Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Touching Down in Uganda

A representative from our team will meet you the moment you land at Entebbe International Airport, ready to kick off your ten days in Uganda. They’ll brief you on the safari ahead, share practical details about the country, and help you exchange money into local currency.

From there, you’ll check into your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. If your flight lands early enough, there’s room to slot in an optional activity before the day winds down.

Day 2: Rafting the Nile and Visiting Its Source

Jinja sits on the shores of Lake Victoria and ranks as Uganda’s second-largest city, a status it owes partly to the Owen Falls Dam, built in 1952, which drew a wave of manufacturing to the area. It’s a relaxed lakeside town — and, notably, the spot where the world’s longest river begins its journey.

A boat trip out to the source of the Nile is part of the day, along with a look at the river’s cascading rapids — Bujagali Falls and the more recent Itanda Falls among them. Itanda in particular draws thrill-seekers for its grade-seven white water rafting. Horseback riding is available here too, for those who want to slow things down afterward.

Day 3: Rhino Tracking en Route to Murchison Falls

Breakfast is followed by a drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s breeding population of white rhinos. The species vanished from the wild here by 1984, hunted to local extinction, and this sanctuary was created in response — it remains the only place in the country to see rhinos roaming freely.

Tracking them on foot alongside a ranger feels more like a nature walk than a typical safari activity, bringing you remarkably close to an endangered species. A hot lunch follows before you push on to your lodge in or near Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 4: Dawn Game Drive, River Cruise, and the Falls from Above

The day starts early, timed to catch predators at their most active. You’ll likely spot Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, oribi, Uganda kob, waterbuck, and buffalo going about their morning routines — along with lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, and Uganda’s ever-present elephants.

After the drive, it’s back to the lodge for lunch, then out again for an afternoon boat cruise. The river brings its own cast of characters: hippos, Nile crocodiles, fish eagles, bee-eaters, kingfishers, and more.

The cruise ends with a hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where a guide will meet you for sweeping views of the water crashing through the gorge, before heading back to the lodge for dinner.

Day 5: One More Game Drive, Then On to Hoima

A final morning game drive gives you another shot at hartebeest, giraffe, oribi, kob, waterbuck, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and hyena.

From there, you’ll head to the delta point — the lowest elevation in Uganda, where the Nile empties into Lake Albert — an area also known for its striking variety of butterflies.

Crossing the Nile to its southern bank takes you through Budongo Forest, where primates are often spotted along the road, and on to Masindi for lunch. The afternoon drive continues to Hoima, where you’ll spend the night; a cultural performance can be arranged if requested in advance.

Day 6: The Long Drive to Kibale Forest

There’s no need to rush today. After breakfast, you’ll set off for Kibale Forest National Park, passing farmland where locals tend crops of cotton, tobacco, maize, banana, and tea — good territory for photo stops along the way.

The route brings you within view of the Rwenzori foothills, the so-called “Mountains of the Moon,” before arriving in Fort Portal, often considered Uganda’s cleanest and greenest town. From there, it’s a short continuation to your lodge near the park.

Day 7: Tracking Chimpanzees in Kibale

After an early breakfast, you’ll gather at the Kanyanchu visitor center for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking and how to conduct yourself in their presence.

A ranger guide then leads you into the forest to find our closest living relatives, and you’ll spend a full hour observing them once they’re located. How long the search itself takes depends on how far the chimps have ranged in search of fruit that day, but the payoff is consistently worth it.

Afterward, it’s back to camp for lunch and a relaxed evening, with optional activities available for anyone wanting more.

Day 8: On to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast is followed by departure for Queen Elizabeth National Park, another drive rich with scenery — the Rwenzori foothills offer glacier views on clear days, alongside banana bicycles, tomato fields, cotton, and tea plantations.

You’ll pass through Kasese, once known as a hub for copper mining during the colonial period. After checking into your lodge and having lunch, an evening game drive follows, with chances to spot lions, leopards, Uganda kob, elephants, buffalo, and abundant birdlife.

Day 9: Morning Wildlife and the Kazinga Channel

An early start puts you in position to catch hyenas returning to their dens after a night out, along with lions on the hunt (or already feasting), antelope, and other early risers.

The afternoon takes you north within the park for a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel — prime territory for watching elephants and buffalo come down to drink at close range. Thousands of hippos, along with Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, and a wide range of birdlife, round out the experience before you return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 10: Last Game Drive, the Equator, and Departure

One final early-morning game drive rounds out your wildlife viewing, with a chance at lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and birds such as the martial eagle and long-crested eagle.

After checking out, you’ll begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe for your flight home, breaking for lunch along the way and pausing once more at the Equator before the journey ends.

~ End of the 10-Day Uganda Wildlife Adventure Safari ~

This Itinerary Can Be Tailored

Every element of this trip can be adjusted to fit what you’re looking for — the number of days, the mix of activities, the pace. Get in touch and we’ll help shape a version of this safari around your interests.

Helpful Resources

• Kibale National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Accommodation near Murchison Falls National Park (via TripAdvisor)
• Accommodation near Kibale Forest National Park (via TripAdvisor)
• Queen Elizabeth National Park accommodation options

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What to Bring

• Water: Chimpanzee tracking is physically demanding, and staying hydrated matters. Water filtration tablets are worth packing as a backup.
• Boots: Waterproof, comfortable, and skid-resistant footwear will serve you well, especially since rain is common during treks.
• Rain jacket: Kibale Forest sees frequent rainfall, so come prepared.
• Snacks: A light snack helps keep your energy up during forest walks.
• Trousers and long-sleeved shirts: Kibale’s thick undergrowth calls for coverage over shorts and t-shirts.
• Socks: Tuck your trousers into your socks to keep insects from crawling up your legs.
• Gardening gloves: Useful for gripping branches and leaves, some of which can be thorny.
• Camera: Bring one without flash to capture the experience without disturbing the wildlife.

What’s Included

• Airport transfers
• 9 nights of accommodation
• All meals
• Bottled water
• White water rafting permit
• Chimpanzee tracking permit
• Murchison Falls National Park entry fees
• An experienced, English-speaking driver-guide
• 4×4 safari vehicle for all transportation

What’s Not Included

• Uganda visas
• Tips for your driver and guides
• Souvenirs
• Travel insurance
• Flights
• Drinks at accommodations
• Laundry services