14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour, Chimps Tracking, & Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience by Renai Venture Safaris

Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” is one of the most sought-after destinations for travelers seeking a blend of thrilling wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and scenic beauty. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including the famed “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros), as well as incredible primate experiences like chimpanzee tracking and mountain gorilla trekking. Renai Venture Safaris offers an exceptional 14-day Uganda Big Five Safari that combines these amazing experiences, taking you through the country’s diverse landscapes—from the savannas of Kidepo Valley to the dense jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

This detailed 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour journey will allow you to explore Uganda’s iconic national parks, interact with local communities, and witness some of the most awe-inspiring wildlife encounters the world has to offer. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned adventurer, this comprehensive tour offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion.

 

Detailed 14-day Uganda Big Five Safari

1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Check-in the Hotel

Welcome to Uganda: A Gateway to Adventure

Your 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour adventure begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda’s main entry point. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is the ideal starting point for your safari. Upon landing, you’ll be greeted by a professional Renai Venture Safaris guide who will assist you with your luggage and escort you to your accommodation. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may have the chance to explore a bit of Entebbe. Entebbe is known for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful landscapes, making it a perfect place to relax before your 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour begins.

Your hotel will provide all the necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable night’s rest. You will have an evening at leisure to adjust to the time zone, relax, and enjoy the views of Lake Victoria.

  • Airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel
  • Accommodation in a comfortable hotel
  • Evening at leisure with an optional tour of the city or lakeside
  • Meals (Dinner if applicable)
Day 2: Early Morning Road Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park

Embark on the Journey to Kidepo Valley National Park

On Day 2, after breakfast, your safari truly begins as you start your road transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park, located in the northeastern part of Uganda. The drive, while long, is filled with stunning scenery, including open savannas, hills, and the occasional wildlife sighting. Kidepo Valley is one of Uganda’s most remote and untouched parks, and it offers a raw, wilderness experience.

Upon arrival in Kidepo, you will check into your lodge or camp, with time to relax before embarking on your first adventure. Kidepo Valley is home to incredible wildlife, including elephants, lions, cheetahs, and over 475 bird species. This park is ideal for game drives and wildlife watching.

Day 3: Full Day Adventure in Kidepo Valley National Park

Game Drives, Nature Walks, and Unmatched Wilderness

Day 3 in Kidepo Valley is filled with exciting activities. The day starts early with a game drive through the park’s vast plains. Kidepo Valley is known for its isolation, which has helped preserve a variety of species. The park offers some of the best opportunities in Uganda to see large herds of buffaloes, giraffes, and zebras, as well as the elusive leopard and lion.

After lunch, you’ll head out for a guided nature walk. This walk offers the chance to explore Kidepo’s wilderness on foot, providing an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the region, including the park’s diverse plant life, insect species, and smaller wildlife. In the afternoon, relax at your lodge and enjoy the beautiful views of the valley as you prepare for the following day.

  • Morning and afternoon game drives
  • Guided nature walk
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Another Day in Kidepo Valley National Park

Cultural Immersion with the Karamojong People

On Day 4, you will continue exploring Kidepo Valley National Park. The day begins with another early game drive to search for wildlife, including rare species like the endangered cheetah and the giant ostrich. Kidepo’s remote location ensures that the park remains largely untouched, and it offers a chance to spot species that are not found in other parts of Uganda.

In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in a cultural experience with the Karamojong people, a semi-nomadic tribe that has lived in this region for centuries. You’ll learn about their customs, lifestyle, and traditional dances. The Karamojong people are known for their cattle-herding practices and rich cultural heritage, making this experience an enriching part of your 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour.

  • Morning game drive
  • Karamojong cultural experience
  • Afternoon relaxation at the lodge
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Morning Road Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls: Uganda’s Most Iconic National Park

On Day 5, you’ll leave the remote beauty of Kidepo Valley and begin your road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s largest and most popular wildlife reserves. The drive to Murchison Falls will offer breathtaking views of Uganda’s rolling hills, rivers, and rural landscapes.

Upon arrival, you’ll check into your lodge before embarking on an evening game drive. Murchison Falls is known for its powerful waterfall, where the Nile River dramatically plunges through a narrow gorge. The park is home to Uganda’s “Big Five,” and you’ll have the opportunity to spot elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos.

Day 6: Full Day Adventure in Murchison Falls National Park

Game Drives and Boat Cruise Safari

Day 6 is all about exploring the diverse beauty of Murchison Falls. The day begins with an early morning game drive through the park, where you’ll spot a variety of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, and buffaloes. Murchison Falls is one of the few parks in Uganda where you can find all the “Big Five,” so wildlife viewing is exceptional.

