PKG-003 · Wildlife Safari · 7 Days
Uganda Big 5 Wildlife Safari
Game Drives, Nile Cruise & Tree Lions
Three of Uganda's greatest national parks in one seamless 7-day journey — from the thundering Murchison Falls and Nile boat cruises to the elusive tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest.
7
Days
3
National Parks
$200
Per Month
99%
Wildlife Encounter Rate
"Uganda's Big 5 wildlife safari is one of East Africa's most diverse park-to-park journeys. You will stand at the edge of the Murchison Falls as the entire Nile squeezes through a 7-metre gorge and thunders 45 metres below you. You will cruise the Kazinga Channel with hippos surfacing just metres from your boat. You will drive into the Ishasha sector as twilight falls and find lions reclined in the branches of fig trees above you. And in Kibale, you will follow chimpanzees through the world's most biodiverse tropical forest. This is Uganda's greatest safari circuit — and Roam Beyond Tours delivers it on a flexible payment plan."
Trip Highlights
What Makes This Safari Unforgettable
🦁
Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha — unique to Queen Elizabeth NP
🌊
Nile launch cruise to Murchison Falls — Africa's most powerful waterfall
🦛
Kazinga Channel boat cruise — hippos, elephants & 600+ bird species
🐒
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest — 13 primate species
🐘
Large elephant herds, buffalo, leopard & giraffe across 3 parks
🦤
World-class birding — shoebill, African fish eagle, sunbirds
Parks Visited
3 National Parks on This Safari
Queen Elizabeth NP
Uganda's most diverse park — tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, the famous Kazinga Channel, 600+ bird species, elephant herds, and hippo-packed waterways. The Maramagambo Forest hosts chimpanzees and a python cave.
Murchison Falls NP
Uganda's largest national park. The Nile launches through a 7-metre gorge and drops 45 metres — Africa's most powerful waterfall. Famous for lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, and the dramatic delta boat cruises.
Kibale Forest NP
The chimpanzee capital of the world — Kibale hosts 1,500 chimps across 795 sq km of rainforest. Thirteen primate species share the canopy. The Bigodi Wetland Walk adds birding and more primates.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
7-Day Wildlife Safari Programme
Day 1
Entebbe / Kampala → Queen Elizabeth National Park
Morning departure from Entebbe or Kampala by private 4×4 safari vehicle. Travel southwest through Fort Portal, stopping at the Equator crossing for photos and the famous Coriolis water experiment. Arrive Queen Elizabeth NP by afternoon.
- Check in at your lodge (Mweya Safari Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp / budget option available)
- Optional evening game drive in the Kasenyi Plains (lion, elephant, warthog)
- Dinner and briefing for the following day
Day 2
Queen Elizabeth — Morning Game Drive + Kazinga Channel Cruise
A full day exploring Uganda's most diverse national park.
- Early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains (lion, elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob)
- Afternoon 2-hour launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel — hippos, elephants, crocodiles & hundreds of bird species crowd the banks
- Late afternoon: drive south to the Ishasha sector (tree-climbing lion territory)
- Evening game drive searching for lions in the fig trees — one of Uganda's most remarkable wildlife experiences
Day 3
Kibale Forest — Chimpanzee Trekking
Drive north from Queen Elizabeth to Kibale Forest National Park (approx. 2 hours).
- Morning arrival and check-in at your Kibale lodge
- 2:00 PM chimpanzee trekking briefing at KWS headquarters
- Track and spend 1 hour with Kibale's habituated chimpanzee communities (permit: $250 pp, included)
- Evening: optional Bigodi Wetland Walk — black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, 200+ bird species
Day 4
Kibale → Murchison Falls — Long Drive North
Today is a longer travel day as you head north to Uganda's largest national park. The drive is scenic — stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route (optional add-on: rhino tracking on foot).
- Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — Uganda's only wild rhino population, tracked on foot
- Arrive Murchison Falls NP by afternoon
- Check in at your Murchison lodge (Pakuba Safari Lodge / Red Chilli Restcamp / Paraa Safari Lodge)
- Evening game drive from the ferry crossing: giraffe, elephant, buffalo, and lions
Day 5
Murchison Falls — Full-Day Game Drive + Nile Boat Cruise
A full day in Uganda's largest and most spectacular national park.
- Early morning game drive north of the Nile — lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hartebeest & waterbuck
- Midday lunch at the lodge
- Afternoon Nile launch cruise from Paraa to the base of Murchison Falls — hippos, Nile crocodiles & hundreds of water birds line the banks
- Optional: hike to the top of Murchison Falls for views of the gorge from above
Day 6
Murchison — Delta Birding & Afternoon Drive
- Optional early morning boat to the Nile delta for shoebill stork and other specialist birds (the delta is one of Africa's top birding destinations)
- Morning game drive south of the Nile — flat savannah ideal for cheetah spotting
- Lunch and afternoon at leisure
- Sunset drive back through the park
Day 7
Murchison → Kampala / Entebbe — Departure
- Early morning game drive if time allows
- Depart Murchison after breakfast for Kampala / Entebbe (approx. 4–5 hours)
- Optional lunch stop at Jinja — Source of the Nile (with short boat add-on available)
- Arrive Entebbe / Kampala by late afternoon. Onward connections or overnight available
Package Details
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included in Package Price
- All accommodation (6 nights, choice of budget / mid-range / luxury)
- All park entry fees across 3 national parks
- Chimpanzee trekking permit — Kibale ($250 pp)
- All game drives in private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hours)
- Nile launch cruise to Murchison Falls
- All meals as specified (full board)
- Expert local English-speaking guide throughout
- Airport transfers (Entebbe)
- All fuel and vehicle costs
- Government taxes
✗ Not Included
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Uganda tourist visa ($50 — apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug)
- Travel insurance (required — we recommend World Nomads)
- Optional activities (rhino tracking, delta birding, Jinja detour)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips & gratuities (guide: $15–20/day suggested)
- Personal spending money
FAQ
Common Questions About This Safari
Is this safari suitable for first-time visitors to Africa?
Absolutely. This 7-day itinerary is our most popular introduction to Uganda for first-time safari travellers. The combination of game drives, a boat cruise, and chimpanzee trekking delivers a comprehensive wildlife experience that rivals East Africa's best destinations — at a fraction of the cost.
What wildlife will I realistically see on this safari?
You can expect to see lions (including tree-climbing lions in Ishasha), African elephants, Nile hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, Rothschild's giraffe (Murchison), warthog, various antelope, chimpanzees (Kibale), and dozens of bird species including African fish eagle, grey crowned crane, and possibly the elusive shoebill stork. Leopard sightings are possible but less frequent.
Can I upgrade the itinerary to include gorilla trekking?
Yes — our PKG-002 (Gorillas & Chimps Combo, 6 days) and PKG-005 (Pearl of Africa Special, 10 days) extend this circuit to include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We can also build a custom itinerary incorporating gorilla trekking on any budget.
What lodges are available for this package?
We offer three lodge tiers: Budget (Red Chilli Restcamp, Kasenyi Budget), Mid-range (Mweya Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge), and Luxury (Baker's Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale). All tiers deliver excellent wildlife experiences — the difference is comfort level, not wildlife access.
Starting From
$2,400
per person · budget lodges
or $200/month × 12 months
- 7 days / 6 nights included
- Chimpanzee permit ($250) included
- All park fees included
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Expert local guide throughout
- Nile boat cruise included
- Airport transfers included
- Flexible payment plan available
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Parks Visited
3 National Parks
Group Size
2–8 people
Departs
Entebbe or Kampala
Best Season
Year-round
Difficulty
Easy–Moderate
Payment Plan
$200/mo × 12
Interest
0% — No Fees
Ready for Uganda's Wildlife Circuit?
Secure your safari date today. Our local experts are ready to customise this itinerary around your budget, interests, and travel dates — at no extra cost.
