13 Day Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Tree climbing lions

Gorillas are only the beginning. This 13-day Uganda safari links the country’s best-known wildlife areas in one long, rewarding circuit, from rhino tracking and Murchison Falls to chimpanzees, boat cruises, mountain gorillas, and tree-climbing lions. I especially like the mix of close wildlife encounters and slower moments, such as the Bigodi swamp walk and canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi.

I also like that the trip is private, with your own group and driver-guide rather than a large bus tour. The reported 4.9 rating from 12 reviews reflects strong praise for guides such as Amos, Ben, and Rita, as well as the safari vehicles, which may include air conditioning, roof hatches, charging ports, a fridge, Wi-Fi, and drinking water. The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the road. Several transfer days are long, and the gorilla trek can take two to seven hours over muddy, slippery ground.

Key things to know before booking

• Rhino tracking comes before the big parks: A stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary breaks up the drive to Murchison Falls and adds a valuable conservation experience.
• Kibale gives you two primate activities: You track chimpanzees in the morning, then look for monkeys and birds on the Bigodi swamp walk.
• Queen Elizabeth provides the safari core: You get game drives, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, lion tracking, and a chance to search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
• Gorilla trekking is the emotional high point: Expect a physically demanding forest walk followed by one quiet hour with a habituated gorilla family.
• Lake Bunyonyi offers a needed pause: Canoeing among its islands gives you time to slow down after the gorilla trek.
• The $5,500 price includes major permits: Gorilla and chimpanzee permits, park fees, meals, transport, and drinking water are included, which helps explain the high price.

What the $5,500 price really covers

At $5,500 per person, this is a major holiday purchase. The value depends on how much you want handled for you. The price includes non-resident park fees, gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits, all listed transportation, drinking water, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all 12 nights.

The gorilla permit alone is a major part of any Uganda itinerary, and chimpanzee tracking also requires a permit. Having these arranged within one private trip removes much of the planning work. You are also paying for a driver-guide, a 4-wheel-drive safari vehicle, accommodation, fuel, park access, and a route covering a large part of western Uganda.

The cost looks strongest if you want a single organized trip with several expensive wildlife activities included. It is less attractive if you prefer to arrange basic transport and lodging yourself, or if you want long stays in just one park. You should also budget separately for international flights, visas, insurance, souvenirs, extra accommodation before or after the trip, optional activities, and tips.

The suggested tipping guideline is $10 per person per day. Optional extras include a Kampala city visit, a hot-air balloon safari in Murchison Falls, chimpanzee habituation, and the Lake Katwe salt-mining experience.

Day 1: A gentle start in Entebbe

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where a Pamoja Tours and Travel driver-guide meets you and takes you to Via Via Guest House. The first night includes dinner, giving you a simple landing after your flight.

This is a sensible beginning. You do not need to rush straight into a national park, and the airport pickup is included. Kampala city sightseeing is available at an additional cost, but the schedule leaves little room for a full city program unless you arrive early.

Entebbe is the practical gateway for the trip, while Kampala is the stated tour location. Confirm your arrival time and hotel details before flying, especially if you plan to add the optional city visit.

Days 2 and 3: Rhinos, savannah, and Murchison Falls

Day 2 is a long transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, taking about seven hours. The useful stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can track rhinos before lunch and continue to Pakuba Safari Lodge.

This is more than a break for stretching your legs. Rhino tracking gives you a close look at one of Uganda’s conservation success stories and helps introduce you to the country’s wildlife before you reach the main park. The downside is clear: a seven-hour road day can feel tiring, particularly after an international arrival and an early start.

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park, and Day 3 brings the classic safari combination. An early morning game drive crosses rolling plains in search of lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, elephants, secretary birds, and black-chested snake eagles. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the range of possible sightings makes this a strong first full safari day.

After lunch, you take a boat cruise toward the base of Murchison Falls. Hippos, crocodiles, and water birds gather around the river, giving you a different angle than a vehicle-based game drive. You may also hike to the top of the falls. That walk can be strenuous, but the view of the roaring water and rapids is one of the trip’s signature moments.

The optional hot-air balloon safari costs extra. It may appeal to photographers and anyone wanting a quiet aerial view, but the included game drive and boat cruise already give you two distinct ways to experience the park.

Day 4: The long green road to Kibale

The transfer to Kibale National Park takes about four hours and is one of the more scenic road sections. You pass villages, cultivated countryside, hills, and tea plantations before checking into Isunga Lodge.

Kibale is known for its primates, so the change in setting matters. Murchison is about open plains and large mammals. Kibale is about forest, movement in the treetops, and the possibility of seeing several monkey species in a single outing.

