About This Tour
The 18 Days Uganda Safari Holiday – Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Wildlife & Culture is an extensive journey through the Pearl of Africa, designed for travellers who want to experience Uganda’s diverse wildlife, primates, mountains, forests, savannahs and cultures in one unforgettable adventure.
With Ruku Safaris, this safari combines the spectacular Murchison Falls, chimpanzee-rich Kibale Forest, wildlife plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the volcanic landscapes of Mgahinga, beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, and the unique lowland rainforest of Semuliki.
Trip Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Experience the Virunga volcano landscapes
- Experience Ugandan communities and cultures
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your Ruku Safaris representative will meet and welcome you.
You will be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. After check-in, relax and recover from your journey.
Depending on your arrival time, an optional Entebbe or Kampala city tour can be arranged.
Accommodation: Hotel in Entebbe/Kampala
Meal Plan: Dinner
After breakfast, depart Kampala and travel north towards Murchison Falls National Park.
Make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can enjoy an optional guided rhino tracking experience.
Continue towards Murchison Falls, arriving at your lodge later in the afternoon or evening.
Accommodation: Lodge near Murchison Falls
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up early and head out for a morning game drive.
Search for elephants, lions, buffaloes, Rothschild's giraffes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests and other wildlife.
Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the River Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls.
Observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous water birds along the river.
Later, visit the Top of Murchison Falls before returning to your lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge near Murchison Falls
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls and travel south towards Fort Portal.
The journey takes you through rural communities, farms and beautiful countryside.
Have lunch en route and continue towards Fort Portal.
Arrive in the afternoon and relax at your lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge in Fort Portal
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, travel to Semuliki National Park, a remarkable lowland tropical rainforest.
Enjoy a guided forest walk, searching for primates, birds and butterflies.
Later, visit the spectacular Sempaya Hot Springs and learn about their geological and cultural significance.
Return to Fort Portal in the evening.
Accommodation: Lodge in Fort Portal
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, travel towards Kibale Forest National Park.
The area is famous for its high concentration of primates and lush tropical forest.
After lunch, enjoy a relaxed nature walk around the lodge or an optional crater-lake excursion.
Prepare for the following day's chimpanzee tracking experience.
Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, proceed to Kibale Forest for your chimpanzee tracking experience.
Enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers in search of chimpanzees.
You may also encounter red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and numerous forest birds.
In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature and community experience.
Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, travel south to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Enjoy spectacular views of crater lakes and, weather permitting, the Rwenzori Mountains.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, lions, warthogs and other wildlife.
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Start with an early morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains.
Return for breakfast and relaxation.
After lunch, take a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, one of the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Look for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and numerous bird species.
Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, drive south towards the Ishasha Sector.
Enjoy a game drive in search of the famous tree-climbing lions.
Other possible sightings include elephants, buffaloes, topi, Uganda kobs and various antelopes.
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the beautiful hills of southwestern Uganda.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an early breakfast, proceed to the appropriate park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing.
Enter the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with guides and trackers.
The trek may take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
Once the gorillas are located, spend the permitted time observing their behaviour and interactions.
Return to the lodge after the trek for lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy an optional Batwa or local community cultural experience.
Learn about traditional lifestyles, music, dance, food, crafts and the cultural heritage of communities around the forest.
Later, drive to Lake Bunyonyi.
Enjoy the spectacular views of the lake's islands and surrounding terraced hills.
Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a traditional canoe or boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi.
Explore the islands and enjoy the peaceful highland scenery.
Later, drive towards Kisoro and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park area.
Depending on availability, you may enjoy an optional community or cultural experience.
Accommodation: Lodge in Kisoro
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, proceed to Mgahinga for a briefing before beginning your golden monkey trekking experience.
Enter the forest in search of the endangered golden monkeys.
The trek provides opportunities to experience the bamboo forest and the unique wildlife of the Virunga ecosystem.
After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation: Lodge in Kisoro
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin your journey northwards towards the Rwenzori region.
Travel through the scenic countryside of southwestern and western Uganda.
The route offers beautiful views of hills, farms and rural communities.
Arrive around Kasese and relax.
Accommodation: Lodge in Kasese
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a guided Rwenzori Mountains nature walk.
Explore the lower slopes and surrounding forest environment while learning about the unique ecosystems of the Mountains of the Moon.
Depending on your interests and fitness level, the activity can include a short hike, forest walk or cultural experience with communities around the mountain.
Return to your lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation: Lodge in Kasese
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin your journey towards Kampala or Entebbe.
Enjoy Uganda's beautiful countryside along the way.
Stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs, souvenirs and an optional equator demonstration.
Continue to Entebbe or Kampala and check into your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Entebbe/Kampala
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have free time for shopping or a short optional Entebbe excursion.
Your Ruku Safaris driver will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Included/Exclude
The Cost Includes
- Drinking water
- Professional Guide
- Safari vehicle
The Cost Excludes
- Visa
- Tips
- Safari wear
- Medical and travel insurance



