15 Day Gorillas, Chimps and Big 5 Safari Tour

The rarest moment comes in Bwindi, where you may sit quietly near a habituated mountain gorilla family after a two to seven-hour forest trek. I like that this trip does not stop at gorillas: it adds chimpanzees in Kibale, a Nile cruise at Murchison Falls, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, and rhinos at Zziwa.

I also like the range of outings, from game drives and hot springs to a Lake Bunyonyi boat ride and optional white-water rafting in Jinja. The main drawback is the pace. You cover much of Uganda in 15 days, and several days involve long road journeys, early starts, or both.

Key points to know before booking

• Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are included, which removes two of the largest special activity costs from the planning process.
• The tour is private, so only your own group takes part in the activity and transport.
• Murchison Falls combines land and water safari time, with a northern game drive and a boat trip toward the base of the falls.
• Bwindi trekking is physically demanding, with walks lasting anywhere from two to seven hours depending on the gorilla family’s location.
• Lake Bunyonyi provides the trip’s best pause, with boat rides, hillside views, canoeing, swimming, and village visits listed as options.
• The itinerary is wide-ranging but tightly packed, ending with Jinja rafting and Mabira Forest before returning to the meeting point.

A grand Uganda circuit, not a relaxed resort holiday

This is a full-country wildlife and nature trip. You start near Entebbe, head north to Murchison Falls, turn west to Semuliki and Kibale, continue through Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, then return through Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo, Jinja, and Mabira Forest.

That route gives you a fine cross-section of Uganda. You get savannah animals, tropical forest, crater-like volcanic scenery around the southwest, highland lakes, cultural stops, and the Nile. It also means you should expect long hours in a vehicle. The tour includes private transport, so your group does not share the road schedule with strangers, but private travel does not make Uganda’s distances disappear.

The price is $8,000 per person. That is a serious sum, but it includes all accommodation, private transportation, drinking water, all meals, park activities, gorilla and chimpanzee permits, and the listed activities. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are especially important in the value calculation. Still, ask Hail Tours Uganda exactly which accommodation properties are used, how many people make up your private group, and which Jinja rafting or Mabira zip-line costs are covered under all activities.

Day 1: Rhinos first, then the road to Murchison Falls

Your pickup begins at Entebbe Airport at 5:00 am. The first major stop is Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, also called Rhino Fund Uganda in the itinerary. This gives you an early introduction to Uganda’s conservation work and your first chance to see a rhinoceros before continuing toward Murchison Falls National Park.

The northern park is Uganda’s largest national park, with open plains where you may see lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Along the Nile, hippos and Nile crocodiles are key sights. Birdwatchers have plenty to watch for, including the shoebill stork, dwarf kingfisher, white-thighed hornbill, and Goliath heron.

This is a long opening day. The three-hour sanctuary stop is included, but the onward drive means you should be ready for an early start and a substantial amount of time on the road. I would pack breakfast snacks, sunscreen, and a small day bag where you can reach your water and camera.

Day 2: Game drive and the Nile at Murchison

The morning begins with a game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls. This is the main land-safari portion of the park, with possible sightings of buffalo, lions, elephants, and perhaps leopards. Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, waterbuck, and other antelope add variety even when the big predators stay out of sight.

After lunch and a short rest, you take a three-hour boat trip toward the base of Murchison Falls. This is a useful change of viewpoint. From the water, you can pass hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds along the riverbank. The boat also lets you appreciate how the Nile gathers force before squeezing through the narrow gorge.

Keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the exact quality of a game drive depends on animal movement and the time spent searching. The combination of drive and cruise gives you two good ways to look for wildlife in one day.

Days 3 and 4: Water, hot springs, and a schedule worth clarifying

The itinerary places Day 3 under Semuliki National Park, but the description focuses heavily on Murchison Falls. It explains the Nile’s dramatic passage through a gorge, with water dropping 43 meters through a seven-meter-wide gap. Before you book, ask Hail Tours Uganda to confirm the exact route, accommodation, and activities for this day. That small check matters because the published sequence appears to contain a mismatch.

Day 4 is clearer. At Semuliki, you visit the male Bitende hot spring and the female Nyasimbi hot spring. Nyasimbi sends bubbling water and steam about two meters into the air, and the water is described as reaching around 100 degrees Celsius. You may even bring eggs to boil in the hot spring pools, although you should confirm this practical detail with the guide before setting off.

