This immersive Ugandan safari takes you deep into the country’s most iconic and wildlife-rich landscapes, beginning with Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile thunders through a dramatic gorge creating a powerful natural spectacle.
Game drives across the savanna provide excellent chances to see elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos, with a bush breakfast in the wild adding to the magic. Along the way, you can stop at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch for a guided trek to see rhinos on foot, a rare opportunity to witness these endangered giants up close.
From there, the adventure continues into the lush primate capital of Kibale Forest, where you’ll track chimpanzeesthrough the dense jungle, cook with locals, visit crater lakes, and hike through the bird-filled Bigodi Swamp.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, track lions and leopards alongside expert rangers and take a boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel, home to an incredible mix of aquatic and land animals.
The journey ends in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you’ll trek to meet the endangered mountain gorillas and engage with the surrounding communities through enriching cultural experiences, like Batwa forest tours, weaving, cooking, and tailoring workshops, creating a truly balanced blend of conservation, adventure, and human connection.
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Primate & Wild Discoveries
Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a representative from Back to the Source Tours for a warm welcome and assistance through arrival formalities. A short private transfer will take you to your selected hotel, where you can relax and settle in after your journey.
Once comfortable, you will receive a personal briefing on the days ahead, outlining your itinerary, key highlights, and any final details. Should time permit, there will be opportunities to enjoy the charm of Entebbe and its surroundings at a relaxed pace.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel or a recommended restaurant in town, then unwind for a restful night in preparation for the adventures to come.
Day 2 – Scenic Transfer to Murchison Falls with Rhino Tracking at Ziwa
After breakfast, set out on a picturesque drive north toward Murchison Falls National Park, passing through lush farmland, small towns, and open savannah. Along the way, make a stop at Ziwa Rhino & Wildlife Ranch, the only place in Uganda where you can see wild southern white rhinos.
In the company of experienced rangers, enjoy a guided trek on-foot to observe these powerful yet gentle giants from a safe distance. Learn about their behaviour, the dedicated conservation efforts that protect them, and the ranch’s role in restoring Uganda’s rhino population.
Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch before continuing your journey toward Murchison Falls. As you draw closer, the landscape shifts to expansive grasslands and acacia woodland. Arrive at your carefully selected lodge, enjoy a refined dinner under the lit African night sky, letting the sounds of the wild signal the start of your adventure.
Day 3 – Game Drive, Top of the Falls, and Nile River Cruise
Greet the day with an early morning game drive across the northern savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park, where, at the golden light, wildlife is at its most active. Watch herds of elephants moving with quiet strength, Rothschild’s giraffes browsing on acacia tops, and prides of lions stretched out in the grass. With a bit of luck, you might glimpse a leopard slipping into the shadows or hyenas returning from their night’s patrol. The open plains also host hartebeest, Uganda kob, bushbuck, and large buffalo herds.
After your drive, either return to your lodge for breakfast or continue to the Top of the Falls, where the River Nile is funneled through a rocky gorge barely seven metres wide before crashing 45 metres into the pool below. The spray, the roar, and the sheer power of this natural spectacle create one of the most memorable sights in all of Uganda.
Pause for a freshly prepared lunch before stepping aboard a Nile River cruise in the afternoon. As the boat moves upstream, you may see pods of hippos in the shallows, crocodiles on the banks, and African fish eagles overhead. Kingfishers flit between branches while elephants and buffaloes come to drink at the shore. This combination of land and water safari offers a full perspective of Murchison’s diverse wildlife and landscapes, making for an unforgettable day in the heart of the park.
Day 4 – Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, set off on a beautiful overland journey toward Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of East Africa. The route takes you through a tapestry of rolling hills, tea plantations, and vibrant villages where daily life unfolds along the roadside. Pause to appreciate the changing landscapes, from open farmland to lush forested slopes, with opportunities to photograph the scenery along the way.
Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your carefully selected lodge set on the edge of the forest, where comfort blends seamlessly with nature. Should you wish to stretch your legs after the drive, there are a number of gentle community-based activities available, from visiting local craft makers to joining a short guided walk through nearby wetlands or farmland.
As evening falls, enjoy a relaxed dinner while the sounds of the forest form a natural soundtrack. Rest well in preparation for tomorrow’s highlight, an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience deep within Kibale’s emerald heart.
Day 5 – Chimpanzee Trekking Day!
Start the day early with a guided chimpanzee trek in Kibale National Park, home to the largest concentration of primates in East Africa. Walk through the forest with an expert guide to locate and observe a habituated chimpanzee group. Watch them feed, groom, and interact, while listening to their calls echo through the trees. Along the way, you may also encounter L’Hoest’s monkeys, red colobus, black-and-white colobus, and vervet monkeys.
Return for lunch, then take part in some fascinating optional activities like a local cooking class, where you will learn how to prepare traditional Ugandan dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy the meal you have helped create. If you prefer, you may choose from other activities available in the area, such as short community and wetlands walks, visits to local markets, or guided birdwatching near the lodge.
Day 6 – Community, Culture, and more Abundance
Kibale Forest National Park offers far more than chimpanzee trekking. This day invites you to immerse yourself in optional and diverse experiences that surround the park. Begin with a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a haven for birds, primates, and rich plant life, perfect for nature walks and gentle hikes.
