Safari Overview
This 8 Day Uganda Safari gives you an opportunity to see the unique apes and primates in Uganda – the pearl of Africa. You will trek the endangered Mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park, and track the chimpanzees that share 98% of their DNA with man in Kibale Forest National Park. Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National park Uganda’s most visited national park to see some of the amazing wildlife found in this beautiful country during the game drives and the Launch Cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Activities: Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, game drives and launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, optional Batwa Cultural experience, and optional bigodi wetland nature walk
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park – home of Chimpanzees
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Game drives and Launch Cruise
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi NP the home of Mountain gorillas
Day 7: Gorillas trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 8: End of your Uganda Primates Safari
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kampala
On arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari driver-guide who will brief you about the safari and transfer you to your hotel in Kampala where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Meal plan: lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Imperial Hotel, Serena Hotel
- Mid-Range: Speke Resort Hotel, Emin Pasha Hotel
- Budget: Acardia Cottages Namirembe Guest House
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast at your hotel the driver-guide will pick you up and transfer you to Kibale National Park located in southwestern Uganda home of the largest number and diversity of primates in the east African region. The park has 13 different types of primates among which are chimpanzees (the most popular), L’Hoest monkeys, the black and white monkeys, the red tailed monkeys and the blue monkeys among many others. You will have lunch en-route in Fort Portal town and later arrive in the park where you will check into your accommodation and rest as you prepare for chimpanzee tracking the following day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest
Today you will enjoy one of the highlight activities of this safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park guides by about the chimpanzee tracking activity by 8:00am. Led by the highly experienced guides and armed park rangers you will begin the search for the chimps a thing which takes between 2 to 4 hours before finding them. You will encounter various types of birds, monkeys, lizards, insects and trees along the forest trails. Once you find them you will observe them in their natural habitat go about their day to day life not minding you their visitors. It’s quite amazing observing how much these chimps share in common with man in terms of behavior, ability to use skills and communication; don’t leave your camera behind as this adventure offers an amazing photography moment.
After your lunch break, there will be an optional guided nature walk in the Bigodi wetland Sanctuary during which you will encounter various animals, primates, and birds as well as meet some of the local people in the area. Alternatively, you may choose to remain at your lodge unwinding for the rest of the day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, checkout of your accommodation in Kibale national park and then begin the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and depending on the condition of the road you will go through the scenic crater lakes region and also spot the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountain especially on clear sunny days.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains Of The Moon
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 5: Game drive and Launch Safari
Begin the day early with a quick cup of tea / coffee then head out for a game drive at day break to see some of the early risers that live in this park. The Kasenyi plains which you will explore are home to a great diversity of animals among which are: Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Leopards, Elephants, Lions and different antelopes. Remember to bring your camera with you as this offers great photography opportunities. At around 11:00am return for a late breakfast at your lodge, a short rest and lunch
In the afternoon proceed for a thrilling 2 hours launch cruise on the Kazinga channel which connects Lake George and Lake Albert. You will encounter various animals and birds on this amazing boat ride among which is the highest population of hippos in Uganda. return for dinner and over-night rest at your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Primates Lodge Kyaninga Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Ndali Lodge
- Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp, Mountains of The Moon, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Rwenzori Travelers, Kibale Forest Camp
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
After breakfast begin the journey to Bwindi national park a UNESCO world heritage site best known as home to the largest population of Mountain gorillas and the best place to see gorillas in the world. The drive will take you through Queen Elizabeth’s southern area known as the Ishasha Area where you will look for the unique tree climbing lions and also see some other animals. The lions are normally seen resting the branches of the large acacia trees. On arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable National park you will check-into your accommodation where you will dine and spend the night.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
- Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bwindi Lodge
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Engagi Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
- Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Day 7: Gorillas trek in Bwindi
Today you will enjoy another highlight activity of this safari. After breakfast early morning, transfer to the park headquarters by 8:00am where you will be briefed about the dos and don’ts while tracking gorillas in their natural habitats. After this, in groups of 8 people you will begin the search for the habituated family gorilla a thing that may take 2 to 6 hours basing on where they will be. The gorilla family you will visit will be habituated (familiar to human presence) so you will spend an hour with them taking photos and observing them go about their day to day activities like feeding, playing care for each other and even see the large hairy dominant silverback.
Following hours of trekking, you will finally come face to face with the mountain gorillas, and the sight of the giant silverback which most probably will be silently looking at you is unforgettable to many. You will take photographs and spend an hour in their midst observing them before returning to your Lodge.
After lunch go for an optional cultural visit to the Batwa people to learn about their tradition lifestyle and enjoy their cultural entertainment or spend the rest of the evening at leisure back at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bwindi Lodge
- Mid-Range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Engagi Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
- Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Day 8: Return to Kampala
This is the final day of our 8 Day Safari in Uganda. After a nice breakfast in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begin the drive back to Kampala with lunch en-route and stopovers to buy some souvenirs if time allows. Once in Kampala, the driver will transfer you to a hotel of your choice or to the Entebbe international airport for your departure flight.
Safari includes:
Full Board Accommodation as listed in itinerary
All meals highlighted in the itinerary
Transportation in a 4WD safari vehicle
Bottled water in the safari vehicle
Service of a full-time English speaking Driver-guide
Chimpanzee tracking permit
Game Drive
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Launch Cruise
Park entrance Fees
Airport transfer if your flight is on the same day the safari ends.
The Safari Excludes:
Flight and Visa Fees
Personal Insurance
All activities listed as optional
Personal Expenses like cigarettes, drinks, tips, laundry services, telephone
