SafariBando / Safari & Tours / 8-Day Day Trip Gorilla Trekking and Nile Rafting - Jinja / Details



8-Day Day Trip Gorilla Trekking and Nile Rafting - Jinja

The Nile is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The longest river in Africa, it has historically been considered the longest river in the world, though this has been contested by research suggesting that the Amazon River is slightly longer. About 6,650 km (4,130 mi) long, its drainage basin covers eleven countries: Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Republic of the Sudan, and Egypt. In particular, the Nile is the primary water source of Egypt and Sudan. Additionally, the Nile is an important economic river, supporting agriculture and fishing.

Arrive and tour the Entebbe Botanical Garden. Transfer to Kibale Forest NP the next day. Expect chimp trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP. While in Queen, you will treat yourself with big game sighting and the boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Head to Bwindi for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience. Proceed for relaxation in Mbarara City. Depart Mbarara and head to Jinja City White water rafting on the Nile. From Jinja you will return to Entebbe for your flight out.


Note: This Itinerary can be customised to match your budget and travel dates


Destinations visited


Day to Day Itinerary


Day 1 : Arrive Entebbe (evening), pick up and transfer to the booked accommodation

Upon arrival at the Entebbe international airport, you will be received and welcomed to the Pearl of Africa by the waiting English-speaking professional driver-guide. Thereafter, he will drive to the booked accommodation where you will have dinner and overnight rest. Optional: In case you have arrived Entebbe early and interested, you may choose to visit the Entebbe Botanical Garden. The Garden is one of the places around Entebbe where you can spot many species of birds and a few primates such as: the black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys. It is also a place of tranquillity and peace, a feast for the eyes with notable absence of people and you simply immerse in nature with the sounds of birds breaking the stillness of the moment.

Main Destination: Entebbe (City)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2 : Pick up (8am) from the hotel and transfer to Kibale Forest NP

You will have breakfast and thereafter, the assigned driver-guide will pick you from the accommodation and hit the road to Kibale National Park. Kibale NP is popular for its primates like the chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkey, Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae). While on your chimpanzee trails, you will see them swinging in the forest trees and others feeding on the wild fruits. Upon arrival, you will check into the accommodation and choose either to relax or undertake some activity. Optional: If interested, you may decide to do Bigodi swamp walk (at additional cost payable on site). The Bigodi boasts an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the baboon, black & white colobus monkey. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the sanctuary is the Great Blue Turaco.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3 : Chimp tracking Kibale Forest and afternoon crater lakes excursion

Have breakfast and head to the rangers’ post where you will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will take you chimp tracking (Kibale Forest) and you will be amazed by the presence of primates here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence. You will return to the lodge for some rest time and lunch.
Later (after lunch), proceed to explore the crater lakes, crowned with a hike to the “top of the world”. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and the stunning views. Take a hike to Lake Nkuruba where you will encounter different species of primates and birds. Meet and interact with the local people as you walk through their villages and enjoy the panoramic views of the Kibale area.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4 : Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP, do boat trip along the Kazinga channel + afternoon-evening game drive

Have a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation and drive off to Queen Elizabeth NP. You will reach Queen early enough to relax, have lunch and in the afternoon proceed out for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. From the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and then return to the accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5 : Game drive plus transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions

Have breakfast then set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular!
Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harbouring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population) including several habituated groups, which you will trek. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6 : Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest and transfer for an overnight in Mbarara City

After an early breakfast and a briefing by a ranger guide, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you locate a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is unforgettable. You will return to the accommodation for checkout then drive off to Mbarara City.

Main Destination: Mbarara (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7 : Drive to Kampala for Covid-19 test and proceed to Jinja City for an overnight

You will have breakfast and thereafter, set off to Kampala where you will have Covid-19 test then head to Jinja City where you will have an overnight stay. Note: Covid-19 test fee (USD 60) is not included in the cost and so we advise that you spare some fund for that purpose.

Main Destination: Jinja (Town)

Meals & Drinks:

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8 : Enjoy Half-day white water rafting the Nile and return to the airport for flight out (20:00 onwards)

You will have breakfast and thereafter, head out to enjoy half-day white water rafting on the Nile. What better way to end your trip than to experience first-hand this most exciting, exhilarating and breath-taking adventure on the Nile? Get wet! Get wild! Get rafting! In fact, no experience is required to undertake this unforgettable adventure on the Nile. Thereafter, return to Kampala to pick your Covid-19 test results and then proceed to Entebbe to catch flight out (recommended for 20:00 onwards).

Main Destination: Entebbe (City)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Price for 8-Day Day Trip Gorilla Trekking and Nile Rafting - Jinja / Rates Per Person

Rates Per Person

$3,589 per person when 1 person travels alone

$2,629 per person when 2 persons travel together

$2,509  per person when 3 persons travel together

$2,299 per person when 4 persons travel together

$2,293 per person when 5 persons travel together

$2,189  per person when 6 persons travel together


For a more accurate estimate, it's best to contact us directly and discuss your specific requirements and budget. We can provide you with a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort


Cost Includes

  • Park fees(For non-residents)
  • Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
  • Chimp permits(One per person, non-resident)
  • All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
  • All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Roundtrip airport transfer
  • Meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinking water(On all days)

Cost Excludes

  • International flights(From/to home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Some meals(As specified in the day-by-day section)