PKG-003 · Wildlife Safari · 7 Days
Uganda Big 5 Wildlife Safari
Game Drives, Nile Cruise & Tree Lions
Three of Uganda's greatest national parks in one seamless 7-day journey — from the thundering Murchison Falls and Nile boat cruises to the elusive tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest.
7
Days
3
National Parks
$200
Per Month
99%
Wildlife Encounter Rate
"Uganda's Big 5 wildlife safari is one of East Africa's most diverse park-to-park journeys. You will stand at the edge of the Murchison Falls as the entire Nile squeezes through a 7-metre gorge and thunders 45 metres below you. You will cruise the Kazinga Channel with hippos surfacing just metres from your boat. You will drive into the Ishasha sector as twilight falls and find lions reclined in the branches of fig trees above you. And in Kibale, you will follow chimpanzees through the world's most biodiverse tropical forest. This is Uganda's greatest safari circuit — and Roam Beyond Tours delivers it on a flexible payment plan."
Trip Highlights
What Makes This Safari Unforgettable
🦁
Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha — unique to Queen Elizabeth NP
🌊
Nile launch cruise to Murchison Falls — Africa's most powerful waterfall
🦛
Kazinga Channel boat cruise — hippos, elephants & 600+ bird species
🐒
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest — 13 primate species
🐘
Large elephant herds, buffalo, leopard & giraffe across 3 parks
🦤
World-class birding — shoebill, African fish eagle, sunbirds
Parks Visited
3 National Parks on This Safari
Queen Elizabeth NP
Uganda's most diverse park — tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, the famous Kazinga Channel, 600+ bird species, elephant herds, and hippo-packed waterways. The Maramagambo Forest hosts chimpanzees and a python cave.
Murchison Falls NP
Uganda's largest national park. The Nile launches through a 7-metre gorge and drops 45 metres — Africa's most powerful waterfall. Famous for lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, and the dramatic delta boat cruises.
Kibale Forest NP
The chimpanzee capital of the world — Kibale hosts 1,500 chimps across 795 sq km of rainforest. Thirteen primate species share the canopy. The Bigodi Wetland Walk adds birding and more primates.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
7-Day Wildlife Safari Programme
Day 1
Entebbe / Kampala → Queen Elizabeth National Park
Morning departure from Entebbe or Kampala by private 4×4 safari vehicle. Travel southwest through Fort Portal, stopping at the Equator crossing for photos and the famous Coriolis water experiment. Arrive Queen Elizabeth NP by afternoon.
- Check in at your lodge (Mweya Safari Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp / budget option available)
- Optional evening game drive in the Kasenyi Plains (lion, elephant, warthog)
- Dinner and briefing for the following day
Day 2
Queen Elizabeth — Morning Game Drive + Kazinga Channel Cruise
A full day exploring Uganda's most diverse national park.
- Early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains (lion, elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob)
- Afternoon 2-hour launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel — hippos, elephants, crocodiles & hundreds of bird species crowd the banks
- Late afternoon: drive south to the Ishasha sector (tree-climbing lion territory)
- Evening game drive searching for lions in the fig trees — one of Uganda's most remarkable wildlife experiences
Day 3
Kibale Forest — Chimpanzee Trekking
Drive north from Queen Elizabeth to Kibale Forest National Park (approx. 2 hours).
- Morning arrival and check-in at your Kibale lodge
- 2:00 PM chimpanzee trekking briefing at KWS headquarters
- Track and spend 1 hour with Kibale's habituated chimpanzee communities (permit: $250 pp, included)
- Evening: optional Bigodi Wetland Walk — black-and-white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, 200+ bird species
Day 4
Kibale → Murchison Falls — Long Drive North
Today is a longer travel day as you head north to Uganda's largest national park. The drive is scenic — stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route (optional add-on: rhino tracking on foot).
- Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — Uganda's only wild rhino population, tracked on foot
- Arrive Murchison Falls NP by afternoon
- Check in at your Murchison lodge (Pakuba Safari Lodge / Red Chilli Restcamp / Paraa Safari Lodge)
- Evening game drive from the ferry crossing: giraffe, elephant, buffalo, and lions
Day 5
Murchison Falls — Full-Day Game Drive + Nile Boat Cruise
A full day in Uganda's largest and most spectacular national park.
