6 days Uganda safari takes you to Queen Elizabeth, Kibale and Murchison Falls National Park for amazing wildlife encounters and the opportunity to spot all the big five mammals of Africa. The Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest wildlife conservation area in the country. It derives its name from the great Murchison Falls which are formed when the river Nile squeezes its way through a narrow gorge before dropping down 43 meters in a great roar.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is 
the most visited in Uganda. It stands out because of its unique scenery, physical features and tree climbing lions. Visitors do not only see wildlife but are rewarded with beautiful sightings of amazing gorges, forests, crater lakes, valleys and views of the Rwenzori mountains.
Kibale National Park on the other had is often referred to as the “primate’s capital of the world” because it has over 12 species of primates. The only thing it lacks are mountain gorillas. If it had them, it would be one of the most visited national parks in Africa.
This package is excellent for those who have already done gorilla tracking and now wish to explore what Uganda has to offer in terms of game safaris and the other small primates. The 6 days Uganda wildlife safari takes you for rhino tracking at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will also have a boat cruise along the river Nile and the Kazinga channel for amazing encounters with wildlife. If you are not interested in gorilla trekking, this will be an excellent safari that will leave you with a great impression of Uganda and its wildlife. For a shorter safari, you might be interested in our 5 days Uganda safari package. The 7 days Uganda safari package is even longer and involves gorillas.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls
- Boat cruises along the Nile and at the Kazinga channel
- Rhino Tracking at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
- Tree Climbing lions of Ishasha
- Bigodi wetlands sanctuary
- Amazing landscape and scenery
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison falls National Park with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
After taking breakfast, our company driver will come to pick you at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. He will start the long journey to Murchison Falls National Park with stops at key points of interest including major towns and roadside markets. The journey takes you through amazing Ugandan countryside and towns like Luwero. Luwero is where the current NRM regime launched a rebellion which eventually brought them to power. Our Guide/Driver will share information about what happened during the rebellion and all other points of interest. Expect to see vast farms of long horned Ankole cattle and peasants working in their gardens.
The main stopping point on the way to the park is the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to Uganda’s last remaining white Rhino and it’s the only place where tourists can spot white Rhinos while 
in the country. Uganda once had both black and white rhinos roaming her national parks in the thousands. Unchecked poaching almost wiped them out. The government and wildlife conservation Agencies rescued the last of them and relocated them to this sanctuary. While at the sanctuary, a resident Guide/Ranger will take you to see the Rhinos and learn about the breeding program in place. There is hope that once their numbers increase enough, some will be reintroduced into the wild. Lunch will be at served at a restaurant in the sanctuary or in Masindi town. After lunch, the driver will continue to the park and take you directly to the top of the Murchison falls for beautiful views and photography.
Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp (Budget), Murchison River Lodge (Mid-range) and Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Day 2: Morning Game drive – Afternoon Nile Boat cruise
Wake up early and take breakfast as you wait for the company Guide to come and pick you. The game drive will be done very early in the morning in order to spot birds and early risers at the northern section of the park. The morning hours are excellent for game drives because the sun is not yet too hot and animals are usually more active around this time. This is also the time to spot predators going back into their dens. Expect to spot water bucks, giraffes, warthogs, leopards, lions, hyenas, hartebeests, elephants and buffaloes among others. You will then return to the lodge for lunch and rest as you wait for the afternoon boat cruise at the Nile.
The river Nile attracts most of the park animals and is hence the best place to see them. A boat cruise along the Nile not only offers you a chance to marvel at the Nile river and Murchison falls but is also an 
excellent place to take photographs. The boat cruise starts from downstream and goes upstream ending at the foot of the Murchison falls. At this point everyone disembarks and climbs up to the top of the falls to finding waiting company drivers/Driver.
Between the starting point of the cruise and the Murchison falls, you will spot one of the largest concentration of land and aquatic animals in Africa. The birds to look out for are kingfishers and shoe bill storks. Expect to see a lot of elephants, hippos and crocodiles.
Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp (Budget), Murchison River Lodge (Mid-range) and Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Visit the Bigodi Wetlands sanctuary
Wake up at leisure and enjoy breakfast before checking out of your room. The driver will find you at the lobby to begin the long journey to Kibale National Park. The journey to Kibale should not be boring as you will be traveling in an area with amazing and unfamiliar terrain. Along the way, you will spot remnants of the great East African Rift Valley, peasants in their farms, schools, trading centers, towns, traditional markets, churches, forests, large plantations, rivers and much more. Once you reach your lodge, you will check in and take lunch if you don’t have it along the way. Later in the afternoon, the driver will take you to visit the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary for bird-watching and a visit to the nearby community.
Dinner and Overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (Budget), Primate Lodge (Mid-range) and Ndali Lodge (Luxury).
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park
Wake up early in the morning and proceed for briefing at the park headquarters. The park Rangers will go through all the important topics relating to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest. You will learn about the forest, the creatures therein, chimpanzee communities in the park, what to expect and how to act around the primates. Once the briefing is complete, you will go into the forest to look for the chimps. Once you find them, watch as they play, groom each other, mate, swing on top of trees and make loud hoots. Chimpanzee trekking is different from gorilla trekking in many ways. It is more demanding because chimps do not stay for long in one place. Chimps love spending more time on top of trees and are therefore more difficult to photograph than mountain gorillas. Chimpanzee groups are also more dynamic and full of drama.
