Uganda Wildlife Adventure

Departing early from Nile Safari Lodge, this full morning game drive explores the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park as the landscape comes alive with activity. The cool morning hours are ideal for wildlife viewing, with open savannah, borassus palms, and acacia woodland providing classic East African scenery.

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest protected area, first gazetted as a game reserve in the 1920s before becoming a national park in 1952. The park takes its name from the dramatic Murchison Falls, named in the 19th century warning and exploration era after Sir Roderick Murchison, then president of the Royal Geographical Society. Early explorers, including Samuel Baker, were among the first Europeans to document the falls and the surrounding Nile corridor, which has long served as a lifeline for wildlife and human communities alike.

Accompanied by an experienced guide, you may encounter elephant herds moving between feeding areas, large numbers of buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe browsing among the trees, and antelope such as hartebeest, waterbuck, and Uganda kob. Lions are often seen resting after the night’s hunt, and there is also the chance of spotting leopard in the early light.

Birdlife is abundant throughout the drive, with sightings that can include Abyssinian ground hornbill, secretary bird, martial eagle, and a variety of rollers, bee-eaters, and bustards. Scenic stops allow time to take in views over the Nile and the vast plains before returning to the lodge by late morning.

The safari concludes back at Nile Safari Lodge in time for brunch and a relaxed afternoon.

This optional afternoon excursion offers a closer look at one of Uganda’s most dramatic natural landmarks. Departing from Nile Safari Lodge after lunch, the drive to the Top of the Falls takes approximately 1.5 hours each way. 

The falls were first documented by European explorers in the mid-19th century, most notably Sir Samuel Baker, who reached the area in 1864 while searching for the source of the Nile. Baker named the falls after Sir Roderick Murchison, then president of the Royal Geographical Society, recognizing his support of African exploration. These journeys helped place the Nile and its dramatic cataracts firmly on the world map during a formative period of exploration in East Africa.

On arrival, a short guided walk leads to viewpoints above the falls, where the full force of the Nile can be felt as it surges through a narrow rocky gorge barely seven meters wide before plunging downstream. The thunderous roar, rising mist, and sweeping views over the river and surrounding landscape create a visceral sense of the power that so captivated early explorers.

Time is allowed to visit several vantage points and to reflect on the geological and historical significance of the falls before returning by road to Nile Safari Lodge in the early evening, arriving in time for a brief wash up before dinner. 

This early-morning wildlife tracking safari offers a deeper, more hands-on way to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, departing from either Honey Bear or The River Station while the park is at its most active. Accompanied by an expert wildlife tracker, the focus of the morning is on locating and understanding the movements of some of the park’s most elusive predators.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most important and historically significant protected areas. Established in 1952 and originally named Kazinga National Park, it was later renamed to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. Stretching between Lakes George and Edward along the western branch of the East African Rift Valley, the park protects a remarkable diversity of habitats, from savannah and wetlands to forested gorges, making it a cornerstone of Uganda’s conservation network.

Using specialized radio telemetry equipment, the tracker is able to pick up signals from collared lions and leopards that are part of ongoing conservation and research programs. As signals are detected, your vehicle may leave the main tracks and drive off-road, allowing for closer and more intimate sightings while maintaining strict park and conservation guidelines. This approach greatly increases the chances of encountering big cats and provides insight into how researchers monitor and protect these species.

Beyond the predators, the drive also reveals the broader ecosystem of the park, with opportunities to see buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob, and a wide variety of birdlife in the cool morning light. Throughout the experience, the tracker and guide share context on animal behavior, territory, and the role of tracking in long-term conservation.

This afternoon excursion explores the lush Kyambura Gorge, one of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s most surprising and atmospheric landscapes. Often referred to as the “Valley of Apes,” the gorge cuts dramatically through the surrounding open savannah, creating a narrow ribbon of dense tropical forest that supports a small but fascinating population of chimpanzees.

The gorge is part of the greater Rift Valley ecosystem and was shaped over thousands of years by the Kyambura River, which flows from the Rwenzori foothills toward the Kazinga Channel. This isolated forest corridor acts as a natural refuge for primates and birdlife and plays an important role in regional conservation research, particularly in understanding how chimpanzees survive in fragmented habitats.

The trek begins with a steep descent into the gorge, followed by hiking through forest trails that can be uneven, muddy, and occasionally slippery, especially after rain. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. The terrain includes river crossings, thick vegetation, and shaded forest, offering a cool contrast to the open plains above.

Kyambura is home to one habituated chimpanzee community, monitored by Uganda Wildlife Authority trackers. Once the chimps are located, guests are allowed up to one hour in their presence, observing social behavior, feeding, and movement through the forest canopy. In addition to chimpanzees, the gorge supports black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and a rich variety of forest birds.

The total duration of the experience is typically 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on chimpanzee movements and trail conditions. After the trek, guests return by vehicle to the boat launch on the Kazinga Channel and continue back to Honey Bear or The River Station, arriving in the early evening for some rest and relaxation after the full day of activities. 

Begin your day taking a private boat across the Kazinga Channel to the Kasese Airstrip for your short regional flight toward southwestern Uganda. After landing at Kisoro Airstrip, your guide will meet you for the next leg of the journey that brings you deep into the verdant highlands surrounding Lake Mutanda.

From Kisoro, enjoy a scenic road transfer through rolling hills, coffee plantations, and small villages toward the shores of Lake Mutanda, nestled at about 1,800 m above sea level and framed by the majestic Virunga Volcanoes. The lake itself features around 15 islands, each with its own character, some steeped in local history, others home to small farming communities practicing coffee, banana, and maize cultivation against an unforgettable volcanic backdrop.

Upon arrival at the Lake Mutanda boat jetty, board a comfortable motorized boat for a lakeside cruise headed toward the islands. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the cultural and natural history of the region, from the island communities and how they sustain life in this fertile yet remote area, to remnants of historic sites such as the so‑called “punishment islands” where local traditions once played out on isolated shores.

One highlight of your cruise is a visit to one of Lake Mutanda’s inhabited islands, where you’ll step ashore to meet local families, visit village paths, and see first‑hand how agriculture and community life thrive surrounded by water and volcanoes. It’s a warm, authentic experience that connects you with the people whose lives are intertwined with this remarkable landscape.

After your cultural stop, continue across the calm waters, with views of birds, freshwater habitats, and distant peaks leading you toward your final destination, Chameleon Hill Lodge. Perched on a hillside overlooking the lake, the lodge offers panoramic vistas and stylish comfort, a peaceful retreat after a day of travel and discovery. 

A second day of gorilla trekking in Bwindi offers a deeper, more nuanced experience; one that builds on the awe of the first encounter and reveals just how varied these treks can be. No two gorilla families behave the same, and no two days in the forest unfold alike.

On your second trek, you may visit a different gorilla family, often in a new part of the Rushaga sector, with distinct terrain, forest density, and group dynamics. You might observe playful juveniles one day and a dominant silverback’s quiet authority the next, or encounter a family mid-feeding rather than on the move. Having already learned how to position yourself, move calmly, and read the forest, many guests find they are more relaxed and observant on day two.

A second day also allows for greater photographic opportunities—different light, angles, and behaviors—and a deeper appreciation of the work done by trackers and rangers who follow the gorillas daily. Physically, you know what to expect, and mentally, you’re better able to slow down and fully absorb the experience. Above all, two days in Bwindi transform a single extraordinary moment into a richer story. The forest feels less mysterious, the gorillas feel more familiar, and the experience shifts from a once-in-a-lifetime encounter to a meaningful connection, one that we feel is well worth the extra day.