8 Days Safari In Uganda – Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda: Drive From Kampala To Queen Elizabeth Park And Engage In An Evening Game Drive

The first day of this safari begins with an early morning pick up at 6:30 am from your hotel or place of residence within Kampala or Entebbe by one of our highly skilled safari driver guides using one of our 4×4 safari cars. After getting comfortable into the safari car, you will commence the 6-7 hour fascinating road drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park which lies 417km away from Kampala in South Western Uganda. During this epic journey, you will enjoy exciting road stops at different points of the journey aimed at giving you an opportunity to have a break from this journey to allow you stretch your body and also have an interaction with the local people. The first stop will come at Mpambire drum centre where you will have an encounter with local artists as they manufacture a wide variety of local musical instruments such as the drums, African chairs. You make a stop at Uganda Equator Crossing Kayabwe after driving 77km from Kampala and have time to explore this significant geographical site – the Sun’s way and the point of separation between the northern and southern hemisphere. A well-interpreted water experiment is performed to show you how to differentiate the Northern hemisphere from the Southern hemisphere. The place also features rewarding photographing opportunities where you take photos with one leg in the northern hemisphere and another in the southern hemisphere. Continue on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park making another stop at Igongo Cultural Center for an amazing traditional lunch where you enjoy a local food organically produced and freshly served. You can also take an optional tour to the Erijukiro Museum which features a range of artefacts of the tribes of southwestern Uganda. From here you will press on with the rest of the drive to Queen Elizabeth Park and while at it you will enjoy scenic views of Bunyaruguru Crater and the lush Kalinzu forest. Along the way, you will encounter the eastern edge of the western arm of the great East African rift valley and while here you will have impressive views of Queen Elizabeth which lies in the valley floor and while you can stop to have a photo moment before making your way to Queen Elizabeth Park where you get to engage in an afternoon game drive upon arrival as you search for a wide variety of animals that call this park their home which includes cape buffaloes African bush elephants, lions, leopards and topis and the spotted hyenas. At the end of this activity, you will drive to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

The highlight of the day: the day’s highlight will be the Equator experience at Kayabwe

Accommodation: –

• Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Safari Lodge / Mazike Valley Safari Lodge
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
• Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 417km or 6-7 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park
• Evening game drive
• Equator experience

Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include: –

• Night game drive experience in Queen Elizabeth Park
• Bush Dinner
• Birding
• Cultural encounters

Day 2 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda: Do A Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

The second day starts quite early as you have an early morning breakfast at 6:00 am after which you get to engage in a morning game drive experience as you explore of more the Kasenyi sector of this park which is filled with a wide variety of animals such as 4 out of the 5 big five mammals which include lions, leopards, cape buffaloes, large herds of African bush elephants, Topis and many other antelope species. Retreat from the encounter which tends to take 2 – 5 hours, settle for lunch after which you transfer to Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise which is the highlight of the day as it is considered the best boat cruise experience on the African savanna plains. During this boat cruise, you have the opportunity to sail on the tranquil but turbid waters of the Kazinga channel a 40 km long channel that connects Lake George to Lake Edward. This cruise offers you an opportunity to see at close range the highest concentration of water submerged Hippos which is close to 5000 individuals and Nile crocodiles that are seen basking along the shores of the channel. If you are interested in birding then this boat cruise in a good place for you to be because it offers you the chance to several of the waterbird species that constitute a big part of the 600 bird species that are found in this park alone. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing. You retreat from the boat cruise and engage in an evening game drive along the Channel track to explore more wild game in their evening moments. Continue to the lodge for overnight.

Today’s highlight be will the incredible boat cruise on the Kazinga channel

Accommodation: –

• Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Safari Lodge / Mazike Valley Safari Lodge
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
• Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Morning game drive
• Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel

Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include: –

• Night game drive experience in Queen Elizabeth park
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest/ Kyambura Gorge
• Hot air ballooning experience early in the morning at 5:30 am
• Birding
• Cultural encounters

Day 3 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda:  Do Chimpanzee Trekking In Kalinzu Forest And Another Evening Game Drive.