- Early morning game drive north of the Nile — lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hartebeest & waterbuck
- Midday lunch at the lodge
- Afternoon Nile launch cruise from Paraa to the base of Murchison Falls — hippos, Nile crocodiles & hundreds of water birds line the banks
- Optional: hike to the top of Murchison Falls for views of the gorge from above
Day 6
Murchison — Delta Birding & Afternoon Drive
- Optional early morning boat to the Nile delta for shoebill stork and other specialist birds (the delta is one of Africa's top birding destinations)
- Morning game drive south of the Nile — flat savannah ideal for cheetah spotting
- Lunch and afternoon at leisure
- Sunset drive back through the park
Day 7
Murchison → Kampala / Entebbe — Departure
- Early morning game drive if time allows
- Depart Murchison after breakfast for Kampala / Entebbe (approx. 4–5 hours)
- Optional lunch stop at Jinja — Source of the Nile (with short boat add-on available)
- Arrive Entebbe / Kampala by late afternoon. Onward connections or overnight available
Package Details
What's Included & Excluded
✓ Included in Package Price
- All accommodation (6 nights, choice of budget / mid-range / luxury)
- All park entry fees across 3 national parks
- Chimpanzee trekking permit — Kibale ($250 pp)
- All game drives in private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hours)
- Nile launch cruise to Murchison Falls
- All meals as specified (full board)
- Expert local English-speaking guide throughout
- Airport transfers (Entebbe)
- All fuel and vehicle costs
- Government taxes
✗ Not Included
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Uganda tourist visa ($50 — apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug)
- Travel insurance (required — we recommend World Nomads)
- Optional activities (rhino tracking, delta birding, Jinja detour)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips & gratuities (guide: $15–20/day suggested)
- Personal spending money
FAQ
Common Questions About This Safari
Is this safari suitable for first-time visitors to Africa?
Absolutely. This 7-day itinerary is our most popular introduction to Uganda for first-time safari travellers. The combination of game drives, a boat cruise, and chimpanzee trekking delivers a comprehensive wildlife experience that rivals East Africa's best destinations — at a fraction of the cost.
What wildlife will I realistically see on this safari?
You can expect to see lions (including tree-climbing lions in Ishasha), African elephants, Nile hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, Rothschild's giraffe (Murchison), warthog, various antelope, chimpanzees (Kibale), and dozens of bird species including African fish eagle, grey crowned crane, and possibly the elusive shoebill stork. Leopard sightings are possible but less frequent.
Can I upgrade the itinerary to include gorilla trekking?
Yes — our PKG-002 (Gorillas & Chimps Combo, 6 days) and PKG-005 (Pearl of Africa Special, 10 days) extend this circuit to include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We can also build a custom itinerary incorporating gorilla trekking on any budget.
What lodges are available for this package?
We offer three lodge tiers: Budget (Red Chilli Restcamp, Kasenyi Budget), Mid-range (Mweya Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Pakuba Safari Lodge), and Luxury (Baker's Lodge, Paraa Safari Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale). All tiers deliver excellent wildlife experiences — the difference is comfort level, not wildlife access.
Starting From
$2,400
per person · budget lodges
or $200/month × 12 months
- 7 days / 6 nights included
- Chimpanzee permit ($250) included
- All park fees included
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Expert local guide throughout
- Nile boat cruise included
- Airport transfers included
- Flexible payment plan available
Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Parks Visited
3 National Parks
Group Size
2–8 people
Departs
Entebbe or Kampala
Best Season
Year-round
Difficulty
Easy–Moderate
Payment Plan
$200/mo × 12
Interest
0% — No Fees
Ready for Uganda's Wildlife Circuit?
Secure your safari date today. Our local experts are ready to customise this itinerary around your budget, interests, and travel dates — at no extra cost.