The itinerary gives you time to settle in before chimpanzee tracking the next day. That is helpful because the following morning begins at Kanyachu park headquarters, where you receive a briefing before entering the forest.

Day 5: Chimpanzees and the Bigodi swamp walk

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most personal wildlife encounters on this route. Chimpanzees share about 98 percent of human DNA, and watching them feed, swing through the trees, or move through the forest can feel remarkably familiar.

The walk is not presented as a fixed-length activity, so you should be ready for uneven forest trails and changing conditions. After returning to Isunga Lodge for lunch, you spend the late afternoon on the Bigodi swamp walk.

Bigodi adds variety. You can look for birds, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, colobus monkeys, and other forest life without repeating the morning’s activity. It is a good example of why this safari works: you are not simply driving from one large mammal sighting to the next.

Chimpanzee habituation is offered at extra cost. It is aimed at people who want a longer, more specialized primate experience. For most people, the standard tracking and Bigodi walk already create a full day.

Days 6 to 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park from several angles

Day 6 transfers you to Queen Elizabeth National Park in about three hours. On a clear day, you may see the Rwenzori Mountains during the drive. After lunch, you can visit Lake Katwe or rest at the lodge.

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s most visited game reserve and one of its most varied. Savannah, bushland, wetlands, and forest lie below the Rwenzori range. The Kazinga Channel links Lake George and Lake Edward, drawing hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and many birds.

Day 7 begins with an early game drive. Breakfast is served before sunrise so you can reach the plains during the cooler hours, when wildlife is often more active. Elephants, buffalo, and antelope are regular possibilities, while lions and leopards require patience and luck.

The Kazinga Channel cruise is the day’s highlight for many people. You can expect close views of hippos in the water, crocodiles along the banks, and animals coming down to drink. The boat also gives you a break from the vehicle, which is welcome after several early starts.

Day 8 adds a more focused activity: the early morning lion tracking experience in the Kasenyi plains. The activity is limited to small groups to reduce stress on the lions and improve the quality of the encounter. You may also see other wildlife during the session.

This is a useful addition for anyone interested in animal behavior and conservation work, not just ticking off a lion sighting. After lunch, the Lake Katwe salt-mining visit is optional. The itinerary lists Bush Lodge for this night, so confirm the exact accommodation arrangement because earlier Queen Elizabeth nights may use different properties.

Day 9: Searching for Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions

The drive to the Ishasha sector takes about five hours and focuses on one of Uganda’s most unusual wildlife spectacles: lions resting in trees.

The stated chance of seeing them is about 70 percent, but that figure should not become a promise. Lions can be difficult to spot, and even a careful guide cannot make them appear on schedule. If you find one draped over a branch, though, the sight is memorable and very different from watching lions on open ground.

Ishasha also supports Uganda kob, Cape buffaloes, elephants, and warthogs. The game viewing is not only about the famous lions. You spend the night at Topi Lodge, giving you time to recover before the next major transfer.

Days 10 and 11: Bwindi and the gorilla trek

Day 10 takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in about four hours. The forest is home to mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, along with five other primate species, about 120 mammal species, more than 220 butterfly species, and around 360 bird species.

You stay at Gorilla Mist Camp and have the afternoon to rest. That pause matters. Gorilla trekking is physically demanding, and you will appreciate a calm evening before the early briefing and forest walk.

Day 11 is the trip’s centerpiece. Your ranger leads you through thick vegetation, bamboo, tangled vines, and often muddy, slippery slopes. Along the way, the ranger may point out nests, dung, and chewed bamboo shoots that reveal recent gorilla activity.

The walk can take anywhere from two to seven hours, depending on where the family has moved. Once you reach the gorillas, you have one hour to watch them quietly. That time passes quickly, so keep your attention on behavior rather than trying to photograph every second.

You should take this day seriously when judging your fitness. The itinerary says most people can participate, but the ground, weather, and distance can make the walk tough. Good walking shoes, rain protection, and a willingness to move slowly will matter more than athletic speed.

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi before Lake Mburo

The itinerary heading names Lake Mburo, but the activity begins at Lake Bunyonyi. After breakfast, you take a canoe ride among the lake’s islands, an easygoing change after the gorilla trek.

Lake Bunyonyi is often called the little Switzerland of Africa. You get time to look across the water, see the islands, and enjoy a quieter setting before continuing by road. An en-route lunch is included on the drive to Lake Mburo National Park, followed by check-in at Eagles Nest Camp.

