5-Day Murchison Falls & Kibale Chimpanzee Safari

Your Uganda safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Kampala afte-morning breakfast, setting off on a scenic 6 to 7-hour drive northwest toward your first extraordinary destination — the magnificent Murchison Falls National Park. As Uganda’s largest conservation area, Murchison Falls spans an impressive 3,840 square kilometers of diverse and wildlife-rich landscape, encompassing sweeping savannah, dense woodland, and the iconic Victoria Nile cutting dramatically through its heart.

The park takes its name from one of Africa’s most awe-inspiring natural spectacles — Murchison Falls — where the full force of the Victoria Nile is squeezed through a narrow 7-metre gorge before plunging 45 metres in a thunderous cascade of white water, mist, and roaring sound that can be heard from kilometers away. Break for lunch en route at Kabalega Diners or in the charming town of Masindi before arriving at the park in the afternoon.

Upon arrival, embark on an exhilarating hike to the top of Murchison Falls — one of Uganda’s most rewarding and dramatic viewpoints. Stand at the very edge of the gorge as millions of litres of water surge past beneath you, and capture stunning photographs of the spectacular waterfall and the iconic rainbow that forms permanently in the mist at its crest. Return to your lodge as the African sun sets over the Nile, for a relaxed dinner and well-deserved overnight rest.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge — a comfortable mid-range lodge situated inside Murchison Falls National Park, offering convenient access to the park’s finest wildlife and landscapes.

- Meals included: All meals - Drinking water included (Other drinks not included)

After breakfast at the lodge, set out on an exhilarating morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park’s designated game tracks, winding across vast savannah grasslands that teem with an exceptional diversity of African wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the towering Rothschild giraffe — one of the world’s most endangered giraffe subspecies — alongside Defassa waterbuck, Cape buffalo, lions, Uganda kob, leopards, elephants, and the elusive serval cat, among many other remarkable species that call this extraordinary park home.

As the midday heat settles over the savannah, return to the lodge for a relaxed brunch or light snack and a refreshing rest before the afternoon’s adventures begin. After lunch, transfer to Paraa Jetty where your guides will be waiting to set off on a magical Nile River boat cruise — one of the most rewarding and scenic wildlife experiences in all of Uganda. Drift slowly along the calm waters of the Victoria Nile, soaking in the breathtaking riverside scenery while observing an extraordinary parade of wildlife along the banks. The cruise is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with remarkable species including open-billed storks, shoebill storks, Marabou storks, secretary birds, African fish eagles, and pink-backed pelicans all regularly sighted along the river. Massive Nile crocodiles bask on the sandy banks while pods of hippos wallow and grunt in the deeper channels — creating an unforgettable and deeply immersive wildlife spectacle at every turn.

Return to the lodge as the sun dips toward the horizon for a well-earned dinner and a peaceful overnight stay inside the park.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge — a comfortable mid-range lodge ideally situated inside Murchison Falls National Park.

- Meals included: All meals - Drinking water included (Other drinks not included)

After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, set off on a scenic 7 to 8-hour drive south toward one of Uganda’s most extraordinary and biologically rich destinations — the legendary Kibale National Park, widely celebrated as the Primate Capital of the World. The journey itself is a reward, passing through breathtaking landscapes including the vast Lake Albert flats and escarpments, the magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, and the lush rolling countryside of western Uganda — a feast for the eyes at every turn. Stop in the charming Fort Portal Town for a relaxed lunch break before continuing on to the forest.

Kibale National Park is home to an astonishing 13 different primate species — the highest concentration of primates anywhere in Africa — making it an absolute paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. While the park is most famous for its large population of habituated chimpanzees, the forest also shelters an impressive cast of other primates including olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, bushbabies, pottos, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and patas monkeys. With over 350 recorded bird species, Kibale is equally rewarding for dedicated birdwatchers seeking rare and spectacular forest species.

Arrive at your luxury lodge nestled within or alongside the Kibale Forest in time for dinner and a restful overnight stay, perfectly positioned for the extraordinary chimpanzee trekking adventure that awaits the following morning.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale — an exceptional luxury lodge situated inside Kibale National Park, offering an intimate and immersive rainforest experience at the heart of Uganda’s primate capital.

- Meals included: All meals - Drinking water included (Other drinks not included)

Today brings one of the most extraordinary and sought-after wildlife experiences in all of East Africa — the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Rise early for a quick breakfast before arriving at Kanyanchu Visitor Center, the park headquarters, by 6:00 AM for a comprehensive briefing before heading out to join a dedicated team of researchers in the field.

Unlike a standard chimpanzee trek, the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is a rare and deeply immersive full-day encounter that follows a wild chimpanzee community from the very moment they wake and leave their overnight nests at dawn through every aspect of their remarkable daily lives — foraging for food, socializing, grooming, mating, resting, and playing — right through to the evening when they construct and settle into their nests for the night. Spending an entire day alongside these incredible and highly intelligent creatures, observing behaviors that mirror our own with striking familiarity, is a profoundly moving and humbling experience that consistently ranks among the most memorable wildlife encounters on the entire African continent.

Come prepared with a packed lunch and plenty of drinking water for this full-day adventure deep in the forest. Return to the lodge in the evening for a well-deserved dinner, relaxation, and a peaceful overnight stay — no doubt replaying the extraordinary moments of the day long into the night.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park, Uganda

Accommodation: Primate Lodge Kibale — an exceptional luxury lodge nestled inside Kibale National Park, offering an intimate rainforest retreat at the heart of Uganda’s primate capital.

- Meals included: All meals - Drinking water included (Other drinks not included)

After a final breakfast at the lodge, check out and begin your journey back toward Kampala, with a series of fascinating and scenic stops along the way to make the most of your last day in western Uganda. First, explore the remarkable Amabere ga Nyinamwiru Caves — a culturally rich and geologically fascinating site featuring extraordinary breast-shaped stalactites and stalagmites steeped in ancient Ugandan legend and folklore, alongside beautiful cascading waterfalls that create a truly enchanting natural setting. From there, embark on an invigorating hike through the stunning Crater Lakes of Kigere, Saka, and Kikere — three of western Uganda’s most scenic and peaceful volcanic crater lakes, offering breathtaking views and a tranquil farewell to the region’s extraordinary landscapes.

Stop for a relaxed lunch in Fort Portal City — one of Uganda’s most charming and picturesque towns, nestled at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains — before setting off on the drive back to Kampala. On arrival, transfer seamlessly to your hotel for an overnight stay or continue directly to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight to your next destination.

This marks the end of your 5-Day Uganda Safari – Murchison Falls & Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking — an unforgettable journey through Uganda’s most spectacular wilderness areas and primate-rich forests.

End of Tour — Entebbe International Airport (No accommodation)

- Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner not included) - Drinking water included (Other drinks not included)