Depart early for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, renowned for its diverse wildlife and the dramatic Murchison Falls through Uganda’s vibrant landscapes. This drive,
lasting about 6–7 hours, is more than just a transfer—it’s an introduction to the beauty and diversity of the Pearl of Africa. As you leave the urban bustle of Entebbe, the road winds through lively towns and lush green countryside.

En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an exciting rhino tracking experience on foot, contributing to rhino conservation efforts. This sanctuary is the only place you can track rhinos in Uganda. After lunch, continue to Murchison Falls, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy a relaxing evening at your lodge.

Murchison Falls National Park, also known as Kabalega National Park in honor of the legendary anti-colonial leader Omukama Kabalega, is Uganda’s largest and most diverse nature reserve. Its crown jewel is the Nile River, which surges dramatically through a narrow gorge at Murchison Falls, creating one of the most powerful and breathtaking waterfalls in the world.

Embark on a thrilling morning game drive on the northern banks of the Nile. Keep an eye out for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs. After lunch, take a boat safari on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, where you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Hike to the top of the falls for spectacular views of the world’s most powerful waterfall before returning to your lodge.

About the Park

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park, has attracted several famous visitors over the years, drawn by its breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife. One of the earliest and most notable guests was US President Theodore Roosevelt, who visited in 1909 during his famous African safari expedition. His journey, which was primarily for hunting and scientific research, helped put Uganda’s rich biodiversity on the world map. Winston Churchill also visited Uganda in 1907 and later described it as the “Pearl of Africa,” bringing international attention to the country’s natural beauty.

In 1951, Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn filmed scenes for The African Queen along the Nile River within the park. Ernest Hemingway visited in the 1950s, though his experience was dramatic—he survived two consecutive plane crashes while on safari near Murchison Falls.

More recently, members of the British royal family, including King Charles (then Prince), have explored the park.

Today, embark on a scenic drive to Kibale National Park, home to Uganda’s highest population of chimpanzees. The journey offers breathtaking views of tea plantations, crater lakes, and rural villages.

The road transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale National Park is a scenic journey through Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, connecting two of the country’s most iconic destinations. This route, approximately 7-8 hours long, takes you through lush greenery, traditional villages, and rolling hills, offering glimpses of Uganda’s rich cultural and natural beauty. Along the way, travelers may pass towns like Hoima and Fort Portal, the latter known for its stunning backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

These mountains are Africa’s third highest after Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. The drive culminates in the enchanting Kibale National Park, famous for its chimpanzee tracking experiences and incredible biodiversity. Opting for a road transfer not only allows you to explore Uganda’s countryside but also offers flexibility for stops and photography, making the journey as memorable as the destination.

Arrive in the late afternoon and settle in at your lodge near the forest. Enjoy a leisurely evening preparing for the next day’s primate adventure.

Enjoy breakfast before you before going out to track chimpanzees in this tropical forest. Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, near the town of Fort Portal. It is one of the best places in Africa to track and observe chimpanzees in the wild due to its large population of habituated chimpanzees. While tracking chimpanzees, visitors may also encounter other wildlife species inhabiting Kibale National Park, including other primates such as red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys, as well as various bird species and forest mammals.

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park offers a unique and memorable wildlife experience, allowing visitors to connect with these remarkable animals in their natural environment while supporting conservation efforts in Uganda.

In the afternoon, explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary or visit a nearby village for a cultural tour, where you’ll interact with locals and learn about their traditions and way of life.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary covers an area of about 4.5 square kilometers and consists of a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, and forests. The sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of bird species, primates, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Birdwatching enthusiasts particularly enjoy Bigodi for its numerous bird species, including the Great Blue Turaco, and the Papyrus Gonolek.

The Sanctuary is managed by the local community as a conservation and eco-tourism project. The revenue generated from tourism activities, such as guided nature walks and birdwatching tours, directly benefits the community and supports conservation efforts in the area.

Leave Kibale behind and travel south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive takes you through stunning landscapes, including the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may spot the famous tree-climbing lions. Arrive in Bwindi in the evening and relax at your lodge.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southwestern Uganda. It is renowned for its dense and pristine tropical rainforest, which is home to one of the most endangered species on Earth—the mountain gorillas. It is home to over 40% of the mountain gorillas and has the largest number of habituated gorilla families (over 20 groups).

The park stands as a testament to the importance of conservation efforts in preserving endangered species and their habitats. It offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors seeking encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural environment. In trekking here, you contribute to the conservation of the mountain gorillas.

Today is the highlight of your safari—an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. After an early briefing, set off into the dense rainforest with expert guides in search of a habituated gorilla family. Spend an awe-inspiring hour with these gentle giants, observing their behavior up close. After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest.

There are about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a captivating and transformative experience that allows visitors to come face-to-face with one of the most majestic and endangered creatures on Earth—the mountain gorilla.

Our safari offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with a gorilla family. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a life-changing experience that not only allows for an intimate connection with these remarkable primates but also contributes to the conservation of the species and the well-being of the local communities. It is an adventure that blends the thrill of exploration with the responsibility of protecting our planet’s endangered species.

After breakfast, transfer to Kigali, Rwanda, for your international departure. The road transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Kigali, offers a scenic and relatively short journey compared to returning to Entebbe. The drive typically takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on the starting point within Bwindi and border crossing formalities.

Your journey will pass through rolling hills, lush tea plantations, and rural villages, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of local communities. The journey includes a border crossing at Katuna (Gatuna) or Cyanika, where immigration procedures are generally smooth but may take some time.

Once in Rwanda, you will have a smooth travel through the famed “Land of a Thousand Hills,” offering stunning landscapes all the way to Kigali, a modern and vibrant city. Depending on your flight time, you can opt for a short Kigali city tour, visiting the Genocide Memorial and local craft markets before heading to the airport.