9 Day Unforgettable Uganda Safari

Upon arriving at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from Oikos Safaris. From here, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital city. Relax and unwind as you prepare for the adventure ahead.

Travel time: 42 km, 45 mins.

Your safari continues as you depart for Kibale National Forest, a 795-square-kilometer rainforest located in Western Uganda. Over the next two nights, you’ll explore this lush forest, home to an extraordinary thirteen species of primates, including chimpanzees, red colobus, and L’Hoest monkeys. Kibale is also a bird lover’s paradise, with over 355 bird species recorded. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and enjoy the serene surroundings.

The next morning, embark on an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking adventure. Traverse the network of forest trails and observe habituated chimps squabbling and swinging from the trees. In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which boasts rich birdlife, diverse vegetation, and other wildlife. This visit also supports local tourism initiatives that benefit social and economic development in the area.

Travel time: 400 km, 5 hours.

Today you will depart Kibale for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second largest national park, covering 1,978 square kilometers. The park is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, featuring everything from open savannah to lush rainforest. With over 100 mammal species and 606 bird species, Queen Elizabeth is a premier safari destination. After arriving in the park in the afternoon, embark on a game drive to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.

The next morning, enjoy a game drive to the Kisenyi area to search for lion prides and other wildlife such as the Uganda kob. After breakfast, take a leisurely afternoon cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which boasts one of the largest concentrations of hippos, as well as herds of elephants, buffalo, and various bird species including the African eagle, open-billed stork, and pied kingfishers.

Travel time: 160 km, 2.5 hours.

Continue your safari adventure by proceeding to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. These lions are best seen in the early morning hours. Enjoy a game drive before lunch, and then embark on another game drive in the afternoon to increase your chances of spotting these majestic creatures.

Travel time: 120 km, 2 hours.

Today, journey to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through Ishasha to search for the elusive tree-climbing lions once more. Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, making it one of the most significant conservation areas in Africa. The ancient rainforest spans 321 square kilometers and is home to 90 mammal species, including various primates and 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species. Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the following day’s gorilla tracking adventure.

Travel time: approximately 3 hours.

Meal plan: full board.

Set off early in the morning for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. Hiking through the dense, verdant rainforest to find the gorillas in their natural habitat is an awe-inspiring and humbling experience. Actual trek times can vary, as these are wild animals in their natural environment. If time permits, you can participate in other unique activities in Bwindi in the afternoon. Meal plan: full board.

After breakfast, depart Bwindi for Kampala, with a stop at the Equator where you can stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres simultaneously. Continue to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. Travel time: 550 km, 9-10 hours.

Note: This safari can start and end in Kigali, Rwanda.