9 Day Uganda Budget Big Five with Chimps

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Your Hotel in Entebbe

On the first day of your 9 Day Uganda Budget Big Five with Chimps, your journey begins with a warm welcome from your professional driver-guide, who will provide you with an overview of the exciting adventure ahead. After the briefing, you’ll be transferred to your comfortable hotel in Entebbe, where you can unwind, enjoy a delicious dinner, and rest overnight in preparation for the thrilling days to come.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After a delicious breakfast on Day 2 of your 9 Day Uganda Budget Big Five with Chimps, your driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, you’ll make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting rhino tracking experience, where you’ll have the rare chance to get up close to these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Continuing your journey, you’ll enjoy a scenic en-route lunch in Masindi town, before resuming your trip to the park. Upon arrival at Murchison Falls, you’ll head straight to the top of the falls, where you’ll be mesmerized by the breathtaking views and the powerful water splashes of the mighty falls. After soaking in the beauty of the falls, you’ll drive to your lodge for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay, ready for the adventure ahead.

Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise

Morning Game Drive

After a hearty breakfast on Day 3 of your 9 Day Uganda Budget Big Five with Chimps, your driver-guide will pick you up from your lodge for an exciting morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park. This is your chance to spot an array of wildlife, including buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, giraffes, and elephants, as well as smaller species like oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, and warthogs. If you’re lucky, you may also catch sight of predators like lions and leopards. The park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, so keep your eyes peeled for diverse bird species as you explore the stunning landscape. After the game drive, you’ll return to your lodge for a delicious lunch.

Afternoon Boat Cruise

In the afternoon, get ready for an unforgettable boat cruise along the Nile River to the bottom of the falls. During the cruise, you’ll have the chance to observe hippos and Nile crocodiles in the water, as well as elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, giraffes, and warthogs drinking along the shores. Keep an eye out for a variety of water birds such as cormorants, hornbills, and kingfishers as they flutter around. After the boat cruise, you’ll return to your lodge for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge – Offering stunning views of the river and the falls, these lodges provide a luxurious stay with excellent facilities.

Mid-range: Murchison River Lodge or Fort Murchison Lodge – Offering comfortable accommodations with fantastic views of the river and surrounding landscapes.

Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp – A more affordable option offering a great experience close to nature without compromising comfort.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast on Day 4 of your 9 Day Uganda Budget Big Five with Chimps, you’ll check out of your lodge and meet your driver-guide for the scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park. This journey will take most of the day, with opportunities to enjoy stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges, lush tea plantations, and picturesque crater lakes along the way. A delicious en-route lunch will be served in one of the towns as you travel.

Upon arrival at Kibale Forest National Park, you’ll head to your lodge for check-in, followed by dinner and an overnight stay, ready to embark on the thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience the next day.

Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge or Primate Lodge Kibale – Offering top-tier accommodations with spectacular views of the forest and the nearby crater lakes, these lodges provide a perfect blend of luxury and nature.

Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or Tinker’s Nest – Providing comfortable and cozy stays with great access to the park’s chimpanzee trekking area.

Budget: Rujuna Hilltop Eco Lodge – A more affordable, eco-friendly option, offering a simple and peaceful stay close to the forest.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your fifth day begins with an energizing early breakfast at your lodge, preparing you for one of the most memorable highlights of this safari—chimpanzee trekking in the famed Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the primate capital of the world. Your guide from Cyro Tours & Travel will drive you to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, where Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will give a comprehensive briefing on chimpanzee behavior, conservation efforts, and the essential trekking rules to ensure a safe, respectful experience.

You’ll then set off into the dense, pristine forest alongside experienced trackers in search of a habituated chimpanzee family. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on their movement, and along the way, you’ll likely encounter other primates such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and a wealth of tropical bird species and flora. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll be granted a magical one-hour encounter—watching them interact, feed, groom, and care for their young just a few meters away in their natural setting.

After this unforgettable wildlife experience, you’ll return to your lodge to relax and enjoy lunch before checking out and embarking on the next leg of your adventure.

The afternoon drive takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second largest and one of its most ecologically diverse. As you journey through the scenic countryside, expect to be mesmerized by the views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and rich savannah landscapes. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a short evening game drive, a perfect introduction to the park’s abundant wildlife. Keep an eye out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and waterbucks before heading to your lodge.

