Day 1 · Entebbe
Airport pickup at Entebbe. Rest and briefing. Night in Entebbe.
Uganda safari · 8 days
8 Days Uganda Safari: The Big 5 Tour
Indicative from $3,288 per person · Solo, couples & groups · Serah Foundation on every booking
An 8 days Uganda safari built around the Big Five, a Big 5 Uganda tour: a private, guided tour of Uganda's national parks with UTB-licensed guides and named lodges, planned around your dates rather than a fixed group departure. Every booking supports Serah Foundation.
Book this 8-day Big Five Uganda safari with Mwanzo Tours, a UTB-licensed Kampala tour operator. It is one of our Uganda safari packages for 2027, and you can compare other routes in our Uganda tours and safaris or the full package list. Check availability or read the safari planning guide.
Why this safari?
A 8-day private Uganda safari with UTB-licensed guides, named lodges, and Serah Foundation contribution, built around your dates rather than a fixed group departure.
Who is this safari for?
Couples, friends, and solo travellers wanting a private guided Uganda safari, we adapt pacing to your group.
Physical difficulty
Easy. Vehicle-based game drives and boat cruises; optional short walks.
Best time to go
June to September and December to February are peak safari months. We quote seasonal lodge rates and permit windows for your exact dates.
Your safari vehicle
Private pop-up roof 4×4 (Land Cruiser or equivalent) with UTB-licensed guide (English, German, Dutch, French, Italian or Spanish), water and charging.
Your lead planner
Itinerary reviewed by Anthony Kiweewa, gorilla permits secured weekly from Kampala. Field guides include Daniel (25 years Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi) and Maria (women's journeys).
Wildlife & experiences you can expect
- Rhinos on foot at Ziwa, elephants and hippos at Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth, and walking safari at Lake Mburo
Serah Foundation, where your booking goes
Every Mwanzo safari contributes to Serah Foundation, a registered community organisation supporting education, health outreach, and livelihood programmes in communities bordering Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. We publish what your booking supports; this is not a vague "community fee."
On this safari
Scenes from Mwanzo departures, your route uses the same guides, vehicles, and lodge standards.
Traveller reviews
Independent ratings from guests who booked gorilla and wildlife safaris with Mwanzo Tours.
Related planning guides
Day-by-day itinerary
Sample route, customised to your dates, lodges, and fitness.
Day 2 · Entebbe to Murchison Falls
Ziwa rhino trek, then continue to Murchison Falls. The vehicle and your party cross the Nile by ferry at Paraa to the north bank. Night at Murchison Falls.
Day 3 · Murchison Falls
Game drive on the north bank of the Nile (no ferry crossing today). Afternoon launch toward the falls.
Day 4 · Murchison Falls to Kibale
Top of the falls. Cross back to the south bank on the Paraa ferry, then a long drive to Kibale. Night in Kibale.
Day 5 · Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
Bigodi wetland walk, or an optional chimpanzee trek. Crater lakes on the way south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Night on the Mweya side.
Day 6 · Queen Elizabeth
Morning game drive at Kasenyi. Afternoon boat on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 7 · Queen Elizabeth to Lake Mburo
Drive to Lake Mburo. Evening game drive or boat. Night at Lake Mburo.
Day 8 · Lake Mburo to Entebbe
Walking safari at Lake Mburo. Drive to Entebbe. Departure.
Highlights
- Ziwa rhino trek on foot
- Murchison Falls: Nile launch, north bank game drive and the top of the falls
- Kibale and the Bigodi wetland walk
- Kasenyi game drive and the Kazinga Channel boat
- Lake Mburo walking safari and boat
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with guide (English, German, Dutch, French, Italian or Spanish)
- Serah Foundation contribution on every booking
Parks & regions
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kibale Forest
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
Typically included
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle & UTB-licensed guide (English, German, Dutch, French, Italian or Spanish)
- Park entrance & conservation fees
- Accommodation as quoted (mid-range or premium)
- Meals as per itinerary (B/L/D)
- Drinking water in vehicle
- Airport transfers on arrival & departure days
- Serah Foundation contribution on every booking
Not included
- International flights & Uganda visa
- Travel insurance is not included; guests arrange their own.
- Gorilla/chimp permits unless stated in quote
- Tips, personal expenses & alcoholic drinks
- Optional activities not in itinerary
- Chimpanzee trek unless added
Example lodges (named in your quote)
Exact property confirmed in writing before you travel, representative mid-range and premium options:
Mid-range
| Bwindi | Buhoma Haven Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Camp |
| Queen Elizabeth | Elephant Plains Lodge or Bush Lodge |
| Kibale | Kibale Forest Camp or Turaco Treetops |
| Murchison | Pakuba Safari Lodge or Fort Murchison |
Premium
| Bwindi | Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs |
| Queen Elizabeth | Mweya Safari Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge |
| Kibale | Primate Lodge Kibale or Kyaninga Lodge |
| Murchison | Paraa Safari Lodge or Baker's Lodge |
Booking & payment
Deposit
Typically 30% on booking to secure gorilla/chimp permits and lodges. Permits are non-refundable under UWA rules, we explain this before you pay.
Balance
Due 60 days before departure unless agreed otherwise. Bank transfer or card. EUR/USD quotes available for European travellers.
Cancellation
Tiered policy in our booking terms. Travel insurance with cancellation cover strongly recommended.
Your money
Full breakdown in our payment reassurance guide, what is held and when permits are purchased.
Common questions
How much does a 8-day Uganda safari cost?
Indicative from $3288 per person. Final quote depends on lodges, group size, and permit inclusion.
Can I book gorilla trekking Uganda as a solo traveller?
Yes. Mwanzo Tours runs private departures for solo travellers, couples, and groups, no forced large bus groups.
Does Mwanzo secure gorilla permits?
Yes. We purchase Uganda Wildlife Authority permits on your behalf once a deposit is received. Peak season requires 3 to 6 months lead time.
Is this Uganda safari package customisable?
Every itinerary is tailored to your dates, fitness, and lodge preference. The day-by-day route shown is a proven template.
Can I see the Big Five on an 8 day Uganda safari?
This 8-day trip is designed around Big Five viewing across Uganda's national parks, and we explain which animals are realistic in each park before you book. Wildlife sightings are never certain. Your written quote names the parks and lodges for your dates, as with our other Uganda wildlife tours.
How do I book this 8-day safari?
A 30% deposit confirms your booking, and the balance is due 60 days before departure. Once the deposit clears, we buy your Uganda Wildlife Authority permits in your name. To start, message us on WhatsApp +256 789 487 378 or email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com with your dates and group size, and we reply with a written quote.
Is travel insurance included?
No. Travel insurance is not included in our quotes, so please arrange your own cover before you travel, ideally including medical evacuation. Our from-prices are per person on 2 sharing and exclude international flights. We list exactly what is included and excluded in your written quote, so you can compare like for like.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Uganda?
No. A yellow fever certificate is no longer required to enter Uganda, following the immigration notice of 2 October 2026. Rules can change, so check the latest entry requirements before you fly and ask your travel clinic which vaccinations are recommended for your trip. We send a short pre-travel checklist with every confirmed booking.
Enquire about this safari
We reply within 1 business day. No obligation, your written quote confirms lodges, permits, and final price.
Prefer WhatsApp? +256 789 487 378 · See deposit & cancellation policy
Itinerary reviewed by Anthony Kiweewa · Meet your planner · Booking terms