Uganda
Welcome to Wild Uganda
Ready for raw adventure, unforgettable wildlife, and jaw-dropping landscapes? Then Uganda – the Pearl of Africa – is calling. This isn’t just a holiday. It’s waking up to lions in the mist, locking eyes with a mountain gorilla, and feeling your heart pound as you spot rhinos on foot. From the roaring power of Murchison Falls to the serene shores of Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s got it all. We did it as a luxury self-drive, mixing wild safaris with serious comfort. And yes, our toddler came along – because adventure doesn’t stop when the stroller joins the ride.
The Ultimate 15-Day Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Waterfalls
Quick summary
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Start & End: Entebbe
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Duration: 15 days
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Total Distance: ~1,800 km
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Transport: Self-drive (4WD recommended)
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Highlights: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo National Park
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Weather: Tropical climate; pack light clothing, rain gear, and insect repellent.
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Driving: Drive on the left side; ensure your rental includes a GPS or use offline maps.
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Tour options: Check HERE
The Ultimate 15-Day Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps & Waterfalls
Day 1-3: Arrival in Entebbe to Murchison Falls
We landed at night, exhausted but buzzing. Kampala welcomed us with busy streets and cold beer.
epending on arrival time, explore Entebbe Botanical Gardens or relax by Lake Victoria.
Our hotel: Hotel Horizon Entebbe. Decent, clean, with friendly staff who don’t blink when you ask for your 3rd chapati.
Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for on-foot rhino tracking. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, visiting the top of the falls for breathtaking views. Around 6-7 hours. This drive is your first real look at Uganda: red soil, wild roads, and lush landscapes. By late afternoon, we reached Murchison Falls. One word: ROAR. The Nile squeezes through a 7-meter gap here. Powerful and thunderous.
Stay: Murchison Palace
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Day 4-5 : Kibale Forest National Park
We hit the road again toward Kibale. Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park is around 7-8 hours (370 km)
This forest? Lush, humid, and echoing with primate calls. The next morning, we met the chimps. These guys are LOUD, curious, and full of character.
Kibale Forest is renowned for its high concentration of primates, particularly chimpanzees. Embarking on a guided trek through the lush rainforest, you'll observe these intelligent and social animals in their natural environment. The experience is both thrilling and humbling, offering insights into the complex behaviors and social structures of our closest relatives.
In the afternoon, we explored Bigodi Wetland for birdwatching (and to dry our sweaty shirts).
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Day 6: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Onward to Queen Elizabeth NP—Uganda’s most famous park. The Kazinga Channel boat ride showed us more hippos than we could count. We spotted elephants swimming, buffalo grunting, and birds in every color imaginable
Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts a remarkable variety of habitats, from savannah to wetlands, supporting an impressive diversity of wildlife. The Kazinga Channel boat cruise offers close encounters with hippos, elephants, and numerous bird species. In the Ishasha sector, keep an eye out for the unique tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior observed in only a few places worldwide.
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Distance: ~150 km / 3-4 hours
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Activities: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi plains to spot lions, elephants, and Uganda kobs.
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Dining: Lunch en route; dinner at the lodge.
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Accommodation: Stay at Mweya Safari Lodge, located on a peninsula within the park.
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Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park
The next day we continue with the safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park . Here’s the thing: Uganda has tree-climbing lions. Yes, really. We saw two chilling on fig branches like they owned the place. It was hot, dusty, and magical.
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Activities: Morning game drive in the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, observing hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
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Dining: All meals at the lodge.
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Accommodation: Continue stay at Mweya Safari Lodge.
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Day 8-9: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The big day: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Early start. Misty roads. And then, the rainforest walls of Bwindi. This is the big one: gorilla tracking. It's sweaty, steep, and SO worth it. You get close. Really close. Watching the silverback snore while the babies tumble around? Unreal.
Trekking through the dense foliage of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to observe mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With only about 1,000 individuals remaining, these gentle giants are critically endangered. Spending an hour in their presence, watching their interactions and behaviors, is profoundly moving and highlights the importance of conservation efforts
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Distance: ~160 km / 5-6 hours
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Activities: Drive to Bwindi, home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorillas.
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Dining: Lunch en route; dinner at the lodge.
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Accommodation: Stay at Buhoma Lodge, offering comfortable accommodation near the park entrance
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Gorilla Tours : check HERE
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Day 10 -12: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi to Lake Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Bunyonyi (~2 hours) Reward time: Lake Bunyonyi. Africa’s Switzerland. Quiet, stunning, peaceful. We stayed at Nature Prime Island and didn’t want to leave. Perfect place to kayak or just chill.
Lake Mburo National Park (~4 hours): This small park was our finale. Giraffes on the savannah, antelopes bouncing, and a chilled boat ride on the lake. Slept at Arcadia Cottages. One of the best views of the trip.
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Distance: ~240 km / 4-5 hours
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Activities: Drive back to Kampala. Visit the Uganda National Mosque for panoramic city views or explore local markets.
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Dining: Lunch en route; dinner at Khazana the Verandah, offering exquisite Indian cuisine.
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Accommodation: Stay at Cassia Lodge
Day 13-15: Lake Mburo to Kampala - to Entebbe - Back
Drive back to Entebbe (~5 hours)
Via the Equator (yes, we stopped for the photo). One last chapati, one last Nile Special beer, and a heart full of Uganda.
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Distance: ~240 km / 4-5 hours
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Activities: Drive back to Kampala. Visit the Uganda National Mosque for panoramic city views or explore local markets.
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Dining: Lunch en route; dinner at Khazana the Verandah, offering exquisite Indian cuisine.
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Accommodation: Stay at Cassia Lodge
Kampala to Entebbe
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Distance: ~40 km / 1 hour
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Activities: Drive to Entebbe. Visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or relax by the lake.
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Dining: Lunch at Faze 3, known for its lakeside dining.
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Accommodation: Stay at Hotel Horizon Entebbe, a charming guesthouse near the airport.
Departure: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight
Uganda is wild, raw, and full of heart. The landscapes shift every few hours. The animals? Beyond expectations. And those gorillas… they change you. If you want a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, this is it. Pack your boots—and maybe your tissues.
Ready to embark on your own Uganda adventure? Let's make it happen!
Let’s design your custom journey—click here to start
FAQ
Q: Do I need a visa for Uganda?
A: Yes. Apply online for an e-visa.
Q: How fit do I need to be for gorilla tracking?
A: You don’t have to be an athlete, but a decent level of fitness helps. The paths are steep, muddy, and unpredictable. Porters can carry your bag (and help you over tricky terrain)—tip well!
Q: How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda?
A: As of now, a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 per person (foreign non-residents). East African citizens and residents get discounted rates. This gives you one hour with the gorillas.
Q: How does this compare to Rwanda?
A: In Rwanda, permits cost $1,500 per person – almost double. However, Rwanda often offers more luxury accommodations and easier treks. Uganda gives a more authentic, wild experience with a lower price tag – win-win if you ask us.
Q: How old do you need to be to trek with gorillas?
A: You must be at least 15 years old. This is strict and non-negotiable. If you’re traveling with younger kids, plan alternative activities for them on trek day.
Q: Is gorilla trekking safe?
A: Very. Treks are done with trained guides and rangers who know how to read gorilla behavior. Gorillas are habituated and used to humans—just follow the rules, keep your distance, and respect their space.