The beauty about chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is the opportunity to see over 12 other primates. Expect to spot red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, pottos, bush babies, baboons and grey-cheeked Mangabey among others. After tracking the chimps, you will return to the park offices and find the driver who will take you back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will check out and start the 3 hours’ journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The road to the pack will reward you with amazing scenery including crater lakes, escarpments and views of the Rwenzori mountains.
Dinner and Overnight at Simba Safari Camp (Budget), Kyambura Game Lodge (Mid-range) and Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Day 5: Morning game drive – Boat ride at the Kazinga Channel
Wake up early for one of the most exciting days of your 6 days’ safari in Uganda. The driver will take you for an early morning game drive at the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will be looking out for lions, hyenas, elephants, warthogs, buffaloes and various kinds of antelopes. After the 
game drive, you will go back to the lodge for lunch and refreshment.
The driver will take you for the afternoon launch cruise at the Kazinga channel after lunch. The Kazinga channel separates lake George from Lake Edward but is also one of the best places to spot wildlife in Africa. Many of the park animals congregate to drink and bath at the channel. Birders will be impressed with the different species at the site including pelicans, kingfishers and saddle billed storks. The mammals to look out for are hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and predators like hyenas.
Dinner and Overnight at Simba Safari Camp (Budget), Kyambura Game Lodge (Mid-range) and Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Day 6: Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha – Transfer Back to Entebbe or Kampala
Wake up early and prepare to depart for Kampala. The driver will drive through the Ishasha sector of the park for a chance to see the tree climbing lions of Uganda. Queen Elizabeth is arguably the best National 
Park to see tree climbing lions. The Ishasha sector is less visited compared to Kasenyi and Mweya but the lions make it very attractive. On a typical afternoon, the lions can be seen resting on large fig and acacia trees as they wait for the next round of hunting. Researcher have failed to come up with a single reason as to why lions in Queen Elizabeth climb tries. One groups suggest that they do so to avoid biting insects on the ground but this is not a clear reason because it doesn’t explain why lions elsewhere remain on the ground despite having to deal with the same insects.
End of Tour
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
The 6 days Uganda safari includes:
- Chimpanzee trekking permits
- Transport in a standard tour van with an opening roof for excellent game viewing
- Fuel for 6 days
- An experienced and knowledgeable Guide/Driver
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- All meals and water while on the trip
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Visiting the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary
- All other activities included in the itinerary
The 6 days Uganda wildlife tour excludes
- The cost of plane tickets and visas
- Porters during any of the activities
- Medical and travel insurance
- Gratuities and tips to our Guide/Driver, park Rangers/ Guides, porters or hotel staff.
- Personal expenses on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and laundry
Hotels and Lodges
Simba Safari Camp: Simba safari Camp is a budget lodge found on top of a hill overlooking the Kikorongo lake in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The location provides beautiful views of the park – savannah plains, lake George, Lake Edward and the Kazinga channel. The lodge is very close to the Kasenyi plains which offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities at the park. Because of its proximity to key game viewing, birding and chimpanzee tracking areas, the lodge is an excellent choice for anyone visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. It has 9 Twin/Double rooms, 2 triple rooms, 2 family cottages and 3 dormitory rooms. Except for the dormitories, all rooms are self-contained with their own bathrooms, balcony, working tables, clothing racks, mosquito nets, desks and televisions. The dormitories only have double-Decker beds and shared bathrooms. Those who are not interested in any of the rooms can come with their own tents and set them up at a designated location. Other services and amenities at Simba Safari Lodge include a central lounge, a bar, a restaurant and free Wi-Fi.
Murchison River Lodge: Murchison River Lodge is a mid-range lodge built on the banks of the River Nile. The lodge has 4 thatched/self-contained cottages, 3 safari tents and 5 standard tents. Travelers with their own tents are allowed to set up camp at the central area. Regardless of which category of accommodation you chose, expect amazing views of the river Nile, excellent services and a real feeling of closeness to nature. In fact, one can see antelopes and hear hippos snorting late in the night. The ferry crossing for game drives at the northern part of the park is only 10 minutes away. The Murchison River Lodge has a swimming pool, a bar and restaurant serving continental dishes. Staff employed are very friendly and hired from communities living close to the area.
Kyambura Gorge Safari Lodge: This lodge is a mid-range to luxury lodge built between Mweya plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the amazing Kyambura Gorge. The lodge consists of 8 
spacious and beautiful bandas. Each banda is self-contained, private and offers amazing views of the savanna, Kyambura gorge and distant Rwenzori Mountains. The lodge is very close to the starting point of chimpanzee tracking at the gorge and has a large swimming pool with great views. Kyambura Game Lodge is an excellent base for visitors who have come for game drives in the park, bird-watching, nature walks and lion tracking. Kyambura Game Lodge is owned by Volcanoes safaris which is also a wildlife conservation Agency. They have helped reclaim degraded wetlands in the area and planted a forest corridor to allow chimps at the gorge visit forests in other parts of the park.
