Updated
Two weeks is enough to see nearly all of Uganda’s highlights at a comfortable pace: white rhinos at Ziwa, the Nile at Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth’s savannah and tree-climbing lions, two days with gorillas in Bwindi, a rest at Lake Bunyonyi, and a flight to remote Kidepo Valley. With lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo in the parks and rhinos at Ziwa, you have a good chance of the Big Five, as well as the great apes. Here is a day-by-day outline.
Days 1–3: Ziwa and Murchison Falls
Day 1: drive north from Entebbe, tracking white rhinos on foot at Ziwa on the way. Day 2: game drive north of the Nile, then the afternoon boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls and a hike to the top. Day 3: morning boat trip to the delta where the Nile enters Lake Albert, one of the best places to look for the shoebill, and an afternoon drive or rest. See our guide to the Big Five in Uganda.
Days 4–7: Kibale and Queen Elizabeth
Day 4: drive south via Hoima and Fort Portal to Kibale, about 6–7 hours. Day 5: chimpanzee tracking, US$250, rising to US$300 from 1 January 2027, or the full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience for longer with a community; then Bigodi wetland. Day 6: on to Queen Elizabeth for a Kazinga Channel boat trip. Day 7: early game drive on the Kasenyi plains, then south to Ishasha for the tree-climbing lions. See our guide to chimp tracking in Kibale.
Days 8–11: Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi
Day 8: drive to Buhoma in northern Bwindi. Day 9: first gorilla trek, with an hour in the company of a habituated family; the permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. Day 10: a second trek with a different family, a Batwa cultural experience, or a forest walk to the waterfall. Day 11: drive south through the Kigezi hills to Lake Bunyonyi for canoeing and rest. To add golden monkeys in Mgahinga, trek in Rushaga instead and stay near Kisoro. See our Lake Bunyonyi guide.
Days 12–14: Kidepo Valley
Day 12: fly from Kisoro to Kidepo, usually via Entebbe or by charter, as scheduled Kidepo flights run on certain days only. Day 13: game drives in the Narus Valley for lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo and zebra, and a visit to a Karamojong community. Day 14: fly back to Entebbe for your international flight. See our guide to Kidepo Valley.
Practical notes
Book gorilla permits and internal flights first. A 4×4 with a driver-guide is standard for the road sections, and luggage on light aircraft is limited to about 15 kg in soft bags. If you prefer fewer flights, drop Kidepo and add Jinja or a second lake for a road-only 14-day trip.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, with rhinos at Ziwa and the other four in Murchison, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo.
If budget allows, yes; each family and trek is different.
By light aircraft, usually via Entebbe, or a long two-day drive.
No; it allows a relaxed pace and the remote north-east as well.
