9 Days 8 Nights Uganda Wildlife and Gorilla Safari

When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, your Maromi driver guide will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation. After a long flight, the first priority is to help you settle in, rest and feel comfortable before the safari begins. If you arrive early, you may have time to enjoy Entebbe at a relaxed pace. You can take in views of Lake Victoria, visit a local restaurant taste the Uganda tilapia and local meals, visit the beach or simply rest at the hotel. This day is not meant to be rushed. It gives you time to adjust, meet your guide and go through the safari plan before the road journey begins

After breakfast, you begin the drive to Murchison Falls National Park. This is your first real taste of Uganda’s countryside, with changing scenery, roadside towns and local life along the way. Your guide will help you understand the route and advise on comfort stops during the journey. On arrival, you check in at your accommodation and rest after the drive. If time and road conditions allow, you may go for an evening game drive. This gives you a first chance to look for wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and possibly lions. If arrival is late, it is better to rest and start fresh the next morning.

You wake up early for a morning game drive, when wildlife is usually more active and the weather is cooler. This is one of the best times to explore the park and look out for giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and many bird species. Your guide will help position the vehicle well and explain what you are seeing. After lunch, you take a boat cruise on the Nile towards Murchison Falls. This is one of the most memorable parts of the safari because you see the river, wildlife and landscape from a different angle. You may see hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds and animals coming close to the riverbanks.

This is a long travel day, so you should start early. The drive from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest takes you through changing countryside, towns, tea growing areas and scenic landscapes. It is not a short transfer, and that is why a comfortable 4x4 vehicle and a good driver guide matter. On arrival in Kibale, you check in at your accommodation and rest. If time allows, you may take a short guided walk around the lodge area or nearby forest edge. This day should be planned calmly, not overloaded. The next day is for chimpanzee tracking, so rest is important.

After breakfast, you head into Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. With experienced forest guides, you walk through the forest in search of chimpanzees and other primates. The experience can be exciting, noisy and full of movement as chimpanzees call, feed and move through the trees. In the afternoon, you visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk. This is a good place for birdwatching, nature, community life and a slower experience after the forest activity. It also gives your safari more variety because you are not only seeing wildlife from a vehicle. You are walking, listening and learning about the environment around you.

After breakfast, you leave Kibale and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This route gives you a chance to enjoy western Uganda’s scenery, including crater landscapes, farms and views that change as you move towards the savannah. When you arrive, you check in and prepare for an evening game drive if time allows. Queen Elizabeth National Park has a mix of savannah, wetlands, lakes and woodland, which gives you a good chance of seeing different wildlife. You may look out for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and predators depending on the day’s conditions. Your guide will help plan the drive according to timing and wildlife movement.

You begin the day with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Early starts are worth it because wildlife is often more active before the heat of the day builds up. Your guide will help you search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife across the park. In the afternoon, you take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. This is one of the best places on the route to see hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds and animals coming to the water. The boat safari is calm, scenic and excellent for photography. It also gives you a different experience from the game drives, which makes the day feel balanced.

After breakfast, you leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is a scenic journey, with hills, villages, forested areas and beautiful views as you approach the gorilla trekking region. Depending on your route and timing, your guide may advise the best stops along the way. The aim is to reach Bwindi in good time so you can check in, rest and prepare for the next day. Gorilla trekking is a special experience, but it also requires energy. You should use this evening to relax, pack only what you need for trekking and listen carefully to the guidance for the next morning.

This is the biggest day of the safari. After an early breakfast, you report for the gorilla trekking briefing. You then enter the forest with trained guides and trackers in search of a gorilla family. The trek can vary in length depending on where the gorillas are, so you need comfortable walking shoes, water, a rain jacket and a reasonable level of fitness. After the trek, you return from the forest, freshen up and begin the drive towards Rwanda for your departure flight. This plan works best if your flight from Kigali is late in the evening. If your flight is earlier, you should add one extra night in Kigali to avoid unnecessary pressure.                                                                                              

What is included

• Park entrance fees for the activities listed in the itinerary.
• Game drives as shown in the safari programme.
• Nile River boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park.
• Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Gorilla trekking permit.
• Chimpanzee tracking permit.
• Full board accommodation during the safari, unless agreed differently.
• Ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle.
• Fuel for the safari route.
• Services of an experienced English speaking driver guide.
• Bottled drinking water in the vehicle.

What is not included

• International flights.
• Entry visas.
• Travel insurance and medical insurance.
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary.
• Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, drinks, snacks and telephone costs.
• Porter fees during gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking.
• Tips for guides, drivers, lodge staff and porters.
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari unless included in your quote.

 

• Important notes before you book

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits depend on availability, so this safari should be planned early. Your final price will depend on travel dates, accommodation level, number of visitors, permit availability and the route used for departure. Day 9 needs careful planning. Gorilla trekking followed by departure through Rwanda is possible only when the flight timing allows it. If the timing is tight, Maromi should advise you honestly and recommend an extra night rather than rushing you.

• Why book this safari with Maromi

This journey covers long distances and different road conditions, so transport is not a small detail. With Maromi, you travel in a 4x4 vehicle suited for Uganda routes, guided by someone who understands timing, comfort stops, park access and visitor care. You do not have to guess which route works, how long each drive may take or how to connect the parks. Tell us your travel dates, number of visitors and preferred comfort level, and we shall help you shape the safari properly before you commit.

• Ready to plan your 9 day Uganda wildlife and gorilla safari? Let Maromi Help You Plan This Journey.

Send Maromi your travel dates, number of visitors and preferred accommodation level. We shall check the route, advise on permit availability and prepare a clear quote for your journey.