Accommodation Options in Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge – Situated on a peninsula within the heart of the park, this lodge offers panoramic views of the Kazinga Channel and top-class hospitality.

Mid-range: Enganzi Game Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge – Comfortable lodges offering great food, warm service, and easy access to the game tracks.

Budget: The Bush Lodge – A charming and eco-friendly lodge located near the park entrance, perfect for budget-conscious travelers seeking a close-to-nature experience.

Enjoy your dinner and a restful night as you prepare for more game viewing and a boat cruise in this wildlife-rich paradise on the next day of your safari.

Day 6: Lion Tracking Experience and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Wake up to the serene sounds of the African wilderness and enjoy a warm breakfast as you prepare for an unforgettable day packed with adventure. On this sixth day of your 9-day Uganda Big 5 and Primates Safari, you will explore the iconic Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its incredible biodiversity and breathtaking savannah landscapes.

Your morning begins with a guided game drive, primarily through the Kasenyi Plains, one of the richest wildlife zones in the park. This is also the best place to embark on the exclusive lion tracking experience, an activity that allows you to follow radio-collared lions with the help of Uganda Wildlife Authority researchers. Unlike regular game drives, lion tracking offers you a higher chance of finding these elusive predators while also learning about their behavior, social structures, and conservation efforts directly from the field experts.

As you explore the rolling plains bathed in golden morning light, you’ll also encounter large herds of buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and bushbucks. If luck is on your side, you might even spot a leopard resting in the acacia trees or a hyena slinking through the grasses. Birdlife is equally rewarding, with species such as crested cranes, lapwings, and various hornbills dotting the landscape.

After this immersive wildlife experience, you’ll return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and a short rest before your afternoon activity.

Later in the day, you’ll set out for a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer natural waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George. This is one of the most tranquil yet wildlife-rich experiences in Uganda. As your boat glides gently through the calm waters, you’ll witness large pods of hippos, often seen yawning dramatically, and Nile crocodiles basking along the muddy shores. The channel’s banks come alive with animals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and warthogs coming to drink, creating perfect photo opportunities.

This boat safari is also a birder’s haven—expect to see a colorful array of species such as African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, malachite kingfishers, bee-eaters, cormorants, and open-billed storks, among others.

After approximately two to three hours on the water, you’ll return to your lodge, where you can unwind in the peaceful ambiance of the wild. Enjoy a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest in preparation for your journey to the highlands of Bwindi the following day.

Day 7: Scenic Transfer to Bwindi via the Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

As the sun rises over the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll enjoy a fulfilling breakfast and prepare to bid farewell to the lowlands. This marks the beginning of your journey into the lush, mist-covered highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the crown jewel of Uganda’s gorilla trekking experiences.

After check-out, your professional driver-guide from Cyro Tours & Travel will steer you southward, traversing the Ishasha sector, one of the most famous regions of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This remote and serene wilderness is especially renowned for its rare population of tree-climbing lions—a phenomenon seen in only two places in the world. During the game drive through Ishasha, keep your eyes on the fig and acacia trees, where lions can often be seen lounging lazily on branches, escaping the heat of the day. This sight is both astonishing and surreal, offering unique photographic opportunities that few wildlife encounters can rival.

After this magical experience, you’ll continue your journey with a stop for lunch en route, soaking in panoramic views of rolling hills, banana plantations, and local communities along the way. As you approach Bwindi, the landscape transitions into dense montane rainforest, with thick vegetation and cool, misty air enveloping the winding roads.

Upon arrival at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most biologically diverse habitats, you’ll proceed to your lodge for check-in. Nestled on the edge of the forest, your accommodation offers stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere—perfect for unwinding after a long travel day. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and take the evening to relax, reflect, and prepare mentally for the life-changing gorilla trekking experience awaiting you the next day.

Day 8: Unforgettable Gorilla Trekking in the Misty Jungles of Bwindi

Wake up to the serene sounds of the jungle and prepare for what is truly the highlight of your Uganda safari. After an early breakfast at your lodge, you’ll collect your packed lunch—an essential item for today’s adventure—and set out with your driver-guide for the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park headquarters. This is where your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience officially begins.

