The Uganda Big Five safari is designed for travelers who want the complete Africa’s Big Five experience in one trip: rhino, lion, elephant, buffalo, and leopard. The journey begins at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda’s only place to see rhinos in the wild, continues to Murchison Falls National Park for game drives and the thunderous falls where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge, and finishes in Queen Elizabeth National Park for further big game viewing and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. It’s a well-rounded itinerary that pairs Uganda’s rarest wildlife sighting with its most productive game-viewing parks.
Uganda Big Five Safari
- 5 Days
Adult
From
$ 1,300
Per Adult
Description
Duration
5 Days
Language
English
Big Five Safari Highlights
At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary you'll track southern white rhinos on foot with an armed ranger, one of the only opportunities in East Africa to view rhinos this closely in a natural setting. In Murchison Falls National Park, expect game drives across the northern savannah with strong chances of lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and leopard sightings, plus a launch cruise to the base of Murchison Falls itself, where the Nile River squeezes through an 8-meter-wide gorge with tremendous force. The safari concludes in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where game drives on the Kasenyi plains and a cruise along the Kazinga Channel round out sightings of the remaining Big Five species, alongside hippos, crocodiles, and the park's rich birdlife.
Included
- Transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All park entrance fees for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls, and Queen Elizabeth
- Rhino tracking fees at Ziwa
- Nile boat cruise fees at Murchison Falls
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise fees
- Game drives as per itinerary
- 4 nights' accommodation (as per selected category)
- Meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner while on safari)
- Drinking water in the vehicle during game drives
- All government taxes
Excluded
- International/domestic flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, phone calls, laundry, etc.)
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., top-of-the-falls hike, chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge)
Big Five Safari Itinerary
Day 1 - Kampala/Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Depart in the morning and drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. In the afternoon, take a guided rhino tracking walk to view southern white rhinos on foot before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park in the evening.
Day 2 - Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Start with an early morning game drive across the northern savannah in search of lions, elephants, buffalo, and giraffe. In the afternoon, take a launch cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, with strong chances of hippo, crocodile, and elephant sightings along the riverbanks.
Day 3 - Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, begin the scenic drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through rural Uganda and the western Rift Valley, arriving in the afternoon or evening.
Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
Enjoy an early morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, followed by a midday launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel to view hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo along the banks.
Day 5 - Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions and Return
Visit the Ishasha sector in the morning for a chance to see the park's famous tree-climbing lions, then begin the drive back to Kampala/Entebbe, arriving in the evening.
Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
This itinerary is designed to maximize your chances of seeing lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino, with dedicated rhino tracking at Ziwa and strong game-viewing areas in both Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth. That said, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and leopards in particular are elusive.
Rhinos were wiped out in Uganda's parks by the 1980s due to poaching and conflict. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a dedicated breeding and reintroduction site where southern white rhinos are protected today, with plans to eventually reintroduce them into national parks.
Rhino tracking at Ziwa is done on foot with an armed ranger, allowing you to approach rhinos more closely than you typically would from a vehicle. It's a guided walk rather than a drive, offering a more immersive experience.
Uganda can be visited year-round, though the dry seasons, from December to February and June to September, generally offer easier game viewing across all three destinations.
Travel between Ziwa, Murchison Falls, and Queen Elizabeth involves several hours of driving each day, largely on tarmac and well-maintained roads, with scenic countryside along the way.
Options range from budget lodges and campsites to mid-range and luxury properties in each region. Let your operator know your budget and preferences when booking.
Most visitors need a Uganda visa, which can usually be obtained online in advance through the official e-visa portal. Check requirements based on your nationality before you travel.
Neutral-colored clothing, comfortable walking shoes for rhino tracking, a warm layer for early morning game drives, sun protection, insect repellent, binoculars, and a camera are all recommended.
From $ 1,300
Book This Tour
From $ 1,300
Book This Tour
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