8-Day Safari to Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

8-Day Safari to Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This 8-day safari combines three of Uganda's most iconic destinations: Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will experience an exciting blend of wildlife viewing, spectacular landscapes, gorilla trekking, and cultural encounters, making for an unforgettable adventure in Uganda.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Morning: Arrival in Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet your safari guide.
After customs and immigration procedures, you’ll be transferred to a domestic flight or drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest and oldest national park.

Afternoon: Arrival and Check-in

If you opt for a domestic flight, you’ll arrive at Pakuba Airstrip in Murchison Falls and be transferred to your lodge. If you’re driving, the journey takes around 5-6 hours.
Check into your lodge, such as Paraa Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge, and enjoy a relaxing lunch with views of the Nile River.

Evening: Introduction to Murchison Falls

After lunch, embark on a short evening game drive. Explore the park’s landscapes and spot wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and various antelope species.
Return to the lodge for dinner and relax for the night.

Overnight: Stay at a lodge in or near Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 2: Game Drive and Boat Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

Morning: Game Drive

Enjoy an early morning game drive in Murchison Falls. The early hours are perfect for spotting predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas, as well as herbivores like elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes.
You’ll explore the Northern Sector of the park, known for its rich wildlife and spectacular landscapes.

Afternoon: Boat Safari on the Nile

After lunch, embark on a boat safari along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls. The boat ride offers a unique perspective on wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds, including the African Fish Eagle.
As the boat gets closer to Murchison Falls, you’ll be treated to the incredible sight of the Nile River squeezing through a narrow gorge and cascading down in a powerful display of nature’s raw force.

Evening: Dinner and Relaxation

Return to the lodge for dinner and a peaceful evening, reflecting on your exciting day.

Overnight: Stay at your lodge in Murchison Falls.

Day 3: Hike to Murchison Falls and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning: Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

After breakfast, take a guided hike to the top of Murchison Falls. The trail offers stunning views of the waterfall and surrounding area, providing a closer look at the falls' raw power as the Nile crashes through the rocks.
Spend time at the top, where you’ll be able to take in breathtaking photos and learn about the geology and history of the falls.

Afternoon: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After your hike, enjoy lunch at the lodge and then begin the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second-largest national park. The journey takes about 6 hours, and you'll pass through charming rural landscapes, small towns, and villages.
Check in at your lodge upon arrival. Lodges such as Mweya Safari Lodge and Ishasha Wilderness Camp offer comfortable accommodations with beautiful views of the park.

Evening: Relax and Dinner

Relax at the lodge, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and have dinner while watching the sunset over the park.

Overnight: Stay at a lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 4: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Boat Safari

Morning: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth

Start your day with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Kasenyi Plains. Queen Elizabeth is known for its high concentration of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, and a variety of antelope species.
Your guide will also help you spot birds like the African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle, and Crowned Crane.

Afternoon: Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel

After lunch, enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This boat ride offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds visible from the water. The channel is a birdwatcher’s paradise, especially for species like the Shoebill Stork and African Skimmer.

Evening: Dinner and Relaxation

Return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Stay at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 5: Visit Ishasha Sector and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Morning: Visit to the Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, drive to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. This is one of the best places in Uganda to spot these unique lions as they often rest in the fig trees during the heat of the day.
You may also see other wildlife like elephants, buffaloes, and various antelope species.

Afternoon: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After your visit to Ishasha, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places in the world for gorilla trekking. The journey takes about 3-4 hours, and you’ll enjoy scenic views as you approach the forested hills of Bwindi.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge, such as Gorilla Forest Camp or Buhoma Lodge.

Evening: Dinner and Relaxation

Enjoy a relaxing dinner and unwind after a day of exciting wildlife encounters.

Overnight: Stay at a lodge in or near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Morning: Gorilla Trekking

After an early breakfast, depart for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You’ll meet with your guide and the park rangers, who will provide you with a briefing before setting off on your trek.
The trek can take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas, but it’s worth the effort. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll have up to one hour to observe them in their natural habitat. Watching these incredible creatures up close is a truly unforgettable experience.

Afternoon: Return to Lodge

After your gorilla trek, return to your lodge for a hearty lunch and rest. Depending on your energy levels, you may opt for a community visit to a local village to learn about the customs and traditions of the Batwa people, who are indigenous to the forest.

Evening: Dinner and Reflection

Enjoy a peaceful dinner, reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime experience of spending time with the mountain gorillas.

Overnight: Stay at your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Day 7: Relaxation and Nature Walk in Bwindi

Morning: Nature Walk

After a relaxing breakfast, take a nature walk through the forest, accompanied by an expert guide. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and the walk offers a chance to see other wildlife, including forest monkeys, colorful birds, and unique plant species.

Afternoon: Optional Cultural Activity

In the afternoon, enjoy a cultural activity, such as a visit to a nearby Batwa village. Learn about the traditional ways of life, including their hunting techniques, rituals, and daily routines.

Evening: Dinner and Relaxation

Return to your lodge for a final dinner in Bwindi and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Overnight: Stay at your lodge in Bwindi.

Day 8: Departure

Morning: Transfer to Entebbe

After breakfast, begin your drive back to Entebbe. The journey takes about 8 hours, so enjoy the scenic views of Uganda’s beautiful landscapes along the way.
Alternatively, you can take a domestic flight from Kisoro or Kampala (if you’re near an airstrip) back to Entebbe for your international flight.

Afternoon: Departure

Arrive in Entebbe in the afternoon for your onward journey or international flight.

Conclusion

This 8-day safari offers an unforgettable journey through Uganda's most famous wildlife destinations, from the thundering Murchison Falls and the diverse landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park to the life-changing experience of trekking with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. With incredible wildlife sightings, cultural experiences, and a variety of landscapes, this safari promises to be one of the highlights of your life.

Client

Ebenezer

Date

21 March 2025

Safaris