At the park offices, you’ll join fellow trekkers for a comprehensive briefing conducted by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. They’ll introduce you to the history, behavior, and conservation of mountain gorillas, while also guiding you through important safety and eco-tourism protocols. Following the briefing, you’ll be grouped into teams of up to 8 trekkers, each assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families and led by an experienced ranger-guide deeply familiar with the forest and gorilla movement patterns.

Your trek into the heart of this ancient rainforest begins around 8:00 AM. The duration and intensity of the trek can vary—ranging from 30 minutes to 6 hours or more, depending on where the gorilla family has moved. As you wind through tangled vines, dense foliage, and undulating terrain, you may encounter other enchanting forest residents such as L’Hoest’s monkeys, colobus monkeys, forest elephants, and a wide array of vibrant birdlife. Every step into Bwindi’s mist-shrouded wilderness feels like stepping into a secret world that time forgot.

And then, suddenly, the moment arrives. Your ranger halts, gestures ahead, and your breath catches as you spot them—the majestic mountain gorillas, lounging, grooming, playing, or feeding, just a few meters away. This sacred hour, spent in the quiet company of a gorilla family in their natural habitat, is humbling and emotional. You’ll be able to observe their behavior, social bonds, and astonishing intelligence up close—while taking photos and capturing footage of this precious, protected species.

After the one full hour with the gorillas, you’ll slowly trek back through the forest to the starting point. At the headquarters, you’ll be awarded a gorilla trekking certificate, a proud testament to your contribution toward gorilla conservation and your successful completion of one of Africa’s most coveted wildlife adventures.

You’ll then return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest. Spend the evening soaking in the tranquility of Bwindi’s lush surroundings, savor a warm dinner, and fall asleep with memories of gorilla eyes meeting yours etched forever in your heart.

Accommodation in Bwindi.
Depending on your preference and trekking sector, you’ll be taken to one of the following recommended lodges for dinner, relaxation, and a peaceful overnight stay:

Luxury Option: Mahogany Springs Lodge (Buhoma sector) – A serene riverside retreat offering spacious bandas, excellent food, and panoramic views of the forest. Ideal for those seeking premium comfort with eco-conscious design.

Mid-range Option: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Rushaga sector) – Known for its warm hospitality and comfortable cottages with private balconies, perfect for unwinding after your trek.

Budget Option: Bwindi View Bandas (Buhoma) – Affordable and charming with basic amenities, nestled close to the park entrance, ideal for backpackers or travelers on a tighter budget.

As night falls over Bwindi, the forest hums with life under a blanket of stars. Reflect on the powerful connection you’ve just made with one of the world’s most endangered creatures. Your soul feels a little fuller, your spirit a little more grounded.

Day 9: Farewell Uganda – Return to Kampala or Entebbe

As your life-changing journey through the wild heart of Uganda draws to a close, Day 9 begins with a peaceful and unhurried breakfast at your Bwindi lodge. You’ll wake to the final chorus of jungle birdsong and the cool, misty air rolling through the treetops—an atmosphere that lingers in memory long after the safari ends.

After checking out, you’ll reunite with your trusted driver guide and begin the scenic drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, filled with quiet reflections on the unforgettable experiences of the past week—tracking gorillas in ancient forests, listening to the grunts of chimpanzees in Kibale, and gazing at herds of elephants and prides of lions across the golden plains.

Along the way, you’ll break for lunch in Mbarara town, a bustling center in southwestern Uganda that offers a variety of local and international cuisine to refresh and refuel. Later, the journey continues toward the equator line, where you’ll enjoy a special photo stop at the Uganda Equator Monument. This iconic landmark offers a chance to stand in both hemispheres at once and pick up handcrafted souvenirs from the vibrant roadside markets—perfect keepsakes to remember your African adventure.

As the sun begins its descent, you’ll approach the capital, where your safari officially ends. Whether you choose to be dropped off in Kampala city for an extended stay, at your preferred hotel, or directly at Entebbe International Airport for your evening departure flight, your driver guide will ensure you arrive safely and comfortably.

With your heart full of wild encounters and your camera bursting with treasured memories, you’ll leave Uganda with more than just photos—you’ll carry the spirit of Africa within you, and perhaps, a longing to return.

End of the 9 Day Uganda Budget Big Five with Chimps—an experience that will forever shape your connection to nature, adventure, and conservation.