9-Day Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Chimps, Game Drives & Lake Bunyonyi

Your Ugandan adventure begins as you arrive at Entebbe International Airport. A friendly guide from Lulu Safaris will be there to welcome you and transfer you to Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital. En route, take in the bustling roadside markets, green countryside, and the first glimpses of life in the Pearl of Africa.

Upon arrival at Cassia Lodge, located on a hilltop with panoramic views of Lake Victoria, settle into your room and relax. The lodge offers a peaceful retreat with forest birds fluttering through the gardens. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and a briefing about the journey ahead before turning in for the night.

Main destination

Kampala (City)

Accommodation

Cassia Lodge

Meals

Lunch & Dinner Included

After breakfast, begin your scenic journey westward to Kibale National Park. The drive takes you through rural villages, tea plantations, and beautiful countryside. Expect views of the Rwenzori Mountains and plenty of photographic stops. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a well-deserved rest.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through a nearby tea plantation or opt to explore the Kibale crater lakes region. These volcanic features offer a serene and scenic setting perfect for landscape photography and birdwatching. Return to the lodge for dinner as the sounds of the forest lull you into safari mode.

Main destination

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Meals

All Meals Included

Today starts with an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience. After a safety briefing at the ranger station, venture into the forest in search of habituated chimp families. Kibale is one of the best places in Africa to see these intelligent primates. You’ll spend a magical hour watching them forage, play, and communicate.

After lunch, set out for the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run eco-project known for its birdlife and primates. The raised boardwalks and swamp trails allow for great sightings of colobus monkeys, mangabeys, and colorful turacos. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and rest.

Main destination

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Meals

All Meals Included

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before setting off on the drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most biodiverse reserves. As you approach the park, you’ll start spotting wildlife — baboons on the roadside, buffalo in the grass, and elephants near waterholes.

After lunch and check-in at your lodge, head out on a sunset game drive through the Kasenyi Plains. Look for lions hunting in the golden light, herds of Uganda kob grazing, and elephants crossing the savannah. Return to the lodge for a warm meal and a restful evening surrounded by nature.

Main destination

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation

Lake Munyanyange Caves Lodge

Meals

All Meals Included

Wake up early for a sunrise game drive, when the park is most active. This is your best chance to see predators like leopards, lions, and hyenas. The landscape is dotted with fig trees, acacia woodland, and volcanic craters, offering incredible backdrops for photography.

In the afternoon, enjoy a two-hour boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. This waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to hundreds of hippos, basking crocodiles, and a variety of water birds. Watch elephants come to drink and buffaloes wade in the shallows. Return to your lodge with incredible memories of land and water safaris.

Main destination

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation

Lake Munyanyange Caves Lodge

Meals

All Meals Included

Start the day with a final game drive in the Kasenyi sector, where early risers roam the grasslands. Keep an eye out for prides of lions and groups of elephants moving through the morning mist. This region of the park offers some of the best predator sightings in Uganda.

After the drive, continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the crown jewel of Uganda’s wilderness. Arrive at Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, nestled on a hillside overlooking the jungle. Take the evening to relax and mentally prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trekking adventure — a true safari highlight.

Main destination

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation

Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Meals

All Meals Included

Spend the morning exploring the tranquil waters of Lake Bunyonyi by dugout canoe. Paddle between its 29 islands, many with fascinating stories — like Punishment Island, where unmarried pregnant girls were once abandoned. The lake is free of bilharzia and crocodiles, making it safe for swimming.

Later in the day, take a village walk to learn about rural life around the lake. You may also visit a local school supported by Lulu Safaris, where children welcome you with dances and songs. Enjoy a final dinner by the lakeshore, with reflections of the day shimmering on the water.

Main destination

Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation

Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

Meals

All Meals Included

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Entebbe. The drive passes rolling hills, banana plantations, and small trading centers, offering a last look at Uganda’s colorful countryside. You’ll stop at the equator line for photos and a quick lunch before reaching the airport.

Arrive in Entebbe in the afternoon or evening, depending on your flight time. Your guide will drop you at the airport for departure, marking the end of a transformative 9-day journey through Uganda’s primates, parks, and people.

Main destination

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation

None (End of Tour)

Meals

Breakfast & Lunch Included