The Big 5: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino are the legendary stars of the African savanna. Big 5 safaris brings you close to these majestic animals, combining breathtaking wildlife encounters with scenic landscapes and expert guiding.
At Mamaland Safaris, we offer tailor-made Big 5 safaris in Uganda or combine Uganda with Kenya or Tanzania for the full open-plains experience. Whether you have 5 days or two weeks, we help you plan a safari where every sighting is unforgettable.
Be inspired by our expert crafted Big 5 safari itineraries below.
Where Can I See the Big 5?
In Uganda
You can see 4 of the Big 5 in the wild in Uganda and complete the list with a rhino trek at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley National Parks offer sightings of lions, elephants, leopards, and buffalo. Lake Mburo adds chances for leopards and buffalo. To tick off the rhino, visit Ziwa and track them on foot with a ranger.
Read more: See Big 5 in Uganda
Beyond Uganda for big 5 safaris
Want to extend your adventure? We offer seamless safari extensions into Kenya—where you can experience classic Big 5 game drives in the iconic Maasai Mara—and Tanzania, home to world-renowned destinations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. A Uganda + Kenya or Tanzania combo safari gives you the best of both worlds: thrilling Mountain Gorilla trekking and unforgettable Big 5 encounters. Learn more: East Africa combo safaris
Big 5 safari itineraries
All itineraries can be adapted to fit your wishes.
3 days Murchison Falls Tour
Tick off the Big 5 on this action-packed 3-day safari. Start with a thrilling rhino trekking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you’ll visit the dramatic top of the falls, enjoy a Nile boat cruise, and go on two game drives in search of lions, elephants, giraffes, and more.
Ref: Itinerary MS15
7 days Murchison Falls & Kibale Forest
This safari offers a golden chance to tick off Africa’s Big 5 as well as trek Chimpanzees. Start by trekking rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, then head into Murchison Falls National Park for game drives, a Nile boat-cruise, and the powerful top of the falls. Continue south to Kibale Forest, where culture meets nature with a village walk, Bigodi wetlands visit, and unforgettable chimpanzee trekking.
Ref: Itinerary MS25
10 days Uganda tour
This itinerary lets you tick off the most popular destinations for Uganda tours in just 10 days. We visit Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park for animals of the savannah. You enter the jungle to trek chimps in Kibale Forest National Park and Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Added to these great experiences is rhino trekking at Ziwa rhino sanctuary and search for the Great Shoebill Stork at Mabamba swamp.
Ref: Itinerary MS29
12 days luxury Uganda tour
Combine amazing wildlife experiences with stays in exclusive lodges during this luxury Uganda tour. During the journey we start by visiting Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to trek rhinos on foot and Murchison Falls National Park for game-drives and a boat-cruise. We then continue on for chimps habituation in Kibale Forest National Park. Next on the itinerary is Queen Elizabeth National Park for game-drive, boat-cruise and tree-climbing lions. Finally we reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you head into the jungle for Mountain Gorilla trekking twice. After these unforgettable experiences you then fly from Bwindi to Entebbe.
Ref: Itinerary MS33
12 days Big 5 & gorillas
This is honestly one of our most popular itineraries for Uganda tours letting you explore Uganda in a nice tempo. We start the tour off with a night by Lake Victoria and if time allows a search for the Great Shoebill Stork. Next day we drive to Murchison Falls National Park via rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. We then head south to Kibale Forest for chimps trekking and one to Queen Elizabeth National Park for more animals of the savannah. Next is the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mountain Gorilla trekking. We finish the Uganda tour off with relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi and wildlife at Lake Mburo National Park.
Ref: Itinerary MS34
14 days Uganda & Tanzania tour
Here we have a tour with Mountain Gorillas and Serengeti, two of the best things East Africa has to offer. We start off in Uganda by exploring the busy capital Kampala before going to Kibale Forest National Park for chimps trekking. Next we head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game-drives and a boat-cruise. We then continue south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Mountain Gorilla trekking. After this we have some well needed relaxation by the scenic Lake Bunyonyi. We then head to Entebbe and you fly to Tanzania. In Tanzania you spend the days exploring Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater’s abundant animal life.
Ref: Itinerary MS105
14 days Kenya & Uganda tour
This East Africa combination tour lets you explore Masai Mara’s impressive animal life as well as Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya. You then cross over to Uganda where the first stop is source of the Nile in Jinja. We then continue for chimps trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. Heading south we search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha and you go for Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Ref: Itinerary MS106
14 days Uganda Tour – Kidepo & Gorillas
This is an action pact itinerary letting you experience the remote Kidepo Valley National Park as well as the fascinating Karamojong people living in that area. This park is ranked among the top parks in Africa. The tour as well includes trekking of Mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda’s jungles. Other highlights is searching for tree-climbing lions, a boat-cruise on the mighty river Nile in Murchison Falls NP, looking for the Shoebill Stork and more!
Ref: Itinerary MS35
16 days Uganda from north to south
On this Uganda tour we drive north via rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The target is to reach Kidepo Valley National Park for amazing wildlife experiences in the far north of Uganda. Then we continue south to Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. We have then reached the highlight of Mountain Gorilla trekking. To finalize the journey we visit Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and Lake Mburo National Park for some last wildlife experiences.
Ref: Itinerary MS38
21 days Uganda tour
Come for the ultimate Uganda experience where you spend three weeks exploring our beautiful country. While by Entebbe we head to Mabamba Swamp to search for the Great Shoebill Stork . We then start the journey by taking the eastern route northwards via Jinja and Sipi Falls. Continuing up through the remote Karamoja region to Kidepo Valley National Park for game-drives. Next we head to Murchison Falls National Park for more wildlife and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking. Driving south we go to Kibale Forest National Park for chimps trekking and Rwenzori Mountains where you make a 2-days hike. Next on the safari itinerary is Queen Elizabeth National Park for a boat-cruise and game-drives in Ishasha. We then continue for the great highlight of Uganda tours; Mountain Gorilla trekking. Next we continue south to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Batwa experience and golden monkey trek. Then we go for relaxation by Lake Bunyonyi before finishing off with wildlife at Lake Mburo National Park.
Ref: Itinerary MS39
Need Help Deciding? Let’s Plan your big 5 safaris Together.
Not sure which safari is right for you? Or want to combine a little bit of everything: gorillas, savanna, culture and maybe a lake escape?
We’re here to help. Get in touch and we’ll design a tailor-made safari based on your travel dates, interests, group size, and budget. Whether you’re planning far in advance or just getting started, we’re happy to guide you every step of the way.
