Arrival at Entebbe Airport and Check-In at the Hotel

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be warmly received by a Renai Venture Safaris representative who will escort you to your selected hotel in Entebbe or Kampala for check-in and relaxation. After a long international flight, this first day is dedicated to rest and mental preparation for the adventures ahead.

Depending on your time of arrival, optional short city tours can be arranged to visit Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, or nearby craft markets for a quick introduction to Ugandan culture. The evening offers a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel, where our 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari guide will brief you about the 10-day safari itinerary. This briefing session is crucial for setting expectations and clarifying logistical questions.

Accommodation options range from luxury lodges to mid-range boutique hotels, all carefully selected for comfort, hygiene, and proximity to the airport. You’ll enjoy a peaceful night, surrounded by tropical tranquility, in readiness for your early departure the following morning.

• Meals: Dinner (Depending on arrival time)
• Accommodation: Hotel in Entebbe or Kampala (Luxury/Mid-range depending on your package)

Road Transfer to Murchison Falls via Rhino Tracking at Ziwa & Top of the Falls Hike

Today begins with an early breakfast followed by a scenic drive through central Uganda towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most spectacular game park. En route, you’ll make a special stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking—a rare opportunity to walk alongside southern white rhinos in their natural savannah habitat. This sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen in the wild, making this stop both exciting and conservation-oriented.

After rhino tracking, enjoy lunch at the sanctuary’s restaurant before continuing your journey north. Upon entering Murchison Falls National Park, brace yourself for an exhilarating hike to the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River plunges 45 meters through a narrow gorge, creating the most powerful waterfall in the world. The thunderous roar and dramatic mist-filled views make this a memorable highlight.

You’ll then proceed to your lodge nestled within the park where you’ll check in, unwind, and enjoy dinner as the sun sets over the savannah. The sounds of nocturnal wildlife serenade your first night in the Ugandan wilderness.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park (Luxury/Mid-range)

Game Drives & Nile River Boat Cruise

Your third day in Uganda begins with an early breakfast at the lodge before embarking on an exciting morning game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park. This section of the park, characterized by wide open grasslands and scattered acacia trees, offers excellent opportunities to spot Uganda’s famed wildlife. Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, buffaloes, and a wide variety of antelope species including Uganda kobs, oribis, and Jackson’s hartebeest. The game drive is conducted in a customized 4×4 safari vehicle, guided by an experienced wildlife tracker who will share insights into animal behavior and ecological conservation.

Following the game drive, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, the 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari continues with a scenic boat cruise on the Nile River—one of Murchison’s most popular highlights. This two to three-hour boat trip sails upstream to the base of Murchison Falls, offering spectacular views of the riverine ecosystem and its inhabitants. Hippos wallow in the shallows, crocodiles bask along the banks, and bird species such as African fish eagles, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and shoebill storks can often be seen. Occasionally, elephants and other mammals come to drink from the river, making this a fantastic wildlife viewing opportunity.

You’ll dock at the base of the falls, where the thunderous cascade can be felt and heard—a perfect finale to your adventure-filled day. Afterward, return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation as you prepare to travel to the primate capital the next day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park

Morning Road Transfer to Kibale Forest & Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk

After breakfast, bid farewell to Murchison Falls as you embark on a scenic road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa. This park is home to over 13 species of primates, including the chimpanzees, which are the main attraction here. The 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari journey takes you through traditional Ugandan villages, lush farmlands, and rolling countryside, with several en-route stopovers for photography, local snacks, and cultural insights.

Upon arrival in Kibale, check in at your forest lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch amidst the calls of tropical birds and monkeys chattering in the treetops. In the afternoon, set out for a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed eco-tourism site rich in biodiversity. This walk is not only a great introduction to the ecology of Kibale Forest but also a responsible tourism initiative that directly benefits local communities.

The Bigodi Swamp Walk is a haven for bird lovers, with sightings of rare species like the Great Blue Turaco, papyrus gonolek, and white-winged warbler. You might also spot red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and even otters. The local guide will enrich your walk with stories about indigenous medicinal plants, community projects, and conservation efforts.

After the walk, return to the lodge for a hearty dinner and enjoy the serenity of the forest night, knowing tomorrow offers an incredible primate experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge in Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale

Day 5 begins before sunrise as you head deep into Kibale Forest National Park for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience—a rare and immersive activity that allows you to spend extended time with chimpanzees in the wild. Unlike regular tracking, this full-day excursion starts early, joining researchers and habituation experts as they follow chimpanzees from their nests, observe their behaviors, and help acclimate them to human presence. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn the social structures, feeding habits, vocalizations, and grooming behaviors of our closest relatives.

You’ll spend up to four hours with the chimpanzees, capturing incredible photos and forging unforgettable memories. The experience is both educational and emotional, especially as you witness chimp families navigating the forest canopy or foraging on the ground. 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari Guides also interpret forest ecology, pointing out other primates, birdlife, butterflies, and towering tropical trees that make Kibale a biodiversity hotspot.

After this exhilarating encounter, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest before setting off for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse protected area. The drive southward takes you through the lush tea estates of Fort Portal, the Rwenzori Mountains foothills, and scattered crater lakes. You’ll arrive in Queen Elizabeth in the late afternoon or early evening, with chances of spotting elephants or buffalo along the park road as you enter.

