This 8 days Uganda Primates and Wildlife safari, you will visit 4 national parks, but the highlight will be Bwindi gorilla trekking experience. The tour also offers opportunities for chimpanzee trekking and wildlife safari in Lake Mburo National Park.

 

Day 1: Arrival

When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, our driver will meet and take you to the hotel in Entebbe. Before dinner, for those who arrived earlier in the day, there are optional activities including sunset cruise on Lake Victoria. For those who arrived earlier in the day, there are optional activities before dinner, such as a cruise to see the sunset over Lake Victoria. Birdwatchers can go to the Mabamba Swamps to look for shoebill stork. 

 

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

After a leisurely breakfast, travel to Lake Mburo National Park (a medley of wonders) in western Uganda. The journey is 235 km (4-hour drive). Along the way, stopover at Mpambire to observe the creation of traditional and regional artefacts including African drum. From there continue for a second stop at the equator for photoshoots. You’ll proceed and get to the lodge inside the park in time for lunch.

After a hearty lunch, take a game drive in search of wild animals in Lake Mburo including the Cape buffalo, impala, zebra, eland, warthogs, and bushbuck. If you wish to do something else other than game drive, optional activities include horseback riding, biking, boat cruise and village walk. 

Dinner and overnight in Lake Mburo.

 

Day 3: Lake Mburo to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

In the morning after a cup of tea, take a walking safari with a ranger to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of an African bush. Thereafter, leave Lake Mburo and travel to Bwindi through the scenic rolling Kigezi hills of south west Uganda. Get your camera in hand as this route offers beautiful scenery. Arrive at the lodge late evening and check in for dinner and overnight. Ensure to go to bed early and get enough sleep because you will wake up early for gorilla trekking the following day.

Dinner and overnight in Bwindi Impenetrable forest (UNESCO world heritage site).

Day 4: Gorilla trekking and village walk

After breakfast, your guide will transport you to the park visitor center in time to begin your gorilla trekking adventure. It will begin with a 30-minute briefing on gorilla rules, such as maintaining a 7-metre distance when viewing gorillas. You’ll be led into the jungle with armed rangers escorting you for your safety. Trackers will make sure you walk at your pace and once the gorillas are found, you will spend 1 hour taking photos and observing how they live. Return to the center and make your way to your lodge for lunch.

In the evening, you can visit the villages outside the park, and your gorilla tour will benefit the local community. Always bring some extra cash with you to spend on local businesses including souvenirs. Back at the lodge for dinner and campfire to share stories.

 

Day 5: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast in the morning, leave Bwindi and travel northwest to Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for tree climbing lions. You will spend a night in Ishasha wilderness, the southern part of the park for chances to spot the lions. Ishasha area is part of the rift valley and borders DR Congo’s Virunga National Park. When you explore this area, you might spot unique wild animals such as Congo buffalo and topi. The following day, you will head to northern Kasenyi plains. 

Dinner and overnight in the Ishasha wilderness. 

 

Day 6: Kazinga channel boat cruise and transfer to Kibale forest

Following a cup of tea and breakfast, you will embark on relaxed game viewing as you transfer from Ishasha to the Kasenyi plains. Along the way you might spot Uganda kobs or be surprised by elephant roadblock. Arrive at Kazinga channel earlier to relax and have lunch by the waters. When it’s time, take a boat cruise for 3 hours with snacks onboard and have fun watching elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks. There are over 600 species of birds of which most water loving species like African fish eagle and pied kingfishers are common sight whilst on the cruise.

After the boat, you will exit Queen Elizabeth through Kasese road and pass by the equator to Kibale National Park. Arrive at your lodge, check in and refresh with a hearty dinner awaiting. 

Dinner and overnight stay in Kibale  National Park. Kibale is known as the primate capital of the world. Indeed, the tropical forest provides shelter to 13 primate species including over 1,400 chimpanzees which is almost Africa’s largest chimpanzee population in just 789 sq.km protected area. 

Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk

Chimpanzee trekking offers you the opportunity to spend 1 hour with man’s closest relatives. It will be done in the morning and in the evening you will visit Bigodi wetland for birding and community tour. Dinner and overnight at Kibale.

Day 8: Departure 

After breakfast, leave Kibale and transfer to Kampala or Entebbe airport depending on your departure time. End of 8 days Uganda primates and wildlife safari.