Discover Uganda’s “Greatest Hits”. Track mountain gorillas, chimps and the tree-climbing lions. Walk with rhinos; cruise with hippos on this best-selling safari.
This classic tour showcases the very best of Uganda in a cleverly optimized, round-trip. Designed in our signature ‘meanda’ style, this journey balances thrilling, immersive wildlife encounters with well-earned moments of relaxation. Tracking majestic mountain gorillas in the Bwindi jungle; searching for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, and walking with rhinos in Ziwa – you’ll experience Uganda’s raw beauty up close and personal. Stay in beautiful, hand-picked lodges with time to relax and reflect.
Day 1. Airport Arrival. Meet and transfer to hotel.
Day 2. Shoebill Stork and the Equator.
Day 3. Lake Mburo Game Drive and Bush Walk.
Day 4. Mountain Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Jungle.
Day 5. Ishasha and the Tree-Climbing Lions.
Day 6. Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Boat Safari.
Day 7. Chimpanzee Trek and Murchison Roadtrip.
Day 8. Nile Delta Game Drive and Boat Safari.
Day 9. Murchison Falls and Walking with Rhinos.
Day 10. Nile Adventure. Return to Entebbe.
Add Hotel on Return · Mgahinga Golden Monkeys · Mgahinga Volcano Hike · Lake Bunyonyi Chill out · Jungle Rafting · Kibale Forest Chimp Trek
Your driver will be waiting at Entebbe Airport, holding a sign with your name on it. No queues, no stress. A short transfer to the hotel and, if timings permit, we will help you get sorted with some local money and a SIM card for your phone. Perhaps relax around the pool before dinner.
After an early breakfast and a comprehensive safari briefing from your guide, we will head to the fishing village of Nakiwogo and take a boat across Lake Victoria into the famous Mabamba Swamp. Here, in a traditional canoe, you will glide through the papyrus in search of the elusive, prehistoric-looking Shoebill Stork.
Returning from the swamp, we will head to the Equator for lunch and the curious “water trick”, before continuing to Lake Mburo National Park to arrive at your lodge late afternoon. Perhaps sundowners around the pool before dinner?
Rwakobo Rock Cottage or upgrade to Kigarama Wilderness Family Cottage
Start the day with an early breakfast followed by a morning game drive into Uganda’s smallest savannah park. Spot zebra, giraffe, impala, and buffalo against a backdrop of diverse landscapes. Mid-morning we will meet with an armed ranger for an extended bush walk through savannah and woodland habitat, a thrilling way to get closer to the wildlife and observe some of the park’s 350+ bird species up close. The highlight? – giraffes. There is something magical about standing on the ground, looking up at these gentle giants as they glide between the acacia trees.
Depart Lake Mburo late morning for a scenic drive through the mountains to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The journey takes you through rolling hills and jungle trails, reaching your lodge in the Ruhija sector by early evening – volcanoes silhouetted against the sunset before dinner.
Agandi Eco Lodge or upgrade to Kiho Gorilla Lodge
Today is the day! After an early breakfast, probably in the mist, we head to the trekking center for a cultural dance and a formal briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Accompanied by a ranger – and porters if required – you will head into the ancient forest to track one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. The trek typically takes 1 to 2 hours each way, but the moment you come face-to-face with a mountain gorilla in the wild is truly unforgettable. You will spend one precious hour in their presence – closer than you think as they come over to check you out. After the trek we will return to the lodge for a late lunch. In the afternoon, you can opt for a shorter, guided forest walk around Ruhija to spot more forest wildlife and rare birds – or just relax at the lodge before dinner.
Agandi Eco Lodge or upgrade to Kiho Gorilla Lodge
After a leisurely breakfast we will continue along the jungle trail, emerging into the savannah of the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. After lunch at the beautiful Enjojo Lodge we will head out for an afternoon game drive. Ishasha is famous for its unique tree-climbing lions, often found draped over the branches of large fig or acacia trees. You’ll also see Ugandan kob, buffalo, and elephant before heading to the river to watch the hippos. Departing Ishasha, we will continue to the Kazinga Channel at the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, checking into your lodge late afternoon to relax before dinner.
