes well, we should have an excellent chance to view lots of wildlife on this game drive. 

In the afternoon we shall be going for a scheduled launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippos huff and spray at a mere foot away from the boat, and buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink-backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and many others.

Accommodation Options in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Full Board)

Upper Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge | Kasenyi Safari Camp | Mazike Game Lodge

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge |  Katara Lodge

Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge |  Enganzi Lodge | Bush Lodge

Budget: Bush Lodge (tents)|  Simba Safari Camp (tents) | Pumba Cottages 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 7: Game drives in Ishasha Sector for Tree-climbing Lions (and more mammals), Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

We are shifting base today to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive should be 4 hours if you are going to the north sectors of Buhoma or Ruhija, or ±6 hours if you are to stay in the south of Bwindi (Rushaga, Nkuringo, Kisoro, or Mgahinga).

Before we exit the park, you can book a chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura Gorge (which is part of Queen Elizabeth National Park) or a guided forest walk in Maramagambo Forest in the south of the Park.

Based on any of the above factors, we can schedule the best time to leave this morning.  Along the way (depending on the conditions of the road as most of the tracks can get impassable when it rains), we shall be having game drives in the Ishasha Sector of Queen  Elizabeth National Park. Our purpose is mainly to spot the tree-climbing lions, that you can only spot here and nowhere else in Africa. This comes with bits of luck but we mostly spot them.  After the game drive, we shall be driving along dirt roads on our way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi is home to the rare mountain gorillas plus 11 other primates species including the blue and red-tailed monkeys. The forest itself is lush and green and there are streams running through it.

The communities near Bwindi offer some excellent ways to experience authentic African culture. If you arrive here and still have more time, please talk you your tour guide to assist you to arrange a guided walk in the villages. Unaccompanied walks in the community are also very safe.

As you finally rest for the night, please plan very well for the next day, for your gorilla tracking experience. Your accommodation staff shall approach you to take your next day's breakfast and boxed lunch orders. Charge up your camera batteries, ensure your rainproof clothing is ready, sunscreen and insect repellent are in the pack, and groovy shoes are ready. The gorilla trekking experience requires all this, and more!

Bwindi Accommodation Options (Full Board)

Upper Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge 

Up-market: Mahogany Springs Lodge Buhoma LodgeFour Gorillas Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge 

Moderate:  Lake Mulehe Lodge | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge |  Mutanda Lake Resort

Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Day 8: Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Safe planning demands that you set aside the entire day for gorilla tracking and if time allows, spontaneously plan something after.

Because have to be at the Bwindi Park office at about 8 am, your driver should be meeting with you at 7:30 a.m. at the lodge to take you there. You will be required to present a copy of your passport to verify if you are the right person for whom the gorilla tracking permit is booked. After the identity verification, you will be led to the briefing area. While here, you will be bombarded with lots of information about mountain gorilla conservation and ecology. There shall also be a traditional Bakiga cultural music, dance, and drama performance done by the park's neighboring community members.

You are then allocated to the particular gorilla group you will be visiting. For some gorilla groups, you will need to drive a short distance before starting the trek into the forest. The driving is usually not more than 30 minutes before the trek-start point to the mountain gorillas. 

We trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. As you get closer to the gorillas, you should already be hearing them breaking tree branches and calling, with youngsters singing. Signs of the previous night's nesting should be visible as well. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters of the gorillas, and sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

Although it is quite hard to predict how long you will be going,  you can plan your gorilla trek to be from about 2 up to 6 hours in total. Walking along slippery forest slopes can be physically challenging for many, but we are certain you will make it to the gorillas and back in one piece. E

While most of today's forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi's vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths, and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzees, L'Hoest's, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboons, and Bwindi's most famous resident, the mountain gorilla.

Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.

Bwindi Overnight Options:

Upper Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge 

Up-market: Mahogany Springs Lodge Buhoma LodgeFour Gorillas Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge 

Moderate:  Lake Mulehe Lodge | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge |  Mutanda Lake Resort

Low Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Day 9: Leave Bwindi and  Return to Kampala / Entebbe or to Kigali (Daily flights to Entebbe can be booked as well)

Rise early for breakfast before saying farewell to the camp’s friendly staff as we depart for Kampala / Entebbe.

En route, we will stop at the Equator for photographs and a ‘polar-water experiment', then local community crafts shops and fruit markets.

We will be in Entebbe in the evening before your flight back home.

End of the All-inclusive Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls. 

 

 

Promotional 2023/2024 Tour Prices  for the Uganda All-Inclusive Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls Tour- 9 Days  

Solo travelers are welcome on the Uganda All-Inclusive Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls Tour; they only pay the cost of 1 person. All the other tour prices are based on 2 or 3 people sharing a room. You can pay for the extra single room supplement if you prefer not to share a room.

If you are traveling in March, April, May, October, or November, please mention it to access special season offers. 

