This classic seven-day Uganda journey takes you deep into some of East Africa's most extraordinary wilderness, weaving together the primate-rich forests of Kibale, the vast savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the mist-draped jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will track habituated chimpanzees through ancient tropical forest, come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas on a lifetime permit trek, and glide along the Kazinga Channel on a memorable boat cruise. The adventure closes with a serene stay on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi before a scenic transfer back to Kampala, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime. Africompass handles every detail, from your arrival in Entebbe to your final farewell, so you can focus entirely on the wonder of Uganda.
On Day 1 you will be met on arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transferred by road to Kibale Forest Lodge, your base for the next two nights at the edge of Kibale National Park. The drive offers a beautiful introduction to Uganda's lush, rolling landscape, passing through tea estates and local villages. After settling in, you will enjoy a welcome dinner and an evening briefing on the chimpanzee trekking experience that awaits you the following morning.
Day 2 will be dedicated to an immersive chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale National Park, home to one of Africa's largest and most habituated chimpanzee communities. You will head into the forest early in the morning with an expert ranger guide, listening for the distinctive calls of chimps as you navigate the ancient jungle trails. The afternoon will offer time to relax at the lodge or join an optional forest walk to discover Kibale's remarkable diversity of bird life, primates and tropical flora.
On Day 3 you will depart Kibale after breakfast and travel south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's most celebrated wildlife destinations. En route you will stop at the fascinating Katwe explosion craters, a dramatic volcanic landscape offering sweeping views across the Rift Valley floor. Arriving in the park, you will embark on an afternoon game drive through the Kasenyi Plains in search of the park's famous tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffalo and a wealth of bird life before checking in at Aardvark Safari Lodge.
Day 4 will offer a full day of wildlife exploration in Queen Elizabeth National Park, beginning with an early morning game drive to maximise sightings during the golden hour. The afternoon will bring one of Uganda's most rewarding wildlife experiences: a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George, where hippos, crocodiles, elephants and an extraordinary array of water birds gather in spectacular numbers. You will return to Aardvark Safari Lodge in the early evening for dinner and a second night in this remarkable wilderness setting.
On Day 5 you will travel from Queen Elizabeth National Park through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the few remaining sanctuaries of the endangered mountain gorilla. After a briefing at the park headquarters in the Ruhija sector, you will set off into the ancient forest with expert trackers and rangers to locate one of the habituated gorilla families, spending a precious hour in close proximity to these magnificent great apes. That evening you will reflect on an unforgettable encounter at Bakiga Lodge, nestled at the edge of the forest.
Day 6 will take you to the serene highland haven of Lake Bunyonyi, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa, sitting at over 1,900 metres above sea level and dotted with 29 lush islands. The short scenic drive from Bwindi through the terraced hills of Kisoro offers wonderful views of the Virunga volcanoes on the horizon. At Birdnest at Bunyonyi Resort you will have a full afternoon and evening at leisure to enjoy the tranquil lake setting, optional canoe trips or simply unwind on the resort's waterfront terrace.
On Day 7 you will enjoy a final breakfast at Lake Bunyonyi before beginning the scenic drive north to Kampala, with a lunch stop en route at a recommended restaurant. The journey passes through the rolling hills of the Kabale highlands and the agricultural heartland of Uganda, offering a fitting final impression of the country's extraordinary beauty. Upon arrival in Kampala your Africompass safari will come to an end, and the team will be on hand to assist with any onward travel arrangements you may require.
Tell us your dates and dream, and a local specialist will craft your trip.
It depends on what you want to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, visit between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. For calving season and dense predator activity, January to March is excellent, particularly around the southern Serengeti. Kenya's two dry seasons (June to October and January to February) generally offer the clearest skies and easiest game viewing across Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu, since animals gather around limited water sources. The 'green season' (November and April to May) brings lush scenery, migratory birdlife, and lower rates, though some rural roads can be muddy. Tell us your travel dates and priorities, and we will recommend the destinations that fit best.
Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied for online before you fly; Tanzania and Zanzibar require their own separate visa, available online or on arrival depending on your nationality. Entry requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current rules for your passport a few weeks before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and we recommend it in general along with being up to date on routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B). Most safari areas are malaria zones, so antimalarial medication is strongly advised. Always check final requirements with your doctor or a travel health clinic, and ask us for the latest entry rules when you book.
Every itinerary we build is private and tailor-made by default: your own vehicle, driver-guide, and schedule, with no strangers added to your trip. That means you can linger an extra morning at a favourite lodge, adjust the route on the go, or add a visit to the Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre we support. If you would rather share costs or travel as a solo guest, we can also arrange a scheduled group departure and match you with other travellers on similar dates. Either way, your safari is planned by our Nairobi-based specialists around your budget, dates, and interests, not a fixed package.
Safari costs vary widely depending on where you stay and how you travel. Budget camping safaris in parks like Amboseli or Lake Nakuru can start from around USD 150 to 250 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris typically run USD 250 to 450 per day, and luxury tented camps in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti can exceed USD 750 per day. Your quote always includes a private vehicle, driver-guide, park fees, and accommodation as specified in your itinerary. Since every trip we build is tailor-made, tell us your budget and travel dates and we'll show you exactly what it buys, with no hidden extras.
Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives, since bright colours and dark blue can attract tsetse flies in some regions. Bring layers for early morning drives, which can be cold even near the equator, plus a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a portable charger make a real difference to the experience. Comfortable closed shoes are more useful than sandals, and most lodges offer laundry service, so you rarely need more than a week's worth of clothing even on a longer trip. We send a full packing checklist tailored to your specific itinerary and season once you book.
Yes. Alongside our guided safaris, we offer both self-drive car hire and chauffeur-driven vehicles for clients who want more flexibility around Nairobi, the coast, or shorter road trips. Self-drive suits experienced drivers comfortable with Kenyan road conditions, while a chauffeur-driven car is the better choice for game-viewing routes, night driving, or if you'd simply rather relax and let a local expert handle the roads. All our vehicles are well-maintained 4x4s suited to both tarmac and rougher safari tracks. Let us know your route and dates and we'll recommend the right option.
Millions of visitors travel safely to Kenya and Tanzania every year, and the main tourist circuits, national parks, and coastal resorts are well-established and closely monitored. As with any international travel, sensible precautions apply: use a reputable operator (we're KATO-verified), avoid displaying valuables in cities, and follow your guide's advice in wildlife areas, where the real risk is animals, not crime. We stay in regular contact with our clients throughout their trip, and our drivers know the routes and current conditions well. If you have specific safety questions about your itinerary, we're happy to talk them through before you book.
Absolutely, it's one of our most popular combinations. A typical itinerary pairs 4 to 7 days on safari in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Serengeti with 3 to 5 days unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar or Diani Beach, taking advantage of short connecting flights between the two. We handle all the logistics, including domestic flight bookings and airport transfers, so you go straight from game drives to the Indian Ocean without the stress of planning it yourself. Tell us how many days you have and we'll suggest a balance between wildlife and beach time that fits your trip.