Bush Lodge or upgrade to Elephant Hab
An early start and off to the Kasenyi hunting grounds for a dawn game drive – prime time for spotting lions and leopards against the perfect morning light. Visit the Katwe Salt Lake and the shores of Lake George to see hippos and crocodiles.
Mid-morning, enjoy a relaxing two-hour boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. This is one of the best places in Uganda to see hundreds of buffalo and elephants bathing at the water’s edge, alongside enormous hippo pods and a dazzling array of birds – perhaps the African fish eagle. Return to the lodge for a late lunch.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon around the lodge, or an option to take a late afternoon trip to the twin crater lakes at Kichwamba – stunning scenery and a short community walk to work up an appetite for dinner.
Bush Lodge or upgrade to Elephant Hab
After an early breakfast, descend into the hidden Kyambura Gorge. This “underground forest” is a dramatic contrast to the surrounding savannah. Trek with a ranger through the lush gorge to find and observe a habituated community of chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
After the trek we leave Queen Elizabeth and begin the scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park. The journey follows the Albertine Rift Valley, passing the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains – the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and through the crater-dotted landscape. After lunch in Fort Portal we continue through the tea plantations and undulating hills to arrive at your lodge late afternoon.
Bamboo Village Deluxe or upgrade to Twiga Safari Lodge
An early breakfast and a dawn game drive down to the Nile Delta. This area teems with herds of elephant, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, and the elusive leopard. As the sun rises, you’ll search for lions on the plains.
Late morning, we transfer to the Nile for another highlight: a relaxing boat safari to the base of Murchison Falls. Cruise up the Nile with bloats of hippo in the water; herds of elephant and buffalo on the banks – impossibly large Nile crocodiles basking in the shallows. Feel the sheer power of the falls, as the world’s longest river is forced through a 7-meter gap.
Return to the lodge for a late lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the pool. Or if the mood takes you, we offer an optional evening game drive back to the Delta. Perhaps decide on the day.
Bamboo Village Deluxe or upgrade to Twiga Safari Lodge
An early breakfast and off to trek the top of Murchison Falls. Breathtaking panoramic views. Feel the force and stand in the spray of one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls.
After the falls, we continue south to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here, you will embark on a memorable rhino trekking walk with a ranger and come face-to-face with the white rhinos – the centre of an inspirational reintroduction program here in Uganda. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Ziwa before continuing to Jinja – the “Adventure Capital” of East Africa and the Source of the Nile – arriving to check into your lodge early evening.
Afro Smile Hotel or upgrade to Adrift River View Cottage
After breakfast, experience the mighty Nile! Choose your adventure: white water rafting? – an exciting Class 3 or an adrenaline-pumping Class 5? – or just a gentle float by raft or tube? Prefer a canoe? – or a sunset cruise to the source of the Nile? Take a horse-ride or bicycle ride along the banks? Let us know and we will tailor your last day to your requirements with expert guides to ensure your safety.
After your river adventure, the main tour concludes. We can drop you at your next destination in Jinja, Kampala, or Entebbe. Perhaps check out our Hotel on Return option.
*Pricing is per person based on two people sharing.
| Item | Mid-range | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Uganda 10 Days |
-$4,995* | $5,795* |
| Customise Options (per person*) | ||
| Hotel On Return | $95 | $195 |
| Mgahinga Golden Monkeys | $365 | $535 |
| Mgahinga Volcano Trek | $445 | $545 |
| Jungle Rafting | $445 | no upgrade |
| Lake Bunyonyi Chill out | $325 | $395 |
| Kibale Primate Trek | $595 | $695 |
| Single Room Supplement | +$40/night | +$70/night |
| Savings | ||
| Delete Day 1 (Hotel/Transfer) | -$95 | -$195 |
| Travel by Tourist Van | -$40/day | -$40/day |
Though Uganda is relatively compact compared to other safari destinations, transportation is nonetheless a significant feature of any African safari – connecting the dots between activities and destinations.