An afternoon game drive in the Semuliki Valley adds savannah scenery, birdlife, and the chance to look for wildlife in a setting different from Murchison. Semuliki is a good change of pace from the Nile and northern plains, but the transfer between parks can make these days feel full.

Days 5 and 6: Forest culture and chimpanzees in Kibale

Day 5 takes you toward Kibale National Park. The description includes information about the Bambuti Pygmies, who live on both sides of the Semliki River and are distinct from the Batwa communities associated with Bwindi and Mgahinga. This is a useful cultural distinction, since the two groups are often incorrectly treated as the same.

The cultural material should be handled with care and respect. Ask what community interaction is actually planned, who leads it, and how local people benefit. The published details discuss history and customs, but they do not spell out a specific visit or performance.

Day 6 is the main primate day: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. Chimpanzees share about 98 percent of human genes, and Kibale is noted for its strong chimpanzee population. You may also see red colobus, red-tailed guenons, white-nosed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and olive baboons.

Chimp tracking is different from gorilla trekking. The forest setting and animal movements shape the experience, and finding chimps is not a simple roadside sighting. The included permit is a valuable part of the package, especially for anyone who wants Uganda’s primate experiences rather than a trip focused only on large mammals.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth’s open tracks and evening wildlife

You reach Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon and take an evening game drive. The park has about 200 kilometers of game-viewing tracks, plus grasslands and shorelines that support hippos, elephants, buffalo, antelope, lions, leopards, and smaller predators such as civets, genets, and serval cats.

The park also offers good primate variety. Black-and-white colobus monkeys may be seen in the trees, while baboons often appear in more open areas. The large numbers listed for hippos, elephants, and buffalo explain why Queen Elizabeth is an important wildlife section of this route, but animal numbers do not guarantee a particular sighting on your drive.

An evening drive can be rewarding for changing light and active animals, though it also follows a transfer day. If you prefer slow mornings, this itinerary gives you very few of them.

Day 8: Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions

On the way to Bwindi, you pass through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The area is famous for lions that rest in fig trees. Adult lions do not commonly climb trees, so this is one of the route’s most distinctive wildlife chances.

The sight is not guaranteed. The lions may be on the ground, out of view, or in another part of the sector. Even so, Ishasha adds a worthwhile stop instead of treating the road to Bwindi as a mere transfer.

This is another long day, and the route is remote. Keep your camera accessible, but also pay attention to the scenery and birdlife. The drive itself is part of the park experience here.

Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi

This is the emotional centerpiece for many people. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to around half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, and your trek is led by an experienced park ranger toward one of the habituated family groups.

The walk may last two to seven hours, depending on where the gorillas are found. Once you reach the family, you have one hour to observe them quietly. That short viewing period makes the permit valuable, but it also means you should savor the small details: a young gorilla’s movement, a family member feeding, or the calm presence of a large silverback.

The forest trek can be hard. The itinerary does not provide a detailed equipment list, so confirm recommended clothing and footwear with Hail Tours Uganda before departure. Plan for a demanding walk rather than a guaranteed short stroll. This day suits people who are comfortable with uneven ground and several hours of physical effort.

Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi brings welcome breathing room

After breakfast, you travel to Lake Bunyonyi near Kabale. The lake is surrounded by green terraced hills rising between about 2,200 and 2,478 meters, with 29 islands scattered across the water.

A boat ride is included, and the setting gives you a much-needed slower day after the gorilla trek. Listed optional activities include a canoe ride, swimming in the bilharzia-free lake, a hike, and a nearby village visit. The chance to speak with residents about daily life can add more meaning than another quick roadside photo stop, but ask your guide how the visit is arranged and what etiquette is expected.

Lake Bunyonyi is also a high-altitude setting. The itinerary does not give medical guidance, so if altitude affects you, discuss the pace and activities with your tour operator.

Day 11: A quiet morning, then Lake Mburo

You have a full rest period around Lake Bunyonyi and leave after lunch for Lake Mburo National Park. The route passes through Mbarara, with a stop at Igongo Cultural Village and the Ankole Museum.

This cultural stop breaks up the drive and gives context to the Ankole region. The day ends with rest at Lake Mburo rather than another scheduled wildlife activity. That is sensible after so many park transfers, though the late arrival means you may not see much of the park until the next morning.