Uganda All Inclusive Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls Tour- 9 Days

Lower Budget

Midrange

Upscale

Upper Luxury

1 person

 USD3,948

 USD4,560

 USD6,738

 USD14,438

2 persons

 USD2,810

 USD3,265

 USD4,904

 USD11,286

3 persons

 USD2,522

 USD2,977

 USD4,616

 USD10,998

4 persons

 USD2,378

 USD2,833

 USD4,472

 USD10,854

5 persons

 USD2,292

 USD2,746

 USD4,386

 USD10,767

6 persons

 USD2,234

 USD2,689

 USD4,328

 USD10,667

7 persons

 USD2,193

 USD2,648

 USD4,287

 USD10,854

Single Room Supplement

 USD250

 USD395

 USD886

 USD2,090

The tour prices for the All-inclusive Uganda Gorillas, Primates Wildlife, and Murchison Falls Safari shall include:

  • 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person (this alone is USD700 and is included in your tour price already)
  • 1 Kibale Chimpanzee tracking permit (cost is USD200 and is already included in the tour price)
  • Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Rhinos' Sanctuary
  • All other guided walks and treks as mentioned in the safari itinerary
  • Accommodation with all meals during the tour
  • Services of  a good and experienced English-speaking safari guide
  • Bottled drinking water on the vehicle
  • Park fees for the various parks
  • Transport on tour using a 4x4 safari land cruiser with a popping-up roof, wide-opening windows, A/c, and charging points among other convenience amenities
  • Entrance fees for tours mentioned in the program
  • Boat rides as on the program (in Murchison Falls NP and along Kazinga Channel)

Upscale accommodation:

Night 1&2: Murchison River Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge

Night 3 & 4:  Kyaninga Lodge or Crater Safari Lodge or Ndali Lodge

Night 5& 6: Mweya Safari Lodge  or Katara Lodge

Nights 7 &8: Mahogany Springs Lodge or  Buhoma Lodge or Four Gorillas Lodge or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge 

(Upgrade to Gorilla Forest Camp or Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge)

Midrange (Moderate) accommodation:

Night 1&2: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Fort Murchison Lodge (ensuite room)

Night 3 & 4:  Isunga Lodge or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge |  Turaco Treetops Lodge

Night 5& 6: Buffalo Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge

Nights 7 &8: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Mutanda Lake Resort or Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge 

Lower Budget accommodation:

Night 1&2:  Fort Murchison Lodge or Red Chilli Rest Camp

Night 3 & 4:  Tents at Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Night 5& 6: Tents at Bush Lodge or Simba Safari Camp or Pumba Cottages 

Nights 7 &8: Gorilla Conservation Camp or Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge

Talk to a Uganda Safari Expert

Enquire about this safari and tour prices.

Talk to one of our destination experts to start planning your Uganda safari.

IS THE ALL-INCLUSIVE UGANDA & WILDLIFE SAFARI FOR ME?

TRAVEL STYLE: GWS Journeys

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

SERVICE LEVEL: Up-gradable

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other GWS tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

PHYSICAL RATING: 3 Moderate Difficulty

Heavy walking and hiking suitable for most high fitness levels. Very challenging terrain.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 16+

Travellers bellow the age of 16 will not be allowed to trek gorillas but can be left at lodge to tour the villages with a guide.

Client Testimonials for our All-Inclusive Uganda Gorillas, Primates Wildlife Safaris

  • star rating  My sister organized an itinerary through Gorillas and Wildlife Safari. We love that it was Uganda-owned. She worked with Ivan to put together a fabulous itinerary through Rwanda and Uganda... read more

    608savannahw
    31st August 2023

    star rating  Amazing experience with Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris - We did a 7 night, 8 day gorilla and Safari tour. It was fantastic - we had such a great time. Ivan was quick to respond to all... read more

    Marissa W
    29th August 2023

    star rating  My wonderful 13-day trip across Uganda - I just returned from my wonderful 13-day trip across Uganda with Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris. My interactions with Ivan as well as my guide, Huzaima, were fantastic. Ivan was very... read more

    Jafar M
    19th August 2023
  • star rating  Amazing experience from the start! - We cannot recommend Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris enough! From the very beginning in planning the trip, Ivan was extremely responsive to all our questions and very helpful in creating the... read more

    323kristalb
    10th August 2023

    star rating  Simply perfect, flawlessly executed - There are so many good things I want to say about our trip, Ivan, and our guide Richard that I'm worried this will be a book. To keep myself in... read more

    Krysten_SF
    9th July 2023

    star rating  A Fantastic 15-day personalised safari with a great company and superb guide - We finally managed to complete the trip we had planned for 2020 that we all understand was delayed due to covid.

