10 Days Uganda Wildlife and White Water Rafting Adventure
The 10 Days Uganda Wildlife and White Water Rafting Adventure is an exciting safari that starts and ends in Entebbe, combining Uganda’s headline wildlife experiences with a genuine adrenaline rush at the source of the Nile. The itinerary takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and, finally, Jinja for white water rafting.
Across ten days, you will see elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, Uganda kob, waterbuck, bushbuck, warthog, giraffe, hippo and crocodile during game drives and boat cruises, spend time with both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat, and finish with one of East Africa’s best white water rafting experiences.
Trip Snapshot
| Duration | 10 days / 9 nights |
| Starts / Ends | Entebbe |
| Main destinations | Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth NP, Kibale Forest NP, Murchison Falls NP, Jinja |
| Key activities | Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat cruises, rhino tracking, white water rafting |
| Physical level | Moderate to challenging |
| Best for | Travelers wanting wildlife, primates and adventure in one trip |
Safari Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- White water rafting on the Nile at Jinja
- Sunset boat cruise to the source of the Nile
Summary Itinerary
| Day | Overview |
| Day 1 | Pick-up and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park |
| Day 2 | Gorilla trekking experience |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| Day 4 | Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, chimpanzee trekking |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park |
| Day 7 | Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Jinja via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary |
| Day 9 | White water rafting |
| Day 10 | Source of the Nile boat ride and departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Depending on your arrival time at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide, who will brief you on the trip ahead before setting off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the way, you will stop at the Equator in Kayabwe for photos and souvenirs, then continue on with a lunch stop en route. On arrival, check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, carry your packed lunch and meet your driver-guide for the transfer to the park headquarters, where you will be briefed on gorilla trekking rules and regulations. You will then be allocated a gorilla family and an experienced ranger-guide who knows both the gorillas and the forest trails well.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi typically takes between 30 minutes and 7 hours, depending on where the gorillas are located. Along the way you may spot other wildlife, primates and birds. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour observing them feed, play and interact, a rare and moving opportunity to watch their daily behavior up close. Afterward, trek back to the park headquarters, where you will receive a certificate for your gorilla trekking experience, before your driver-guide returns you to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, check out and set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, you will pass through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park, with a chance to spot the tree-climbing lions resting in fig tree branches, followed by lunch. Continue on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, checking in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
After breakfast, meet your driver-guide for a morning game drive or lion tracking experience in the Kasenyi plains, where large herds of elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, bushbuck and waterbuck graze the open savanna, alongside predators such as lion and, if you are lucky, leopard. Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, take an exciting boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, the waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. Over about two hours, you will see elephant, buffalo and waterbuck drinking along the shore, large concentrations of hippo and Nile crocodile in the water, and a wide variety of water birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, Chimpanzee Trekking
After breakfast, your driver-guide will take you on the journey to Kibale Forest National Park, passing scenic landscapes, crater lakes and tea plantations along the way. On arrival, check in at your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. You will be allocated a chimpanzee community and a park guide well versed in the forest trails. Trekking typically takes between 30 minutes and 5 hours, since chimpanzees move often in search of food. Along the way, you may spot other primates, birds and plant life. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will spend one hour observing them feed, interact and move through the canopy, a lively, often unpredictable encounter. Afterward, trek back to the park headquarters and return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, check out and set off on the full day’s journey to Murchison Falls National Park, passing farmland, the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake George and crater lakes along the way, with a lunch stop en route. On arrival, drive directly to the top of the falls for sweeping views of the waterfall, then continue to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, your driver-guide will take you for a morning game drive, where you may spot Uganda kob, warthog, giraffe, elephant, bushbuck, lion, leopard, hyena and Jackson’s hartebeest, along with a wide range of birds. Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise to the base of the falls, lasting around two to three hours. You will see elephant, buffalo and antelope gathering to drink, hippo and crocodile in the water, and water birds including kingfisher, fish eagle, bee-eater and hornbill. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Jinja via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast, check out and set off for Jinja, with a lunch stop en route and a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a rhino tracking walk. Continue on to Jinja, arriving in the evening to check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: White Water Rafting
After breakfast, your driver-guide will take you to the put-in point for a day of white water rafting on the Nile, starting with a safety briefing covering the rules, regulations and what to expect. Rafting on this stretch of the Nile ranges from Grade 1 to Grade 5 rapids, giving you a genuine adrenaline rush alongside some of the most scenic river scenery in East Africa. After rafting, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Source of the Nile Boat Cruise and Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then check out and meet your driver-guide for a scenic boat cruise to the source of the Nile, taking in the surrounding landscape and birdlife. Afterward, begin the journey back to Entebbe, with a lunch stop en route. On arrival, your driver-guide will drop you at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, or at a location of your choice.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Safari Price Includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Park entrance fees and game drives
- Lion tracking experience
- Rhino tracking
- Boat cruise fees
- Top of the falls visit
- White water rafting
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full-board accommodation
- Pick-up and drop-off in Kampala/Entebbe
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled drinking water
Safari Price Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry, porter fees and tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this itinerary include both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking?
Yes, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is included on Day 2, and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is included on Day 5.
How difficult is the white water rafting on this trip?
Rafting on this stretch of the Nile at Jinja ranges from Grade 1 to Grade 5 rapids. Operators typically offer both a full-rapids and a calmer, family-friendly route, so confirm which grade suits your comfort level when booking.
Is rhino tracking included in this itinerary?
Yes, rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is included as a stop on Day 8, en route from Murchison Falls National Park to Jinja.
Can this itinerary be adjusted if I don’t want to go white water rafting?
Yes, Jinja also offers gentler alternatives such as a calm boat cruise or kayaking, and your operator can adjust Day 9 accordingly if rafting isn’t for you.
Book Your 10 Days Uganda Wildlife and White Water Rafting Adventure
Few itineraries pack in as much variety as this one: mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, classic savanna game drives, and a genuine adrenaline finale on the Nile. It’s an excellent choice for travelers who want their Uganda trip to include both wildlife and adventure in equal measure.
Get in touch to check availability and start planning your 10 Days Uganda Wildlife and White Water Rafting Adventure.