We aim to minimize impact of time spent ‘on the road’ by carefully optimizing routes, creatively breaking up the journey and promoting activities to get you out of the vehicle every chance we get! Nonetheless, significant journey time is inevitable and of paramount importance to us is your comfort and, above all, safety.
Our risk assessment identifies four key factors.
Our preferred vehicle is the Toyota 70 Series Landcruiser with custom 6-seater safari package. This has 4 comfortable, customer captain’s seats in the elevated rear cabin and two lower front seats for driver and occasional ranger/guide. For larger groups, we use an extended 8-seater version with 6 customer Captain’s seats.
All captain’s seats are window seats for excellent game viewing. The vehicle has an open ‘safari’ roof for standing and game viewing in the parks and is equipped with wifi (subject to network coverage), charging points and a fridge for cold drinks and snacks.
These vehicles are super-strong, relatively slow and unstressed, providing inherent safety and protection. They have excellent ground clearance and 4-wheel drive to cope with all but the roughest terrain. Enhanced safety features include GPS tracker, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangles, tools and two spare tyres.
A robust maintenance regime is essential to ensure reliability and safety on the road. All our vehicles are rigorously maintained and inspected before each trip. You will see this for yourself. We intend to get you there – and back! If you like, you can count the wheelnuts on some of the other trucks – ours will have 6.
Our driver-guides are suitably qualified and experienced. They are instructed not to exceed speed limits (50kph in town; 80 on the open road) and are required to maintain an accurate safety record. As driver and guide, they will be more than happy to offer information and dialogue along the way, but we would ask that conversation is sensitive to road conditions and to be mindful of distracting the driver.
Routes are carefully planned and optimized to minimize overall travel time; limit drive time to 2.5h hours between breaks; a maximum 10 hours within a 24-hour period; and, to avoid driving after dark (19.00). This is as much for your comfort as it is driver safety.
This is Africa. Things do not always go according to plan. Punctures and breakdowns happen; traffic conditions can create huge delays; adverse weather can wash out tracks.
Your guide will keep you fully informed of such events and their likely impact. He is also required to advise our duty officer so that we can assist in improving outcomes: sourcing and sending a mechanic; checking and agreeing alternative routes; or calling the lodge to hold dinner.
We welcome your constructive feedback on our transportation – or any other aspects – before, during or after your tour. Please contact +256 704 042234 by phone or whatsapp, or email: [email protected] with suggestions or to report concerns.
Joeboentoe Safaris deliver a vital and sustainable funding stream to our non-profit operations, with resources especially directed towards supporting and empowering local communities. Through these initiatives, tourism becomes a practical vehicle for social impact, helping to fund community development, training opportunities, and conservation-linked livelihoods.
Safaris are delivered in partnership with Meanda Uganda, a leading Ugandan tour operator, as part of their strong commitment to responsible and ethical tourism. This collaboration ensures that each journey is professionally managed while also aligning with shared values of environmental stewardship, cultural respect, and meaningful community engagement.
Our joint mission is to curate transformative safari experiences that touch the soul, creating lasting memories for travellers while honouring a deep and active commitment to conservation and local communities. By combining immersive wildlife encounters with authentic cultural interaction, we aim to ensure that every safari contributes positively to both people and nature.
Our non-profit NGO delivers safaris in partnership with Meanda Uganda. As part of their Responsible Tourism Charter, Meanda Uganda share 25% of their profits with Joeboentoe, with an additional marketing bonus for safaris initiated through us. So, as you travel around Uganda and come face-to-face with those who may be struggling more than others, just know that you are supporting their journey as well as your own. Read more about it above in the tab ‘Sustainable Safari’.