Days 12 and 13: Walking safari, zebras, and the equator

Lake Mburo offers a different kind of safari. With an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, you can take a guided nature walk through the park. The itinerary highlights possible encounters with hyenas returning to their dens, hippos heading back to the lake, zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, buffalo, birds, and butterflies.

Walking changes how you notice the park. You are not looking only for a distant lion or elephant. Tracks, plants, insects, and bird calls become part of the experience. A trail to the top of the hills provides views over Lake Mburo and the surrounding area.

The next morning brings another game drive for animals missed the previous day. You then travel toward Entebbe and stop at the equator for lunch, photographs, a demonstration involving the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and time in the craft shops. It is a touristy stop, but it is easy to enjoy as a brief break during a long drive.

Day 14: Jinja and optional Nile rafting

You leave very early for Jinja, the town associated with the source of the Nile and a major adventure stop in Uganda. After checking in at Brisk Hotel Triangle, the itinerary offers half-day or full-day white-water rafting on the Nile.

The rafting is listed within the day’s activities, but confirm the exact package, safety arrangements, and whether any extra charge applies. This is the most active day after gorilla trekking, so you should be honest about your energy level. If you want a quieter Jinja experience, the town also offers river views, birdlife, and peaceful evening scenery.

Day 15: Mabira Forest and the final return

The last day takes you from Jinja to Mabira Forest, one of East Africa’s main rainforest reserves. A forest walk can bring you close to monkeys, birds, butterflies, flowering plants, and old trees. The walks are described as suitable for different fitness levels, including children.

Mabira also offers Forest Canopy Super-Skyway zip-lining above the treetops. Confirm whether the zip-line is included in your quoted price, since the package lists all activities but does not break down each activity’s individual fee.

After Mabira, the experience returns to its meeting point. Because the tour both starts and ends at the meeting point, clarify the final drop-off location if your onward flight leaves from Entebbe rather than central Kampala.

What the $8,000 price really covers

At $8,000 per person, this is not a budget safari. Its value rests in the expensive permits and the amount of ground covered. Accommodation, private transport, meals, drinking water, park activities, chimpanzee permits, and gorilla permits are included, so you are not building the trip from separate pieces.

The package does not include international flights, extra nights before or after the tour, tips, or personal items. You should also confirm the treatment of optional or adventure activities, particularly rafting, canoeing, swimming-related arrangements, and zip-lining.

Hail Tours Uganda has received praise for professional care, game drives, boat cruises, and gorilla trekking. The available comments also describe a memorable January 2021 gorilla trip and warm hospitality for families. The comments are enthusiastic, but they do not provide detailed information about room standards, vehicle type, meal menus, or guide names. Ask those questions before paying.

Who should book this Uganda safari?

I would recommend it to you if you want one long Uganda trip that joins gorillas, chimps, rhinos, savannah wildlife, lakes, forests, and the Nile. It is particularly suited to people who value a private itinerary and want the major permits and meals handled in one booking.

You should think twice if you dislike long road transfers, early starts, uncertain wildlife sightings, or physically demanding walks. The gorilla trek can last seven hours, and the overall route leaves limited time for doing nothing.

The cancellation terms are strict near departure. Cancel at least six full days before the 5:00 am start for a full refund, cancel two to six days ahead for a 50 percent refund, and expect no refund within two days. The activity is private, confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour states that most people can participate.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is variety and you want Uganda’s headline wildlife experiences in one carefully connected route. The included gorilla and chimpanzee permits give the high price a stronger case, while the private format adds control over your group’s time.

Before booking, get written answers about the Day 3 schedule, accommodation names, group size, vehicle, and the exact meaning of all activities included. If those details suit you, this is a bold, rewarding itinerary for an active nature trip. If you want a slower safari with fewer transfers, choose a shorter route focused on Bwindi, Kibale, and one or two savannah parks.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Entebbe Airport in Entebbe, Uganda, at 5:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Confirm the exact final drop-off details with Hail Tours Uganda if you need to connect to a flight.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private tour and activity.

Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included?

Yes. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are included in the tour price.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, along with drinking water for all days.

Are international flights included?

No. International flights to and from your home are not included.

How long can the gorilla trek take?

The gorilla walk can take from two to seven hours, depending on where the habituated family group is located.

What is included at Lake Bunyonyi?

A boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi is included. Canoeing, swimming, hiking, and visiting a nearby village are listed as optional activities.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made two to six full days before departure receive a 50 percent refund. Cancellations within two days are not refunded.