8 Days Best of Uganda Safari
from $2850 per person
This safari is ideal for travelers who want maximum wildlife diversity in a single itinerary without rushing the experience. It combines Uganda’s strongest highlights: the Big Five ecosystems, chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, boat safaris, and scenic countryside travel. Each destination offers a different landscape and wildlife encounter, making the journey feel constantly fresh and immersive.
Safari Details: 8 Days Best of Uganda Safari
Overview
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Destination: Uganda (Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
Safari Type: Primate & Wildlife Safari Expedition
Start Point: Entebbe International Airport or Kampala
End Point: Entebbe International Airport or Kampala
Main Activities: Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, boat cruise, rhino tracking (optional), cultural visits, photography
Accommodation: Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget Safari Lodges
Best Time to Visit: June to September & December to February
The 8 Days Best of Uganda Safari is a complete wildlife and primate circuit that brings together Uganda’s most iconic safari experiences in one powerful journey. It combines the roaring power of Murchison Falls National Park, the primate-rich rainforests of Kibale Forest, the diverse savannah ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This safari is designed for travelers who want a full immersion into Uganda’s natural beauty, wildlife diversity, and unforgettable primate encounters. From chimpanzees swinging through tropical forests to lions hunting across savannah plains and mountain gorillas living deep in ancient rainforests, this itinerary captures the full essence of Uganda in one continuous expedition.
Detailed Itinerary: 8 Days Best of Uganda Safari
Day 1: Entebbe or Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and begin the journey to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most powerful wildlife reserve.
The drive passes through rural landscapes, roadside markets, and savannah countryside. An optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary allows you to track rhinos on foot, adding a rare Big Five completion experience in Uganda.
Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, arriving in the evening. Depending on time, you may enjoy a short game drive or proceed directly to the lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in the northern section of the park.
This area is rich in wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, antelopes, and numerous bird species. The open savannah provides excellent visibility for photography and wildlife observation.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile River toward the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, expect to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a wide variety of birdlife.
The highlight is the dramatic view of the Nile forcing itself through a narrow gorge before exploding into powerful waterfalls.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Murchison Falls – Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls and travel toward Kibale Forest National Park.
The journey passes through Fort Portal, crater lakes, tea plantations, and scenic highland landscapes. This is one of the most beautiful road journeys in Uganda.
Arrive in Kibale in the afternoon and check into your forest lodge surrounded by tropical rainforest.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland
After an early breakfast, transfer to Kibale Forest headquarters for chimpanzee tracking briefing.
Enter the rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee families. The experience is dynamic and exciting, with loud calls echoing through the forest as guides locate the groups.
You may also encounter colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and other primates.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a biodiversity hotspot rich in birds, butterflies, and swamp wildlife.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart Kibale and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The route offers scenic views of crater lakes and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive across the savannah plains in search of elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, Uganda kobs, and other wildlife species.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Begin the day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Uganda.
After lunch, proceed for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.
This area hosts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa, along with crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and abundant birdlife along the shoreline.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, travel toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions.
Continue through the Kigezi Highlands, characterized by terraced hills, misty valleys, and rural communities.
Arrive in Bwindi in the afternoon and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking – Return to Entebbe or Kampala
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking briefing.
Enter the dense rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat.
After the trek, begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe with a stopover for lunch and photography along the way.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Trip Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
- Chimpanzee tracking permit (Kibale Forest National Park)
- Rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (if included in routing)
- All park entrance fees across Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi
- Accommodation throughout the safari as per itinerary
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
- Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat cruise on the Nile (Murchison Falls) and Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth)
- Bigodi Wetland guided nature walk experience
- Bottled drinking water during safari travel days
- Airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe or Kampala)
- Government taxes and conservation fees
- Driver allowances and fuel costs for all transfers and activities
- Assistance with all park check-ins and trekking briefings
Trip Excludes
- Visa’s at boarder points
- Charter flights
- Travel insurance
- Air transportation
- Drinks, Laundry
- Telephone calls
- Tips and any other personals extras that are not included in the itinerary.
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What our travelers say
Robert KVerified
Bucket list seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Just an awesome trip . Everything went smoothly from booking to the end . All was as promised never missed anything , always on time , friendly etc. resort that was recommended was perfect , great food , comfortable . Saw the gorillas easily all was perfect . Jonathan the owner even took me in Kampala to buy the right clothes , took me him self . Noel and driver were excellent , never an issue they really cared. I trust this company , will use them again and highly recommend .
