A different park combination from our other Uganda itineraries: Bwindi’s gorillas, Kibale’s chimpanzees and Murchison Falls’ Nile drama, deliberately skipping Queen Elizabeth National Park for travellers who’ve already done a classic savannah safari elsewhere or simply want this specific mix.
Detailed Itinerary
Entebbe to Bwindi
Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport for the drive south-west to Bwindi, roughly 8–9 hours via Kampala’s Northern Bypass, the Equator crossing at Kayabwe and lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara. Evening trekking briefing on arrival.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
7:30am briefing at park headquarters, family assignment based on fitness and tracker reports, then the trek itself through dense rainforest — thirty minutes to six hours — followed by a strict hour with your gorilla family.
As above
Transfer to Kibale Forest
The drive north to Kibale runs via the crater lakes region rather than through Queen Elizabeth, through tea plantations and past Fort Portal, arriving with time to settle into your lodge before the next morning’s chimp tracking briefing.
Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland
Briefing at Kanyanchu visitor centre, then tracking a habituated chimpanzee community through Kibale’s forest for a strict hour once found, followed by an afternoon at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary’s community-run boardwalk.
As above
Transfer to Murchison Falls
A long drive north, broken up by a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for guided rhino tracking on foot, before continuing to cross the Nile at Karuma Bridge and reach Murchison Falls by evening.
Nile Boat Cruise and Game Drive
Morning game drive across the delta plains for lion, giraffe, elephant and buffalo, afternoon boat cruise upriver to the base of the falls, where the river forces through its narrow gorge in a roar of spray.
As above
Top of the Falls Hike
A short guided hike to the top of Murchison Falls for the view straight down into the gorge, then an afternoon at leisure back at the lodge.
As above
Return to Entebbe
Road transfer back to Entebbe, timed against your onward flight.
Permits & Costs
| Gorilla trekking permit | $800 per person |
| Chimpanzee tracking permit | ~$250 per person |
| Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary tracking | Included in tour price |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers who’ve already done a classic savannah safari elsewhere (Kenya, Tanzania, or a previous Uganda trip) and specifically want gorillas, chimpanzees and the Nile without repeating Queen Elizabeth’s game drives.
Tour Includes
- Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permits
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance
A Different Kind of Uganda Circuit
Most of our Uganda itineraries route through Queen Elizabeth National Park given its central position between the southwest and Kibale; this one deliberately doesn’t, connecting Bwindi and Kibale more directly before heading north to Murchison Falls. The result is a genuinely different rhythm from our other combination itineraries.
What to Pack
Sturdy hiking boots for both primate treks, comfortable layered clothing for the remaining days, sun protection, and a light rain jacket.
Does skipping Queen Elizabeth mean less game viewing overall?
Murchison Falls National Park still delivers strong Big Five-adjacent game viewing on its own, so this itinerary isn’t short on wildlife — it’s simply a different specific combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t Queen Elizabeth included?
This itinerary is built for travellers who specifically want to skip repeating a savannah park they’ve already visited — see our other itineraries if you want it included.
Can Queen Elizabeth be added back in?
Yes — we can adjust this to a tailormade itinerary adding it back for an extra 2 days if you change your mind during planning.
Ready to Plan This Trip?
Tell us your dates and we’ll confirm permits and lodges within one business day. Get in touch to start planning.