6 Days Murchison Falls, Chimpanzee & Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari
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Highlights
Boat cruise to the base of the thundering Murchison Falls
Game drives for the Big Five on the Northern Circuit
Chimpanzee habituation experience in Budongo Forest
Shoebill stork search in the Nile Delta papyrus swamps
One full guaranteed hour with a habituated gorilla family
Gorilla trekking certificate personally presented by your ranger
Batwa pygmy cultural trail and community experience
Guided birding walk in Bwindi - 350+ bird species
Luxury forest lodge with panoramic Virunga volcano views
What's Included & Excluded
What's Included
- 5 nights full-board accommodation
- All game drives in shared 4x4 vehicle
- Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls
- Morning launch trip (Day 2)
- Top of the Falls hike with park ranger
- Shoebill canoe expedition (Day 3)
- Murchison Falls NP entry fees
- All port / ferry crossing fees
- Gorilla trekking permit ($800 value - included)
- Batwa cultural trail & community fee
- Guided birding walk in Bwindi
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout
- All ground transfers within the itinerary
What's Not Included
- International flights to Entebbe
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guides, porters, trackers & lodge staff
- Personal items and medication
- Uganda tourist visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (optional, $30/person)
Detailed Day Wise Itinerary
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Day 01 - Kampala/Entebbe Arrival & Transfer to Murchison Falls
Depart Kampala early morning and drive north to Murchison Falls National Park (~5–6 hrs). Stop en route at Budongo Forest for a guided chimpanzee walk. Cross the Victoria Nile ferry into the park and check in at your lodge in the Paraa area. Evening briefing and dinner at the lodge.
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Day 02 - Nile Boat Cruise & Full Game Drive
Early morning game drive on the Northern Circuit - elephants, buffalos, lions, giraffes and hippos. Board a 3-hour Nile boat cruise upstream to the base of Murchison Falls. Hike to the top of the Falls for spectacular gorge views. Afternoon game drive and sundowner at the river.
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Day 03 - Shoebill Stork Expedition & Transfer to Entebbe
Dawn canoe paddle through the Nile Delta papyrus in search of the prehistoric shoebill stork. Return to camp for breakfast and check-out. Drive south to Kampala/Entebbe (~5 hrs) and check in to a transit hotel near the airport. Early rest for tomorrow's charter flight.
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Day 04 - Charter Flight Entebbe → Bwindi & Gorilla Briefing
Early morning charter flight from Entebbe to Kihihi/Kisoro airstrip (~1.5 hrs) with aerial views of the Rift Valley. Transfer to your luxury forest lodge and check in. Attend the mandatory Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) gorilla trekking briefing in the afternoon. Optional guided birding walk on the forest fringe.
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Day 05 - Gorilla Trekking - The Core Experience
After breakfast, transfer to UWA park headquarters for the start of the gorilla trek. Groups are capped at 8 per habituated gorilla family. Trekking duration varies from 1–8 hours. Spend one guaranteed hour observing the gorilla family up close. Receive your official trekking certificate. Return to the lodge for lunch and a celebratory dinner.
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Day 06 - Batwa Cultural Trail & Return to Entebbe/Kampala
Morning Batwa cultural trail with the original hunter-gatherers of Bwindi's forest. Breakfast and lodge check-out. Transfer to the airstrip for a midday charter flight back to Entebbe. Arrive Entebbe by early afternoon in time for international connections. Your guide will assist with any onward travel logistics.
Special Notes
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GORILLA PERMIT AVAILABILITY: Gorilla trekking permits are strictly limited to 64 per day. We recommend booking at least 12 months in advance for peak season (June–September, December–February). We secure permits on your behalf upon payment of the full deposit.
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PERMIT PRICE INCLUDED: The USD $800 UWA gorilla trekking permit is included in the package price.
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TREK DIFFICULTY: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is physically demanding. The forest terrain is steep and dense with no formed paths. Treks can last up to 8 hours at altitude (1,160–2,607m). Please disclose any health conditions at booking.
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MINIMUM AGE: Only guests aged 15 and above are permitted to go on gorilla treks per UWA regulations. No exceptions.
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PORTERS: We strongly recommend hiring a porter ($15/porter). Porters are local community members and will carry your daypack while helping you navigate the terrain.
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ENTEBBE STOPOVER (DAY 3): The overnight in Entebbe between Murchison Falls and Bwindi is logistically essential. The 600 km+ road journey cannot be done in a single day. The charter flight on Day 4 departs early morning from Entebbe.
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SAFETY: Both Murchison Falls and Bwindi are safe, well-established destinations. Armed rangers accompany all gorilla treks as standard procedure. Our team monitors security advisories continuously.
