8 Days Classic Uganda Safari

Tour Highlights

This 8‑day expedition by Tarec Gorilla Safaris is the quintessential Ugandan experience. We combine the "Big Five" savannah adventure with the "Big Two" primate encounters, gorillas and chimpanzees. From the thunderous Murchison Falls to the misty peaks of Bwindi, this journey captures the very soul of the Pearl of Africa.

Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Your Tarec guide will meet you at Entebbe Airport or your hotel. We head north through the Luwero Triangle, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided bush walk to see white rhinos on foot. After lunch, we enter Murchison Falls National Park and drive to the Top of the Falls to witness the Nile squeezing through a 7‑meter gorge.
Accommodation: Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge / Red Chilli Hideaway; Mid‑Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge; Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge.

Day 2: Savannah Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise

Enjoy a sunrise game drive in the northern sector, home to giraffes, lions, elephants, and leopards. In the afternoon, we take a boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. You’ll see thousands of hippos and massive crocodiles, followed by an optional (but highly recommended) hike to the top of the falls for an aerial view.
Accommodation: Same as Day 1.

Day 3: Transfer to the Primate Capital (Kibale Forest)

A full day of scenic driving along the Albertine Rift. We pass through local villages and vibrant tea plantations in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. We arrive in Fort Portal, a beautiful town near the edge of the Kibale rainforest.
Accommodation: Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Kibale Forest Camp; Mid‑Range: Turaco Treetops / Isunga Lodge; Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Enter the rainforest to track our closest relatives, the chimpanzees. Kibale has the highest density of primates in Africa! Spend an hour observing their vocal displays and social play. In the afternoon, we visit Bigodi Wetland for a community‑led walk to spot rare birds and monkeys like the grey‑cheeked mangabey.
Accommodation: Same as Day 3.

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP & Sunset Game Drive

We drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the Equator. After checking in, we head out for an evening game drive through the Kasenyi plains to look for predators starting their night hunt.
Accommodation: Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages / The Bush Lodge; Mid‑Range: Enganzi Game Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge; Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge.

Day 6: Kazinga Channel Boat Safari & Ishasha Sector

The morning begins with a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, offering a front‑row seat to the highest concentration of hippos in the world. Afterward, we drive to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree‑climbing lions, before continuing to the Bwindi Gorilla Highlands.
Accommodation: Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp / Rushaga Haven; Mid‑Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Bakiga Lodge; Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp / Buhoma Lodge.

Day 7: The Gorilla Trekking Experience

The moment you’ve been waiting for. Accompanied by expert UWA rangers, you will trek through the dense Bwindi forest. Once the Mountain Gorillas are found, you will spend one profound hour in their presence. This is widely considered the greatest wildlife encounter on Earth.
Accommodation: Same as Day 6.

Day 8: Return to Entebbe via the Equator

After a relaxed breakfast, we begin our return journey. We stop at the Igongo Cultural Center for a traditional lunch and make a final stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping before arriving in Entebbe for your evening flight.

Safari Inclusions & Exclusions