For those seeking something truly unique, discover the Sunbird Hill Experience, a lesser-known but remarkable conservation and community project where you can learn about local wildlife protection, meet community members, and enjoy scenic forest-edge views.
Along the way, explore the charming town of Fort Portal and take in the beauty of its nearby crater lakes, each offering stunning landscapes and fascinating local history. This is a day that reveals Kibale’s natural treasures and the warm cultural connections that make the region unforgettable.
Day 7 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Evening Game Drive
After a leisurely breakfast, travel in comfort through the picturesque Ugandan countryside toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, a sanctuary of rich biodiversity framed by the Rwenzori Mountains and expansive lakes.
On arrival, check into your carefully selected lodge, where refined service, gourmet dining, and panoramic views set the stage for your stay.
Watch for hyenas and mongoose emerging from their dens, antelope grazing in the fading light, and majestic eagles soaring overhead. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, warthogs, Uganda kobs, and waterbucks. Conclude your drive with sundowner refreshments in the wild before returning to the lodge for a fine dining experience under the stars.
Day 8 – Predator Tracking Experience and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Start the day with the option to join a specialist wildlife activity led by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and conservation researchers. Choose between tracking mongoose families in their natural habitat or following the movements of lions and leopards fitted with radio collars. These guided experiences offer insight into predator behaviour, territorial patterns, and the conservation work being carried out in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Those seeking a different experience may opt for a short hike in Maramagambo Forest, a dense tropical forest known for its rich birdlife, large bat colony, and trails leading to hidden crater lakes. The walk also offers the chance to see monkeys and other small forest mammals.
After a relaxed lunch, continue to the Kazinga Channel for a boat safari along the waterway that links Lake George to Lake Edward. This channel is famous for hosting one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos. Elephants and buffaloes often come to drink at the shoreline, while Nile crocodiles rest along the banks. Bird sightings may include African skimmers, saddle-billed storks, fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers. As the afternoon light softens, the Kazinga Channel offers excellent wildlife viewing and photography from the water.
Day 9 – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Buhoma Sector) and Optional Afternoon Activities
After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important mountain gorilla sanctuaries. The journey passes through rolling hills, terraced farms, and vibrant roadside markets, offering glimpses of local life and spectacular views along the way.
Arrive in the Buhoma sector by afternoon and check into your lodge, where comfort and warm hospitality are matched with sweeping views of the forest. Guests who wish to relax can unwind on their private veranda or enjoy the lodge’s facilities.
For those with energy to spare, optional activities are available, such as visiting the Ride-4-A-Woman community initiative to learn about local craftwork and projects, or taking a gentle nature walk along the forest edge to spot colourful birdlife, butterflies, and medicinal plants.
Day 10 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today brings one of Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife encounters. After an early breakfast, meet your expert trackers and begin your gorilla trekking adventure deep into the forest. The trek may take between two and six hours, depending on the movement of the gorilla family, and can range from semi-easy to more challenging routes.
Once you reach the gorillas, spend an unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat, watching the young play, the mothers care for their infants, and the silverback keeping a watchful eye over the group. This rare and intimate experience offers a deeper understanding of the species and their fragile ecosystem. Return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest and time to reflect on the day.
Day 11 – Cultural Experience & Adventurous Activities
After breakfast, the day is yours to immerse yourself in the cultural and natural surroundings of Buhoma. A highlight is the Batwa Community Experience, where you will meet the forest’s indigenous people and learn about their traditions. Participate in hands-on sessions covering fire-making, traditional cooking, herbal medicine preparation, hunting techniques, and storytelling that has been passed down through generations.
You may also choose additional activities such as visiting the Ride 4 a Woman project, where local women create beautiful handwoven baskets, vibrant fabrics, and other crafts using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Here, you can observe the artisans at work, learn about the social programs the project supports, and even try your hand at some of the crafts yourself.
From there, continue to the Pangolin Rescue Centre, one of the few places in Africa dedicated to the rehabilitation of these elusive and endangered animals. A knowledgeable guide will share the fascinating biology and behaviours of pangolins, as well as the challenges they face from habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. If conditions allow, you may have the rare opportunity to see rescued pangolins up close in a safe and controlled environment, offering a deeper appreciation for the conservation work being done to protect them.
Other options include guided birdwatching walks or short forest-edge hikes. Each experience offers a different perspective on life around Bwindi and deepens your understanding of the communities and wildlife that share this extraordinary landscape.
Day 12 – Transfer to Entebbe & Optional Activities
After breakfast, fly to Entebbe via Kihihi Airstrip as you await your international flight. If your flight is later in the evening, consider optional half-day activities such as:
- A visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, founded by the Jane Goodall Institute
- A city tour of Kampala, including craft markets and artisan shops
- Consider a short boat/yatch cruise that takes you to the equator and other fascinating parts on Lake Victoria. A great way to spend your farewell.
- Take a stroll on the sandy beaches of Lake Victoria, chill at one of the restaurants and bars with amazing views.
- Visit several of the artisan craft shops whether in Entebbe or Kampala.
- Things like zip-lining and more cultural community activities like Ewaffe Cultural Village are just about 2 hours away. Once we know your flight information, we’d be able to make better recommendations on your optional activities based on your schedule.
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