Check into your lodge, unwind, and enjoy dinner under the African sky as you look forward to tomorrow’s game drive and boat safari along the Kazinga Channel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game Drives & Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

After a restful night, rise early for a sunrise game drive in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most iconic wildlife destinations. These sprawling savannahs are teeming with game and are particularly rich in predator-prey encounters. With luck, you may witness a lion stalking antelope in the golden light of morning or spot a leopard lounging in a fig tree. Other wildlife commonly seen on this drive includes African elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hyenas, and a variety of antelope species, including Uganda kobs and waterbucks. Bird lovers will appreciate the sightings of colorful species like the crested francolin, lilac-breasted roller, and grey crowned crane.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before heading out in the afternoon for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This channel is renowned for having the highest concentration of hippos in Africa and offers incredible close-up views of wildlife along the banks. Crocodiles bask lazily, elephants wade into the water to cool off, and buffaloes rest in herds along the muddy shores. The birdlife is simply phenomenal, with regular sightings of African fish eagles, saddle-billed storks, great cormorants, and kingfishers.

This tranquil yet thrilling boat experience gives you a different perspective of the park’s ecosystem and is ideal for photography. Afterward, return to the lodge for dinner, storytelling, and perhaps a chance to stargaze under the vast African night sky.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Climbing Lions in Ishasha & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Rushaga Sector)

Today’s journey begins with a game drive through the remote Ishasha Sector, in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is globally celebrated for its tree-climbing lions. These elusive big cats are often seen lounging in the branches of ancient fig trees, particularly during the hotter hours of the day. This unique behavior, still not fully understood, is believed to offer relief from insects and heat, and is seen in only two places in the world—Ishasha in Uganda and Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Spotting a lion draped over tree limbs is a surreal experience and a photographer’s dream.

The game drive also offers opportunities to see topis, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards, along with rich birdlife. After exploring Ishasha, enjoy a scenic drive through winding mountain roads, terraced hillsides, and rural villages en route to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The journey is beautiful and varied, taking you from savannah lowlands into the cooler highlands of southwestern Uganda.

Upon arrival in Rushaga Sector, check in at your eco-lodge nestled at the edge of the forest. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and acclimate to the higher altitude. Enjoy views of mist-covered mountains, forested slopes, and the haunting calls of distant primates. A hearty dinner awaits you, as you prepare for the most anticipated experience of the trip—the Mountain Gorilla Habituation the next morning.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi (Rushaga Sector)

 Mountain Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Forest & Afternoon Relaxation at the Lodge

This is the pinnacle of your 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari —a full day dedicated to the Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa. Unlike the standard one-hour gorilla trek, the habituation experience allows you to spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family, offering a much deeper understanding of their complex social structures and behaviors.

Your day begins with a briefing at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters, followed by a guided trek into the dense, mist-covered jungle. Accompanied by researchers, trackers, and rangers, you’ll follow clues like broken branches, dung piles, and vocalizations to locate the gorilla family. Once found, you’ll observe their activities—feeding, grooming, chest beating, playing, and more. The rangers will also share fascinating insights about the habituation process, which can take several years and involves careful, daily interaction.

Spending extended time in close proximity to mountain gorillas—who share about 98% of their DNA with humans—is deeply emotional and unforgettable. The experience also supports conservation by funding ranger patrols and community engagement.

After returning from the forest in the early afternoon, the rest of the day is yours to relax at the lodge. Enjoy a hot meal, a refreshing shower, and perhaps a massage. Take in the views, listen to the forest, and reflect on this life-changing encounter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi (Rushaga Sector)

Morning Rushaga to Buhoma Forest Walk Trail & Batwa Cultural Experience

Start your day with an invigorating guided forest walk from Rushaga to Buhoma, traversing the thick jungle trails of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This trail, which usually takes 4 to 5 hours, offers a completely different view of the forest and its smaller wonders. As you hike through tangled vines, towering trees, and mossy undergrowth, your guide will introduce you to medicinal plants, butterflies, unique bird species, and signs of other wildlife like duikers and monkeys. The walk also allows you to connect remote gorilla trekking sectors, making it ideal for travelers who want a more immersive jungle experience.

Upon arriving in Buhoma, you’ll enjoy lunch and take a short break before heading into the surrounding community for a Batwa cultural encounter. The Batwa pygmies are the original inhabitants of Bwindi Forest and once lived as forest hunter-gatherers. During this intimate cultural visit, you’ll hear firsthand stories of how their lives changed when the forest was designated a protected area. The community guides will demonstrate traditional hunting tools, fire-making techniques, and medicinal plant use. There will also be cultural songs, dances, and storytelling sessions that offer powerful insights into their connection with the forest.

This cultural exchange promotes sustainable tourism and directly supports Batwa families, helping preserve their heritage. Return to the lodge in the evening, feeling enriched both ecologically and culturally.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge in Buhoma Sector

Morning Road Drive to Entebbe Airport with Equator Stopover in Kayabwe

Your 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari journey through Uganda comes to a close with a road transfer back to Entebbe International Airport, but not before one final highlight—a stop at the Uganda Equator Crossing in Kayabwe. After breakfast and checking out from your lodge, you’ll drive through the beautiful Kigezi highlands and Ankole plains, passing banana plantations, small towns, and scenic landscapes.

At the Equator Monument, you’ll have time to take photos at the northern and southern hemispheres, watch fascinating water-flow experiments that demonstrate the Coriolis effect, and shop for souvenirs like handmade crafts, local paintings, and Ugandan coffee. It’s a great spot to relax, stretch your legs, and reflect on the many unforgettable experiences of your safari.

You’ll continue toward Entebbe with an optional stop for lunch along the way, depending on your flight schedule. Arrive at Entebbe International Airport in the late afternoon or evening for your outbound flight. Depart with cherished memories of gorilla habituation, chimpanzee tracking, game drives, river cruises, cultural immersion, and Uganda’s unmatched biodiversity.

Thank you for exploring the Pearl of Africa with Renai Venture Safaris—we hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (En route)

End of 10-Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Safari