6-Day Uganda Chimpanzee & Big-5 safari

Detailed itinerary of the 6-Day Uganda Chimpanzee & Big-5 safari

Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

At 7:00 am depart for Murchison Falls National Park after a delicious breakfast at your place of residence in Kampala or Entebbe.

You will drive towards the North of Uganda and after about 3 hours of driving, you will be in Nakasongola district. Then, you will branch off to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a moment with Uganda’s only Rhino population in the wild.

You will arrive in the late afternoon after about 6-7 hours on the road. The driver will give you an informative insight into the en-route destinations.

Have a lunch stop at Masindi Town, and enter the Park through one of the entrance Gates. Continue driving through the Park while spotting the unique wild species.

Later head for a hike to the top of the falls. The hike rewards visitors with a backdrop of the magnificent Murchison Falls and the nearby Uhuru Falls.

Dinner and overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Parkside Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.

Travel time: 6-7 hours.

Day 2: Morning game drive and launch cruise

Have breakfast and head for a game drive. Expect Views of Cape buffaloes, Elephants, Uganda kobs, oribis, Topis, warthogs, giraffes, and bushbucks. Other animals you’ll see include hartebeests, common elands, and Defassa waterbucks.

If the game drive starts early, you are likely to encounter nocturnal species. These include lions, leopards, and hyenas still hunting or before returning to their hideouts. After 3-4 hours of driving through the Park, return to the Lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon undertake a launch cruise along the Victoria Nile to the bottom of the Murchison Falls. Expect to spot herds of elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, and other animals at the Banks. Meanwhile, you will encounter Nile crocodiles and Hippos relaxing in the shallow waters.

You’ll also bird species, especially pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, malachite kingfishers, and shoebills. Retire to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge/Pakuba Safari Lodge/Parkside Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Have breakfast and check out of the Lodge for a transfer to Kibale Forest National Park. You’ll drive through the jaw-dropping areas of the Albertine Rift Valley Escarpments and the countryside.

Have Lunch in Hoima Town and arrive at Kibale Forest National Park in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Chimpundu Lodge/Kibale Forest Lodge/Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early morning you will enjoy a delicious Continental breakfast. Then, you’ll proceed to the Park Headquarters for a briefing on the great apes-Chimpanzees and later enter the thick forest to search for them.

Tracking lasts between one and three hours. The trekking time depends on the movement of chimpanzees in search of food. Also, the trek offers the opportunity to encounter other primate species. These include the grey-crowned cranes, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and L’Hoests’ monkeys. You’ll also see red-tailed monkeys, several forest bird species, unique butterflies, reptiles, and Amphibian species.

The guide will signal their presence on hearing some of the chimpanzee calls and spend one hour with them. Return to the Lodge for Lunch and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Arrive in the evening after 3-4 hours driving through the quiet City of Fort Portal, and lush tea plantations. You’ll also have far views of the Rwenzori Mountains and arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Buffalo Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Game drive and Boat Cruise

Start day 5 of the 6-Day Uganda Chimpanzee & Big-5 safari with early breakfast. Continue it with a game drive from the Lodge to Kasenyi sector of the Park.

Look out for the small and large herds of elephants, warthogs, buffaloes prides of lions, spotted hyenas, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, and many others.

Drive through some of the Crater Lakes that are famous for sheltering migrant bird species, especially the flamingos.

Drive back to the lodge for a hot meal and in the afternoon, take on a boat trip along the magnificent Kazinga Channel. This allows you to view wildlife more clearly and up close. Wildlife here includes giant hippos huffing a few meters away from the boat and the Nile crocodiles.

The lush shores of the Kazinga Channel are also home to a range of birds. These include pink-backed pelicans, African fish eagles, Pied and Malachite kingfishers, and grey-crowned cranes. You also spot the saddle-billed stork and a lot more. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge/Buffalo Lodge/Engiri Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Full board.

Day 6: Return to Kampala

Have Morning breakfast and a drive to the Crater Lakes, before finally departing for Kampala. Have Lunch in Mbarara Town and have another stop at the Uganda Equator for photographic moments and proceed to Kampala.

End of the 6 Days Uganda Chimpanzee Tour and Wildlife Safari