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Grand Tour of the Pearl of Africa

Murchison Falls · Kibale · Queen Elizabeth · Bwindi

The grand tour of the Pearl of Africa

Eight days, seven nights, four national parks. Thunder at the falls, chimpanzees in the canopy, lions in the fig trees and a gorilla family in the mist.

Midrange and luxury collectionsBudget on request
Duration
8 days · 7 nights
Collections
Midrange · Luxury
Parks
4 national parks
Start and end
Entebbe
Best months
Jun–Sep · Dec–Feb

Tour overview

Four parks, one unbroken story

Winston Churchill called Uganda the Pearl of Africa. Over eight days you see why, moving from savannah and river to rainforest and cloud-forest mountains.

The journey follows the Nile west to the falls, then turns south through crater lakes and tea country. You track chimpanzees in Kibale, search for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and finish with mountain gorillas in Bwindi.

You stay in the best lodges in each park, travel in a private 4x4 with a guide who knows the animals by name, and fly the long final leg back to Entebbe to save a full day on the road.

The big five encounters

  • Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a 7 metre gap
  • Big game drives across the northern savannah
  • Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
  • Queen Elizabeth boat cruise and Ishasha tree-climbing lions
  • Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Days 2 to 3

Murchison Falls

Rhinos at Ziwa, the Nile launch cruise, and game drives with giraffe, elephant and lion.

Days 4 to 5

Kibale Forest

The primate capital of the world, with the best chimpanzee tracking in East Africa.

Days 5 to 6

Queen Elizabeth

Kazinga Channel hippos, crater-lake views and the Ishasha tree-climbing lions.

Days 6 to 8

Bwindi Impenetrable

An hour with a gorilla family, then a scenic flight home over the lakes.

Day-by-day programme

Tap a day, step into the story

Times are realistic for road, park rules and light. Your guide adjusts them to weather and wildlife.

Accommodation details

Where you sleep each night

Choose midrange or luxury lodges, or ask for a budget version. Your choice changes the price below and the lodges shown in the day-by-day programme.

NightLocationLuxuryMidrangeBudget (on request)
1EntebbeLake Victoria Serena Golf ResortProtea Hotel EntebbeTailored quote
2 and 3Murchison FallsParaa Safari LodgeChobe Safari LodgeTailored quote
4Kibale ForestKyaninga LodgePrimates Lodge KibaleTailored quote
5Queen ElizabethMweya Safari LodgeEnganzi Game LodgeTailored quote
6 and 7BwindiClouds Mountain Gorilla LodgeSilverback LodgeTailored quote

Lodges are subject to availability. If one is full, we book an equivalent and tell you first.

Activities and experiences

What you will actually do

Day 2

Rhino tracking at Ziwa

Walk to within metres of white rhinos on foot with a ranger.

Day 3

Nile launch cruise

A 2 to 3 hour cruise to the base of Murchison Falls with hippos and crocodiles.

Day 3

Savannah game drive

Dawn and dusk drives in the northern sector, home to giraffe, buffalo and lions.

Day 5

Chimpanzee tracking

One hour with a habituated chimp community. Moderate effort, rewarded every time.

Day 6

Kazinga Channel cruise

Hippos, elephants and birds crowd the banks of this natural channel.

Day 6

Ishasha tree-climbing lions

Search the fig trees where the lions rest through the heat of the day.

Day 7

Mountain gorilla trek

Hike into the mist and spend a full hour beside a gorilla family.

Transparent pricing

One overall tour cost

The price below is the overall tour cost per person, with two sharing a room, in US dollars. Both figures are illustrative placeholders for Wander and Wonder to confirm in your written quote.

Personalise your trip

Tick what you want and we include it in your written quote. Other changes, such as a second gorilla trek or a different region, are also handled in the quote.

Luxury collection

US$4,200per person

 

Package inclusions

  • 7 nights in the lodges of your chosen collection, on full board
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle, fuel and English-speaking driver-guide
  • Entry fees, game drives, Nile launch cruise and Kazinga Channel cruise
  • Chimpanzee tracking permit and gorilla trekking permit
  • Ziwa rhino tracking and porter on the gorilla trek
  • Scheduled flight from Kihihi to Entebbe on Day 8
  • Airport transfers, bottled water and 24/7 support

Package exclusions

  • International flights and travel insurance
  • Uganda visa fees
  • Drinks, laundry, and personal items
  • Tips for guides, rangers, porters and lodge staff
  • Optional extras not in your quote

Permit costs are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and can change. We confirm them in writing before you pay.

