7-Day Uganda Safari: Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi

One week through Uganda's highlights: rhinos at Ziwa and the Nile at Murchison Falls, chimpanzees in Kibale, the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth and mountain gorillas in Bwindi.

What You Need to Know: This 7-day private safari covers Murchison Falls, Kibale's chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park and gorilla trekking in Bwindi, ending with a flight to Entebbe. It costs from US$4,424 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the chimpanzee and gorilla permits.

7-Day Uganda Safari: Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
Duration7 days
CountriesUganda
Start / endKampala / Entebbe
PriceFrom US$4,424 per person

Is the 7-Day Uganda Safari Right for You?

It packs Uganda's four best parks into a week. The pace is brisk, with a long drive most days.

This trip suits you if… Consider another trip if…
You want gorillas, chimps and savannah in a week You want an easier pace: see the 10-day Uganda safari
You are fit for one steep forest trek You don't want gorillas: see the 4-day Uganda safari
You'll fly back from Bwindi You want two gorilla treks: see the Uganda and Rwanda safari

The 7-Day Uganda Safari Route at a Glance

Two nights at Murchison, one in Kibale, two in Queen Elizabeth, one in Bwindi.

Day Route Travel Overnight
1 Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Drive 6–7 hours, rhino walk Murchison Falls
2 Game drive and boat cruise at Murchison Falls Game drive and boat cruise Murchison Falls
3 Murchison Falls to Kibale Drive 6–7 hours Kibale / Fort Portal
4 Chimpanzee tracking, then Queen Elizabeth Chimp trek 2–4 hours, drive 2–3 hours Queen Elizabeth National Park
5 Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise Game drive and boat cruise Queen Elizabeth National Park
6 Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Drive 4–5 hours with game viewing Bwindi
7 Gorilla trekking and fly to Entebbe Gorilla trek 2–6 hours, flight 1.5–2 hours —

7-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day

The trip runs north to south through western Uganda; the last afternoon's flight from Bwindi makes it fit in seven days.

  1. Day 1: Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa

    Pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at about 6:00. Drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and track southern white rhinos on foot with a ranger, the only wild rhinos in Uganda, then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.

    Drive 6–7 hours, rhino walkMurchison FallsBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  2. Day 2: Game drive and boat cruise at Murchison Falls

    Cross the Nile at dawn for a game drive on the northern bank, among Rothschild's giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob and, with luck, lions. In the afternoon a boat cruise runs upriver to the foot of Murchison Falls, past hippos and crocodiles; you can get off for the hike to the top, where the whole Nile squeezes through a 23 ft (7 m) gorge.

    Game drive and boat cruiseMurchison FallsBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  3. Day 3: Murchison Falls to Kibale

    A long drive south along the Albertine Rift escarpment to Fort Portal and Kibale Forest, with tea plantations near the end.

    Drive 6–7 hoursKibale / Fort PortalBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  4. Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking, then Queen Elizabeth

    Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, up to an hour with a habituated community, then the drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

    Chimp trek 2–4 hours, drive 2–3 hoursQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  5. Day 5: Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise

    An early game drive for lions, elephants and Uganda kob, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel among hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles and water birds.

    Game drive and boat cruiseQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  6. Day 6: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi

    Drive south through the Ishasha sector, where lions often rest in fig trees, and on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

    Drive 4–5 hours with game viewingBwindiBreakfast, lunch, dinner
  7. Day 7: Gorilla trekking and fly to Entebbe

    Trek to your assigned gorilla family with the rangers and spend one hour with them, then take the afternoon flight from Kihihi to Entebbe. If the trek runs long, we add a night in Bwindi instead.

    Gorilla trek 2–6 hours, flight 1.5–2 hoursDepartureBreakfast, lunch

What You Can See on the 7-Day Uganda Safari

  • Ziwa: white rhinos on foot
  • Murchison Falls: the Nile, giraffes and elephants
  • Kibale: chimpanzees
  • Queen Elizabeth: tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and hippos on the Kazinga Channel
  • Bwindi: mountain gorillas

How Much Does the 7-Day Uganda Safari Cost?

From US$4,424 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.

Permit Price per person (2026)
Kibale chimpanzee permit US$250
Uganda gorilla permit US$800

What changes the price

  • Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
  • Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
  • Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas; Uganda's gorilla permit falls to US$600 in April, May and November
  • Flights: the afternoon flight from Kihihi to Entebbe on day 7 is quoted with your trip

Park fees and permits on this route

Park, permit or fee 2026 rate
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary rhino tracking Paid at the sanctuary, shown in your quotation
Murchison Falls National Park (UWA) About US$45 per adult per 24 hours
Kibale chimpanzee tracking permit (UWA) US$250 per person, including park entry (reported to rise to US$300 from January 2027)
Queen Elizabeth National Park (UWA) About US$40 per adult per 24 hours
Bwindi gorilla permit (Uganda Wildlife Authority) US$800 per person, US$600 in April, May and November; includes park entry

What the 7-Day Uganda Safari Price Includes

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
  • 6 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
  • Kibale chimpanzee permit, Uganda gorilla permit (one each per person)
  • Airport pickup and drop-off
  • Drinking water in the vehicle

Not included

  • International flights
  • Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance with medical evacuation
  • Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
  • Drinks, laundry and personal items
  • Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)

How the 7-Day Uganda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips

Our Uganda safaris compared:

Trip Days From (per person) Focus
Bwindi gorillas 3 US$2,246 Gorilla trek only
Queen Elizabeth and Kibale 4 US$2,178 Chimps and savannah
Murchison and Kidepo 5 US$2,410 Remote savannah, no primates
Uganda highlights 7 US$4,424 Falls, chimps, savannah, gorillas
Kibale to Lake Mburo 8 US$4,906 Chimps, gorillas, Lake Mburo
Grand Uganda 10 US$5,870 Everything, at an easier pace

The 10-day trip covers the same parks with more time in each.

How to Book the 7-Day Uganda Safari

When you cancel Refund
60 days or more before arrival 100%
30–59 days 90%
15–29 days 60%
10–14 days 25%
Less than 10 days, or a no-show No refund

What Else to Read Before You Book

In Uganda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.

This page covers what is particular to the 7-Day Uganda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:

Common Questions About the 7-Day Uganda Safari

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?

Reasonably fit. Treks last from under an hour to six hours on steep, often muddy slopes at altitude. Porters and walking sticks make a big difference, and rangers try to match groups to fitness. The minimum age is 15.

Can we avoid the flight on the last day?

Yes: we add a night in Bwindi and drive to Entebbe on day 8 (9–10 hours), and requote the trip.

How much does the 7-Day Uganda Safari cost?

From US$4,424 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.

The Bottom Line

Seven days for all of Uganda's highlights, at a brisk pace. Reserve the gorilla and chimp permits as soon as your dates are set.

Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.

Ready to plan your trip?

Tell us your dates and interests and our team in Moshi will send a written quotation with the itinerary and price.