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

The great hook here is the range: in 13 days, you move from Murchison Falls and its roaring rapids to chimpanzee forest, hippo-filled waterways, tree-climbing lions, and a close encounter with mountain gorillas. Few Uganda trips pack this many distinct habitats into one private circuit.

I especially like the mix of major wildlife days and quieter stops. The Kazinga Channel cruise gives you a break from the vehicle, while Lake Bunyonyi adds time for a canoe ride and rest. I also like that rhino tracking at Ziwa and lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth add purpose to the usual game drives.

The tradeoff is the amount of time on the road. Some transfers take four to seven hours, and the gorilla walk can last from two to seven hours over muddy, steep ground. At $5,500 per person, this is a serious investment, but the price includes major gorilla and chimpanzee permits, park fees, transport, meals, and private guiding.

Key details before you book

• Two flagship primate encounters: Your chimpanzee permit in Kibale and gorilla permit in Bwindi are included.
• Tree-climbing lions: The Ishasha sector offers about a 70 percent chance of seeing its famous lions in the branches, though wildlife never follows a schedule.
• A full Murchison Falls day: Expect a morning game drive, a boat ride to the base of the falls, and an optional hike to the top.
• Private 4×4 travel: Your group travels together, with reported vehicle features including air-conditioning, a pop-up roof, charging ports, a fridge, Wi-Fi, and drinking water.
• Mostly full-board touring: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinking water are included throughout the 13 days.
• A demanding but rewarding route: This suits you if you want Uganda’s headline sights and can handle long drives, early starts, and forest trekking.

Why this Uganda route works so well

This itinerary traces a broad arc across Uganda rather than staying in one region. You begin near Entebbe, head north to Murchison Falls, turn west for Kibale and Queen Elizabeth, continue south to Bwindi, then return through Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo.

That route gives you more than a checklist of animals. You see how Uganda changes from open savannah to thick rainforest, volcanic highlands, lakes, wetlands, and tea country. I like that contrast. The trip keeps moving, but each stop has a different reason to be there.

It is also a private activity, so only your own group takes part. That matters on a long safari. You can ask questions, spend longer with an animal sighting, and discuss changes to the pace with your guide instead of adapting to a large bus.

Pamoja Tours and Travel has guides named Amos, Ben, and Rita associated with its safari service. Amos is specifically requested in the supplied booking information, so if you hope to travel with a particular guide, ask about availability before paying.

Days 1 and 2: Entebbe, rhinos, and the road to Murchison Falls

Your first day is deliberately light. After arriving at Entebbe International Airport, a Pamoja driver and guide meet you and take you to Via Via Guest House for dinner and the night. A Kampala city visit is available at extra cost, but keeping this evening free may be wiser after an international flight.

Day two begins the long northern drive. The trip to Murchison Falls takes about seven hours, but Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary breaks up the journey with rhino tracking and lunch. This is a smart addition. It gives you a focused wildlife activity before reaching the national park and adds rhinos to your Big Five possibilities.

You then continue to Pakuba Safari Lodge for dinner and a full night’s rest. A hot-air balloon safari is offered at extra cost. Since the next morning starts with an early game drive, check the timing carefully before adding another early activity.

The road time is real, so prepare for it. The reward is reaching Uganda’s largest national park, where wide plains and open country make animal spotting easier than in the forest sections later in the trip.

Day 3: Murchison Falls by game drive and boat

Day three is one of the strongest wildlife days. An early game drive crosses the park’s rolling plains, where you may see lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Birdlife adds another layer, with secretary birds and black-chested snake eagles among the species noted for the area.

The morning timing is important. Wildlife is often easier to find before the day becomes hot, and the low light is kinder for photography. Keep your camera ready, but do not treat the drive as a race to collect sightings. Your guide’s ability to read tracks and animal behavior can matter more than the number of miles covered.

After lunch, a boat cruise travels toward the base of Murchison Falls. From the water, you can expect hippos, crocodiles, and water birds, with animals often gathered near the river. This is a different experience from a vehicle safari because the boat gives you a broad view of the banks and a lower angle on the wildlife.

You can also hike to the top of the falls. The walk may be strenuous, but the view of the water forcing through the narrow gorge is a fitting finish to the day. If you have knee, balance, or heat concerns, ask your guide about the conditions before setting out.

