9 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari – Overview

The 9 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari is a popular wildlife safari in Uganda vacation holiday package offering Gorillas, Chimps, Wildlife, Communities & beautiful scenery viewing tours in the best of Uganda’s National Parks and other significant sites.

The 9 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari tour takes you to Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

It also features sites like Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs, Fort Portal Crater lake field and Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves, Lake Bunyonyi and the Uganda Equator crossing in Queen Elizabeth NP and Kayabwe.

The range of top safari activities in this 9 Days Wildlife Safari in Uganda include memorable gorilla trekking in Uganda, chimpanzee trekking recreational boat cruise on River Nile, Kazinga Channel and Lake Bunyonyi, wild game viewing, hiking and sight-seeing.

9 Days Wildlife Safari Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris tour – Highlights

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route

Day 2: Do morning game drive, Nile launch cruise in the afternoon & hike to the top of the falls

Day 3: Transfer to Hoima town. Visit the Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs en route

Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal Area, hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake Area & tour the Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru caves

Day 5: Do morning Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park & Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6: Do game drive in the morning & do Kazinga Channel launch cruise

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a game drive in Ishasha sector en route in search of tree climbing lions

Day 8: Do gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an a sun set boat cruise & relaxation

Day 9 : Transfer to Kampala. Traditional Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center & a stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe

9 Days Wildlife Safari Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En-route

After your early morning breakfast in your Kampala Lodge, the driver guide will pick you up at 6:00am and embark on the 311kms about 5 hours’ drive on the north western side of Uganda to Murchison Falls National Park.

The drive from Kampala will take you through the flat landscapes of Nakasongora with Savannah vegetation dotted with long horned Ankole cows.

After covering a distance drive of 115km, you will be welcomed to Nakitoma where you will divert from the main route driving 7 km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

While at the Sanctuary, you will explore the only white Rhinos protected in this part of Uganda .You will also have your delightful Lunch at Kabalega dinner and thereafter advance with the drive to Murchison Falls National park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Do Morning Game Drive, Nile Launch Cruise in The Afternoon & Hike to The Top of The Falls

Wake-up very early in the morning and drive to the park headquarters for an early morning game drive at 6:30am through the park tracks in search of the elusive wild game.

The rolling Savannah combretum of Murchison Falls National Park supports a span of delightful wildlife such as the species elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, water buck, Jackson hartebeest, oribis, lions, leopards among others

The early morning game drive through the well-organized driving tracks of the delta area, Buligi tracks, Albert and Queen tracks provides golden chance for you to enjoy the views of elusive wild game.

After rewarding drive of 3 – 4 hours, you will retire back to the lodge for relaxation, lunch while waiting for an afternoon adventurous boat cruise.

After lunch and having rest, you drive to Paraa to catch-up with the afternoon adventurous Lunch Cruise that sets off at 2:30pm and takes 3-4 hours of adventure.

Taking boat cruise to the bottom of the Nile will not only reward you with the views of the wild game when they are drinking on the river side, but it also takes you to an area where you can have clear glimpse of wildlife species like Hippos, Nile Crocodiles and a range of water birds such as the endangered species of the Shoebill Stork.

After exploring the boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, you will take a hike through narrow path to the top of the world’s most powerful falls.

Upon reaching the top, you will enjoy the roaring sounds of the Nile as it crumbles its head on the impermeable rocks that have narrowed its way to less than 8m for centuries past.

Thereafter that life time experience, you will retire to your lodge for dinner, memory sharing and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Transfer to Hoima Town. Visit the Kibiro Salt Gardens and Hot Springs En-route

Take relaxed breakfast and embark on the transfer to Hoima. The interesting drive will take you along the Albertine escarpment with prominent sceneryof the rift valley .

You will advance through Bulisa which is in the oil region of Uganda. You will have a stop en route at Kibiro Salt Gardens and hot springs and here you will be exposed to impressive local methods of fine salt extraction.

The views of the scenic Lake Albert and the views of the Blue Mountains on the Democratic Republic of Congo are very rewarding. From here, you will embark on the drive to Hoima for relaxation, diner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel

Day 4: Transfer to Fort Portal Area, hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake Area & tour the Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru caves

After your jolly breakfast, embark on transfer drive of about 5 hours to Fort Portal town-one of the most beautiful towns in Uganda.

