15-Day Uganda Safari: Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Cultural Experiences

Upon arrival in Entebbe, our driver will be waiting for us outside the airport. From there, we’ll transfer to a nearby hotel where we can rest after our journey, as flights often arrive during the night.

After breakfast, we’ll head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a protected natural area dedicated to conserving Uganda’s rhinos. The sanctuary provides round-the-clock protection to prevent poaching, which once brought these animals to the brink of extinction. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the rhino population is gradually recovering.

After lunch, we’ll enjoy a walking safari through the sanctuary, accompanied by an experienced ranger. This is a fantastic opportunity to see rhinos up close in their natural habitat and learn more about the work being done to protect them.

We’ll spend the night inside the sanctuary at Ziwa Rhino Lodge.

We’ll set off early in the morning towards the spectacular Murchison Falls National Park, the largest and one of the most diverse national parks in Uganda. Along the way, we’ll pass through changing landscapes, from rural areas to vast savannahs dotted with acacia trees, giving us a taste of the natural beauty that awaits us.

In the late afternoon, we’ll head out on a game drive. This is one of the best times of day for wildlife watching, as many animals become more active. We may spot elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions and, if we’re lucky, leopards, as well as a wide variety of birdlife.

After the safari, we’ll return to Nature Lodges Murchison Falls, where we’ll enjoy views of the River Nile.

Today, we’ll visit one of Uganda’s most iconic landmarks: the magnificent Murchison Falls. Here, the mighty River Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge just a few metres wide, creating one of Africa’s most spectacular waterfalls. The sheer power and roar of the water are breathtaking, and the viewpoints offer unforgettable views.

In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat safari along the Nile, heading towards the base of the falls. This trip offers a different perspective on the landscape and is ideal for wildlife watching. We’ll look out for hippos resting in the water, crocodiles basking on the riverbanks and a wide variety of birds along the way.

We’ll travel towards the Kibale area, passing through rural landscapes and rolling green hills along the way.

On arrival, we’ll have some free time to relax, enjoy the surroundings and visit the school run by the NGO we’ll be spending the next two days with.

In the morning, we’ll take a walk through the local community to learn more about everyday life in the area.

After lunch, we’ll visit coffee and vanilla plantations and discover traditional growing and harvesting methods.

These cultural experiences are organised by the NGO we work with and take us away from the usual tourist routes. They also offer an opportunity to see the impact of our trip on the local community, including how local people have been trained in activities such as coffee cultivation.

Today, we’ll explore the spectacular crater lakes in the region, surrounded by lush vegetation and offering stunning panoramic views. It’s a relaxed day, perfect for enjoying nature and taking photographs.

We can explore the area on foot or by motorbike with a local driver. The motorbike option costs an additional €15 per bike, payable in cash locally.

The afternoon is free, so we’ll be able to choose whether to take part in another activity or simply relax and enjoy the surroundings.

We’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we’ll head out on an afternoon game drive.

We’ll also enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its high concentration of wildlife. It’s a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to see elephants, crocodiles and an incredible variety of birds, often from surprisingly close range.

We’ll start the day with an early morning game drive to maximise our chances of spotting wildlife.

Later, we’ll head to the spectacular Kyambura Gorge for a chimpanzee-tracking experience in their natural habitat. Groups are limited to a maximum of eight people, making this a more intimate wildlife experience.

The gorge is a deep, forest-covered ravine cutting through the park’s savannah, creating a unique ecosystem. Several habituated chimpanzee groups live here, and we’ll explore the area with the aim of observing these fascinating primates in the wild.

We’ll travel towards Bwindi, home to the mountain gorillas.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Ride 4 a Woman, a community-based project working to support local women. We’ll learn about the organisation’s work and take part in activities that offer insight into its impact on the surrounding community.

The specific activities will be agreed with you once you’ve chosen your trip, allowing us to tailor the experience to your interests.

This is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of our 15 day safari to Uganda: trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas.

The gorillas we’ll visit belong to the mountain gorilla subspecies, which is endangered. They live in family groups led by a silverback, who protects and guides the group. These animals are peaceful, social and highly intelligent, displaying behaviours that can seem surprisingly similar to our own.

We’ll be allowed to spend up to one hour with the gorillas, observing them from a close distance of around 4–7 metres. Watching them interact, play or simply look back at us is a deeply moving experience that’s difficult to put into words.

After the trek, we’ll meet our guide, who will be waiting for us with the vehicle. We’ll then follow a scenic dirt road through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, heading towards Lake Mulehe, where we’ll spend the night overlooking the lake.

We’ll travel to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most beautiful destinations and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the area and visit a particularly meaningful community initiative: Buzaniro Dream Village. The project is working to improve access to clean drinking water for everyone in the village.

Set in a beautiful location, this visit will give us the opportunity to see how our trip helps support local initiatives and contributes to positive change in this part of Uganda.

Today, we’ll visit the school directly supported by our trip, giving us a chance to see the impact of our contribution.

We’ll then visit the local market before taking a boat trip across Lake Bunyonyi to explore its islands and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

We’ll also leave some time to relax at our accommodation and take in the beautiful views over the lake.

We’ll travel by road to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda for our return flight, bringing our unforgettable two-week journey through Uganda to an end.

We can also arrange the return journey from Entebbe. However, please bear in mind that the drive from Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe is longer.

Today, we’ll arrive back in Spain or at our final destination in Europe, the Americas or elsewhere, bringing our 15-day Uganda adventure to a close.