Experience three of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife destinations on this 8 Days Murchison Falls, Kibale and Queen Elizabeth Safari with Verdant Safaris. This itinerary combines the spectacular landscapes and wildlife of Murchison Falls National Park with the primate-rich forests of Kibale National Park and the diverse ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda Wildlife Authority manages both Kibale and Queen Elizabeth among Uganda’s ten national parks, with each destination offering a distinct combination of forest, savannah, wetland and wildlife experiences. You will enjoy game drives, a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile, chimpanzee tracking, the scenic crater-lake region around Fort Portal and a cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. The journey is designed to give you a balanced experience of Uganda’s wildlife, primates, landscapes and local communities while travelling in the comfort of a private safari vehicle.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Your safari begins with arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be welcomed by a representative from Verdant Safaris before beginning your journey towards Murchison Falls National Park. You will travel northwards through Uganda’s countryside, passing towns, farms, trading centres and rural communities along the way. Depending on your arrival time and the agreed safari schedule, you may make a stop for lunch and refreshments before continuing towards the park. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park, covering approximately 3,840 square kilometres and incorporating extensive savannah, woodland and riverine habitats. As you approach the park, the landscape gradually changes, providing your first glimpse of the wilderness that awaits you. You will arrive at your lodge in the evening, enjoy dinner and relax in preparation for your first full day of wildlife exploration.
Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Murchison Falls Morning Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
You will wake early and enjoy breakfast before heading into Murchison Falls National Park for a morning game drive. The northern sector provides expansive savannah landscapes where you can search for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and numerous bird species. Your experienced safari guide will select suitable tracks based on recent wildlife activity while explaining the behaviour, habitats and conservation of the animals you encounter. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and a period of relaxation. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks offer opportunities to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and water birds, while the approach to the falls provides dramatic views of the Nile being forced through a narrow gorge. You will return to your lodge after the cruise for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls and begin the scenic journey towards Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda. The route takes you through rural communities, agricultural areas and changing landscapes as you travel towards the Fort Portal region. Along the way, you will have opportunities to stop for photographs, refreshments and lunch while learning about the local communities and countryside from your guide. As you approach Fort Portal, the scenery becomes greener, with tea plantations, rolling hills and crater lakes forming an attractive backdrop. You will continue towards the Kibale Forest area, arriving at your accommodation later in the day. Kibale is one of Uganda’s major primate destinations, and UWA lists chimpanzee tracking and chimpanzee habituation among its key visitor experiences. After checking in, you will have time to relax and prepare for your chimpanzee tracking experience the following day.
Accommodation Options: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Experience
Today you will explore the remarkable primate-rich environment of Kibale Forest. After an early breakfast, you will proceed to the designated tracking centre for a briefing before entering the forest with trained guides and trackers. You will follow forest trails in search of chimpanzees while also watching for other primates, birds, butterflies and smaller forest wildlife. Kibale is recognised by UWA as an important chimpanzee destination, with chimpanzee tracking and habituation experiences available throughout the year. After the forest activity, you will return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you will visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk, where you can encounter monkeys, colourful birds and other wetland species. The experience also introduces you to community-based conservation initiatives and the livelihoods of people living around the forest. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation Options: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, you will leave the Kibale region and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda, including tea-growing areas, crater lakes, villages and rolling countryside. As you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park, the dense forest gradually gives way to open savannah, woodland and wetland habitats. After arriving at your lodge, you will enjoy lunch and have some time to relax before beginning your afternoon game drive. Your guide will explore the park’s tracks in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs, waterbucks and other wildlife. With favourable conditions, you may also encounter lions or leopards as you explore the savannah. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s oldest and most visited national parks and is recognised by UWA for its diverse landscapes and rich wildlife. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
You will begin the day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the savannah while wildlife is active during the cooler hours. Your guide will search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, antelopes, warthogs and other species while explaining the ecological relationships within the park. You will also have opportunities to observe the park’s extensive birdlife, with UWA describing Queen Elizabeth as one of Uganda’s important birding destinations. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast and some relaxation before lunch. In the afternoon, you will take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. From the water, you can observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and numerous water birds along the shoreline. After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and enjoy a relaxed evening surrounded by the sounds of the park.
Accommodation Options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Entebbe
After breakfast, you will begin your journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park towards Entebbe. Before leaving the region, you will have an opportunity for a final short wildlife drive or scenic stop, depending on the timing of your departure and the route conditions. The journey takes you through the beautiful countryside of western and central Uganda, passing through agricultural areas, trading centres and rural communities. You will stop along the way for lunch and refreshments while your guide shares information about the landscapes and communities you encounter. You will also have an opportunity to stop at the Equator crossing, where you can take photographs, browse locally made crafts and enjoy a brief geographical experience. Continue towards Entebbe and check into your accommodation for your final overnight stay. The evening will be available for relaxation, dinner and preparation for your departure the following day.
Accommodation Options: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Papyrus Guest House, Best Western Premier Entebbe Hotel
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Departure
Your final day is reserved for departure from Uganda. After breakfast, you will have some free time depending on the scheduled time of your international flight. If your flight is later in the day, Verdant Safaris can arrange a short optional activity around Entebbe, subject to the available time and your departure schedule. You may use the remaining time to purchase souvenirs, visit a local attraction or simply relax at your hotel before the airport transfer. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport in good time for check-in and departure formalities. Your safari guide will assist you with the final transfer and ensure that you arrive at the airport comfortably. As you depart, you will take with you memories of Murchison Falls, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth and the wildlife experiences along the Nile and Kazinga Channel.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Safari Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle throughout the itinerary.
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Fuel and transportation as specified in the programme.
- Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary.
- Meals as indicated for each day.
- Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees.
- Murchison Falls morning game drive.
- Victoria Nile boat cruise.
- Kibale National Park entrance fees.
- Chimpanzee tracking permit and activity, subject to permit availability and applicable fees.
- Bigodi Wetland guided nature experience.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees.
- Queen Elizabeth game drives.
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
- Equator crossing visit.
- Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle.
- Services of local guides and trackers where applicable.
- Applicable driver-guide allowances and vehicle park entry fees.
Safari Exclusions
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda visa fees.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, local guides, lodge staff and other service providers.
- Optional activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
- Personal purchases and expenses of a personal nature.
- Medical treatment and emergency evacuation expenses not covered by insurance.
- Any increase in government taxes, park fees, chimpanzee permit costs or activity charges introduced after confirmation.
- Any service not specifically listed under the safari inclusions.