In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River. The boat cruise will take you to the base of Murchison Falls, offering stunning views of the waterfall as the Nile is forced through a narrow gap in the rocks. The boat ride also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, with species such as the endangered shoebill stork and various species of herons, pelicans, and kingfishers.

  • Morning game drive
  • Afternoon boat cruise safari
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Morning Game Drive, Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

Exploring Murchison Falls on Foot and Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary

Day 7 begins with an early morning game drive to spot any wildlife you might have missed the previous day. Afterward, you will embark on a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the powerful waterfall and the Nile River.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a thrilling rhino tracking experience. Ziwa is home to the only rhino population in Uganda, and you’ll have the chance to see these incredible creatures up close.

Later, you’ll transfer to Hoima for an overnight stay, ready to continue your 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour journey the next day.

Day 8: Scenic Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Journey to Kibale: Uganda’s Primate Capital

On Day 8, you’ll take a scenic road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, known as Uganda’s “Primate Capital” due to its high concentration of primates, including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Kibale is also home to a wide variety of bird species, and the forest itself is rich with diverse flora and fauna.

In the afternoon, you’ll embark on the Bigodi Swamp Walk, a community-run swamp that provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching, as well as spotting primates and other wildlife. The walk is guided by a local expert who will explain the ecosystem and the efforts to conserve the area.

  • Scenic transfer to Kibale Forest
  • Bigodi Swamp walk
  • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Enjoy Morning Chimpanzee Tracking and Afternoon Forest Walk

Tracking Chimps in Kibale Forest

Day 9 begins with one of the most exciting activities of the 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tourchimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. Kibale is home to one of the highest densities of chimpanzees in Africa, and the experience of tracking them through the lush forest is unforgettable. Guided by experienced rangers, you’ll have the chance to observe the chimpanzees in their natural environment as they interact, feed, and move through the trees.

In the afternoon, you will take a forest walk through Kibale’s rainforests, which are home to many other primates, including the elusive grey-cheeked mangabey, and a variety of bird species.

Day 10: Wildlife Safari Experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Exploring the Wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park

On Day 10, you’ll take a scenic road transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse parks. The park is famous for its large populations of elephants, buffaloes, and lions, as well as its unique tree-climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector.

The day begins with an afternoon game drive, where you’ll spot various wildlife, including herds of elephants and buffaloes. In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the lodge’s peaceful surroundings.

Day 11: Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Drive to Ishasha Sector

Exploring the Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha

On Day 11, you’ll enjoy a full day of exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The morning begins with a game drive to the park’s famous Ishasha sector, where you will have the chance to see the unique tree-climbing lions. These lions are known to climb fig trees to rest, and they provide one of the most remarkable wildlife sightings in Africa.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy another game drive in the Ishasha sector before returning to your lodge for relaxation.

Day 12: Morning Game Drive in Ishasha Sector and Road Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Journey to the Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi

On Day 12, you’ll enjoy another morning game drive in the Ishasha sector before continuing your road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Bwindi is famous for its population of mountain gorillas, and it is one of the best places in the world to track these endangered creatures.

Upon arrival, you’ll check into your lodge and then head out for a Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa people are the indigenous forest dwellers of Bwindi, and their cultural experiences provide insight into the traditional way of life that has existed for centuries.

Day 13: Enjoy Morning Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

A Life-Changing Experience: Gorilla Trekking

Day 13 is the highlight of your 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After a briefing from the park rangers, you’ll embark on a hike through the dense jungle to track a family of mountain gorillas. The trek can be challenging, but the reward is unmatched: spending time with these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon, reflecting on the unforgettable moments with the gorillas.

Day 14: Morning Scenic Transfer Back to Entebbe Airport for Departure

Saying Goodbye to Uganda

On the final day of your 14-Day Uganda Big Five Tour, you’ll take a scenic transfer back to Entebbe Airport, where you’ll catch your flight home. As you drive through Uganda’s beautiful landscapes, you’ll reflect on the incredible experiences and wildlife encounters you’ve had over the past 14 days.

  • Scenic transfer to Entebbe
  • Meals (Breakfast)

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • Airport transfers
  • All accommodation throughout the safari
  • All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Game drives and activities as per the itinerary
  • Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
  • Cultural experiences
  • Park entry fees

Exclusions:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone calls)
  • Tips and gratuities