Days 4 and 5: Kibale’s chimpanzee forest and Bigodi Swamp

Day four is mostly a transfer to Kibale National Park, taking about four hours. The scenery changes along the way, with villages, green farmland, hills, and tea plantations. You stay at Isunga Lodge on a full-board plan.

Kibale is the primate center of this journey. In addition to chimpanzees, you might find black-and-white colobus monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys, and red-tailed monkeys in the forest. The trip’s chimpanzee tracking takes place from Kanyachu park headquarters after a briefing.

The walk can be unpredictable. Chimpanzees move through the trees, so you may spend time looking upward, listening, and following signs before getting a clear view. That uncertainty is part of the value. This is not a staged animal presentation, and the forest itself becomes part of the experience.

After lunch on day five, the Bigodi Swamp walk offers a gentler afternoon. It is a good counterpoint to chimpanzee tracking, with bird species and monkeys seen along the route. You can also pay extra for chimpanzee habituation, a longer and more specialized option. Confirm exactly how that changes the schedule and cost before choosing it.

Days 6 to 8: Queen Elizabeth, Kazinga Channel, and lion tracking

The drive from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about three hours. You may get a clear view of the Rwenzori Mountains along the way, depending on weather. After lunch, you can relax or choose a Lake Katwe visit, where salt mining offers a look at local industry beyond wildlife.

Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s most visited game reserve and covers savannah, bush, wetlands, and forest at the foot of the Rwenzori range. Its centerpiece is the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel supports large numbers of hippos, Nile crocodiles, birds, elephants, and buffalo.

Day seven starts with an early game drive. Elephants, buffalo, and antelope are regular possibilities, while lions and leopards are less certain. The morning light and cooler conditions make this one of the best times to search.

Later, the Kazinga boat cruise brings you close to the waterline. You may see hippos packed along the banks, crocodiles resting near the shore, and elephants or buffalo coming to drink. The boat is not merely a scenic extra. It lets you observe animals from a fresh angle and reduces the need to spend the whole day bouncing along in the vehicle.

Day eight offers early morning lion tracking in the Kasenyi plains. Groups are limited to reduce stress on the lions and improve the quality of the encounter. This is more focused than a standard game drive because the activity centers on gathering information about the lions while still allowing you to see other wildlife.

There is another optional Lake Katwe salt-mining visit later in the day. You will want to balance ambition with rest. Three consecutive early starts can catch up with you, especially before the Ishasha and Bwindi sections.

Day 9: Ishasha and the search for tree-climbing lions

Ishasha is the special stop for many people on this route. The area is known for resident lions that rest in fig or acacia trees. The stated chance of seeing them is about 70 percent, which is encouraging but not a promise.

The search can take patience. A lion high in a tree may blend into branches and shade, and even a careful guide cannot make wildlife appear. If you do find one, the sight is unusual: a powerful cat lounging above the ground with Uganda’s savannah spread below.

Ishasha also supports Uganda kob, Cape buffalo, elephants, and warthogs. You spend the night at Topi Lodge on a full-board plan, giving you time to recover before the next major transfer.

Days 10 and 11: Bwindi and the mountain gorilla trek

Day ten takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a drive of about four hours. Gorilla Mist Camp provides the overnight base before your trek. The forest is known for its dense plant life, mountain gorillas, several other primate species, mammals, butterflies, and hundreds of bird species.

Gorilla tracking is the trip’s most demanding and most carefully regulated activity. You may walk for two to seven hours over steep, slippery, muddy slopes, through tangled vegetation and bamboo. Previous nests, dung, and chewed bamboo can signal that a family is nearby.

Once you find the gorillas, your viewing time is limited to one hour. That short window makes preparation worthwhile. Wear suitable walking clothes, bring water, and protect your camera from rain and mud. The supplied tour information does not specify equipment rental or porter arrangements, so ask Pamoja what is available before the trek.

The experience is valuable because it is both close and controlled. You are not simply watching an animal from a vehicle. You are entering its forest home under ranger supervision, with rules designed to limit disturbance. The effort of reaching the gorillas is part of what makes the hour feel earned.

Day 12: Lake Bunyonyi and the long return north

After breakfast, you take a canoe ride around Lake Bunyonyi, often called the Little Switzerland of Africa. The lake’s islands give this stop a slower rhythm after the physical effort of Bwindi.

