UGANDA PRIMATES & WILDLIFE SAFARI
NO OF DAYS : 8 : ENTEBE, KIBALE, QUEEN ELIZABETH, BWINDI
FROM USD 2500 Per Person
8-Day Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through Uganda’s most iconic wilderness. Your adventure begins in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where thrilling game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise bring you face-to-face with elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, and diverse birdlife. Next, venture deep into the lush rainforests of Kibale and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Here, you will experience the ultimate wildlife encounter: spending a magical, unforgettable hour with endangered chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Day 1 : Arrival and Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest
Your 8-day Ugandan safari begins with a personal meet-and-greet at Entebbe International Airport. Following a brief orientation, you will transfer to Kibale National Park via a scenic 6-to-7-hour drive. The route showcases Western Uganda’s stunning geography, including the Rwenzori mountain range, crater lakes, and extensive tea plantations. After an en-route lunch and cultural sights, arrive at your selected lodge for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay ahead of tomorrow's primate tracking.
Day 2 : Primate Tracking and Wetland Exploration in Kibale
Following an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a pre-track briefing. Guests are matched into small groups of six per ranger before entering the forest at 8:00 AM. The trek ranges from 30 minutes to 4 hours, during which you will observe diverse flora and fauna, including multiple monkey species. The highlight is a structured one-hour encounter with a habituated chimpanzee family, allowing for close-up observation and photography.
Return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on an afternoon guided walk through the Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary. This community-led conservation area is highly regarded for its biodiversity, featuring endemic plant species, vibrant birdlife (such as the Great Blue Turaco), and unique wetland mammals. Conclude the day with dinner and overnight accommodation at the lodge.
Day 3 : Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
After a relaxed breakfast on the third day of the 8 days Uganda primates and wildlife safari, you will check out of the lodge and start the journey to Queen Elizabeth national park which is the second largest national park in Uganda. The journey to Queen Elizabeth national park takes about 3 to 4 hours’ drive and on the way you will enjoy great views of the beautiful landscape, scenery among others. Upon arrival in the park, you will check into the lodge for lunch where after you will relax and then go for an evening game drive where you will be able to view different animals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bush bucks, warthogs among others. After the game drive, you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 : Kasenyi Plains Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Following an early breakfast, proceed to the Kasenyi Plains for a morning game drive or an experiential lion tracking session. The open savannah ecosystem supports high concentrations of wildlife, including elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and elusive predators like lions and leopards. Return to the lodge for lunch.
At 2:00 PM, depart for a 2-to-3-hour launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a vital waterway connecting Lakes George and Edward. The cruise offers exceptional, close-range game viewing of hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, and herds of buffalo and elephant on the shoreline. It also showcases rich avifauna, including pelicans and storks, alongside glimpses of traditional fishing cultures. Conclude the afternoon with dinner and overnight accommodation at the lodge.
Day 5 : Journey to Bwindi via the Southern Ishasha Sector
After breakfast and check-out, transfer toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will conduct a game drive through the Ishasha plains, an area internationally renowned for its resident population of tree-climbing lions. Following the game drive and an en-route lunch, proceed on a 3-to-4-hour scenic drive into the high-altitude rainforests of southwestern Uganda. Upon arrival at the Bwindi park boundaries, check into your designated lodge for evening relaxation, dinner, and overnight rest.
Day 6 : Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience & Batwa Cultural Encounter
This is the highlight of your safari! After an early breakfast, grab your packed lunch and head to the park headquarters for a crucial briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette. In a small group of eight, you will set off into the ancient, mist-covered forest with an expert park ranger. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours as you navigate the dense jungle trails. Along the way, spot vibrant birds and other primates like L’Hoest’s monkeys. Once you locate the gorilla family, enjoy a magical, life-changing hour watching them feed, play, and groom each other just feet away.
Trek back to the starting point to receive your official gorilla trekking certificate. Afterward, you can choose to join an optional cultural tour to meet the indigenous Batwa people. Learn how they survived in harmony with Bwindi forest for generations before it became a protected national park, tour their homesteads, and enjoy their vibrant traditional dances. Return to the lodge for a relaxed evening, dinner, and a well-deserved night's rest.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Island Canoe Cruise & Community Tour
Enjoy breakfast and check out of the lodge before embarking on a scenic 3-to-4-hour drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale. Africa's second-deepest lake welcomes you with breathtaking views of terraced hillsides and emerald waters. Upon arrival, step into a traditional wooden dugout canoe for a peaceful boat cruise. Explore some of the lake’s 29 historic islands—including the famous Punishment Island—while spotting vibrant birdlife like grey crowned cranes, herons, and egrets. Afterward, head to your lakeside lodge to check in and enjoy a fresh lunch.
After lunch, venture into the surrounding communities to meet the local Bakiga and indigenous Batwa people. This immersive tour gives you a firsthand look at their daily lives as you visit local markets, homesteads, and terraced farmlands. Learn about their rich history, traditions, and age-old customs. To wrap up the afternoon, join in on their lively traditional songs, dances, and storytelling. Return to the lodge as dusk falls for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay by the water.
Day 8: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe via the Equator & Departure
Enjoy a relaxed lakeside breakfast before checking out of your lodge and meeting your guide for the return journey to Kampala. Soak in your final views of the rolling Kigezi hills, vibrant terraced farmlands, and rural homesteads as you travel. You will break up the drive with a delicious lunch stop in Mbarara town. Afterward, continue the journey and pause at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe to stand in two hemispheres at once, snap memorable photos, and pick up local handmade souvenirs. Your driver-guide will then transfer you directly to Entebbe International Airport for your evening departure flight, or drop you off at your preferred hotel, marking the end of an incredible 8-day Ugandan adventure.
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