8 Days Rhino, Waterfalls & Chimps
Track rhinos, see Murchison Falls, cruise the Nile, spot big game, and trek chimpanzees on this dynamic 8-day Uganda safari adventure.
Duration
8 days
Starting At
Pricing based on options and group size.
Overview
This 8-day safari is packed with Uganda’s top wildlife highlights: trek the rare southern white rhinos at Ziwa Sanctuary, cruise the Nile to Murchison Falls’ thunderous explosion, and enjoy game drives with big game viewing. Experience forest chimpanzee tracking in Budongo and Kibale, learn local crafts with the Bigodi Women’s Cooperative, and enjoy birding and nature walks through lush wetlands and lively communities. Flexible to add gorilla trekking and Queen Elizabeth NP at extra cost.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy your first night in Uganda at either Karibu Guest House or The Boma Entebbe.
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s rhinos that were reintroduced after extinction in the early 1980s due to unrest and poaching. Arrive in the early afternoon. After lunch, embark on a rhino trekking experience, take a canoe ride, and go birdwatching in search of the elusive Shoebill stork.
Dinner & Overnight: Amuka Lodge.
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Marvel at the top of Murchison Falls—a scenic viewpoint where the Nile surges through a narrow gap before flowing into Lake Albert.
Dinner & Overnight: Kabalega Wilderness Lodge.
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park
Start your day early with a game drive, with chances to spot antelopes, Rothschild giraffes, lions, elephants, warthogs, and buffaloes. After lunch and some relaxation, enjoy a Nile cruise to the base of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and rich birdlife along the river.
Dinner & Overnight: Kabalega Wilderness Lodge.
Day 5: Budongo Forest & Hoima
After breakfast, transfer to Budongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking and a nature walk. After lunch, depart for Hoima, the capital of the Bunyoro kingdom, with a stop at Mparo—the royal burial site of Bunyoro Kings.
Overnight: Hotel Kontiki or Hoima Cultural Lodge.
Day 6: Kibale Forest National Park
Set out for Kibale Forest, passing through scenic tea plantations and authentic villages. Enjoy lunch in Fort Portal, the capital of Toro Kingdom.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Guest House.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Swamp
Prepare for a thrilling morning of chimpanzee tracking with an experienced forest ranger. Along the walk, you may encounter red-tailed and black-and-white Colobus monkeys. After lunch, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a nature walk. Home to over 100 bird species, the sanctuary is run by KAFRED—a community-based organization funding local projects. Visit the Bigodi Women’s Cooperative for handwoven crafts that directly support community development.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Guest House or Kibale Forest Camp.
Day 8: Return to Kampala
Travel back to Kampala to prepare for your flight home.
Optional Extension: Add Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks for additional cost.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy your first night in Uganda at either Karibu Guest House or The Boma Entebbe.
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Travel to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda’s rhinos that were reintroduced after extinction in the early 1980s due to unrest and poaching. Arrive in the early afternoon. After lunch, embark on a rhino trekking experience, take a canoe ride, and go birdwatching in search of the elusive Shoebill stork.
Dinner & Overnight: Amuka Lodge.
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Marvel at the top of Murchison Falls—a scenic viewpoint where the Nile surges through a narrow gap before flowing into Lake Albert.
Dinner & Overnight: Kabalega Wilderness Lodge.
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park
Start your day early with a game drive, with chances to spot antelopes, Rothschild giraffes, lions, elephants, warthogs, and buffaloes. After lunch and some relaxation, enjoy a Nile cruise to the base of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and rich birdlife along the river.
Dinner & Overnight: Kabalega Wilderness Lodge.
Day 5: Budongo Forest & Hoima
After breakfast, transfer to Budongo Forest for chimpanzee tracking and a nature walk. After lunch, depart for Hoima, the capital of the Bunyoro kingdom, with a stop at Mparo—the royal burial site of Bunyoro Kings.
Overnight: Hotel Kontiki or Hoima Cultural Lodge.