The morning of this day kicks off with an amazing breakfast served at 6:30 am with a single aim of energizing for the thrilling chimpanzee trek that’s ahead of you. You will be transferred by your guide to the Kalinzu forest where you get to go through a short briefing about the entire chimpanzee trekking experience. From here in a company of park ranger, embark on jungle walk as you search for these great humans of the wild the chimpanzees and the highlight of the day will be when you get to meet these exciting creatures you will be wowed by how much in common we do have with these great apes as they laugh, hug and kiss just like humans do and also look after the young ones. Besides the chimpanzees, you should also not miss out on the sightings of several other primates that call this forest their home and these include the black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, Grey monkeys. After the chimpanzee encounter which lasts an hour of pure enjoyment return to the park centre. From here, you will return to your lodge to have a lunch break then transfer to later on in the evening when the scorching sun has successfully reduced on its intensity you will venture out onto the Kasenyi plains for another round of game drive so that you maximize your chances of seeing all the savanna wild game that exists here. At the end of this game drive, you will retire back to your lodge where you will have dinner and an overnight stay.

The highlight of the day: An encounter with the chimpanzees will fascinate you on this day

Accommodation: –

• Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge / Katara Safari Lodge / Mazike Valley Safari Lodge
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
• Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Chimpanzee trekking
• Evening game drive

Optional activities: –

• Afternoon birding session in the park
• Hot air ballooning safari experience
• Predator tracking
• Cultural encounters
• Nocturnal walk in the forest

Day 4 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda: Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

You will wake up early in the morning at 6:30 am for breakfast then get comfortable into our 4x4safari car which is a driver by a professional and highly experienced driver guide and begin your 2-3 hours journey towards the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth Park. On arrival here, you will engage in a stunning game drive in this sector while you search for the tree-climbing lions that have made this park and particularly this sector a must-visit place for numerous Africa safari adventurers who are interested in having encounters with these rather unique lions as they usually find them taking a mid-morning rest while lodging their bodies in between tree branches. After your game drive which lasts between 3-4 hours, transfer to a convenient lodge in this park sector for your lunch break which also helps you stretch your body for a while before you then embark on the remaining part of your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.

 A sighting of the tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector logged in between tree branches is the highlight of the day

Accommodation: –

• Top-Notch / Exclusive: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge
• Luxury/ Upmarket: Haven Lodge Buhoma
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
• Budget/ Basic: Trekkers Tavern Ruhija

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance &time: Approx. 140- 240 or 6-8 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Bwindi
• Game drive in Ishasha

Day 5 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda:  Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Park & Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi

On this day, you will have an early morning breakfast served at 6:30 am comprising of a wide assortment of bites ranging from truly delicious tropical organic fruits and confectionaries to give an energy boost for the gorilla trekking in Bwindi experience ahead of you where you get to meet one of the gorilla families in this park for a full hour. Depart from the lodge with your packed lunch and gather at the park centre where you will be welcomed by the park sector warden who will take you through the history of gorilla conservation in this particular park sector and Bwindi park in general. While here still you get to have a miniature cultural performance from the local Batwa people who will showcase their musical skills to you. With your armed ranger in the lead, embark on a trek, searching for your allocated gorilla family, On seeing the gorillas, count yourself among the lucky people who have managed to see these endangered mountain giants in their natural habitat. You will be granted a full hour with these magical beings to watch them as they go about their daily lives and if you’re lucky you might get to see the young gorillas break the 7-meter rule as they get closure to you to have you incorporated in their games. After the full hour contact with these gorillas, you will transfer back to the park center where you get awarded a Gorilla tracking certificate for your tracking efforts.  From here, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi where you get to relax from the rather a bit tedious gorilla trekking experience. On arrival to this beautiful tropical gem of the Kigezi highland, you will be fascinated by the tranquil waters of this lake and the numerous islands that are dotted all over this lake hence leading to its famous name The Lake of a Thousand Islands.

Having a close moment with the majestic gorillas surely makes this day a one to remember for a very long time in your lifetime

Accommodation: –

• Luxury/ Upmarket: Birds nest @ Bunyonyi
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
• Budget/ Basic: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 55-85 km or 1-3 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
• Gorilla trekking

Optional activities: –

• A nature walk in Bwindi
• Batwa community walk

Day 6 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda: Explore Lake Bunyonyi For A Full Day.

This day is a bit laid back as you get to wake a bit late at 8:00 am and listen to the sweet melodies of birds that will be singing their hearts off to the dawn of a new day and this will fairly make you understand why this Lake in called Bunyonyi which means a Lake of many small birds as you will hear interjecting voices of many birds singing together in uniformity as they welcome the day. Grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea and choose from any of the available wide selection of confectionaries. After having breakfast, you will embark at Lake Bunyonyi and embark on the whole day Island hopping boat cruise exploration visiting the main Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. You explore the Bucuranuka (Upside down) Island which is believed to have buried people alive after refusing to offer local brew to an old woman and she cursed the Island turn upside down burying its inhabitants. You also visit the Akampane (Punishment) Island where the girls with unwanted premarital pregnancies would be dumbed to die of hunger or as they as try to swim back the mainland. Njuyera Islands which is a traditional leprosy healing centre which can also be visited. Have a lunch break then in the evening, embark on a hike to the top of the world point here which takes you 2200meters above sea level and if you manage to get to the top your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views of the entire Bunyonyi lake which will forever be imprinted in your memory. While at the top take time off to catch your breath and enjoy a picnic evening tea that comes with a warm cup of coffee & an assortment of snacks while you appreciate nature’s work and also re-energize before you slope down. After this hike, set off for a community tour as you visit some of the local schools if the school term is open. While here, you will get to meet the local students who are striving for a better future, if it’s fine with you, you can donate a few scholastic items to the school to enable these students to have a comfortable stay in school. From the school visit. Retire from the activity return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

An experiential boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi will make be the highlight of the day

Accommodation: –

• Luxury/ Upmarket: Birds nest @ Bunyonyi
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
• Budget/ Basic: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: Approx. 55-85 km or 1-3 hours

Activities & Services: –

• Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
• Bakiga community walk

Day 7 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda: Transfer To Lake Mburo Park & Do Evening Game Drive Upon Arrival

You will wake up to the sweet melodies of birds that will be singing their hearts off to the dawn of a new day and this will fairly make you understand why this Lake in called Bunyonyi which means a Lake of many small birds as you will hear interjecting voices of many birds singing together in uniformity as they welcome the day. Grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea and choose from any of the available wide selection of confectionaries. You will now embark on the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Along the way to Mburo Park, you will drive through impressive south western Uganda landscapes covering 170km or 3-4 hours’ drive before making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara town the largest in the sub-region for a thrilling traditional lunch after which you will proceed the Banyankole village. You will proceed and visit the 1520AD solar eclipse monument which is found in Biharwe village. If you wish you can hike up the hill on which this monument is set and enjoy spectacular views of the undulating Ankole plains which form a nice background for you to take photos. While here, the guide will take you through the intriguing history behind this solar eclipse and how it managed to greatly change the destiny of three great ancient kingdoms all at once. As you get closer to Lake Mburo Park you’re exposed to counts of long-horned Ankole cow with their beautiful physical spread, horn patterns and body colour. Upon your arrival into this park, you will engage in a stunning game drive which puts you on a collision course with several of the wild animals that call this park their home such as the Burchell Zebras which are only found here and also in the far distant Kidepo Valley Park, sights of the Elands which are the biggest antelopes you can ever encounter on the African plains are eminent. Other animals you encounter include Giraffes, Hippos Kobs and many others.

A highly rewarding evening game drive in Lake Mburo will surely be your day’s highlight

Accommodation: –

• Luxury/ Upmarket: Mihingo Safari Lodge/ Matana Tented Camp
• Mid-range/ Moderate: Rwakobo Rock / Emburara Farm Lodge/ Arcadia Lodge Mburo
• Budget/ Basic: Eagles Nest Mburo

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services: –

• Transfer to Lake Mburo
• Evening game drive in Lake Mburo National Park

Optional activities include

• Banyankole cultural safari experience
• Game walk safari
• Evening boat cruise
• Biking safari experience
• Birding

Day 8 Of The 8 Days Safari In Uganda: Do Morning Walking Safari & Transfer To Kampala.