Maltes TravellerHighly recommended We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan. He welcomed us at the airport and took great care of us from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. The selection of hotels was impeccable, and the route he designed was perfectly planned. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and went the extra mile to make sure we saw lions and all of the Big Five during our visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. He was always attentive, patient, and eager to make our experience unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!
bharti nExceptional experience, enriching and truly unforgettable. From the moment we landed we received a warm welcome. Jonathan was friendly and readily available to answer any queries throughout our trip. He was incredibly accommodating with our requests to visit schools, residences ensuring that we achieved everything we wanted from the trip. We had a great time with Jonathan and driver Isaac. Jonathan was very funny and very knowledgeable he became part of the family and the time just flew whilst we were there, we felt safe at all times. The food at each venue catered for all our needs. Definitely leant a lot on this trip. Just need to be aware that food ordered in restaurants do take a long time as they make it from scratch so if pushed for time might be advisable to pre order. We had unforgettable holiday and this company went above and beyond to make every moment special. I would recommend them to anyone.
vjparGreat service from this local company We done a road trip across East Africa from Uganda to Tanzania. Jonathan and his team facilitated our trip across Uganda and Kenya which proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Guided knowledge provided by Jonathan was excellent as was his humor and wit. We always felt safe and informed, he managed the journey very well indeed. We would definitely use Jonathan's services again.
Adam John SmithMagical Uganda Safari Journey – February 2025! I had an unforgettable experience with Ababa Uganda Safaris! From the moment I arrived, everything was well-organized, and the team was incredibly friendly and professional. The tour guides were knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the wildlife and culture. Seeing gorillas up close in Bwindi and exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfortable, and every detail was taken care of. I truly felt immersed in Uganda’s beauty without any stress. If you're planning a trip to Uganda, I highly recommend Ababa Uganda Safaris for a seamless and memorable adventure!
MadhviVerified
.gorilla trek Our KQ flight was horribly delayed. From 2.30 pm to arriving @ almost 3 am the following day. Jonathan kindly arranged for airport pick at this early hour of day and even rescheduled our departure for bwindi so we could get some rest. That was very accommodating.the drive to bwindi was a long drive -11 hrs- n he informed hotel of our late arrival. The lodge he chose for us was good and comfortable. However the vehicle for transporti g us could be better as it was quite hot without air conditioning. Gorilla trek was good but tough. Overall Ababa safaris were very accommodating. I wouldrecommend them. The hotel in Kampala- Speke hotel leaves a lot to be desired
mo-marvinSuch a wonderful experience!! My family and I contacted Jonathan to help us plan our first Murchison Falls safari. Jonathan arranged our transport from Kampala, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and guided game drives through Murchison falls. Ronnie, our professional driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and paid close attention to details to make us comfortable. He met with us a day before takeoff to answer any outstanding questions and recommended a time for us to set off to avoid any traffic. His experience made our trip even more enjoyable because we knew what to expect for entry fees into the park, where to stop to use clean washrooms, eat good food, and also what side of the boat cruise to sit on for the best views! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, job, rhinos, buffaloes and many other animals. We would definitely go with them for our next safari in Uganda! They had great communication, value for money, professionalism, knowledge of the industry and were very reliable.
Katelyn OA must-hire company! Punctual, professional, great communication. We used Ababa Safaris for a trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. I would HIGHLY recommend! Our driver picked us up in a large safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The driver was very punctual and had excellent communication while preparing for the trip and during the trip. Ronnie took us to a nice restaurant for a rest stop that had clean bathrooms and good food. He was friendly with many people we met along the way at the Rhino Sanctuary, on the safari trails, and at our chosen lodging. It felt as though he had good connections with people, which we took as a good sign. Ronnie was very knowledgeable about the best places to see the animals and gave us a great safari experience. As the person in the family who does much of the planning, it was a very enjoyable experience to hand all of that over to Ababa and really get to enjoy myself.
HoehlenhonkAnimals and beautiful nature in Uganda and Rwanda From being picked-up from Entebbe airport in the middle of the night until the drop-off eleven days later in Kigali it was a perfect tour. Jonathan, our guide, and the driver Moses was a perfect team - very friendly, knowledgable and always in time. We visited Entebbe for a tour through the botanical gardens and the zoo, did safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP and did trekkings to the chimpazees in Kibale and to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The primates are a must visit when you travel to this region. It's expensive but worth every dollar. The safari parks are of course not as rich in animals as for example the Masai Mara. But they are much cheaper, there are much lesser tourists and nevertheless it doesn't become boring regarding animal sightings. We saw a lot of different antelopes, beautiful giraffes, lions, many elephants, buffalos, a lot of hippos and crocodiles and much more. The choice of hotels was very good, simple and cheap where there was only a short overnight stay and a bit more expensive where it was worth to spend the money for staying close to the places of interest, e.g. close to the starting point for primate trekkings or in the middle of QENP and Murchison NP for not loosing game-drive-time.
Dilip PUGANDA SAFARI WITH ABABA We had a nice holiday with ABABA SAFARI in Uganda it was a nice experience in Uganda and the travel agent as well especially Jonathan was our tour guide very nice person he was always very helpful and kind. we traveled about 1200km but had no problem I am a vegetarian and wherever we go he always arranges something for me i recommend them at and competitive price I give them a 5-star