Transport and logistics

Long roads, planned well

Roads in Uganda are slower than the distance suggests. Your driver-guide builds in stops for views, lunch and wildlife.

LegApprox. timeRoad notes
Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary3 hoursPaved, through Kampala traffic. Leave early.
Ziwa to Murchison Falls3 hoursPaved then murram near the park gate.
Murchison to Kibale6 to 7 hoursLong day through Hoima and Fort Portal, with views over crater lakes.
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth2.5 to 3 hoursScenic road past Kasenda crater lakes.
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha4 to 5 hoursGame drive on the way, rough road in the final stretch.
Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe (flight)About 1 hour 30Scheduled light aircraft. Baggage limit about 15 kg in soft bags.

Seasonal information

When to come

Tap a month to see what the parks are like.

Dry season, best for game and trekkingShoulderWet season, greener and quieter

Travel preparation guide

Pack once, pack well

Packing checklist

0 packed

    Ticks are saved only in this browser on this device.

    Documents
    • Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival
    • Uganda e-visa, applied online in advance
    • Yellow fever vaccination certificate
    • Travel insurance with medical evacuation
    Fitness
    • Gorilla and chimp treks need moderate fitness
    • Walk hills for a few weeks beforehand
    • Tell us about any health condition early
    Money and power
    • Carry clean, recent US dollar notes and some Ugandan shillings
    • Cards work at lodges
    • Uganda uses UK-style three-pin plugs

    Safety information

    Wild places, looked after

    Wildlife

    Keep your distance

    Follow your guide's instructions. Never leave the vehicle on a game drive without being told.

    Gorillas and chimps

    Protect them, protect yourself

    Stay 7 metres from gorillas where possible. Anyone with a cold or stomach bug must tell us and may not trek.

    Health

    Stay well

    See a travel clinic about malaria tablets and vaccines. Drink only bottled water.

    Roads

    Seat belts on

    Our vehicles are serviced before every trip and our guides drive carefully on rough roads.

    Flights

    Light aircraft rules

    The Day 8 flight uses soft bags with a weight limit. Heavy luggage can be left with us in Entebbe.

    Support

    We are one message away

    Our team in Uganda monitors your trip and is on WhatsApp throughout.

    Payment and cancellation

    Clear terms, no surprises

    Jump to Payment terms or Cancellation policy. Each link can be shared on its own.

    Payment terms

    Deposit30% of the trip price confirms your booking and allows us to reserve permits and lodges.
    BalanceThe remaining 70% is due 90 days before arrival. Later bookings pay in full to confirm.
    CurrencyUS dollars. Quotes are fixed once the deposit is received.
    MethodsBank transfer or card payment link. Any card fee is shown before you pay.
    ReceiptsA written confirmation and receipt follows each payment.

    Cancellation policy

    91 days or moreThe 30% deposit is retained. Anything paid beyond that is refunded.
    61 to 90 days50% of the trip price is retained.
    0 to 60 days100% of the trip price is retained.
    PermitsGorilla and chimpanzee permits follow Uganda Wildlife Authority rules and are often not refundable. We confirm this in your quote.
    ChangesDate changes are possible subject to permits and lodge availability, and we state the cost first.
    InsuranceWe strongly recommend insurance covering cancellation and medical evacuation.

    These terms are draft wording for Wander and Wonder to confirm before publishing.

    Booking status

    From first message to confirmed trip

    1. EnquirySend us your dates and group size.
    2. QuoteA written quote within one working day.
    3. Deposit30% confirms your booking.
    4. PermitsWe reserve permits and lodges.
    5. ConfirmedFinal plan, packing list and contacts.

    Clear call to action

    Hold your dates for the Grand Tour

    Gorilla permits sell out months ahead. Tell us when you want to travel, and a consultant replies with a written quote and permit availability.

    Nothing is sent until you press send in WhatsApp or paste into an email.

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    Brian Ogenrwot, Tour Consultant, Uganda. Your first contact for dates and permits. Fassie Adyero, Chief Operations Officer, Uganda. Vehicles, lodges and on-trip support. Samuel Ojok, Managing Director, United Kingdom. Welcomes travellers from the UK, Europe, USA and Canada.