Updated
This 11-day circuit covers Uganda’s four great wildlife areas: Murchison Falls on the Nile, Kibale’s chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth with Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions, and gorilla trekking in Bwindi, finishing with a flight to remote Kidepo Valley in the far north-east. It drives down the west of the country and flies the long stretches, so it suits travellers who want the most complete Uganda safari in under two weeks.
Days 1–2: Ziwa and Murchison Falls
Day 1: drive north from Entebbe, about 6–7 hours in total, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track white rhinos on foot. Day 2: early game drive north of the Nile for elephants, giraffe, buffalo, Uganda kob and lions, an afternoon boat trip to the foot of the falls, and an optional hike to the top, where the Nile squeezes through a 7-metre gap. See our guide to the Big Five in Uganda.
Days 3–6: Kibale and Queen Elizabeth
Day 3: drive south via Hoima and Fort Portal to Kibale, about 6–7 hours. Day 4: chimpanzee tracking in the morning and the Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon; the chimp permit is US$250, rising to US$300 from 1 January 2027. Day 5: drive about 2–3 hours to Queen Elizabeth for a Kazinga Channel boat trip. Day 6: morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, then south to Ishasha to look for lions in the fig trees. See our guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Days 7–8: Bwindi gorillas
Day 7: continue from Ishasha to Buhoma in northern Bwindi, about 2–3 hours, with an afternoon community walk. Day 8: gorilla trekking after the morning briefing, from one to six hours or more, with one hour in the company of a habituated family. The permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November.
Days 9–11: Kidepo Valley
Day 9: fly from Kihihi to Kidepo, usually connecting through Entebbe or by charter; scheduled flights to Kidepo run only on certain days, so build the route around them. Day 10: game drives in the Narus Valley, Kidepo’s richest area, for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and zebra, with the option of a visit to a Karamojong community. Day 11: fly back to Entebbe for your international flight. See our guide to Kidepo Valley.
Practical notes
Book gorilla permits and the Kidepo flights first, as they fix the dates of everything else. Flights have soft-bag luggage limits of around 15 kg. The road days are long but scenic, and a good driver-guide makes a big difference. See our domestic flights guide.
Frequently asked questions
By air, usually via Entebbe or by charter; driving takes two long days.
Yes, for its remote scenery, cheetahs and very few other visitors.
The gorilla permit and the Kidepo flights.
Yes, drop Kidepo for an 8-day version that flies back from Kihihi.
