Tour Description
Experience the highlights of Uganda’s wildlife and primate experiences on this 5-day safari combining Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park and Kibale Forest National Park.
The safari starts with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you will explore the savannah plains on a game drive in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and Uganda kobs, followed by a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls.
The journey then continues to Kibale Forest, one of Uganda’s best destinations for chimpanzee tracking. You will enter the rainforest with experienced guides and trackers to search for habituated chimpanzee communities and other forest wildlife.
This itinerary combines rhino tracking, classic African wildlife, the Nile and chimpanzee tracking in one compact Uganda safari.
Tour Highlights
- Guided rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Wildlife safari in Murchison Falls National Park
- Morning game drive in Murchison Falls
- Search for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and Uganda kobs
- Boat cruise on the Victoria Nile
- See hippos, crocodiles and water birds
- Visit the Top of Murchison Falls
- Scenic journey through western Uganda
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Opportunity to see other primates and forest birds
- Optional Bigodi Wetland nature walk
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle and professional driver-guide
Summarised Program
| Day | Destination | Main Activities | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kampala/Entebbe – Ziwa – Murchison Falls | Rhino tracking, transfer to Murchison Falls, Top of the Falls | Murchison Falls |
| Day 2 | Murchison Falls | Morning game drive, Nile boat cruise | Murchison Falls |
| Day 3 | Murchison Falls – Kibale | Scenic transfer through western Uganda | Kibale |
| Day 4 | Kibale Forest | Chimpanzee tracking, optional Bigodi Wetland walk | Kibale |
| Day 5 | Kibale – Kampala/Entebbe | Return journey | End of safari |
Accommodation Options
Murchison Falls
Recommended Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Pakuba Safari Lodge is located inside Murchison Falls National Park and offers comfortable en-suite rooms, balconies, river views, a swimming pool and restaurant. It is a strong choice for this itinerary because of its location within the park and easy access to wildlife activities.
Budget Options:
- Fort Murchison
- Murchison River Lodge
- Fort Murchison Explorer’s Tents
Fort Murchison, for example, offers both more comfortable rooms and lower-cost explorer tents, making it useful when building different safari budgets. Its 2026 published rates include Explorer’s Tents and Luxury Rooms.
High-End Options:
- Paraa Safari Lodge
- Nile Safari Lodge
- Baker’s Lodge
- Chobe Safari Lodge
These properties provide a more premium safari experience, with options ranging from classic lodge accommodation to more intimate luxury riverfront stays.
Kibale Forest
Recommended Mid-Range: Isunga Lodge
Isunga Lodge is located beside Kibale Forest and offers eight cottages with views over the forest, a restaurant, swimming pool and private terraces. Its published 2026 rates make it a practical option for a comfortable mid-range safari.
Budget Options:
- Kibale Guest Cottages
- Kibale Eco-Home
- Kibale Forest Camp
High-End Options:
- Chimpundu Lodge | Kibale Forest
- Primate Lodge
- Crater Safari Lodge
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala/Entebbe – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Murchison Falls
Your safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.
Drive northwards towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s rhino conservation and reintroduction programme.
Upon arrival, take part in a guided rhino tracking experience. Walking with an experienced ranger, you will search for rhinos in their natural environment and learn about their conservation and the work being done to protect Uganda’s rhino population.
After the rhino experience, continue towards Murchison Falls National Park, stopping for lunch along the way.
Proceed to the park and visit the Top of Murchison Falls, where the Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging downstream.
Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main activities: Rhino tracking, Top of Murchison Falls
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or selected alternative
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Wake up early for breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park.
Explore the savannah plains in search of elephants, lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests and other wildlife.
The morning game drive provides excellent opportunities to observe wildlife when animals are generally more active.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Watch for hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes and a variety of water birds along the riverbanks.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main activities: Game drive, Nile boat cruise
Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge or selected alternative
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey towards Kibale Forest National Park.
The drive takes you through the beautiful countryside of western Uganda, passing through rural communities, farmland and towns.
Continue towards Fort Portal and Kibale, arriving at your lodge later in the afternoon or evening.
Relax at the lodge and prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee tracking experience.
Main activity: Scenic transfer
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge or selected alternative
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest.
Begin your chimpanzee tracking experience with experienced guides and trackers. As you walk through the rainforest, look and listen for chimpanzees moving through the trees and forest floor.
Once you locate a chimpanzee community, you will have time to observe their behaviour, including feeding, grooming, climbing and social interactions.
After the experience, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you may choose an optional visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where a guided nature walk provides opportunities to see monkeys, birds, butterflies and other wildlife while also experiencing a community-based tourism project.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main activities: Chimpanzee tracking, optional Bigodi Wetland walk
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge or selected alternative
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Kibale Forest to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.
Enjoy the changing scenery of western Uganda as you travel through Fort Portal and other towns along the route.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing to Kampala or Entebbe.
Your safari ends with drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport.
Main activity: Return journey
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation Summary
| Category | Murchison Falls | Kibale Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Fort Murchison / Murchison River Lodge | Kibale Guest Cottages / Kibale Eco-Home |
| Mid-Range | Pakuba Safari Lodge | Isunga Lodge |
| High-End | Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge / Baker’s Lodge | Chimpundu Lodge / Primate Lodge / Crater Safari Lodge |
Note: Lodge availability and rates vary by season and room type, so final accommodation is confirmed according to the client’s travel dates and preferred budget.
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