This is one of the route’s best pacing decisions. The canoe ride gives your legs a break and adds a peaceful water experience that neither the Murchison boat cruise nor the Kazinga cruise can duplicate. Still, the day combines canoeing with another transfer, so it is not a full rest day.

Day 13: Walking Lake Mburo and returning to Entebbe

The final morning begins with a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park, accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. This is a different safari format. Instead of sitting in a vehicle, you walk through the park and may encounter zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, antelopes, and Cape buffaloes.

The trail climbs toward the hills, where you can look across Lake Mburo and see nine of the twelve lakes surrounding the park. That viewpoint gives the final morning a strong sense of place and offers a last chance to stretch your legs before the return drive.

After breakfast and checkout, you drive to Entebbe airport, stopping at the equator for lunch and souvenir shopping. The listed activity time is about two hours, but the full return journey is longer, so do not schedule a tight international flight without confirming the day’s transport plan.

Vehicles, guides, and daily comfort

The strongest practical advantage is the private format. Only your group participates, so the pace can be adjusted more easily than on a large shared departure. Pickup is offered, and transport is included throughout the main route.

The vehicles described by past customers include air conditioning, a pop-up roof for viewing, charging ports, a fridge, free Wi-Fi, 4-wheel drive, and bottled drinking water. These features matter on long road days and during hours spent waiting for wildlife.

Guides named in the feedback include Amos, Ben, and Rita. Amos receives especially strong praise for his skill, kindness, and handling of the safari vehicle. The comments also describe guides as professional and attentive, with several people praising the team’s organization and customer care.

I would still ask who your assigned guide will be and what vehicle is reserved before paying. Vehicle comfort can shape your experience as much as the parks do, especially on a route with several four to seven-hour drives.

Accommodation, meals, and what to pack

The named properties are Via Via Guest House, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Isunga Lodge, Bush Lodge, Topi Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, and Eagles Nest Camp. Accommodation is generally provided on a full-board basis after the first night, which includes dinner only.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for all 12 nights, along with drinking water on every day. This keeps daily spending simpler, though you should still carry money for tips, souvenirs, optional activities, and personal purchases.

Pack sturdy walking shoes for chimpanzee and gorilla tracking, light clothing for game drives, warmer layers for the highland areas, and rain protection. The forest walks can be wet and slippery, and the itinerary includes both strenuous hiking and long hours in a vehicle.

Who should book this Uganda safari?

I would recommend it to you if you want Uganda’s major wildlife experiences in one organized trip. It suits people who place a high value on gorilla and chimpanzee permits, prefer private transport, and are happy to trade a few slow days for broad coverage.

It is also a good fit for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. You get open-plain game drives, river cruises, primate walks, lion tracking, a nature walk, and a serious chance of seeing tree-climbing lions.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, muddy trails, early breakfasts, or changing lodges. The program is full, and several days combine a transfer with an activity. You should also be comfortable with the physical demands of gorilla trekking before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and the trip may be moved or refunded if its minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want a broad, carefully organized introduction to Uganda and do not mind a busy schedule. The included gorilla and chimpanzee permits give the $5,500 price real weight, while the private vehicle, guide support, meals, and park fees reduce the number of details you need to manage yourself.

Before booking, ask for the exact accommodation list, the assigned guide, the vehicle details, the gorilla trekking sector, and the flight timing on Day 13. If those points suit you, this route offers an unusually complete mix of Uganda’s forests, rivers, plains, primates, and big cats in 13 days.

FAQ

Is this a private Uganda safari?

Yes. This is a private tour, and only your group participates.

Where does the safari begin?

The tour begins with pickup at Entebbe International Airport. Kampala is listed as the tour location.

What is included in the $5,500 price?

The price includes non-resident park fees, gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits, transportation unless marked optional, drinking water, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 12 days.

Are international flights included?

No. International flights from and to your home are not included.

Is gorilla trekking included?

Yes. A gorilla tracking permit is included, along with transportation and accommodation connected with the Bwindi visit.

How long can the gorilla trek take?

The walk to find the gorilla family can take from two to seven hours. Once the family is located, you have one hour to observe them.

Is chimpanzee tracking included?

Yes. The chimpanzee tracking permit is included, and the activity takes place in Kibale National Park.

What other primate activity is included?

The itinerary includes a Bigodi swamp walk after chimpanzee tracking. You may see birds, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, colobus monkeys, and other wildlife.

Can I see tree-climbing lions?

The itinerary includes a game-viewing drive in Ishasha, known for resident tree-climbing lions. The stated chance of seeing them is about 70 percent, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the Lake Bunyonyi canoe ride included?

Yes. The canoe ride among Lake Bunyonyi’s islands is included before the transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.