9 Days Gorilla, Nile Rafting and Wildlife Safari

Kick off your adventure with a scenic drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital in the east. Depending on your arrival time, explore the source of the Nile River, where the world’s longest river begins its 6,650 km journey. Optional activities include a boat trip to the Nile’s source ($30–$50) or preparing for the next day’s rafting adventure. Check into the cozy 2 Friends Hotel, a budget-friendly lodge with Nile views.

Rise early for an adrenaline-pumping day rafting 23 km of the Nile River’s grade 3–5 rapids, a 6–7-hour thrill guided by expert instructors. Navigate roaring waters, surrounded by lush greenery, and spot birds like African fish eagles. Return to 2 Friends Hotel for a relaxing evening, swapping stories of the day’s adventure.

After breakfast, embark on a 5–6-hour drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park at 3,840 km². Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for a 1–2-hour rhino tracking experience ($50/person). This sanctuary, established to restore Uganda’s extinct rhino population, offers close encounters with black and white rhinos. Cross the Nile by ferry to reach Fort Murchison Safari Lodge ($100–$200/night), where the river’s dramatic plunge through a 7-meter gap creates the iconic Murchison Falls. Enjoy an evening game drive to spot elephants, giraffes, and lions, followed by dinner under the stars.

Start with a morning game drive in Murchison Falls’ northern sector, tracking lions, leopards, buffalo, and over 460 bird species like the shoebill stork. In the afternoon, take a 3-hour boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile roars through a narrow gorge. Optionally hike to the top for panoramic views ($15/person). Sip sundowners on the boat as hippos and crocodiles emerge. Overnight at Fort Murchison Safari Lodge (meals included).

After breakfast, drive 6–7 hours with a picnic lunch to Kibale Forest National Park, a 795 km² primate paradise. Home to 13 primate species, including chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys, Kibale also hosts 70 mammals and 375 bird species. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary ($30/person), a community-run project rich in birds (e.g., great blue turaco) and monkeys. This supports local development, aligning with Oikos’ sustainable tourism ethos. Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Begin with a morning chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest, guided through lush trails to observe habituated chimps swinging and squabbling. The 2–4-hour trek is exhilarating, with chances to spot L’Hoest’s monkeys. After lunch, drive 2–3 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park (1,978 km²), passing volcanic crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains’ “Mountains of the Moon” on clear days. This biodiversity hotspot hosts 100 mammals and 606 bird species. Enjoy an evening game drive to spot elephants and lions, followed by a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, home to the world’s highest hippo concentration, crocodiles, and waterbirds. Overnight at Bush Lodge

Embark on a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth’s Kasenyi Plains, seeking lions, leopards, and hyenas against the Rwenzori Mountains’ backdrop. The park’s diverse ecosystems—savannahs, forests, and wetlands—teem with wildlife. After lunch at Bush Lodge, drive 5–6 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half the world’s 1,063 mountain gorillas. Overnight at Bush Lodge or a similar Bwindi lodge

After an early breakfast, report to Bwindi’s ranger station by 8:00 AM for a gorilla trekking briefing ($700/permit). Led by expert rangers, trek 0.5–7 hours through dense rainforest to find a gorilla family. Spending one hour with these gentle giants, just 650 left globally, is a profound experience.

A moderate fitness level and sturdy boots are essential. After lunch, drive 4–5 hours to Lake Mburo National Park, a 370 km² gem with zebras, impalas, and 350 bird species. Overnight at a lodge like Rwakobo Rock (full board).

Enjoy a morning game drive or walking safari in Lake Mburo, spotting zebras, elands, and hippos. This park’s compact size and lack of lions make it ideal for guided walks. After breakfast, drive 4–5 hours back to Entebbe, with an optional stop at the Equator for photos.