9-Day Uganda Safari: Murchison Falls, Kibale Chimps & Bwindi Gorillas.

Route Snapshot

This trip carries you in a wide loop rather than an out-and-back drive: starting in Entebbe, you head north into Murchison Falls National Park for three nights, swing south and west to Kibale Forest for two nights, continue further southwest into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for three nights, and then catch a short domestic flight from Kihihi or Kisoro back to Entebbe instead of retracing the entire route by road. That flight alone spares you a full day of driving.

Daily Breakdown

Day 1 — Entebbe to Murchison Falls National Park. You’ll set off early for the five-to-six-hour drive north, passing through the Karuma region (or routing via Masindi). Once you arrive, spend the afternoon either cruising the Nile to the foot of the falls or taking a brief game drive. Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge or Twiga Safari Lodge, both mid-range properties offering full board.

Day 2 — Full Day in Murchison Falls National Park. Rise early for a game drive along the river’s north bank, where lions, elephants, giraffes, and buffalo are commonly spotted. In the afternoon, board a boat cruise up the Nile toward the base of the falls. You’ll stay a second night at the same lodge.

Day 3 — Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest. This is the longest driving day, roughly six to seven hours heading south through Hoima toward the Kibale and Fort Portal area. If you’d like to break the journey up, consider stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a rhino-tracking excursion along the way. That night, settle in at Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or Isunga Lodge, both mid-range accommodations.

Day 4 — Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest. The morning is dedicated to chimp trekking, using your pre-arranged permit to hike into the forest in search of habituated chimp families. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its birdlife and other primates. You’ll spend another night at the same guesthouse.

Day 5 — Kibale Forest to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A scenic five-to-six-hour drive carries you south through the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and past the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you might catch sight of the area’s famous tree-climbing lions. By evening, you’ll arrive in Bwindi, staying at Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, or Silverback Lodge — all mid-range options with full board included.

Day 6 — Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi. This is the trip’s centrepiece: a full day tracking mountain gorillas through the forest. Depending on where the gorilla family has moved, the trek itself can last anywhere from two to eight hours. You’ll return to the same lodge for the night.

Day 7 — Buffer Day in Bwindi. This flexible day serves multiple purposes. You could opt for a second gorilla trek, join a Batwa cultural walk or village visit, or take a nature walk through the forest. It also functions as a safety net in case Day 6’s trek needs to be rescheduled for any reason. Overnight again at the same lodge.

Day 8 — Bwindi to Entebbe: Drive to either the Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip, then board a short domestic flight — roughly ninety minutes to two hours in the air — back to Entebbe, a dramatic time-saver compared to the eight-to-ten-hour drive it would otherwise take. Spend the evening at leisure in Entebbe, staying at Boma Guesthouse or Karibu Guest House.

Day 9 — Departure Day. Enjoy a relaxed morning, with options like visiting the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or taking a short boat trip on Lake Victoria, before transferring to the airport for your international flight home.

Mid-Range Accommodation Overview (Per Person, Per Night, Full Board)

Permit Pricing for 2026 (Foreign Non-Residents)

• Gorilla trekking permit: $800 per person during peak and shoulder seasons, dropping to a discounted $600 per person in the low-season months of April, May, and November.
• Chimpanzee tracking permit (Kibale): approximately $250 per person for non-residents, reduced to $150 during low-season months.

Important Booking Notes

A significant policy shift took effect on March 1, 2026: individual foreign travellers are no longer permitted to purchase gorilla permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. All bookings must now be arranged through a licensed Ugandan tour operator. Additionally, the previous seven-day grace period that allowed permits to be held without full payment has been eliminated — securing your slot now requires full payment upfront.

Because peak travel season spans June through August and again December through February, it’s wise to book at least six months in advance during these windows to guarantee availability.