8 Days Best of Uganda, Gorillas, Chimps and Wildlife.

This 8-day safari offers an immersive journey through Uganda’s most remarkable wildlife destinations, combining primate encounters with classic game viewing experiences. Designed for nature enthusiasts, primate lovers, and adventure travelers, the itinerary explores the southern and central regions of the “Pearl of Africa” at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.

Highlights include unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. Guests will also enjoy game drives and boat cruises in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, providing opportunities to see the Big Four, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes, including the Kazinga Channel—renowned for its high concentration of animals.

The safari also includes cultural interactions with local communities, enriching the overall experience with authentic insights into Uganda’s heritage.

Highlights:

  • Tracking Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
  • Scenic road trip from Kigali to Bwindi via Cyanika border.
  • Nature lovers
  • Shoe bill excursion on Lake Victoria.
  • Kigali city tour.
  • Primate enthusiasts

                   

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.

Arrival in Entebbe as per your international flight meet up with our representative and transfer to the Hotel, time permitting not later than 3pm, you will depart by car and transfer to the docking point (10mins), settle in a speed boat crossing Lake Victoria to the Mabamba swamp (40mins) and then move to a canoe that will comfortably maneuver in the swamps as you search for the rare shoebill.

Mabamba Swamp is one of the best places for spotting the rare shoebill storks, however due to their scarce population some fortune is needed but rarely does one leave the swamp without seeing one! Many other water birds have chosen this area as their home, so birding is always very interesting, return to the boat and enjoy a relaxed cruise on lake.

Accommodation: Airport Guest House
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast basis.

Day 2 – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.

Enjoy an early breakfast and travel to western Uganda across the beautiful landscape of central Uganda made of rolling hills and cultivated terraces, stop-over en-route at the equator for picture memories and then proceed to Lake Mburo National Park.

Upon arrival at the lodge, check in and have lunch and then later head out for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo and, time permitting after the boat activity, proceed for game drives and watch out for resident favorites like buffalo, impala, zebra, eland, warthogs, bushbucks, and several bird species.

Accommodation: Eagle’s nest.
Meal Plan: Half board (Lunch and Dinner)

Day 3 – Transfer From Lake Mburo to Kibale National Park.

After an early breakfast, head out for nature walks and then exit the park to drive to Kibale, this 4 hours journey goes through tea plantations, farmlands, towns of Ibanda and Kamwenge and Fort Portal to reach Kibale Forest National Park.

Lunch at the lodge and then, either head out for the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary excursion or opt to stay at the lodge to have the afternoon to your self as you enjoy the beautiful views around you, the wetland is a great example of a community-based approach to natural resources management which can be of good economic benefit to the residents living within the area and to the tourism industry. This sanctuary is a paradise for bird watchers – skilled birders can spot up to 50 new species on a bird list. Today 138 species of birds have been recognized within the sanctuary, among which the Great Blue Turaco, Bigodi is also regularly visited by a diverse number of primate species from the nearby national park.

This is combined with a community experience where you have the chance to explore ways of living of the local people, including basket weaving, banana juice/beer/ gin making, coffee farming, harvesting and production as well cultural performances.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 4 – Am Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After breakfast, transfer to the visitor’s Information center for a briefing on the conduct while in the park then start off the trek in search of the chimpanzees accompanied by rangers and guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority. The duration of the trek depends on the day’s location of the chimps, once you find them you are allowed 1hour of viewing.

The density and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. The most well-known of its 13 species are the chimpanzees, our closest relative. Kibale’s 1450 chimpanzee population of this threatened primate is Uganda’s biggest. Additionally, Kibale is home to the uncommon L’Hoest’s monkey as well as East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkey. The black & white colobus, red tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, grey cheeked mangabey, bush baby and potto are among the other primates present in the region.

In the afternoon, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s oldest parks, being formed officially in 1952. The park hosts 95 species of mammals, more than any other park in Uganda, and 619 bird species, the second highest of any park in Africa.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 5 – Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Full day dedicated to game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and to the scheduled boat trip (approx. 2 hours) on the Kazinga Channel – the 36 km waterway which connects Lake George and Lake Edward and which allows special viewings of game and birds on the riverbanks. Crocodiles have only recently been seen in the Channel – they had disappeared 8,000 years after they were eliminated from Lake Edward by toxic ash from local volcanoes.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 6 – Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park via the southern part of Queen – Ishasha sector famously known for the Tree climbing lions as well as searching for more wildlife to the  northern part of the park, Buhoma sector (4/5 hours drives) afternoon relaxing at the lodge or take a stroll in the village center to interact with the locals.

Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 7 – Gorilla tracking in Buhoma sector.

After breakfast, at around 7:30 am for Rushaga tracking, with packed lunch and drinking water you will be transferred to the National Park Head Quarters for the briefing on the dos and the don’ts while with the gorillas. You then continue to the forest for the start of the actual gorilla tracking.

The duration of the trek is only determined by the location of the primates on the day of tracking, and the time taken to find the gorillas can take from an hour to a full day – after spotting them, spend 1hour of viewing and hike back, meet the vehicle and drive back to the lodge.

The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular. The area offers a 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 as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savoured. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity.

Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge.
Meal Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 8 – Drive back to Entebbe

After an early breakfast, enjoy a final glimpse of the misty rainforest before beginning your return journey to Entebbe. The drive from Bwindi to Entebbe takes approximately 9–10 hours and is broken up with scheduled stops for refreshments, rest breaks, scenic viewpoints, and a hot lunch en route, typically at the Equator.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will have dinner before being transferred to the airport for your outbound flight. Departure time will be arranged according to the clients’ travel schedule.

Included in the above safari

  • Accommodation as mentioned above
  • 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
  • 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person.
  • Equator stop
  • Crater lakes visit and the Bigodi Swamp excursion.
  • Game drives in both Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
  • Nature walks in Lake Mburo National Park.
  • Boat cruise in both savanna parks.
  • Shoe Bill Excursion on Lake Victoria.
  • 4×4 Landcruiser with an experienced English speaking safari guide.
  • Drinking water in the vehicle all through the safari
  •  All excursions mentioned in the safari
  • Government taxes
  • All transfers.

Excluded in the above safari.

  • Uganda entry visa fee
  • International air flights
  • Any optional activities not indicated in the above
  • Laundry services
  • Gratuities and Tips.

 

Ugandan visa to be applied at least 1 month prior, for visa application, please follow the below link

https://visas.immigration.go.ug/