Best of Uganda Safari Experiences - 7 Days Uganda Tour (Most Popular!!)

OVERVIEW
The Best of Uganda Safari route allows you to visit Uganda’s Albertine Rift and visit its most important protected area including Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
It includes plenty of wildlife safaris looking for BIG-5, game safaris and a boat safari, bird watching, chimpanzee trekking and Bwindi gorilla trek.
Day 1:      Murchison Falls National Park Safari & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track      rhinos
Day 2: BIG-5      Game drive safari, Murchison Falls National Park game drive & boat      trip safari to view wildlife
Day 3:      Kibale Forest National Park for primate tracking chimps, monkeys, etc.
Day 4:      Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park & Guided primates      walk Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Day 5:      Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for Gorilla Tracking
Day 6:      Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7:      Return to Kampala or Entebbe or end tour in Kigali

DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Murchison Falls National Park Safari & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
We start the safari from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at 07:00am. If you are arriving on the same day as we start the tour, you need to arrive not later than 10AM.  
(We also help our clients on booking pre- and post tour nights in Entebbe and Kampala but this isn't included in your Uganda tour cost. Most hotels in Entebbe provide free Airport transfers from Entebbe. Please let us know when you need our help.)
On the tour start day, your guide will be at your hotel at 7am or before. You go through the program and have a general briefing about your Uganda safari before embarking on the 3 hours drive to Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary. This is a generally beautiful scenic drive through some virgin African rural life. 
At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary you track the Rhinos, not just from a vehicle but up close – great opportunities of these fabulous animals – there is other wildlife to be found here, so keep your eyes open so you do not miss any and your guide will also point any other animals.
You are accompanied by rangers who take you within 10 meters of the Rhinos.  You will most likely see other wildlife as you trek the rhinos such as antelopes, warthogs and more.