This is your last on this 8 Days Uganda safari. You will wake up early in the morning at 7:00 am and have breakfast. After having breakfast, you will embark on a spectacular morning game walk which is also coupled with a game drive experience aimed at taking you easily and faster to sections of the park that have a high concentration of wild game. During this game walk, you will visit the Kazuma hill and also various water ponds in this park which are home to a wide variety of wild mammals such as the Burchell zebras, Elands, Kobs and Cape buffaloes.  While on this walk, you will have an opportunity to walk among these wild animals which will be only a few meters away from you, however, this shouldn’t scare you because you will be accompanied by an armed ranger who will ensure your security. At the end of this activity, you will commence on your transfer to Kampala which covers 240km or taking about 3 – 4 hours’ drive This journey comes with interesting & exciting road stops done at the Equator where you get to have an equator experience on how to differentiate the Northern from the Southern hemispheres and also have a photo moment. Enjoy a locally inspired lunch buffet at Equator cafeteria. Another stop is done at the Mpambire drum centre and where you will have an encounter with local artists as they manufacture a wide variety of local musical instruments such as the drums, African chairs. From here proceed with the rest of your journey back to Entebbe where your safari will come to an end as you catch your departure flight back home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Drive distance & time: Approx. 240km or 4-5 hours

Activities & services

• Morning Game walk
• Equator experience
• Transfer to Kampala

End of the 8 Days Safari in Uganda – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale, Wildlife Game Viewing & Community Tour in Queen & Lake Mburo NP

8 Days Safari In Uganda – Safari Inclusions

   Full-time English professional safari driver-guide

   4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with pop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C

   Full board accommodation

   Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permit fees

   Boat cruise fees

   Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle

   Bottled water

8 Days Safari In Uganda – Safari Exclusions

•    International &domestic flight fees
•    Visa fees
•    Laundry services
•    Items of personal nature
•    Gratuities and tips
•    Other beverages/ drinks
•    Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above

8 Days Safari In Uganda – Getting There

8 Days Safari in Uganda – PRICE PER PERSON 

8 Days Safari in Uganda – RELATED ACCOMMODATION 

RELATED 8 DAYS SAFARI IN UGANDA ITINERARIES – Tour Packages

Gorilla Safaris Uganda

• – Gorilla Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Bwindi Gorilla Safari & Wildlife 4 days
• – Gorillas & Wildlife Uganda Safari Tour 5 days
• – Primate Trekking Uganda Safari 6 days
• – Gorilla trekking Safari Tour 8 days
• – Rwanda Uganda Gorilla trekking Safari 8 days
• – Uganda Safari tour 9 days
• – 9 days Wilderness Camping Gorilla safari in Uganda
• – Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda & Chimps 10 days
• – Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari 11 Days
• – Uganda & Rwanda Safari 13 days
• – Birding & Gorilla trekking Uganda Safari 14 days

Chimpanzee Trekking Safaris In Uganda

• – Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda Safari-Kibale 3 days
• – Uganda Safari Tour-Chimpanzees & Wild Life 5 days
• – Primate Safari in Uganda 6 days
• -Chimps Trekking & Wildlife Safari in Uganda 6 days
• – Gorilla Trekking & Chimps Safari in Uganda 10 days

Wildlife Safaris In Uganda

• – Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Murchison Falls National Park Uganda safari Tour 3 days
• – Kibale Forest National Park Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Bwindi & Queen Elizabeth Uganda safari 4 days
• – Game Viewing Safari in Uganda 5 days
• – Murchison Falls & Kibale Uganda safari- 5 days
• – Chimpanzee trekking & Wildlife safari in Uganda 6 days
• – Wildlife Tour in Uganda 8 days
• – Enjoy Agro Safaris in Uganda
• – Mountain Elgon Hiking Uganda Tour -8 days
• – Rwenzori Mountain Hiking safari in Uganda 9 days
• – Wildlife Camping Safari in Uganda 14 days
• – Birding Safari in Uganda 7 days
• – Birding Africa Safari in Uganda 21 days

