Experience the thrill of Uganda’s remarkable wildlife on this 9 Days Uganda Big Five Safari Tour with Verdant Safaris. This carefully designed safari takes you across some of Uganda’s most rewarding wildlife destinations, combining the vast savannahs of Murchison Falls National Park, the wildlife-rich plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the unique landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park. You will also visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can track rhinos on foot as part of an exciting Big Five experience. Throughout the journey, you will have opportunities to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos, alongside giraffes, hippos, Uganda kobs, zebras, warthogs, antelopes and numerous bird species. Scenic drives, guided wildlife experiences and boat cruises add variety to the safari, allowing you to discover Uganda’s diverse landscapes and wildlife habitats. With comfortable accommodation, professional guiding and carefully planned activities, this itinerary is an excellent way to experience the Big Five and discover why Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa.
Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls
Your adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe as you travel towards Murchison Falls National Park. You will drive through Uganda’s countryside, passing local communities, farms and roadside markets while enjoying the changing scenery. Along the way, you will stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s reintroduced southern white rhinoceros. Here, you will enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience on foot, giving you an opportunity to observe these impressive animals in a protected natural environment. After the activity, you will have lunch before continuing towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. You will arrive at your lodge later in the afternoon, check in and relax as you prepare for the exciting game drives and boat cruise ahead.
Accommodation options: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Victoria Nile Boat Cruise
You will wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for your first major game drive through Murchison Falls National Park. The morning safari takes you across the northern sector, where open savannah plains provide excellent opportunities to encounter elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, waterbucks and warthogs. Your guide will carefully search for predators, and with good fortune you may encounter lions and leopards in the grasslands or woodland areas. After the morning game drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks provide excellent opportunities to see large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes, while numerous water birds make the cruise particularly rewarding for birdwatching.
Accommodation options: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Murchison Falls to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls National Park and begin your journey southwards towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful countryside of western Uganda, where you will pass rural communities, farms, plantations and scenic landscapes. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s premier wildlife destinations. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an introductory game drive as you enter the park, providing your first opportunity to encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and other wildlife. The park also supports lions and leopards, making it an important destination on your Big Five safari. You will continue to your accommodation, check in and enjoy dinner before relaxing for the evening.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Morning Game Drive
You will begin your day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring its expansive savannah plains and woodland habitats. The morning hours are particularly rewarding for wildlife viewing because many animals are active before temperatures rise. You will search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and several antelope species while your guide explains the behaviour and ecology of the wildlife you encounter. Special attention will be given to areas where lions are known to roam, while leopards may also be encountered if conditions are favourable. After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for breakfast and some relaxation before lunch. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent enjoying the lodge surroundings or taking an optional activity, depending on your interests and available time.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Game Drive
After breakfast, you will enjoy another exciting wildlife experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park with a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is renowned for its remarkable concentration of wildlife along the shoreline. As you cruise along the water, you can see large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and elephants gathering near the channel, while buffaloes and antelopes may be seen grazing close to the water. The cruise also provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with numerous water birds and other species inhabiting the channel’s shores. After the cruise, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation. Later, you will enjoy an afternoon game drive through the park, searching for wildlife and potentially encountering lions, elephants, buffaloes and other species before returning to your accommodation for dinner.
Accommodation options: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Kasenyi Safari Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, you will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel towards Lake Mburo National Park in south-western Uganda. The journey takes you through scenic countryside, with rolling hills, farms, villages and local communities providing a fascinating view of rural life. You will have lunch en route before continuing towards Lake Mburo, a small but wildlife-rich park characterised by open grasslands, acacia woodland and wetlands. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an afternoon game drive as you enter the park. Lake Mburo is well known for its zebras, impalas, topi, elands, buffaloes, warthogs and Uganda kobs. You will continue to your lodge after the game drive, check in and enjoy dinner while surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the African bush.
Accommodation options: Rwakobo Rock, Mburo Safari Lodge, Eagles Nest Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Lake Mburo Game Drive and Guided Nature Walk
You will wake up early and head out for a morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. The park’s open savannah and woodland provide excellent opportunities to see zebras, impalas, topi, elands, buffaloes, warthogs and Uganda kobs. Your guide will take you through different habitats while explaining the behaviour of the animals and pointing out tracks, birds and other signs of wildlife. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast and some relaxation before enjoying lunch. In the afternoon, you will take part in a guided nature walk accompanied by a trained ranger. Exploring the park on foot provides a more intimate experience of the wilderness, allowing you to appreciate plants, birds, insects, animal tracks and smaller wildlife that may be missed from a vehicle.
Accommodation options: Rwakobo Rock, Mburo Safari Lodge, Eagles Nest Camp
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Lake Mburo to Entebbe via the Equator
After breakfast, you will leave Lake Mburo National Park and begin your journey towards Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on your schedule, you may enjoy a short final game drive before exiting the park, giving you another opportunity to see zebras, impalas, buffaloes and other wildlife. You will then continue through Uganda’s countryside, passing farms, villages and roadside markets as you travel towards the Equator. You will stop at the Uganda Equator crossing, where you can take photographs, visit craft shops and purchase locally made souvenirs. The Equator stop provides a memorable cultural and geographical experience during your safari. You will have lunch around the Equator before continuing towards Entebbe. On arrival, you will check into your accommodation, relax and enjoy your final evening in Uganda after an exciting Big Five safari adventure.
Accommodation options: Papyrus Guest House, Airport View Hotel, Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Departure
After breakfast, you will have a relaxed morning depending on the timing of your international flight. If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, you may spend your remaining time resting at your accommodation, exploring a little of Entebbe or purchasing final souvenirs. Your Verdant Safaris guide will arrange your transfer to Entebbe International Airport in good time for your scheduled departure. As you travel to the airport, you can reflect on the incredible wildlife experiences you have enjoyed throughout your journey. From tracking rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to searching for lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes across Uganda’s national parks, this safari provides an exciting introduction to the country’s Big Five. Your 9 Days Uganda Big Five Safari Tour ends at Entebbe International Airport, marking the conclusion of your journey through the Pearl of Africa.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch)
Safari Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Uganda.
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle throughout the safari.
- Services of an experienced English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- Fuel and transportation as specified in the itinerary.
- Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary.
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- All applicable national park entrance fees.
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary entrance and guided rhino tracking activity.
- Murchison Falls National Park game drives.
- Victoria Nile boat cruise.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives.
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
- Lake Mburo National Park game drives.
- Guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park.
- Uganda Equator crossing visit.
- Bottled drinking water during safari journeys and game drives.
- All applicable government taxes and service charges.
Safari Exclusions
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda entry visa.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and telephone charges.
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages.
- Tips and gratuities for your safari guide, lodge staff and other service providers.
- Souvenirs, crafts and personal shopping.
- Optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary.
- Additional accommodation before Day 1 or after Day 9.
- Any services not specifically listed under the inclusions.
- Expenses resulting from changes to the itinerary caused by circumstances beyond the control of Verdant Safaris.