9 days · Uganda
9-day Uganda gorillas and national parks safari
A full circuit that builds toward the gorillas. You start with the Nile and big game in the north, track chimpanzees in Kibale, trek gorillas in Bwindi, then wind down in Lake Mburo on the way back.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Meet your driver-guide at Entebbe airport and drive north, about five to six hours with a lunch stop. You may cross the Nile near the park gate. Check in at your lodge for dinner.
Day 2
Start with an early game drive for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and sometimes lions. After lunch, take the launch cruise up the Nile toward the base of the falls, passing hippos, crocodiles and many water birds.
Day 3
Spend the morning at the top of the falls if you wish, then begin the long drive south-west to the Fort Portal area, usually six to seven hours with stops. The route crosses rolling hills and tea country.
Day 4
Attend the briefing at the park office and walk into Kibale Forest to find a chimpanzee community. You spend one hour with the chimpanzees once rangers locate them. The minimum age is 12. In the afternoon, you can walk the Bigodi wetland or rest.
Day 5
Drive south through Queen Elizabeth National Park, about two to three hours to the main area. Stop for a game drive or a short channel view, then continue to the Ishasha sector in the afternoon. Watch for lions resting in fig trees.
Day 6
Take an early morning look for lions in Ishasha, then drive to your lodge near Bwindi, about two to three hours. Spend the afternoon checking gear and resting.
Day 7
After an early breakfast, attend the ranger briefing, then trek to your assigned gorilla family. You spend one hour with the gorillas at 10 metres where possible, and then walk back. Rest at your lodge in the afternoon.
Day 8
Leave after breakfast and drive east to Lake Mburo National Park, about four to five hours with stops. Take an afternoon game drive for zebras, impalas and giraffes, or a boat trip on the lake.
Day 9
Choose a morning walk or game drive in Lake Mburo, then drive on to Entebbe or Kampala, about four to five hours. You arrive in time for most evening flights.
What is included
- Gorilla permit for your date
- Chimpanzee trekking permit for your date
- Lodging and meals as set out in your quote
- Private vehicle with driver-guide
- Park entrance fees and activity permits listed in the itinerary
- Bottled water on the road
Not included
- International flights
- Extra nights before or after the trip
- Travel insurance and visa fees
- Personal items and tips
Your quote lists every inclusion for your dates and group size.
How to book this trip
- Send your dates. Use the request form or WhatsApp.
- We check for you. Our office confirms your permit date with the park, normally within 24 hours.
- You receive one quote. Then we secure your permit and plan the rest.
Why this circuit builds toward the gorillas
This safari saves the gorillas for the middle of the trip, and arranges the rest to lead up to them and then ease off. The first four days give you big game, a Nile cruise and chimpanzees. Then comes the gorilla trek on day seven. Afterwards, Lake Mburo offers a quieter finish with walking and boat time.
It differs from a standard park circuit, because the route is planned around your gorilla permit. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues permits for a set date and trailhead, so we fix that date first and place the other parks around it. You can read how the permit works in our permit booking guide.
The five parks at a glance
- Murchison Falls. Uganda's largest park, split by the Nile. See the Murchison Falls guide and our Nile cruise guide.
- Kibale. Chimpanzees and many other primates. Read the Kibale guide.
- Queen Elizabeth. Plains, channel and crater lakes, with lions in the Ishasha sector. Read the Queen Elizabeth guide and the Ishasha lion guide.
- Bwindi. Gorillas. Our Bwindi sector guide and our Bwindi lodge guide explain how to choose a base.
- Lake Mburo. Zebras, impalas and giraffes, and walking safaris. Read the Lake Mburo guide.
How the long drives work
Two days carry long drives. Day three runs from Murchison Falls to Fort Portal, and day eight runs from Bwindi to Lake Mburo. We plan both with lunch stops, short breaks and good vehicles, because comfort matters more than speed on Ugandan roads.
For more detail on roads, times and the alternative of flying, read our guide to getting to Bwindi. If you want to skip the northern leg, our 7-day safari covers Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi only.
Gorilla trek day
On the morning of day seven, rangers brief you at the park office and assign you to a gorilla family. A group has up to eight visitors, and trackers have already found the family. You walk, sometimes for under an hour and sometimes for most of the morning. When you arrive, you spend one hour with the gorillas.
The rules protect both you and the animals. Keep to the distance your guide sets, keep your voice low, and stay home if you are unwell. Read our rules guide before you go, and see the age limit guide if you travel with a teenager.
Who this trip suits
This circuit suits travellers who want the full Uganda picture in nine days: savannah, forest, river and gorillas. It suits keen photographers, repeat safari-goers and families with older children.
It suits less well if you dislike long drives. In that case, a shorter trip such as our 5-day gorillas and game safari or a fly-in gorilla safari saves time. For our longest all-round options, see the 10-day best of Uganda safari.
Adapting the circuit
We can change the route in many ways. You can drop Murchison Falls, add a night at Lake Bunyonyi after the trek, swap lodge styles or add a second gorilla trek. Read how gorilla safaris combine with other parks to compare ideas.
When you are ready, ask for your quote. A named member of our team checks your dates with the park and replies with a plan for your group, normally within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How does this differ from your longer Uganda safaris?
This trip is gorilla-led. The route is planned so the gorilla trek falls in the second half, with a calm finish in Lake Mburo. Longer trips add more wildlife days and more parks.
Is nine days too long in a vehicle?
The days are long but varied. The two longest drives are day three and day eight, and each ends with a quiet evening. If you prefer less driving, we can remove Murchison Falls and shorten the trip.
Can I fly part of the route?
Yes. We can add a domestic flight to or from the Bwindi area, or to the north. Ask us when you request your quote.
What is the minimum age for the treks?
Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15, and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale has a minimum age of 12. We confirm the current rules with the park.
Which month is best for this circuit?
Dry months, from December to February and June to September, give firmer trails and easier drives. Trekking runs in every month, so wet months can suit if you prefer quieter parks.
Is the gorilla permit included?
Yes. We buy your permit for your chosen date once we have confirmed it with the park.
Can the dates and lodges be changed?
Yes. Every trip is a starting point, and we adapt it to your dates, group and comfort level.
Ready to trek? Ask for your quote.
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