This spectacular 10-day Uganda safari takes you deep into the heart of East Africa's finest wilderness, from the thundering power of Murchison Falls to the mist-draped slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will encounter chimpanzees in Kibale, the famous tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the world's most celebrated mountain gorillas, all aboard a private pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle with a dedicated guide. Luxury lodges and camps placed right inside or beside each park ensure you wake up to wildlife at your doorstep every morning. Africompass has crafted this itinerary for travellers who want a complete Uganda experience without compromising on comfort or exclusivity.
On Day 1 you will be met at Entebbe International Airport by your Africompass guide and transferred by private 4x4 to Kampala, Uganda's vibrant capital city. The approximately one-hour drive offers a first glimpse of Uganda's lush equatorial landscape before you settle into the elegant Kampala Serena Hotel for a welcome dinner.
On Day 2 you will depart Kampala after breakfast for the scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest protected area. The journey takes approximately four to five hours and passes through rolling savannah and the Budongo Forest reserve, with a possible stop at Karuma Falls along the way. You will arrive at Paraa Safari Lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive along the northern bank of the Victoria Nile.
On Day 3 you will have a full day to immerse yourself in the wonders of Murchison Falls National Park, beginning with an early morning game drive where lion, leopard, elephant and Uganda kob are commonly sighted. The highlight of the day will be a boat trip up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, where the river famously squeezes through a seven-metre gorge and plunges 43 metres below, surrounded by hippos, Nile crocodiles and a rich array of birdlife.
On Day 4 you will travel south from Murchison Falls to the Fort Portal area, arriving at the lush highland sanctuary of Kyaninga Lodge, situated less than an hour from Kibale National Park. In the afternoon you will set out for Kibale's ancient rainforest for a chimpanzee trekking experience, tracking habituated chimp communities through dense canopy while listening to their distinctive calls echoing through the trees.
On Day 5 you will depart after breakfast for the short drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's most biodiverse reserves with over 600 bird species and the celebrated Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. You will arrive at Mweya Safari Lodge, perched on a peninsula between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel, in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive.
On Day 6 you will spend a full day exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park, beginning with an early morning game drive in the famous Ishasha sector in search of lions resting in fig trees. The afternoon will feature a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes George and Edward that offers outstanding concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, African fish eagles and a spectacular variety of water birds.
On Day 7 you will begin the scenic drive southward from Queen Elizabeth to the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through the picturesque highlands and tea estates of southwestern Uganda. The drive takes approximately three to four hours and the changing landscape, from open savannah to montane cloud forest, is spectacular in itself. You will check in to Gorilla Heights Lodge, just outside the park boundary, and receive a full briefing on the gorilla trekking rules and procedures for the following morning.
On Day 8, the undisputed highlight of the entire safari, you will set off early into the impenetrable forest to track one of Bwindi's habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek can range from one hour to a full day depending on where the gorillas have moved overnight, and once found you will have one precious hour in the presence of these gentle giants, an encounter that is widely regarded as one of the most moving wildlife experiences on earth. After returning to the lodge, the afternoon will be free for relaxation, optional community village walks or forest birding.
On Day 9 you will leave the cool forest highlands of Bwindi and drive northeast to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's smallest savannah park and the only protected area in the country with large populations of impala and zebra. You will arrive at Mihingo Lodge, which borders the park without fences, meaning wildlife moves freely around the property. The afternoon will include a game drive through the acacia woodland and grasslands, with optional boat trips on Lake Mburo available.
On Day 10 you will wake to a final sunrise breakfast in the African bush before departing Lake Mburo for the approximately four-hour drive back to Entebbe International Airport. A packed lunch or lunch stop en route will be provided, and your dedicated guide will transfer you to the airport departures terminal in good time for your international flight home.
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.
