Tour Overview
Experience the definitive Ugandan Big Five savanna adventure across three premier conservation areas. Beginning with an exhilarating on-foot white rhino tracking expedition at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, this 6-day journey continues into the vast open savannas of Murchison Falls National Park to track lions, leopards, massive elephant herds, Rothschild's giraffes, and buffalos. Cruise the Victoria Nile to the thundering base of Murchison Falls, before journeying south through the Albertine Rift Valley to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In Queen Elizabeth, cruise the world-famous Kazinga Channel with thousands of hippos and bathing elephants, and explore the southern Ishasha sector in search of rare tree-climbing lions reclining in ancient sycamore fig trees.
Travel in private custom-built 4x4 Safari Land Cruisers with pop-up observation roofs, accompanied by certified professional naturalist driver-guides and staying at handpicked luxury eco-lodges along the Nile and Kazinga Channel.
Tour Highlights
Multi-Destination Safari Extensions
Extend your journey across additional wildlife reserves, alpine lakes, or tropical island coasts before or after your main safari. Select any extension to dynamically update your complete journey timeline, duration, and quotation.
Primate Bucket-List Extension
+3 Days / 2 Nights
Bwindi Impenetrable Mountain Gorilla Extension
Add an unforgettable encounter with wild mountain gorillas in Bwindi cloud forest, led by official Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Base Itinerary: 6 Days / 5 NightsDay 1: Kampala / Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls
Morning departure from Kampala or Entebbe in a private 4x4 Land Cruiser heading north through Luwero. Arrive at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola for a 2-hour guided on-foot white rhino tracking experience alongside armed UWA rangers. Observe over 40 thriving Southern White Rhinos from a respectful distance in their natural bush habitat. Enjoy lunch at the sanctuary before continuing north to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit the Top of the Falls to witness the thunderous roar of the Victoria Nile plunging into the Devil's Cauldron before checking into your luxury lodge along the river.
Day 2: Buligi Savanna Predator Game Drive & Victoria Nile Boat Cruise
Early morning sunrise game drive across the northern Buligi peninsula. Track hunting lion prides, elusive leopards, large breeding herds of African bush elephants, Rothschild's giraffes, Cape buffalos, Jackson's hartebeests, and oribis. Return to the lodge for midday relaxation. In the afternoon, embark on a 3-hour riverboat safari along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, observing pods of hippos, enormous basking Nile crocodiles, and elephants drinking along the banks. Evening sundowner and dinner at the lodge.
Day 3: Murchison Falls to Fort Portal / Kibale Crater Region
After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls driving south along the scenic Albertine Rift Valley escarpment. Pass through rural villages, rolling hills, and the historic oil town of Hoima with views of Lake Albert and the Blue Mountains of DR Congo. Stop for lunch en route and continue through emerald tea estates to Fort Portal tourism city. In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxing crater lake nature walk or relax with views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 4: Scenic Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Morning drive south into Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator line with views of the Rwenzori peaks. Arrive at the Mweya peninsula for check-in and lunch. In the afternoon, board the famous 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat safari connecting Lakes George and Edward. Experience the world's highest concentration of hippopotamuses, bathing elephant families, Cape buffalos, Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of waterbirds including African fish eagles and pelicans. Evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains.
Day 5: Kasenyi Plains Predator Drive & Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions
Dawn game drive across the Kasenyi savanna plains when lions and spotted hyenas actively stalk Uganda kob leks. After brunch, journey south to the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Embark on an afternoon game drive through Ishasha's acacia savannas, carefully scanning giant sycamore fig trees and albizia canopies for famous tree-climbing lions escaping the heat and tsetse flies. Check into your luxury tented lodge in Ishasha for dinner under the African stars.
Day 6: Morning Ishasha Game Drive & Return to Kampala / Entebbe
Early morning final game drive in Ishasha for another opportunity to observe tree-climbing lions, topis, and buffalo herds. After breakfast, begin the scenic return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Stop in Mbarara for lunch and at the Uganda Equator monument in Kayabwe for photography and water-flow Coriolis demonstrations. Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe International Airport in the evening for your flight departure.
Scenic Mountain Drive to Bwindi Cloud Forest Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Extension
Travel into the terraced Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an evening cultural orientation.
Official Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Extension
Trek into the primeval rainforest canopy with expert trackers to spend one magical hour with a habituated gorilla family.
Return Journey to Entebbe Airport & Departure Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Extension
Scenic drive back via the Equator line for your international flight connection home.
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
- All national park entry fees & conservation levies
- On-foot Southern White Rhino tracking permit at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Victoria Nile boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Top of Murchison Falls guided cliff visit
- Private custom-built 4x4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Services of a certified professional English-speaking naturalist driver-guide
- 5 nights accommodation in verified luxury safari lodges & tented camps
- All meals on safari (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Complimentary bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle throughout
- Airport meet-and-greet transfers in Entebbe
What's Excluded
- International airfare and travel visas (Uganda eVisa $50)
- Travel & medical evacuation insurance
- Optional activities (e.g. chimpanzee tracking in Budongo or Kyambura)
- Premium alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
- Gratuities for driver-guide, armed rangers, and lodge staff
Accommodation & Ground Logistics
Eco-Luxury Lodging
Handpicked luxury safari lodges and tented camps featuring private en-suite verandas, gourmet bush dining, and breathtaking wilderness vistas.
Custom 4x4 Cruisers
Purpose-built 4x4 Safari Land Cruisers with 360-degree pop-up game-viewing roofs, USB charging sockets, onboard cooler fridge, and binoculars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife movements are natural and no sightings in the wild can ever be 100% guaranteed. However, white rhinos at Ziwa are monitored 24/7 by armed trackers, giving a 99%+ sighting success rate on foot. Elephants and buffalos are seen on virtually every safari in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth. Lions and leopards are actively tracked during prime dawn and dusk hours by experienced naturalist guides.
Yes! Queen Elizabeth's southern Ishasha sector is located just a 2 to 3-hour drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We can easily add 2 or 3 days for mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi to create the ultimate Big Five and Gorilla Safari.
