How much does the 10-day Best of Uganda safari cost?

From $3,200 per person based on two travelers sharing mid-range accommodation. This excludes the gorilla trekking permit ($800) and chimpanzee trekking permit ($200), which are paid separately. Luxury lodge upgrades are available — ask us for a quote.

Is this tour too tiring with all the driving?

The route is designed to minimize backtracking, and driving days are broken up with activities and scenic stops. The longest single drive is 5–6 hours. Most travelers find the changing landscapes — from savannah to rainforest to lakes — make the journeys enjoyable rather than tiring.

Can I extend or shorten this itinerary?

Absolutely. This is a suggested itinerary and we can adjust it to your preferences. Want an extra day at the lake? Skip Ziwa? Add a second gorilla trek? We customize every trip. See our Custom Safari option for fully personalized itineraries.

What accommodation level is included?

The base price covers comfortable mid-range lodges and camps throughout. We can upgrade any or all nights to luxury lodges. Budget options are also available to reduce cost. All accommodation is hand-picked by Duncan based on quality, location and value.

What is the best time of year for this safari?

Uganda is a year-round destination. The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) offer easier trekking conditions and better game viewing. The wet seasons (March to May and October to November) bring lush scenery, fewer tourists and lower prices. We operate this tour year-round.

10 days / 9 nights

Best of Uganda — 10 Days

The complete Uganda experience. Every major national park, gorillas, chimps, rhinos, big game, boat cruises and community visits — all in one unforgettable trip.

Route

EntebbeZiwa Rhino SanctuaryMurchison FallsKibale ForestQueen ElizabethIshashaBwindi / BuhomaLake BunyonyiLake MburoEntebbe

Quick Facts

Duration

10 Days / 9 Nights

Gorilla Trekking

Included (permit $800 extra)

Chimpanzee Trekking

Included (permit $200 extra)

Rhino Tracking

Included (Ziwa Sanctuary)

Accommodation

Mid-Range (luxury upgrade available)

Start Location

Entebbe

End Location

Entebbe

Private Safari

Yes

Best For

Travelers who want the complete Uganda experience

National Parks

Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Mburo

Community Visit

HopeKitchen, Buhoma

Last updated: June 2025. Information reviewed every 90 days.Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, direct operator information.

About This Tour

This is the definitive Uganda safari. In ten days you will experience everything this extraordinary country has to offer — from tracking endangered rhinos at Ziwa to the thundering Murchison Falls, from chimpanzees swinging through Kibale Forest to tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, from an hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi to the tranquil beauty of Lake Bunyonyi.

The itinerary covers all of Uganda's major national parks in a logical route that minimizes backtracking. You will travel through tea plantations, cross the Equator, cruise the Nile and the Kazinga Channel, and end with a final game drive in Lake Mburo before returning to Entebbe.

Along the way you will visit HopeKitchen in Buhoma — a community project where local women cook together and children receive support. This is not a staged tourist attraction but a genuine connection with the people who live alongside the gorillas.

If you only visit Uganda once, this is the trip to take.

Included

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with experienced driver-guide for 10 days
9 nights mid-range accommodation
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout
Drinking water in vehicle
All park entry fees (Ziwa, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Mburo)
Murchison Falls boat cruise to the base of the falls
Nile delta boat safari
Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary
Chimpanzee trekking permit arrangement (permit fee extra)
Gorilla trekking permit arrangement (permit fee extra)
Porter hire for gorilla trek
Bigodi Wetland Walk
Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Ishasha sector game drive (tree-climbing lions)
HopeKitchen community visit in Buhoma
Canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Mburo walking safari or boat trip
Airport pick-up and drop-off

Not Included

Gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person, paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority)
Chimpanzee trekking permit ($200 per person)
International flights
Uganda visa ($50, arranged online before travel)
Travel insurance (required — must cover gorilla trekking)
Tips for guide, porters and lodge staff
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Optional activities not listed in itinerary

Meals served at lodges are included as specified. Meals, snacks and drinks purchased during road transfers or stopovers are not included unless specifically mentioned.

Browse lodges along this route on lodgesofuganda.com

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Pick-up from Entebbe airport. Drive north through Luwero Triangle to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos. Afternoon rhino tracking on foot with armed rangers — an exciting start to the trip. Overnight near Ziwa.

3–4 hoursLunch, Dinner

Day 2

Murchison Falls — Top of the Falls & Nile Boat Cruise

Morning drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest park. Cross the Nile by ferry and head to the top of the falls, where the entire Nile forces through a 7-meter gap. Afternoon boat cruise upstream to the base of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, elephants and birdlife along the way. Overnight in Murchison.

3–4 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Murchison Falls Game Drive & Transfer to Kibale

Early morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile. Look for lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalo and Uganda kob. After lunch, begin the scenic drive south through Hoima toward Kibale Forest. Overnight near Kibale.

5–6 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale & Bigodi Wetland Walk

Early morning chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, known as the primate capital of the world. Spend up to one hour with a habituated chimp community. Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk — a community-managed trail with excellent birdwatching and red colobus monkeys. Overnight near Kibale.

None — trekking dayBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Queen Elizabeth National Park — Game Drive & Kazinga Boat Cruise

Morning transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Afternoon game drive across the open savannah, looking for lions, elephants, buffalo and warthogs. Late afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel — one of the world's best boat safaris, with hippos, elephants and hundreds of bird species at close range. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth.

2–3 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Ishasha Sector — Tree-Climbing Lions

Morning drive south to the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions. Game drive through fig tree groves scanning for lions draped over branches. This is one of only two places in Africa where lions regularly climb trees. Continue south toward Bwindi. Overnight near Bwindi.

4–5 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & HopeKitchen Visit

The highlight of the trip. Early breakfast and walk to the UWA park headquarters for the ranger briefing. Set off into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with rangers and a porter. The trek takes 2–8 hours depending on the gorilla family's location. Spend one magical hour with the gorillas. Return to Buhoma for lunch. Afternoon visit to HopeKitchen — meet the women behind the project and see how tourism supports the community. Dinner at your lodge.

None — trekking dayBreakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Day 8

Lake Bunyonyi — Canoe & Island Visit

Relaxed morning after the gorilla trek. Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's most beautiful lakes. Afternoon canoe trip across the lake, visit one of the 29 islands, and take in the stunning terraced hillsides. Swimming, relaxation, and views. Overnight at the lake.

1.5–2 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Lake Mburo National Park — Walking Safari

Morning departure from Lake Bunyonyi. Drive east to Lake Mburo National Park, the closest major park to Entebbe and home to zebras, elands, impalas and hippos. Afternoon walking safari or boat trip on Lake Mburo. Overnight in or near Lake Mburo.

4–5 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10

Lake Mburo Game Drive & Return to Entebbe

Early morning game drive in Lake Mburo, the best time for spotting zebras and the elusive leopard. After lunch, drive back to Entebbe for your departure flight or hotel drop-off. A perfect end to the complete Uganda experience.

3–4 hoursBreakfast, Lunch

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

Guest Reviews

“We wanted to see everything Uganda has to offer and this trip delivered beyond expectations. The rhino tracking, the chimps, the tree-climbing lions, and then the gorillas — every day topped the last. Duncan's planning was flawless.”

James & Linda H.Australia

“Zehn Tage, die mein Leben verändert haben. Vom Nil bis zu den Gorillas — jeder Tag war ein Highlight. Die HopeKitchen-Besuche zeigen, dass Tourismus wirklich etwas bewirken kann. Absolute Empfehlung.”

Martin K.Germany