7-Day Uganda Wildlife & Adventure Safari

Welcome to Uganda — the Pearl of Africa! Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by a professional Wildsteps Safaris guide-driver. You will then be transferred to your elegant base at Lake Victoria Hotel, a charming colonial-era sanctuary surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

Spend the afternoon unwinding by the pool, where you can watch African fish eagles soar gracefully above the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria.

• Optional activities:
• Take a sunset walk along the shores of Lake Victoria.
• Visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education Centre.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious welcome dinner featuring fresh tilapia sourced from Lake Victoria. Your guide will provide a briefing about the upcoming safari adventure. Accommodation: Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe

After breakfast, embark on a guided excursion to Mabamba Swamp, a Ramsar Wetland site renowned for the elusive Shoebill Stork — a coveted sighting for birders and wildlife photographers. Glide silently through papyrus channels in a local canoe, spotting a variety of birdlife including malachite kingfishers, African jacanas, herons, and swamp flycatchers.

Following lunch, begin your scenic drive northward through the lush countryside to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only location in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild. Arrive by late afternoon and settle into your comfortable accommodation at Ziwa Cottages, set amidst serene bushland.

Enjoy a bush dinner under the stars as nocturnal sounds fill the air, providing the perfect prelude to tomorrow’s rhino tracking adventure.

Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Cottages

Travel Time: 3–4 hours

Meal plan: Full board

Start your day early with a guided rhino tracking expedition on foot. Accompanied by trained rangers, you will approach these magnificent creatures at a safe distance, gaining insight into their behavior and the conservation efforts that have restored rhinos to Uganda.

After breakfast, depart for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most dramatic park. Along the way, enjoy a packed lunch and take in breathtaking views of rural villages and expansive savannah landscapes.

Arrive in the late afternoon and visit the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging 45 meters, creating a spectacular natural wonder.

As night falls, settle into your campsite near the Delta area. After sunset, embark on an exciting night game drive. These spotlight safaris may reveal leopards moving stealthily through the tall grass, lions on their nocturnal patrol, as well as hyenas, bush babies, genets, and occasionally porcupines or aardvarks. End the night with campfire stories beneath the vast, star-filled sky.

Accommodation: Delta Point UWA Campsite (Camping Adventure)

At dawn, cross to the northern bank of the Nile to embark on a full-day game drive across the open savannah. The rolling grasslands of the Buligi and Nyamsika sectors provide exceptional wildlife photography opportunities. Expect to see elephants herding near the tracks, giraffes silhouetted against the morning light, buffaloes, Ugandan kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, and warthogs. Predators such as lions and, occasionally, leopards may also be spotted.

Enjoy a picnic lunch with views overlooking the Nile, capturing moments of hippos wallowing and birds nesting along the riverbanks. In the evening, return to Sambiya River Lodge, which is set among acacia woodlands — a tranquil retreat for relaxation and reflection after a day full of adventure.

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge

Transfer early in the morning to Budongo Forest Reserve, one of East Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse tropical rainforests. Join an expert guide for chimpanzee tracking, following vocalizations and signs such as fresh nests until you encounter wild chimpanzee families swinging through the forest canopy.

Observe their complex social interactions and learn about the forest’s ecology. Photographers will appreciate the dramatic light filtering through the rainforest. After the excursion, return to Sambiya River Lodge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon. Enjoy the pool, savor a cold drink, or review your photographs as the setting sun paints the sky in golden hues. Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge

After breakfast, set out on a wildlife-packed boat cruise with Wild Frontiers Uganda, traveling from the Albert Delta up to Paraa and then onward to the base of Murchison Falls. Drift along the legendary River Nile, the world’s longest river, and observe wildlife gathered along its banks: pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and waterbucks, along with vibrant birdlife such as African fish eagles, bee-eaters, kingfishers, and saddle-billed storks.

As you approach the base of the falls, feel the thunderous spray and the raw power of nature — a breathtaking highlight for both photographers and adventurers. Return to Sambiya River Lodge for a peaceful evening; unwind with a sundowner overlooking the savannah and reflect on your unforgettable experiences.

Accommodation: Sambiya River Lodge

After a leisurely breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe. Enjoy stops along the way for craft shopping or to take in scenic viewpoints along the Rift Valley escarpment. Arrive in Entebbe in time for your onward flight, carrying with you cherished memories of Africa’s raw beauty and the unmatched hospitality of Wildsteps Safaris.