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Three giraffes standing in golden African savannah grassland at dawn

Uganda Complete Safari

Gorillas, chimps, and savanna wildlife in one trip

PrimateFirst SafariAdventure
Uganda & Rwanda
10–14 days
$6,000–$11k/pp
Mid-range

Your Route

Entebbe → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi → Lake Mburo → Entebbe

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Route

Route Details

1

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth

3 nights

Uganda's most popular park with tree-climbing lions and Kazinga Channel.

Highlights

  • Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
  • Kazinga Channel boat safari
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
  • Diverse ecosystems from savanna to wetland
In: 6-hour drive from Entebbe or 1-hour charter flight
Out: 4-hour drive to Bwindi
2

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi

3–4 nights

Home to half the world's mountain gorillas in ancient forest.

Highlights

  • Mountain gorilla trekking (2 permits recommended)
  • Batwa cultural experience
  • Forest walks and birding
  • Community visits
In: 4-hour drive from Queen Elizabeth
Out: 5-hour drive to Lake Mburo
3

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo

2 nights

Compact park with zebras, walking safaris, and boat trips.

Highlights

  • Walking safaris with zebras and impalas
  • Boat safari on Lake Mburo
  • Horseback safari available
  • Night drives for nocturnal species
In: 5-hour drive from Bwindi
Out: 4-hour drive to Entebbe

A Typical Day

Sample from Queen Elizabeth National Park

Dawn

5:30–6:30

Early game drive for lions

Morning

7:00–12:00

Chimpanzee tracking or extended drive

Midday

12:00–15:00

Lunch at lodge

Afternoon

15:00–18:00

Kazinga Channel boat safari

Evening

18:00–21:00

Dinner overlooking the channel

Activities

Included Activities

Game Drive
Chimpanzee Tracking

Optional (additional cost)

Walking Safari
Cultural Visit
Dedicated Birding Safari
Night Drive

Is This Right for You?

Best for

Travelers wanting both gorillas and traditional safari, those seeking value over polish, wildlife enthusiasts wanting Uganda's diversity.

Not ideal for

Those wanting quick gorilla-only trips, luxury seekers, or travelers uncomfortable with long drives.

Trade-offs

Complete Uganda experience with primates and savanna/Long driving distances between parks
Lower permit costs than Rwanda/More basic infrastructure than Rwanda
Diverse wildlife beyond primates/Less polished tourist experience
Authentic East African adventure feel/Roads can be challenging in wet season

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Best Time to Go

Dry Season

Peak

Easiest trekking conditions, good wildlife viewing

JunJulAugSep

Short Dry

Good trekking, lower permit demand

DecJanFeb

Why This Itinerary Works

Decision provenance

Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:

Duration logic

12 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.

Route sequence

Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.

Comfort positioning

Mid-range tier balances comfort with value. Private guiding available; camps offer quality without premium positioning.

Audience fit

Travelers wanting both gorillas and traditional safari, those seeking value over polish, wildlife enthusiasts wanting Uganda's diversity.

Why each segment was chosen:

1

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.

2

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla group assignment affects trek difficulty. Permit timing constrains itinerary structure.

3

Lake Mburo National Park

Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.

These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.

How Vurara Safaris makes decisions

Customization Options

Accommodation Options

Mid rangePremium

Travel Modes

DriveFly

Available Extensions

Murchison Falls Extension

Add Uganda's largest park and waterfalls

+3 days

Chimp Habituation Experience

Full day with chimps being habituated

+1 day

Cost Context

$6,000–$11k/pp

Per person estimate

This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.

Excluding international flights, includes 2 gorilla permits

Related Decisions

Questions to consider before booking