Gorillas and chimps in one circuit sounds intense. This 9-day Uganda route stitches together Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, and Lake Mburo, so you hit the country’s big-name wildlife areas without wasting days on guesswork.

Two things I really like about this trip are the on-foot rhino tracking at Ziwa and the wildlife-viewing style of the Nile and Kazinga boat cruises, where hippos, crocodiles, and water birds can show up right on your route. It’s also built around ranger-guided tracking and classic safari game drives, which helps you spend less time staring at trees and more time knowing where to look.

One consideration: the schedule starts early (5:00 am) and runs full days, including long travel legs (like the 5–6 hour road stretches). If you don’t handle moderate physical fitness well, or you want a slow, cushy pace, this may feel like a lot.

Key highlights you should care about

• Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch on foot with a ranger-guide and a chance to see rhinos in the bushes
• Kanyanchu chimp tracking with briefing and guided forest searching
• Game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth aimed at lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants, and more
• Kazinga Channel cruise for hippos, crocodiles, and serious water-bird action
• Bwindi gorilla family trekking with ranger guidance plus an optional Batwa cultural walk
• Lake Mburo walking safari with zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelope-type sightings

What this 9-day best-of Uganda route gets right

This trip works because it connects Uganda’s top wildlife zones into one continuous loop. You start in Entebbe, run north to Murchison Falls, swing west through Fort Portal and Kibale, then head through Queen Elizabeth and into Bwindi. After gorillas, you slide to Lake Mburo for one more dose of wildlife before returning to Kampala or Entebbe.

I like that the pace matches what most people want from a wildlife safari in Uganda: big animals, real tracking, and multiple habitats. You’re not only driving and hoping. You also get walking tracking (rhinos), guided forest tracking (chimps and gorillas), and boat cruising (Nile and Kazinga).

Another practical perk: it’s a private tour/activity, so it’s only your group. That usually helps with responsiveness. The other human piece matters too. This tour is run by Safaris By Jon, and the feedback I’ve seen consistently points to fast, supportive communication from Jon when planning and while you’re on the ground.

Day 1: Ziwa rhino tracking on foot, then Murchison Falls rapids views

Day 1 is all about shifting from city mode into tracking mode fast. You begin at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, where you’re led by a ranger-guide for a two-hour on-foot rhino tracking experience. The park has over 30 rhinos, which matters because it increases your odds of real sightings instead of just searching.

Then you move to Murchison Falls National Park and spend about an hour at the falls area. The idea here is to see the River Nile as it pushes through Uganda, including the dramatic rapids formed as the river travels north.

The value of Day 1 is psychological as much as scenic. It trains your eyes early. By the time you’re later doing game drives and cruises, you’re already thinking like a tracker instead of a tourist.

Murchison Falls: early game drive plus Nile waterfall cruise

Day 2 is a classic two-part wildlife day: morning hunting-style driving followed by a calmer cruise. In the early morning game drive (about four hours), you’re searching for wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hyenas, and several antelope species. This is the kind of mix that makes Murchison Falls feel like a “main event” park.

After lunch, you shift to the river. The Nile waterfall cruise is listed as about three hours, and the schedule explicitly hopes for hippos and crocodiles, plus elephants and buffaloes coming down to drink. You should also expect plenty of water birds.

Here’s the practical mindset I’d use: game drives reward patience and stillness, while boat cruises reward scanning and timing. Bring layers for early hours, and keep your camera ready for low, quick movements near shorelines. Most people focus on the “big splash” moments; the real value is the steady wildlife spotting between them.

Westward to Kibale: Fort Portal crater-lake scenery and chimpanzee tracking

Day 3 starts with a long road day. You depart Murchison Falls and travel west toward Fort Portal, then onward to Kibale Forest National Park (about six hours total on the route). After arriving, you have an optional two-hour nature walk in Fort Portal, centered on crater lake views and the Rwenzori mountains in the distance.

That stop isn’t just a break from driving. It breaks up the relentless wildlife focus with something Uganda-specific: highland scenery. You’re changing environments, which also helps you feel less “stuck” on the safari circuit.

Day 4 is chimpanzee day. You begin at Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a chimp tracking experience with an early breakfast, a briefing at park headquarters, and then ranger-guide led forest searching. The tracking slot is listed as about six hours, and admission is marked included.

Then you transfer to Queen Elizabeth after lunch (around three hours). This matters because it prevents that common mistake of ending the day too late. You get to the next park while there’s still enough daylight rhythm left to settle in.

Chimp tracking is physically different from driving. You’re on uneven ground, watching for movement in foliage, and adjusting to the pace set by the ranger. If you’re expecting a short, scripted walk, you’ll be happier if you go with flexibility.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: Kasenyi game drive and the Kazinga Channel cruise

Day 5 doubles down on Queen Elizabeth. In the morning, you head out for an early game drive in the Kasenyi tracks for about four hours. The list of possible animals is long and specific: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, hyenas, and giant forest hogs.

If you like the classic safari feel, this is where it happens: you’re in open-country settings looking for sightlines and movement. The Kasenyi area tends to support strong wildlife viewing, but the real win is the variety. You get predators, big herbivores, and the smaller “in-between” species that make a safari feel alive.

In the afternoon you go for a Kazinga Channel boat cruise (about three hours). This is one of the most practical ways to see animals because you’re moving through water and edges where wildlife uses the same routines. The cruise is marked as included, and it highlights hippos, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, and lots of water birds.

One tip from the way this day is structured: you’ll likely get the most value if you don’t treat the cruise like background time. Keep an eye on shorelines and floating paths. Hippos can be close, but they also surface unpredictably, and birds show up in waves.