The itinerary then continues toward Lake Mburo National Park with lunch along the way. The listed driving time is only six minutes for the activity entry, but the actual transfer from the Bunyonyi area to Lake Mburo is clearly a substantial road journey. Confirm the day’s expected departure and arrival times with the operator.

You spend the night at Eagles Nest Camp on a full-board plan. This is one of the route’s useful breathing spaces, though it would be better to know how much free time remains after the transfer.

Day 13: Lake Mburo on foot and the equator stop

The final wildlife activity is a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park with an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. On foot, you may encounter zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, antelopes, and Cape buffalo.

A trail leads to the tops of the hills, where you can look across Lake Mburo and see nine of the twelve lakes surrounding the park. This gives the safari a different ending from the usual final vehicle drive. You are moving at walking speed and paying attention to tracks, sounds, and nearby animals.

After breakfast, checkout, and the drive to Entebbe, the route stops at the equator for lunch and optional souvenir shopping before the airport drop-off. Since the tour ends at Entebbe, schedule your departing flight with enough room for the road transfer and possible delays.

What the $5,500 price really covers

At $5,500 per person, this is not a budget Uganda safari. The value comes from the permits and the private structure. Park fees for non-residents, gorilla tracking, and chimpanzee tracking permits are included, along with transportation, drinking water, and 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners.

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits can make a major difference to the total cost of a Uganda trip, so compare packages by what they include rather than by headline price alone. Here, you are also paying for 13 days of guiding, fuel, park access, lodge stays, and a route covering several distant regions.

International flights, extra nights before or after the safari, visa fees, insurance, souvenirs, and tips are not included. The stated tipping guideline is $10 per person per day. Optional extras, including the hot-air balloon safari, chimpanzee habituation, Kampala, and Lake Katwe activities, require additional payment.

Comfort, timing, and practical limits

The tour uses private transportation, and the supplied vehicle details include air-conditioning, four-wheel drive, a pop-up roof, charging ports, a fridge, Wi-Fi, and drinking water. These features matter on long drives and during hot game-drive hours, though you should confirm the exact vehicle assigned to your group.

Most people can take part, but this is not a soft-paced holiday. You have early game drives, several long transfers, uneven forest trails, and a potentially strenuous gorilla trek. Build in patience for roads and weather, and do not plan demanding activities immediately after a long flight unless you know you recover quickly.

The full-board setup simplifies daily logistics. You do not need to find restaurants at every stop, but meals are set around the safari schedule. Tell the operator about dietary needs before departure.

The cancellation terms are simple: you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made later are not accepted, and the minimum group requirement can affect whether a departure runs.

Should you book this safari?

Book it if you want Uganda’s major wildlife and primate experiences in one private trip, and you are comfortable paying for permits and covering long distances. The strongest reasons are the gorilla trek, Kibale chimpanzee tracking, Kazinga Channel cruise, and the real possibility of seeing Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions.

Think twice if you want a slow holiday with short transfers or if steep, muddy walking is a serious concern. Before booking, confirm the exact lodges, assigned guide, gorilla sector, vehicle, optional activity prices, and transfer times.

For an active first safari in Uganda, this route offers unusually broad coverage and strong value in the permits included. Ask for Amos, Ben, or Rita if one of them is available, pack for wet forest conditions, and allow the wildlife to set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the Uganda safari begin?

The safari begins with pickup at Entebbe International Airport, followed by transfer to Via Via Guest House for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Where does the safari end?

The final transfer goes to Entebbe, with a stop at the equator for lunch and optional souvenir shopping before the airport drop-off.

How long is the safari?

The experience lasts approximately 13 days.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private tour or activity.

Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included?

Yes. Park fees for non-residents, gorilla tracking permits, and chimpanzee tracking permits are included.

Is accommodation included?

Accommodation is included during the 13-day itinerary. Additional accommodation before the tour and at the end is not included.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes 12 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners. Drinking water is also included on all days.

How difficult is the gorilla trek?

The trek can take from two to seven hours and may involve muddy, slippery slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation, and bamboo forest. Gorilla viewing lasts one hour after the family is located.

Can I see tree-climbing lions?

The Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for tree-climbing lions. The stated chance of spotting them is about 70 percent, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.