Luxury Uganda Safaris

• – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Safari Trek in Uganda 3 days
• – Queen Elizabeth Uganda Safari 3 days
• – 3 days Murchison Falls Park
• – Chimpanzee trekking Safari in Uganda 5 days
• – Gorilla Tracking safaris in Uganda 6 days
• – Chimps & Wildlife Safari in Uganda 6 day

Short Safaris in Uganda

• – Bwindi Gorilla Tracking Safari in Uganda 3 days
• – Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda Kibale-3 days
• – Gorilla Trekking safari & Wildlife in Uganda 5 days
• – Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda- 5 days
• – Uganda Primate Safari 6 days
• – Chimpanzee Tracking & Wildlife safari in Uganda 6 days

Long Safaris in Uganda

• – Uganda Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari 8 days
• – Wildlife Safari in Uganda 8 days
• – Wildlife & Primates trekking Uganda Safari 9 days
• – Wilderness Camp Safari 9 days
• – Uganda Safari to Gorillas & Chimpanzee trekking- 10 days
• – Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla safari- 13 days
• – Birding Watching Safari in Uganda- 14 days
• – Uganda Birding Watching Safari -21 days

Day Tours in Uganda

• – Kampala City Tour
• – Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Day Tour
• – Entebbe City Short Tour
• – Jinja Source of the Nile Tour
• – White Water Rafting
• – Uganda Short Safari to Lake Mburo NP
• – Sipi Falls safari in Uganda
• – Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion

Fishing Safaris In Uganda

• – 1 Days Fishing trip to Lake Victoria in Uganda
• – 1 Day Jinja Fishing Tour in Uganda
• – 3 Days Uganda Fishing & Wildlife Safari
• – 4 Days Luxury Fishing and Wildlife safari in Uganda
• – 5 Days Uganda Fishing Safari to Lake Victoria and Ssese Islands
• – 7 Days Luxury Fishing Safari in Uganda
• – Fishing Safari to Lake Victoria, Ssese Islands & Murchison Falls NP
• – 9 Days Nile Perch Fishing Safari in Uganda

Cultural Safaris

• – 3 Days Short Cultural tour in Uganda
• – 7 Days Culture Safari in Uganda with Gorilla trekking
• 8 Days Uganda Cultural Tour
• – 20 Days Grand Cultural Tour in Uganda

8 Days Safari in Uganda – GORILLA TREKKING TIPS 

•   Mountain gorillas sometimes nest far from the start of your gorilla trek, you should ready yourself for a long walk and drink plenty of water.
•    Eating, drinking and smoking near the gorillas is forbidden – designated time and place will be communicated.
•    Smoking while inside the forest is strictly forbidden
•    Bwindi being a tropical forest, it can rain anytime so we encourage you to carry a rain poncho
•    Waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots are essential.
•    Gardening gloves for protection against stinging plants
•    Long trousers and long-sleeved sweaters or shirts while in the forest to avoid insect stings.
•    Photography is permitted, although you must not use flash
•    Porters are available to help you carry your day pack for a small charge
•    As you prepare to come for your Uganda gorilla adventure, please do some exercises so that you prepare your body for gorilla trekking which can last between 3-8 hours
•    In case you can’t walk for a very long time, you shouldn’t really worry about not being able to do gorilla trekking because there are potters who can carry you throughout at a small extra cost.
•    Carry your sunscreen lotion to keep your skin safe from the tropical heat & sun rays
•    When you get to the gorillas, don’t make noise because this agitates the gorillas
•    For more information about gorilla trekking tips please follow these links to read more about gorilla trekking tips and advice.

At Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd, your safety is our utmost priority. We have thus undertaken the necessary safety measures in compliance with the approved Standard Operating Procedures by the Governments of ALL African countries in which we operate with a goal of protecting our customers while travelling and on their Africa safari. The following guidelines will be applicable for your  Safari in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and other African Countries.