The drive will take you through the majestic country side landscapes dotted with rural setting and beautiful local populations.

Arrive in Fort Portal town for lunch after which you will advance to do the Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike to gain magnificent views of the Fort Portal explosion crater.

You will also visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves with a magical Nyakasura River falling over them forming wonderful water fall.

The unique caves have breast like features which the locals attach a great cultural connotation and are thought to date back to the Chwezi era. Retreat from the activity and get to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Mid-range/Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Do Morning Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park & Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the highly rewarding Chimpanzee trekking encounter in the primate Capital of the world – the Kibale Forest National Park.

The Park is proud of 13 primate species including the world endangered species of the Chimpanzees which have been fully habituated and opened to be visited by tourists.

The chimp trekking encounter in the primates Capital starts at Kanyanchu tourism center at 8:00am local time in the morning and the professional UWA Park ranger will lead you throughout the whole fascinating processes of trekking the Chimps in their natural Habitat.

The trek exposes you to stunning flora, other primate species including black and white colobus monkey and birds before meeting face to face with the chimps.

The Chimpanzees will seduce you in a state of stupefaction as they swing through the branches, make pant hooting calls, play with each other, and imitate your body language along with other features that will make your one full hour with them a life time experience of its own.

Retreat from the activity which tends to take 2 – 5 hours to embark on the transfer to Bigodi wetland. The Bigodi wetland, lies in close distance to the park thus connecting there is less hectic.

The Bigodi wetland walk exposes you to typical eco –tourism encounter in Uganda. The impressive flora and fauna existing along with the local community is indeed rewarding to encounter.

The sights of great blue turaco and the Sitatnga may not be missed. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the murram road to Rwimi. Arrive at the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Mweya safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Do Game Drive in The Morning & do Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling game drive across the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park that stretch across the Albertine flats.

The game drive which starts as early as 6am offers you possibilities of encountering a range of wild game including four of the Big five Land Animals including lions, leopard, elephants and buffaloes.

The well placed tracks in Kasenyi traverse a common dwelling for this wild game with additions of side stripped jackals, water buck, Uganda Kobs, among others.

The activity tend to take 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you will drive to Mweya jetty in the afternoon fir a thrilling boat cruise along the paradise of Hippos – the 45km long Kazinga Channel which adjoins Lake Edward and George with overlooking sights of Democratic Republic of Congo.

The range of birds, Nile crocodiles, Hippos and other wild game drinking on the channel side may not be missed.

Retreat from the 2 hour activity, do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Do a Game Drive in Ishasha Sector Enroute in Search of Tree Climbing Lions

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to the gorilla trekking haven of Bwindi. You will drive through Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park where the famous tree climbing lions are known to thrive.

The drive offers you the possibilities of encountering more game adding to the sights of the upper parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Encountering the tree climbing lions lying on the fig tree branches is very rewarding. You will have lunch en route and continue in the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi For an a Sunset Boat Cruise & Relaxation

Gather at the respective park headquarter in the morning after an early heavy breakfast for briefing about the gorilla trekking encounter by the park rangers at 8am.

After briefing, you will head to the forest for the thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. The hike across the varied landscapes of Bwindi marked with deep valleys, steep hills and dense vegetation cover is very rewarding.

The moment you come across the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one those must list moments that you can ever encounter in the life time.

The gorilla trek lasts between 2 – 8 hours and after the one full hour of direct encounter with them; you will return the starting point and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi via the fascinating Kigezi Highlands.

Upon arrival, you will embark on a thrilling boat cruise on the lake of a thousand Islands – Lake Bunyonyi exploring its main Islands gaining remarkable sights. Retreat to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Mid-range/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).

Day 9: Transfer to Kampala. Traditional Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center & a Stop at Uganda Equator Crossing Kayabwe

After a relaxed breakfast after the sun rise, you will embark in the transfer to Kampala 437km about 7 – 8 hours’ drive.

You will drive along impressive countryside landscapes of western Uganda before approaching Mbarara town and Igongo Cultural Center 12km past Mbarara for a traditional lunch after which you will continue on the drive to make another stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe 77km to Kampala for amazing photo shoots and water experiments. You will arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon to mark the end of the safari.

End of The 9 Days Wildlife Safari Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris Tour