Day 6: Kibale Forest National Park
Set out for Kibale Forest, passing through scenic tea plantations and authentic villages. Enjoy lunch in Fort Portal, the capital of Toro Kingdom.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Guest House.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Swamp
Prepare for a thrilling morning of chimpanzee tracking with an experienced forest ranger. Along the walk, you may encounter red-tailed and black-and-white Colobus monkeys. After lunch, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a nature walk. Home to over 100 bird species, the sanctuary is run by KAFRED—a community-based organization funding local projects. Visit the Bigodi Women’s Cooperative for handwoven crafts that directly support community development.
Overnight: Chimpanzee Guest House or Kibale Forest Camp.
Day 8: Return to Kampala
Travel back to Kampala to prepare for your flight home.
Optional Extension: Add Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks for additional cost.
Highlights
- Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Canoe ride and birdwatching (Shoebill search) at Ziwa
- Game drives and Nile cruise at Murchison Falls National Park
- View the falls from both the top and bottom
- Hippo, croc, elephant, and buffalo sightings on the Nile
- Chimpanzee tracking and forest/nature walks at Budongo and Kibale
- Lunch and cultural stop in Hoima (Bunyoro Kingdom) and at Fort Portal (Toro Kingdom)
- Bigodi Swamp walk—100+ bird species, primates, and crafts with the women’s cooperative
- Optional extension: Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks
Meeting Location
Entebbe International Airport
Additional Information
Includes
- Accommodation as shown (double occupancy, upgrades available)
- English-speaking driver/guide and private 4WD transport
- All park entry and activity fees per itinerary
- Meals per itinerary (full board or breakfast/lunch where indicated)
- Bottled water in vehicle
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Excludes
- International flights/airport taxes
- Ugandan visa fees, travel/personal accident insurance
- Drinks, tips, souvenirs, laundry, and all personal expenses
- Activities and extensions not listed (gorilla trekking, Queen Elizabeth NP at extra cost)
Policy
List of Services
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Health & Participation Participation in our East African tours requires that you are in good overall health. Please inform us in advance if you have any medical conditions or dietary restrictions. The tour leader may, at their discretion, disqualify any participant whose physical condition could compromise their safety or that of the group. No refunds will be issued under such circumstances.Health & Participation
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Changes, Delays, and Tour Cancellation Rafiki Eco Tours reserves the right to adjust dates, itineraries, or accommodations in response to unexpected situations, such as adverse weather or transportation issues. Any extra expense due to such changes is the guest’s responsibility. If Rafiki Eco Tours must cancel a tour before departure—for example, due to insufficient participants or logistic issues—all payments made to Rafiki Eco Tours will be fully refunded. However, we are not responsible for non-refundable costs you may have incurred to prepare for your trip, such as airline tickets, special gear, or visa fees.Changes, Delays, and Tour Cancellation
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Limitations of Liability Rafiki Eco Tours, its owners, agents, and employees act as intermediaries for other service providers. We are not responsible for injury, loss, or damage to person or property resulting from factors outside our control (e.g. natural disasters, civil disturbances, regulatory changes). Any itinerary changes will be made to ensure your safety and comfort.Limitations of Liability
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Acknowledgment of Terms By making a reservation and submitting your deposit, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.Acknowledgment of Terms
Included in the Tour Price:
- Transportation in a 4WD vehicle or van
- English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide
- Specified accommodations
- All national park entrance fees
- All game drives as listed in the itinerary
- International airfare
- Meals not included in your accommodation
- Personal travel or medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
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Customs Notice Prior to returning to your home country, check local customs regulations. Notably, countries such as Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine laws.Customs Notice
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Cancellation Policy To secure your spot on any Rafiki Eco Tours adventure, a non-refundable deposit of 40% of the total trip price is required at booking. The remaining 60% must be paid no later than 60 days before the tour’s departure date. All tour prices are provided and payable in U.S. dollars. If you need to cancel your reservation, refunds will be handled according to the following schedule:Cancellation Policy
- If you cancel more than 45 days before the tour’s first day: you will receive a refund of 65% of your deposit.
- For cancellations made 30–45 days before the tour: you will receive a 40% refund of the total tour cost.
- For cancellations with less than 25 days’ notice, no refund can be issued.
Pricing From
Pricing based on options and group size.
Available Time: Year Round
Duration: 8 days
Begins: Arrival in Uganda; airport meet & greet, transfer
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