Best of Uganda Tour (8 or 10 Days)

The Best of Uganda Tour is an 8 day scheduled tour from Entebbe. Search for endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.  Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Multiple game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park with its amazing selection of wildlife. Including tree climbing lions. These are just some of the very best reasons to visit Uganda. With professional guides and customized safari vehicles, this fully hosted eight day safari is really something special.

There is also an option to add 2 nights onto this safari and include the chimps at Kibale.

This tour operates on a set schedule. Children 16 years and older are allowed on the scheduled departures (with an adult/guardian). This has been implemented out of courtesy to other guests. If you have a family / group of four persons, it is very cost effective to travel privately on any date.

Skip to Best of Uganda Tour Rates or Scheduled Departure Dates

Best of Uganda Tour Full Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure exploring the town of Entebbe. Additional activities and transfers can be arranged.

Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a small town that is easy to explore on foot or the local boda bodas (motorbike taxis). Explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs or crafts, meander through the Botanical Gardens, or relax with a boat cruise on Lake Victoria. You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and meet the friendly locals.

Overnight Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, or similar on a Bed & Breakfast basis.

Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe | Entebbe

The Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe is excellently located a few minutes from Entebbe Airport. It is adjacent to the Victoria Shopping Mall, guests have direct access to the mall and all its facilities. The Entebbe Golf Club, Botanical Gardens, and Lake Victoria are nearby.

The Garden Restaurant serves international cuisine, with a Terrace Bar and Coffee shop completing the dining options for guests. The outdoor pool, complete with sun loungers, is a lovely space in which to relax. The hotel offers 51 ensuite rooms, with modern amenities and free WiFi.

Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

This morning’s flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip takes just over an hour. Transfer through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site. The drive takes approximately 90 minutes.

Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa. It is home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Making it an extremely valuable conservation site.

Overnight Buhoma Lodge on a full board plus drinks basis.

Buhoma Lodge | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Nestled at the gateway to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, is Buhoma Lodge. Set within the national park. It is the perfect lodge of choice when embarking on your bucket-list Gorilla trekking adventure.

Guests love the homely ambiance of this African inspired lodge with its warm welcome and attentive service. It is constructed using sustainable materials. The elevated central lounge, bar, and dining area offer a cozy spot for guests to unwind. And offers amazing uninterrupted views over the forest. The crackling fireplace adds a mystical atmosphere to cooler evenings.

Tranquil and cozy, the 10 x spacious eco-friendly wooden chalets offer a private escape. Fall asleep to the sounds of the forest and awaken to chattering birds and monkeys as day breaks. Enjoy morning tea/coffee on your private verandah with sweeping views over the primal forest. What better way to start the day?

With Buhoma just steps away from the trek start point, gorillas have been spotted popping in for an occasional visit. While resident L’Hoest’s monkey troupe visits the gardens in front of the lodge almost daily. Much to the delight of guests.

Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare and exhilarating wildlife encounter. That is hard to capture in words. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek. Into the dense rainforest on the steep mountain slopes.

Please note that gorilla trekking can be strenuous, with the treks ranging from 45 minutes up to eight hours. At high altitudes in often hot conditions. We do recommend hiring a local porter to assist you on your trek. Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.

Once you have located your gorilla family, spend an hour quietly observing them. The time passes so quickly. Be sure to enjoy this experience fully and not just through your camera lens.

On the scheduled departures, permits are typically for Buhoma & Ruhija. Both are accessible from the Buhoma area. One of the Buhoma families, and the Ruhija families, require a road transfer to the start point. This does not deviate from the enjoyment of the trek. It could be considered as enhancing your trip as you are seeing a different part of the region. Your permit may be organized for day 3 or 4. Depending on availability at the time of purchase.

Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek. Or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.

Overnight Buhoma Lodge on a full board plus drinks basis.

Day 4: Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive). With a brief stop en route at a community project near Ishasha Village.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopards, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo. One of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda.

In the afternoon, depart on a game drive in the Ishasha area. Looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephants, Uganda kob, and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area. Sometimes found lying about in the branches of the native fig trees.

Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp on a full board plus drinks basis.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp | Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Ishasha Wilderness Camp is a low impact, Eco-sensitive camp. It is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy the wilderness. Coupled with superb accommodation and exceptional service.

The thatched central lounge and dining area provide a cozy and relaxed space for guests. Although meals are often ‘al fresco’ beside the river. In the evening, the outdoor fireplace by the river is the perfect place for guests to relax over sundowners. And share their day’s experiences.

There are ten spacious framed canvas rooms, privately nestled along the riverbank. All have en-suite bathrooms. Wake to the delicious aroma of morning coffee served on your private verandah.

Resident troops of black and white colobus and vervet monkeys abound. And if you are lucky you’ll spot Henry, the lone hippo, wallowing lazily below the viewing deck. The game roams freely through camp, with elephants making frequent guest appearances.

It is highly recommended to book in advance the bush sundowners and the bush breakfast. Both are unique experiences in beautiful settings.

Day 5: Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the day enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks.

Overnight Ishasha Wilderness Camp on a full board plus drinks basis.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park which is rich with wildlife. Visitors will find vast numbers of Uganda’s unique and strange Euphorbia, or “candelabra” tree. The many nearby crater lakes and mountain ranges provide a beautiful backdrop for your journey.

