10-Day Grand Uganda Safari The Complete Loop

Four of the five are realistic: rhino on foot at Ziwa, and lion, elephant and buffalo in Murchison, Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha. Leopard is present in all three parks but genuinely elusive we never promise it. This itinerary gives you as many chances as any route in Uganda.

We strongly recommend arriving the evening before. Day 1 departs Kampala at first light and covers rhino tracking plus a six-hour drive. A pre-tour night in Entebbe or Kampala is quoted separately and is the single best addition you can make to this itinerary.

The entire Nile the longest river in the world is forced through a gap seven metres wide before dropping into the gorge. It is the most powerful waterfall on earth by force per square metre, and you can stand directly above it.

You will track chimpanzees and mountain gorillas, and are very likely to see red colobus, black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon and vervet along the way. Kibale alone holds thirteen species.

It covers a great deal of ground, and Day 3 in particular is a long drive. But the pace is deliberately built with two-night stays at Murchison, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi so you are not packing every morning. If you would prefer to shorten the road time, a domestic flight can replace one of the longer legs.

Both treks cross uneven forest terrain and can run from thirty minutes to six hours. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Porters are available at both trailheads for a small fee and are strongly worth taking.

Fifteen years for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, strictly enforced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. There is no minimum age for the rest of the itinerary.

The dry seasons June to September and December to February give the easiest trekking and the best game viewing across all five parks. The green season brings lush landscapes and far fewer vehicles.

Most nationalities require a Uganda tourist visa, obtained in advance through the Uganda e-Visa portal. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry.