7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour

The Adventure Begins: A Scenic Road Transfer to Murchison Falls

Your thrilling 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour begins with a pickup from either Entebbe or Kampala, Uganda’s two major international gateways. After meeting your professional guide, you will embark on a scenic road transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, which is approximately 5 to 6 hours away. As you drive through the countryside, you will be able to observe the rural landscape, vibrant villages, and rolling hills, providing a true taste of Ugandan life.

The drive takes you through lush green forests, farmland, and small towns, offering views of Uganda’s beautiful countryside. Along the way, you’ll stop for breaks and refreshments to stretch your legs before continuing to your first destination, Murchison Falls National Park.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: An Introduction to Uganda’s Wildlife

On your way to Murchison Falls, you’ll make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is located about halfway to the park. This sanctuary is home to Uganda’s only rhino population, and it offers an exceptional rhino tracking experience. Guided by rangers, you will walk through the sanctuary’s grasslands and encounter the endangered white rhinos in their natural habitat. The experience gives you a deeper understanding of conservation efforts in Uganda and the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures.

Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

After your time at Ziwa, you will continue your journey to Murchison Falls. Upon arrival at the park, you will check into your lodge and enjoy a hearty lunch. The highlight of the day will be a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, one of Uganda’s most famous landmarks. The falls are renowned for their dramatic beauty, where the Victoria Nile thunders through a narrow gorge before plunging over a 43-meter drop. The hike is relatively short (1-2 hours) but offers incredible views of the falls and surrounding landscapes, providing fantastic photo opportunities.

Evening Game Drive: A Chance to Spot Uganda’s Wildlife

In the late afternoon, you’ll enjoy your first game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. This is the best time to spot wildlife, as the animals become more active as the sun begins to set. The park is home to a variety of animals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes. You may also spot nocturnal animals such as hyenas and leopards as they begin to emerge. The setting sun creates the perfect atmosphere for a memorable 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour experience.

Morning Game Drive: Early Wildlife Encounters

On Day 2 of 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour, you’ll begin your day with an early morning game drive to explore Murchison Falls further. The early hours offer the best opportunity to see predators, especially lions and leopards, as they hunt in the cool morning hours. Your 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour guide will take you to different areas of the park to maximize wildlife sightings, including elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and antelopes. You might even have the chance to spot the elusive cheetah or leopard.

Boat Cruise on the Victoria Nile: A Unique Perspective on Murchison Falls

After your morning game drive, you will take a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. This scenic boat ride offers a completely different perspective of the park’s wildlife. The river is home to large populations of hippos, crocodiles, and waterbucks, and it’s an excellent location for birdwatching, with species like the shoebill stork and African fish eagle. As you get closer to the base of Murchison Falls, you’ll be able to see the falls from a unique vantage point, with the powerful water cascading down from the top of the gorge.

Evening Game Drive: Sunset Safari Experience

In the evening, you will head out for another game drive, taking you through different sections of the park that you didn’t explore in the morning. This evening drive gives you another opportunity to spot wildlife as they become more active during the cooler hours. The park is home to several large predators, and you may even witness a dramatic chase or an encounter between animals.

Final Morning Safari in Murchison Falls

On Day 3, you’ll start your day with a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. This final game drive offers you a chance to explore areas you may have missed previously, allowing you to see even more of the park’s abundant wildlife. The early morning light offers a beautiful backdrop for wildlife photography, and you might have the chance to witness animals like buffaloes, giraffes, and kudus feeding in the grasslands.

Road Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After the morning game drive, you will leave Murchison Falls behind and embark on a road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s best-known primate reserves. The drive will take around 5 to 6 hours, providing more opportunities to admire Uganda’s stunning countryside. Upon arrival in Kibale, you will check into your lodge, where you’ll spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the exciting chimpanzee tracking experience ahead.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Day 4 starts early with a visit to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, making it one of the best places in the world to track these fascinating primates. You will be briefed by expert rangers before entering the forest to search for a chimpanzee group. Once located, you will spend an hour observing the chimps as they go about their daily activities, including grooming, feeding, and playing. This is a truly unforgettable 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour experience for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Bigodi Swamp Walk: A Peaceful Escape into Nature

In the afternoon, you’ll take a walk-through Bigodi Swamp, a remarkable wetland ecosystem near Kibale Forest. The swamp is home to a wide variety of primates, including red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys, as well as numerous bird species, such as the Great Blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek. The walk offers a peaceful opportunity to enjoy the forest’s natural beauty and observe the local wildlife in its serene environment.

Road Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

On Day 5 of 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour, you will begin your road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas. The drive from Kibale to Bwindi takes around 6-7 hours, passing through breathtaking landscapes of lush forests and rolling hills. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and relax in preparation for your gorilla trekking adventure the following day.

Batwa Cultural Experience: Immersing in the Heritage of the Forest Dwellers

In the afternoon, you will participate in a Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa people are one of Uganda’s indigenous communities, and they once lived as hunter-gatherers in the forests before being relocated to the edges of the parks. During this visit, you’ll learn about their traditional way of life, including how they used to hunt, gather food, and live in harmony with the forest. The cultural experience is a wonderful opportunity to understand the history of Uganda’s forest communities.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 6 is the highlight of your 7 Days Uganda Big Five Safari & Primates Tour: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi is one of the few places in the world where you can see these critically endangered creatures in the wild. The trek begins early in the morning, and you’ll be guided by expert rangers through the dense jungle as you search for a family of gorillas. Once you find them, you will have an hour to observe them in their natural habitat as they feed, interact, and play. The experience is a life-changing encounter with one of the world’s most magnificent animals.

Afternoon Relaxation at the Lodge

After your exhilarating gorilla trek, the afternoon is yours to relax and reflect on your unforgettable experience. You can unwind at your lodge, enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding forest, or indulge in a soothing spa treatment.

Final Scenic Drive Back to Kampala/Entebbe

On the final day of your 7-day Uganda Big Five Safari and Primates Tour, you will begin your road transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe for your departure. The drive offers one last chance to take in the beauty of Uganda’s landscapes as you head back to the airport. Depending on your flight time, you may have some free time to explore the city before heading to the airport.