    I have to say that the communication in... read more

    Jimmysigs
    24th June 2023

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What you need to know about the All-Inclusive Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari with Murchison Falls - 9 Days Safari

On your safari, you have a chance to experience some of the most spectacular yet undiscovered wildlife. Uganda has very beautiful scenery, comfortable weather year-round and above all friendly people that will make your holiday a journey to remember. Besides, Uganda has such a wealth of attractions that a single visit will not be enough to discover all its wonders…!

Uganda as a country is one of the most thought for destination when it comes to African safaris. This is due to its natural endowment with natural beauty, characterized by good natural physical features, amazing African landscapes and scenic views.

Uganda is also known both as a world of birds and world of wildlife.

Uganda lies a stride the equator between Kenya to the east and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. It covers an area of 236,000m2 with 25% of its surface made up of large lakes including lakes Victoria, Albert, Edward and George.

With our safaris you can expect to see Africa’s Big Five and other land animals, gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates, waterfalls, forests, islands, and plenty of bird life.

Uganda offers excellent Africa vacation tours to its national parks and game reserves where you may have the opportunity to see a diversity of wildlife through game drives and walking or chimpanzee trekking safaris.

Unlike Tanzania and Kenya safaris, Uganda includes gorilla safaris to Bwindi national parks where the Virungas extend to Rwanda and Congo. Hiking expeditions offer additional adventure in Rwenzori National Park similar to those of Mount Kenya.

The tourism and hospitality sector provides a variety of safari accommodation options including camping, safari lodges, hotels, resorts and guest houses. These may be luxury or discounted/cheap depending on what you want for your Uganda accommodation.

MAIN NATIONAL PARKS FOR YOUR 9-DAY ALL-INCLUSIVE UGANDA SAFARI FOR GORILLAS, WILDLIFE AND PRIMATES

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The park is located in southwestern Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts. It is situated in a hilly country-side that, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary constitutes an important water catchments area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a true equatorial jungle, inhabited by four gorilla groups. Amongst the dense vegetation the columbus monkey jumps from branch to branch, chattering its warning to its fellows hidden by the foliage. Chimpanzees, in families of 20 or 30, make the rounds, searching for fruit and edible plants.

It is situated in a hilly country-side that, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary constitutes an important water catchments area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region.

The best time to visit Uganda is late December to late February, and from June to September, as the weather at this time of year is generally dry, and warm. Temperatures average at around 25 degrees Celsius.

Kibale National Park

Once this tropical rainforest provided a (very substantial) dinner, bed and breakfast for large herds of migrating forest elephants and, even now, the park contain the largest population of this subspecies in Uganda. Although they're rarely seen, and dangerous, the signs of these elephants' presence are abundant.

However, Kibale's claim to fame is its enormous variety of primates and its families of habituated chimpanzees - it's home to an astonishing 12 species of primate and provides one of the highest primate densities in the world. Here, on a daytime or evening guided forest walk, you may find families of chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys chattering and swinging through the ancient forest trees.

The sightings of birds in the forest are no less impressive - there are at least 325 species, many of which are found nowhere else. In addition, there are over 144 species of butterflies.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is one of the most spectacular in Uganda, and indeed in the whole of Africa. This is the largest game park in the country (3,840 sq.km.) and has the most intense concentration of animals along the river. The park is really spectacular that it is hard not to include it in an all-inclusive Uganda wildlife safari. On the way there, we track the white rhinos in Ziwa sanctuary. While on safaris in the park, we might encounter giraffes, lions, elephant, hippos, crocodile, buffalo and many other wildlife species for a Uganda safari.

Here is the awe-inspiring Murchison Falls, where the River Nile hurls itself in appalling convulsions through a narrow crevice and then plunges 40 metres in one breathtaking leap. Before the Murchison Falls themselves, in the eastern sector of the park, are the Karuma Falls where the Nile cascades over 23 kilometres of rapids in a breathtaking sight. This is some of the most exciting white water in Africa.

A launch trip upstream to the falls is one of the great experiences in Africa. Elephant, hartebeest, giraffe, buffalo, crocodiles and countless antelope and birds (including the rare shoebill stork) can be admired at the water's edge as the launch glides along the Murchison Falls National Park, with its variety of vegetation ranging from riparian forests and swamplands to broad savannah, provides the opportunity of seeing many of the animals found  in Uganda.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Queen Elizabeth National Park provides an unforgettable and unique experience for your Uganda safari in search of beautiful scenery and the BIG-5 - lions, leopard, bufallo, hippos, elephant and hyenas.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1,978 Km2 in area and is situated astride the Equator in the Western Rift Valley of South West Uganda, close to the southern-most tip of the tabled, mist-covered "Mountains of the Moon - Rwenzori Mountains and is contiguous with Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is a region of varied habitats including, open grassland with thickets, thick bush, forest, swamps and lake-shore. Queen Elizabeth National Park together with Virunga National Park in (DRC) completely encircles Lake Edward which is connected to Lake George by the Kazinga Channel.