This exhilarating week-long Uganda safari begins with a journey to Uganda’s premier tourist destination – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Beyond the park’s striking scenery and diverse bird and monkey species, you’ll be awe-struck by the sight of the majestic mountain gorilla during your gorilla trekking Uganda adventure.
Average Cost Of 7 Day Safari in Uganda
Budget backpacker‑style tours run US $120–200 per day (totaling US $840–1 400 for a seven‑day itinerary)
. Entry‑level lodge‑and‑camp safaris start around US $1 600 per person and can reach US $2 345 for similar routes
. Mid‑range safaris, featuring comfortable accommodations, private 4×4 vehicles, meals, park fees, and guided activities, typically cost US $2 400–3 000, with common rates of US $2 695 and US $2 913 per person
. Luxury seven‑day safaris with five‑star lodges, private transfers, charter flights, and exclusive experiences begin at US $4 500 and can exceed US $6 500 per person
. Specialized overland camping tours are available for as little as US $1 546 per person on eight‑day itineraries, illustrating the floor of budget options
Cost Estimates
Budget (US $840–2 345)
Backpacker‑style rates: US $120–200 per person per day, summing to US $840–1 400 for seven days
Entry‑level lodge & camp: Tours start around US $1 600 per person, with basic lodge‑and‑camp packages up to US $2 345
Gorilla & chimp permits: Add approximately US $800 for gorilla trekking and US $250 for chimpanzee tracking.
Mid‑Range (US $2 400–3 000)
Comfortable lodges & private vehicles: Typical daily rates of US $185–430 translate to US $2 400–3 000 per person for the full week
Common package rates: Private mid‑range departures often list at US $2 695 and specialized gorilla‑big‑five safaris at US $2 913 per person
Luxury (US $4 500–6 500+)
Five‑star lodges: Nightly rates range from US $250–800, equating to US $1 750–5 600 for seven nights
Next, your Uganda wildlife safari continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park – a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot featuring tree-climbing lions, leopards, hippos, elephants, buffaloes, numerous small game species, and rare avian life.
The Uganda tour proceeds to Kibale Forest National Park, celebrated for hosting the world’s highest concentration of primates, including our closest relative – the chimpanzee.
Finally, this comprehensive Uganda safari concludes at Murchison Falls National Park – Uganda’s largest wildlife reserve. Here, you’ll encounter lions, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, hartebeest, waterbuck, warthog, oribi, and chimpanzees in Budongo forest.
Safari Itinerary in Summary
Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Day 2: Bwindi for Mountain Gorilla tracking (trekking), forest walk and Rest
Day 3: Bwindi Forest – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Afternoon Boat Cruise along the Kazinga Channel)
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth Morning game drive – Drive to Kibale Forest National Park (afternoon Chimpanzee Tracking)
Day 5: Kibale Forest Morning Chimpanzee Tracking. Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 6: Explore Murchison Falls National Park on Game Drives
Day 7: Murchison Falls Morning Game Reserve – Drive back to Kampala/ Entebbe
Safari Itinerary in Detail
Day 1: Entebbe/ Kampala – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Begin your Uganda vacation with breakfast before departing for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. En route, pause at the equator’s craft village for shopping, then continue to Mbarara for lunch.
Post-lunch, your Uganda safari adventure continues through the picturesque evergreen mountainous region, often called the “Little Switzerland of Uganda”.
Arrive at Bwindi in the evening.
Travel Time: Approximately 9 hours
Accommodation Option:
Luxury Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
Budget Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Wagtail Eco safari camp
Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}
Day 2: Bwindi for Mountain Gorilla tracking (trekking), forest walk and Rest
After an early, hearty breakfast, head to the ranger station with packed lunch and tracking gear. The ranger guide will brief you on gorilla etiquette.
Enter the park to begin your memorable gorilla trekking Uganda experience in this ancient forest sanctuary. The forest’s perpetual dampness necessitates warm, waterproof attire. Long trousers are advisable due to stinging beetles.
Gorilla encounter time varies based on their foraging movements. During your search, you might spot other primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and chimpanzees.
Upon meeting the gentle-eyed gorillas, any fatigue will likely dissipate. You’ll have an hour to observe and photograph these magnificent creatures. If energy permits, participate in a community walk to Batwa land.
Accommodation Option:
Luxury Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Silverback Lodge Bwindi
Budget Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Wagtail Eco safari camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 3: Bwindi Forest – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Afternoon Boat Cruise along the Kazinga Channel)
Post-breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a wildlife-rich area often dubbed a birder’s paradise.
After lunch, enjoy a unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This Uganda safari highlight passes through dense hippo populations and offers views of various animals drinking at the water’s edge.
This cruise provides excellent photography opportunities. Bird watching and wildlife viewing are exceptional, with over 550 resident bird species recorded.
Travel Time: About 4 to 6 hours
Accommodation
Mid-range Accommodation: Bush Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages, Kazinga Channel View Resort, @The River Ishasha
Luxury Accommodation: Kyambura Game Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth Morning game drive – Drive to Kibale Forest National Park (Chimpanzee Tracking in the afternoon)
An early morning game drive offers excellent chances to spot Lions, Leopards, Giant Forest Hogs, Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Defassa Waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Bushbucks and more.
Proceed to Kibale National Park, enjoying views of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” en route to Fort Portal.
Travel Time: About 3 Hours
Accommodation Options:
Midrange Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains of the Moon Hotel,
Budget Accommodation: Rwenzori View Guesthouse, Nyinabulitwa Country Resort & Safari Camp
Luxury Accommodation: Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner}
Day 5: Kibale Forest Morning Chimpanzee Tracking. Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Kanyanchu park headquarters for a pre-track briefing. Kanyanchu, in central Kibale, is the main trailhead for the park’s renowned forest walks, particularly the Primate Walk.
The activity commences at 0800 hours with a 98% chimpanzee sighting success rate. Tracking can take up to 3 hours. Expect to see other primates, an array of birdlife, butterflies, and small insects.
Spend about an hour observing and photographing the chimpanzees up close. Tracking requirements include long trousers (preferably jeans), long-sleeved shirts, light hiking boots, a daypack with water, a wide-brimmed hat, and a light rain jacket.
Return for lunch and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge
Mid Range Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Global Village Guest House
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 6: Explore Murchison Falls National Park Game Drives
After breakfast, drive to the park’s northern section for a game drive. Observe Elephants, Buffaloes, Bushbucks, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Hartebeests and various bird species.
Post-lunch, enjoy a two-hour launch cruise to the base of the mighty Murchison Falls. The riverbanks offer views of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds, providing excellent birding opportunities.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge
Mid Range Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge, Budongo Eco Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Global Village Guest House
Meal Plan {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}
Day 7: Murchison Falls Morning Game Reserve – Drive back to Kampala/ Entebbe
After breakfast, enjoy a brief game drive en-route to Kampala, with lunch in Masindi. Return to Kampala at leisure, concluding your Uganda safari adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Travel time: About 6 hours
