14 Days
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met by your driver for the transfer to Kampala, Uganda’s capital. After checking in at your accommodation, take time to rest or take a short walk nearby to get a feel for your surroundings and settle into the rhythm of the city.
Spend the day discovering key landmarks in Kampala. Visit the Uganda Museum to learn about the country’s history and cultural diversity, then head to the Kasubi Tombs—burial grounds of Buganda kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If time allows, explore local markets, sample street food, or chat with friendly vendors along the way.
Head east to Jinja, a town known for its river-based activities and for being where the Nile begins its long journey north. The drive offers glimpses of roadside towns, lush plantations, and rural life. On arrival, settle in and enjoy the relaxed pace of this riverside town.
Choose how to spend your day along the Nile. For thrill-seekers, white-water rafting offers a high-energy experience on some of the continent’s most powerful rapids. If you prefer something gentler, a boat trip to the Nile’s source provides a more laid-back way to enjoy the river. You may also explore Jinja town or visit nearby sites like Bujagali Falls.
Depart Jinja and begin the long drive northwest to Murchison Falls National Park. As you get closer, the landscape opens into wide plains and stretches of savannah. The Nile cuts through the park, attracting both wildlife and travelers alike. Settle in and prepare for a change in scenery.
Begin the day with a game drive through Murchison Falls, keeping an eye out for giraffes, lions, elephants, buffaloes, and more. In the afternoon, board a boat and follow the Nile upstream to the base of the falls. Along the way, look for hippos, crocodiles, and birds as the river narrows and builds into a roaring cascade.
Today’s drive takes you south to Kibale Forest, one of Uganda’s best spots for primate watching. The scenery becomes greener and more hilly as you approach the forest. On arrival, check in and rest up for the next day’s activity in the rainforest.
Join a guided walk through Kibale Forest to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat. These curious and vocal primates often move quickly, so you’ll need to be alert—but watching their social interactions up close is always rewarding. Advance booking of tracking permits is essential.
Continue southwest toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The road winds through crater lakes and scenic terrain, offering plenty to see along the way. The park is known for its mix of savannah, wetlands, and wooded areas, each supporting a range of wildlife.
Start the morning with a game drive across the park’s open plains, where you may spot lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and various antelope. In the afternoon, cruise along the Kazinga Channel—a waterway that draws large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, and birds to its banks.
Head southwest to Bwindi, located in the highlands near the border with the Congo. The road is rugged and winding in parts, but the destination—an ancient rainforest home to the endangered mountain gorillas—is worth the effort.
Today’s highlight is tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The trek may take a few hours, depending on where the gorilla group is located, and the terrain can be steep and dense. Once found, you’ll spend about an hour observing them as they feed, rest, or interact. Permits are required in advance. In the afternoon, choose between resting at the lodge, visiting a local village, or joining a short guided walk.
Depart Bwindi and travel east toward Lake Mburo. This smaller park is dotted with lakes and rolling hills, and is home to zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and various bird species. Once there, enjoy a short game drive or an evening walk to stretch your legs.
Enjoy a final walk through Lake Mburo in the early morning—an ideal time for spotting wildlife on foot and enjoying the calm setting. Afterward, continue on to Entebbe for your departure flight. It’s a good time to look back on the highlights of your journey across Uganda’s parks, forests, and rivers.
