11 Days Uganda Big Five Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Kampala City Tour

Your Uganda wildlife safari begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be welcomed by a representative from Verdant Safaris. After completing airport formalities, you will be transferred to your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe, depending on your arrival time and arrangements. If your flight arrives early, you can enjoy a relaxed city experience featuring selected cultural, historical or craft attractions around Kampala. You will have an opportunity to experience the lively atmosphere of Uganda’s capital while learning about the country’s history and contemporary culture. Your safari guide will brief you about the journey, the destinations you will visit and the wildlife experiences planned for the coming days. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner and settle into your accommodation for a comfortable overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Latitude 0 Degrees, Cassia Lodge, Speke Hotel Kampala

Meals: (Dinner)

Day 2: Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

After an early breakfast, you will begin your journey northwards towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. The drive takes you through changing scenery, including rural settlements, agricultural land, roadside markets and traditional communities. Along the way, you may make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking experience, depending on your safari arrangements and available time. You will then continue towards the Murchison Falls Conservation Area, where the scenery gradually changes to woodland and open savannah. After entering the park, you will continue towards your lodge while keeping an eye out for wildlife along the route. You will arrive at your accommodation, enjoy dinner and relax in preparation for your first major game drive the following morning.

Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Murchison Falls Morning Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

You will wake early and enjoy breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park. The northern sector provides extensive savannah habitat where you can search for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, antelopes and numerous bird species. Your professional guide will navigate the park tracks while explaining the behaviour, habitats and conservation of the wildlife you encounter. After the morning drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks provide excellent opportunities to observe hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and water birds, while the approach to the falls offers dramatic views of the powerful river and surrounding gorge. Murchison Falls is formed where the Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging into the gorge below.

Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Transfer to Fort Portal

After breakfast, you will enjoy another wildlife drive through Murchison Falls National Park as you begin your journey towards western Uganda. This provides another opportunity to search for animals that may not have been seen during the previous game drive, including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and predators. You will leave the park and continue through rural communities, farmland and rolling landscapes as the scenery gradually changes. The long-distance journey offers an interesting view of Uganda beyond the protected areas, with opportunities to observe local agriculture and village life along the route. You will continue towards Fort Portal, a beautiful town surrounded by tea plantations, crater lakes and views towards the Rwenzori Mountains. On arrival, you will check into your accommodation, enjoy dinner and relax after the day’s journey.

Accommodation Options: Koi Koi Cultural Village, Fort Motel, Mountains of the Moon Hotel

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Fort Portal Crater Lakes and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will explore some of the scenic crater landscapes surrounding Fort Portal before continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The crater region is characterised by green hills, fertile farmland, tea plantations and beautiful volcanic lakes. You will enjoy scenic stops and photography opportunities while your guide explains the geography and communities of the region. After the excursion, you will continue towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife destinations. Upon arrival, you will have lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive through the park. You will search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, antelopes, warthogs and, with some luck, lions and leopards. Queen Elizabeth National Park contains extensive savannah alongside wetlands, lakes and forest habitats, supporting a wide variety of wildlife.

Accommodation Options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Your day begins with an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains, one of the recognised wildlife-viewing areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The cooler morning conditions provide a good opportunity to search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. Your guide will interpret tracks, animal behaviour and the different habitats encountered during the drive. After returning to the lodge, you will enjoy lunch and have time to relax before your afternoon activity. You will then embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where large numbers of hippos and crocodiles can often be observed near the water. Elephants, buffaloes and a variety of water birds may also be seen along the channel. The cruise provides an excellent contrast to the morning game drive and allows you to experience Queen Elizabeth’s wildlife from the water.

Accommodation Options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Ishasha Sector Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Region

After breakfast, you will depart towards the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This part of the park is known for its scenic savannah landscapes, mature fig trees and the possibility of seeing lions resting in trees. You will enjoy a game drive through the sector while searching for elephants, buffaloes, topi, antelopes, warthogs and other wildlife. The area provides a different landscape from the northern part of Queen Elizabeth, making the journey particularly scenic. After completing the game drive, you will leave the park and continue towards the highlands of southwestern Uganda. The scenery changes dramatically as you pass through rolling hills, cultivated slopes and rural communities on the way towards the Bwindi region. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening, enjoy dinner and relax while taking in the beautiful highland surroundings.

Accommodation Options: Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Bwindi Forest and Community Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you will enjoy a nature and cultural experience around the Bwindi region before continuing your safari. Depending on your selected programme, you may take a guided forest walk or participate in a community experience near the national park. The forest environment offers opportunities to appreciate indigenous vegetation, birdlife, butterflies and the remarkable biodiversity of southwestern Uganda. You may also visit a local community project, craft group or cultural initiative and learn about traditional practices and livelihoods. Your guide will explain the importance of conservation and the role that surrounding communities play in protecting the natural environment. After lunch, you will have time to relax at the lodge or enjoy the scenery surrounding the mountainous region. The evening will be peaceful, providing a welcome opportunity to rest before continuing towards Lake Mburo National Park.

Accommodation Options: Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, you will leave the Bwindi region and begin your journey towards Lake Mburo National Park. The route takes you through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda before descending towards the Ankole region. Along the way, you will pass through agricultural communities and cattle-keeping areas, providing an opportunity to observe a different side of rural Uganda. Upon arrival in the Lake Mburo area, you will enjoy lunch before checking into your lodge. In the afternoon, you will head into the park for a game drive across its savannah and woodland habitats. Lake Mburo supports wildlife including zebra, impala, eland, buffaloes, waterbucks, topi and warthogs, while hippos and crocodiles can be encountered around the lakes and wetlands. As evening approaches, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Mihingo Lodge, Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwakobo Rock

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Lake Mburo Morning Game Drive and Return to Entebbe

You will begin your final full safari day with an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. The morning offers another opportunity to search for zebra, impala, eland, topi, buffaloes, warthogs and other wildlife in the park’s open grasslands and woodland. Lake Mburo is also recognised for its diverse birdlife and wetland habitats, making the game drive interesting for both wildlife and bird enthusiasts. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast before beginning your journey towards Kampala or Entebbe. Along the way, you will make a stop at the Equator crossing, where you can take photographs, visit craft shops and experience this well-known geographical landmark. You will then continue towards Entebbe, with the remainder of the afternoon available for relaxation. Your final evening will provide an opportunity to reflect on your safari before departure the following day.

Accommodation Options: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Papyrus Guest House, Best Western Premier Entebbe Hotel

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Departure

Your final day is reserved for departure from Uganda. After breakfast, you will have some free time depending on the timing of your international flight. If your flight is later in the day, Verdant Safaris can arrange a short optional excursion or shopping stop around Entebbe, subject to available time and your flight schedule. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport in good time for your departure formalities. Your safari guide will assist with the final transfer and ensure that you reach the airport comfortably. As you leave Uganda, you will carry memories of the savannahs of Murchison Falls, the wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the dramatic landscapes of western Uganda and the diverse ecosystems of Lake Mburo. This brings your 11 Days Uganda Big Five Wildlife Safari with Verdant Safaris to a close.

Meals: (Breakfast)