In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This is a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, and pods of hippos wallowing without a care. There are also countless bird species. Including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. Drift past local fishing villages and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. The cruise normally departs at 2 pm. However, this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change. No drinks/ snacks are included on the boat.

Overnight at Elephant Plains Lodge, or similar on a full board plus drinks basis.

Elephant Plains Lodge | Queen Elizabeth National Park

Elephant Plains is a small, luxury lodge located on a stunning viewpoint in Queen Elizabeth National Park. With views stretching for miles over endless open grasslands to Lake George. Nestled next to beautiful Lake Kikorongo, this is where open plains merge into crystal waters and large Elephant herds come to drink.

The 6 spacious cottages and 2 family units all boast large private verandas and huge glass windows overlooking the lake. All the cottages have large bathtubs as well as showers. They are well spaced out on the hilltop offering tranquil privacy. Elephant Plains operates on solar power. It has an eco-friendly swimming pool, lounge, spacious restaurant with an outside deck, and well stocked bar with a wine cellar.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Enjoy chimp trekking in Kyambura Gorge and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy. Or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery. As with gorilla trekking, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Overnight Elephant Plains Lodge, or similar on a full board plus drinks basis.

Day 8: End of 8 Day Itinerary. Move to Kibale for 10 Day Itinerary

Morning Game drive. The 8 day guests will drive to Mweya airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Entebbe. The 10 day guests will continue onto Kibale.

Kibale Forest comprises an interesting blend of lowland tropical rainforest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to the forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and swamps. The forest is rich in wildlife and is most noted for its primate population. These include red-tailed monkeys, diademed monkeys, olive baboons, chimpanzees, and black and white colobus. The birdlife is also abundant, with close to 300 species identified here. The forest is also home to 144 species of butterflies and a diverse population of moths and other insects.

Overnight Primate Lodge on a full board plus drinks basis.

Primate Lodge | Kibale

The eco-friendly Primate Lodge is tucked deep in the forest and right next door to the starting point for Chimpanzee tracking. The main lodge offers a bright, open lounge area with comfortable sofas and a small library. The ideal place to unwind and listen to the chattering of the red-tailed monkeys in the dense forest branches. There is a spacious dining room, with the adjacent bar providing a fresh cup of coffee or cold beverage. The cozy evening campfire is an ideal spot to wind down the day. Free WiFi is available to guests in the public areas.

There are nine spacious Luxury Forest Cottages. They have a sitting area with two comfortable armchairs, a reading table, and an adjoining large veranda with excellent views of the forest. The en-suite bathrooms have a natural touch of local stone and bamboo.

Day 9: Kibale Forest

Your Kibale Forest chimp trek will generally take place in the morning. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery. As with gorilla trekking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans. Your guides will be able to show you different bird species and will give details of the plant species within the forest. The trek allows you to spend 1 hour observing the chimps once you have found them. It is less mountainous so fairly easy going (except if they are very active).

On the fringes of the Kibale Forest, the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is an excellent birding and primate habitat. Make your way through the swamp on raised wooden walkways. And observe some rare and colorful birds, colobus monkeys, and other small mammals. Like otters that live in the swamp. This is a two to three hour walk.

Day 10: End of 10 Day Itinerary

Depart after an early breakfast for the drive back to Entebbe, arriving late afternoon.

Best of Uganda Tour Rates

The Best of Uganda Tour Rates Include:

Meet & greet at Entebbe airport
Airport transfers throughout
1 night accommodation at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, or similar, including breakfast
Return domestic flights from Entebbe to Kihihi/ Kasese to Entebbe on a scheduled flight (light aircraft)
4×4 transport with English speaking local driver/guide as above
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
2 nights’ accommodation at Buhoma Lodge including all meals and local drinks*
Community visit en route from Bwindi to Ishasha
2 nights’ accommodation at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks*
2 nights’ accommodation at Elephant Plains Lodge or similar including all meals and local drinks*
All park entrance fees
Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Community fees and contribution to the Future Generations Trust
Full liability insurance cover and 24-hour emergency contact

The 10 day Best of Uganda Tour also includes:
2 nights’ accommodation at Primates Lodge or similar including all meals and local drinks*

*Select local drinks are included at Buhoma, Ishasha, Elephant Plains, and Primates (for 10 day tour). If alternate hotels are booked, drinks may NOT be included.

TOTAL WEIGHT LIMIT is 15kg in soft bags. XL seats can be booked for additional baggage or larger people.

The Best of Uganda Tour Excludes:

Visas, drinks not mentioned above, travel insurance, items of a personal nature, gorilla & chimp trekking permits, and optional excursions.
Note:
Should gorilla permits be booked at Ruhija, there is an additional shared vehicle transfer fee of USD 205 /vehicle return.

Gorilla permit: USD 800
Kyambura Chimp permit: USD 100
Kibale Chimp permit: USD 250

2025 Best of Uganda Tour Scheduled Departures

This 8 and 10 day tour departs on the following dates in 2025. It can also be on a private basis. Departing on any day so let us know if you would prefer to do it privately.

16th January
10th March
5th April
1st June
25th July
1st August
11th October
12th December