 This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhino, and restore rhino populations in Uganda's protected areas in a later stage.
Take a stop over at Masindi Hotel for lunch.
We will continue through the park stopping at the top of the falls which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters. From here we will continue onto our accommodation place along the Nile River
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest in Uganda at 3,840 square kilometres. Here is the awe inspiring Murchison Falls where the River Nile hurls itself in convulsions through a narrow crevice and then plunges 40 metres in one breathtaking leap.
The park has a variety of vegetation ranging from riparian forests and swamplands to broad savannah, and provides visitors the opportunity of seeing large concentrations of wildlife including lion, leopard, civet, hyena, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, a host of smaller game, small primates and many bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. The park is especially famous for crocodiles and hippos.
Apart from game viewing, the launch trip to the bottom of the falls is another memorable adventure giving you the experience of the mighty Biblical Nile. On the launch you may see schools of crocodiles and hippos basking on the river banks as well as a variety of birds.
Murchison Falls NP Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Bakers Lodge  | Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate: Fort Murchison Lodge | Murchison River Lodge | Pakuba Lodge
Low Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (tents) | Murchison River Lodge (tents) | Red Chilli Rest Camp
Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park Game Drive & Boat Trip
After break fast head to the delta in search for bird life and enjoy the game drive to look for lions, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes and many more. We will drive back to the lodge for lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls.
This boat trip along the Nile is often cited as being the highlight of a trip to Murchison since it allows you to get up-close and personal with the animals. Along this stretch of the river, there are reported to be around 4,000 hippos in addition to some enormous Nile crocodiles. T
he bird life is stunning with brightly colored kingfishers and bee-eaters darting along the riverbanks. If lucky, you may see the rare and prehistoric looking shoebill, which is a cross between the dodo and a dinosaur. The boat takes you to the base of the falls which only adds to their impressiveness.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Bakers Lodge  | Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate: Fort Murchison Lodge | Murchison River Lodge | Pakuba Lodge
Low Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (tents) | Murchison River Lodge (tents) | Red Chilli Rest Camp
Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park
Leave Murchison Falls National Park for Kibale Forest National Park via the Lake Albert escarpment, having a good view of the lake.
Stop over at Kolping Hotel in Hoima for lunch and after drive across the interesting river Nkusi (flowing from the southern end of Lake Albert, through the villages of Kagadi, joining Victoria Nile). Both rivers join Lake Kyoga and flow through the Murchison Falls continue to Lake Albert and north to the Mediterranean Sea.
Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you pass through traditional Ugandan villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good photo opportunities.
As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda's famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.
You arrive at Fort Portal, then, continue toward Kibale Forest, one of the great African rainforest research reserves. Years of study by scientists (who have cut a grid through the forest) have habituated many of its animals to human observers. This forest is famed for the variety of primates found here and it is a terrific area for birds. This rural Ugandan town (Fort Portal) is locally famous for its weaving and basketry, and we can spend some time briefly to examine some of this local art.
Fort Portal is a small and attractive city. The fort was built between 1891 and 1893 and named after Sir Gerald Portal, the British Consul General of Zanzibar who arrived in Uganda in 1892 to formalise the protectorate of Uganda. He died of malaria a few months after the fort was completed.
During the afternoon we have time to visit the scenic crater lakes region, checking out the superbly terraced tea estates. In the south of Fort Portal is Kasenda Crater Lakes region. It sits on the rim of Lake Nyinambuga—the back of the main building looks down over the lake, while the other side of the lodge looks out over another lake in the distance and, further off, the Rwenzori Mountains, which were perpetually shrouded in the clouds, except early in the morning. There’s plenty to do in this area and we can also take an hour’s walk around Lake Nyinambuga.
Kibale Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge| Primate Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge
Moderate:  Isunga Lodge| Kibale Forest Camp (ensuite rooms)
Low Budget: Kibale Forest Camp (tents) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Assemble at Kanyankyu River camp at 08:00 hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is chimpanzee tracking.
Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species. More primates like black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.
Kibale National park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. It is inhabited by three large communities of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.
Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, and socialize with each other, or even, occasionally hunt.
In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of Kibale forest is Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs and among others.
Kibale Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge| Primate Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge
Moderate:  Isunga Lodge| Kibale Forest Camp (ensuite rooms)
Low Budget: Kibale Forest Camp (tents) | Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Depart early morning for Bwindi for your gorilla trek.
Very early in the morning after breakfast, you will set off for Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park via Kabale- Kisoro route or Isasha Sector with packed lunch. On your way you will enjoy scenery views of different mountains and beautiful plantations. 
Arrival in Bwindi is in the late afternoon.
Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge
Moderate: Engagi Lodge | Silverback Lodge | Buhoma Haven Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp | Buhoma Community Campground
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip - gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day.
We trek through the rainforest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It's difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.
Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Up-market: Buhoma Lodge | Mahogany Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge
Moderate: Engagi Lodge | Silverback Lodge | Buhoma Haven Lodge | Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp | Buhoma Community Campground
Day 7: Return to Entebbe (daily flights also available to Entebbe). The tour could also end in Kigali (4 hrs) on request.
Early breakfast before embarking on our 8-hr drive to Entebbe, driving down the grassed and terraced escarpments of southwestern Uganda while taking in the breathtaking sights of the hills of the region dubbed ‘the little Switzerland of Africa’. This area is a highly fertile, mountainous region with steep-sided hills covered from top to bottom in neatly terraced cultivated rows. Not to miss as we traverse Mbarara are the impressing longhorn Ankole cattle.
A remarkable highlight of this journey is the Equator line and surely you will cross it as we have a brief stop here.
We will be in Entebb in the evening before for your flight back home.
Upscales Accommodation for this Uganda Safari
Mostly we will try our best to get the best high quality lodges at all the parks in this Uganda safari. 
In Murchison Falls NP we book either Baker's Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
In Kibale, we book Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge or Crater Safari Lodge
In Bwindi we book either Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Chameleon Hill Lodge
Each lodge cost per night is about $300 per person.
Midrange (Moderate) Accommodation for this Uganda Safari
The midrange accommodation for this  Uganda safari is largely mid-luxury safari camps and lodges with bigger space, ensuite bathrooms and toilet among other amenities.
In Murchison Falls NP we book either Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge or Pakuba Game Lodge
In Kibale, we book Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse cottages.
In Bwindi we book either Engagi  Lodge, Buhoma Haven Lodge or Bwindi Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge
The lodging cost per night is ranging at about $140 per person per night.
Lower Budget Accommodation for this Uganda Safari
The lower budget accommodation quoted will usually be sheltered tents often with shared bathrooms/ toilet, or smaller ensuite cottages (depending on availability), or rooms.
Nice comfortable bedding is always provided with mosquito nets for your comfort.
You don't need to bring your own tent or bedding for this tour.
In Murchison Falls NP we book either lazy camping tent Murchison River Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge or Red Chilli.
In Kibale, we book  tents at Kibale Forest Camp or rooms Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
In Bwindi we book either Buhoma Community Restcamp or Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ruhija Gorilla Friends.
The lodging cost per night is ranging at about $80-90 per person per night.