Ishasha tree-climbing lions to Bwindi gorillas: the heart of the trip

Day 6 moves you into Ishasha, the southern sector story within Queen Elizabeth. You depart the northern sector and then do a short game drive searching for tree-climbing lions, which are famous for using fig trees in the area. The drive is about four hours, so it’s focused, not rushed.

After that you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for lunch and afternoon setup. The transfer is about three hours.

Day 7 is the main highlight: gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After early breakfast, you go to the park headquarters for a briefing by a park ranger. Then a ranger-guide leads you into the forest to find the gorilla family you’re allocated to. The itinerary slot for the trek shows 6 minutes, but the day still includes briefing and guided searching, so plan to feel like you’re doing something big and time-consuming even if the schedule doesn’t spell it all out.

You can also add an evening cultural walk for about three hours. This option is linked to local communities and especially the Batwa, who used to reside in the forest. If you want context beyond wildlife sightings, this is the most direct way within the schedule to add human stories to your nature experience.

This is where the feedback I’ve seen makes sense: Bwindi gorilla time tends to be the standout. Not because it’s dramatic for the sake of drama, but because the experience is structured around rangers and real searching, and you’re watching animals in a natural setting.

Lake Mburo: walking safari, zebra-and-giraffe country, then the Equator finale

Day 8 shifts tone again. You leave Bwindi for Lake Mburo National Park with a lunch stop en route (about five hours). After lunch, you relax for a bit, then head out for an evening guided walking safari (about two hours). The schedule lists zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and multiple antelope species as possible sightings.

Walking safari days are some of the most grounding in Uganda because you’re closer to the ground sounds and tracks. You also tend to notice smaller movement—birds, insects, and general activity—that you miss from a vehicle.

Day 9 is your exit day. You do a game drive as you leave Lake Mburo, then head back toward Entebbe or to another drop point in Kampala. The plan includes a stop at the equator for lunch, souvenir shopping, and photo ops at the equator crossing sign.

That last-day equator stop is touristy in the best way. It gives you a clean ending point and a chance to stretch your legs after driving.

Price and logistics: is $3,702 a good value?

At $3,702 per person for 9 days, this sits in the mid-range for an itinerary built around gorilla trekking and multiple other wildlife experiences. The math that helps you judge value is not just the total price. It’s the density of major activities: rhino tracking, chimps, gorillas, two safari parks with game drives, and two separate water-based viewing experiences.

The schedule also marks admission as included for several key items such as rhino tracking at Ziwa, Murchison Falls waterfall viewing, chimp tracking at Kanyanchu, and the Kazinga Channel cruise. Other activities are listed with admission marked free in the itinerary, which can mean the cost is folded into the overall package in practice. Still, I’d treat that as a cue to confirm what’s covered before you pay in full, especially for anything where a permit fee might be separate.

What you’re paying for, in plain terms, is access plus time on the right routes. This is a lot of ground to cover in one circuit, and the trip is built around minimizing wasted effort between parks.

Tradeoffs are real. You start early (5:00 am) and spend long stretches in a vehicle. This isn’t the kind of trip where you bounce out for short walks and then return to a relaxed lounge life.

Who should book this Uganda wilderness safari?

This tour fits best if you want a first-timer friendly, wildlife-heavy loop through Uganda’s most visited parks. It’s also a good choice if you like having a guide structure your days: ranger-guided chimp and gorilla trekking, guided rhino tracking, and planned game drives.

You should consider a different style if you:

• Want a slow travel pace with more free time
• Struggle with uneven ground and long days (the schedule calls for moderate physical fitness)
• Dislike early mornings and long driving legs

It’s also smart for small groups and couples. Since it’s private, you’ll feel less rushed by strangers’ pace, and the guide can keep your group moving as a unit.

A practical checklist before you go

Even with a strong itinerary, a few things can make your days feel easier:

• Pack for varied weather and early mornings, since you’ll start at 5:00 am and you’ll be outdoors for tracking and game viewing.
• Bring good walking shoes. You’ll do on-foot tracking (rhinos) and forest time (chimps and gorillas), plus a guided walk at Lake Mburo.
• Plan for insect protection. Forest and water-edge environments usually mean mosquitoes and biting insects at times.
• Keep some cash for small purchases since the Day 9 plan includes souvenir shopping at the equator stop.
• If you have questions, take advantage of the fact that Safaris By Jon is known for responsive support during planning. Ask what’s included versus marked free on the schedule so you’re not guessing later.

Should you book this 9-day gorilla-chimp safari?

If your dream trip includes gorillas plus chimpanzees, and you also want lions, elephants, and water wildlife in the same 9 days, I think this is a strong booking. The itinerary is packed, but it’s packed with variety: walking tracking, forest searching, vehicle-based safari, and boat cruises.

Book it if you’re okay with a structured schedule, long days, and the physical demands of ranger-guided tracking. Consider another option if you want lots of downtime or you prefer a slower, less intense pace. For the right fit, this tour gives you Uganda’s biggest wildlife moments without making you stitch together separate trips yourself.

FAQ

How long is the gorilla trekking, chimpanzee, and wilderness safari?

The tour lasts about 9 days.

Where does the tour start and what time?

It starts at Café Javas on Berkeley Rd, Entebbe, and the start time is 5:00 am.

Does the tour offer pickup?

Pickup is offered.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What primates are included in the experience?

You’ll do chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Where do you track rhinos on foot?

Rhino tracking is done at Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, with a ranger-guide leading you on foot.

Are there any boat cruises?

Yes. You’ll have a boat cruise on the Nile and an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

What kind of fitness level do you need?

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund, as long as you cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.

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