Western Uganda
Mountain gorillas and beyond
Experience Uganda’s incredible wildlife, starting with a safari at Murchison Falls on the shores of Lake Albert. From here begin your journey south, stopping off at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Continue south in search of chimps in Kibale Forest and then venture east to see hippos and elephants in the Kazinga Channel. From here head back to the western border and Queen Elizabeth National Park where you can spot the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Finish your wildlife-packed adventure by heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the smaller Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Key information
| Destinations | Uganda |
|---|---|
| Activity | Active, Nature & Wildlife, Responsible Travel |
| Physical Level | Easy |
 Season |
January - December |
Suggested itinerary
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 1 in Murchison Falls National Park
Uganda’s most popular and largest nature reserve, Murchison Falls National Park’s beautiful location and impressive animal populations (the park is home to over 15,000 elephants) makes it a wonderful stop for any traveller hoping to glimpse Uganda’s rich wildlife. Straddling the Victoria Nile, the park contains numerous rapids and waterfalls, including the powerful Murchison Falls. Visitors can get up-close to the falls, before enjoying a world-class safari on the shores of Lake Albert.
Get up-close to a white rhino in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 2 in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
A collaborative effort between the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rhino Fund Uganda, this private, non-profit animal sanctuary offers a secure home and breeding programme for the only wild rhinos left in Uganda. Committed to restoring Uganda’s rhinoceros population — including breeding and re-introducing the rhinos to national parks — the sanctuary is open to the public, who can visit and learn about the 22 southern white rhinos currently residing there.
Go chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
Day 3–4 in Kibale Forest National Park
Grab yourself a guide and set off into the evergreen jungle of the Kibale National Park in Western Uganda in search of chimps. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding them, as this beautiful forest is famous for its thriving primate population.
Watch hippos and elephants in the Kazinga Channel
Day 5–6 in Kazinga Channel
Visit the Kazinga Channel in western Uganda and see one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and elephants in their natural habitat. The channel is a wide, 20-mile long freshwater channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward.
See the tree lions of Ishasha
Day 7–8 in Queen Elizabeth National Park
For an incredible wildlife experience with second-to-none photo opportunities, head to Ishasha in Western Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can see the area’s rare population of tree-climbing lions snoozing happily up above the ground in fig and acacia trees. One of the most popular parks in Uganda, the area possesses incredible biodiversity, with 96 species of mammals, including good numbers of elephants, leopards and hippos.
Safari in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 9–10 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
While Bwindi Impenetrable Forest steals the limelight, the smaller Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda has arguably better views and is directly connected to the extended Virunga conservation area. Travellers visiting the park can hike the extinct Virunga Volcanoes, track golden monkeys, join a gorilla trek or keep their eyes peeled for the buffalo, elephants and rare bird species which call these rainforests home.
Other itineraries you might like
Private Uganda Safari
8 day safari through the Pearl of Africa
8 daysFrom $1,840| Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Victoria | |
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Private guided tour |
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Safari, Luxury, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism |
Recommended Tour
Private Uganda Safari
8 day safari through the Pearl of Africa
8 days $1,840 – $2,835 per person By Wild Frontiers| Destinations | Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Victoria |
|---|---|
| Activity | Safari, Luxury, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, Culture, Indigenous Tourism |
| Tour Type | Private guided tour |
| Physical Level | Moderate |
Search for endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, spot tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and an optional visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on the beautiful Lake Victoria. With luxury accommodation, professional guides and custom made safari vehicles, this eight day safari is a great way to explore Uganda.
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Accommodation | |
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Guided excursions | |
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Ground transfers | |
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Some meals | |
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Internal flights | |
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Camping equipment |
Gorilla Express Scheduled Safari
Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
6 daysFrom $2,630| Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Victoria | |
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Small group tour |
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Safari, Luxury, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, Birdwatching, National Parks, Solo Travel |
Recommended Tour
Gorilla Express Scheduled Safari
Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
6 days $2,630 – $2,975 per person By Wild Frontiers| Destinations | Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Victoria |
|---|---|
| Activity | Safari, Luxury, Adventure, Hiking & Trekking, Active, Nature & Wildlife, Birdwatching, National Parks, Solo Travel |
| Tour Type | Small group tour |
| Physical Level | Moderate |
Aimed at those who are time restricted, but keen to see some game as well as gorillas on their safari. You’ll trek endangered mountain gorillas, as well as enjoy abundant game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National park.
Luxury accommodation, friendly hosts, professional guides and custom made safari vehicles promise to make this the trip of a lifetime. Aside from incredible gorillas and game, Uganda boasts some of the top bird watching in Africa, with over 1000 different species.
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Accommodation | |
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Guided excursions | |
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Ground transfers | |
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Some meals | |
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Internal flights | |
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Camping equipment |
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