8 Day Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari

Your safari begins with a morning pick-up from Kampala or Entebbe by your experienced driver-guide. After a short briefing, you will set off on a scenic journey to southwestern Uganda, a drive of approximately 8 to 9 hours.

As you travel westward, you’ll pass through a changing landscape of bustling towns, open countryside, and lush agricultural areas. A highlight along the way is a stop at the Equator in Kayabwe, where you can take photographs and explore local craft stalls. The journey continues through rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional homesteads, offering a glimpse into Uganda’s rural lifestyle.

After a relaxed lunch stop en route, the terrain gradually shifts into the cool highlands of Kisoro. Towering in the distance are the Virunga Volcanoes, creating a dramatic backdrop as you approach Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. You will arrive in the late afternoon, check in at your lodge, and enjoy dinner with views of the surrounding hills.

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your golden monkey tracking experience in Mgahinga.

Golden monkeys are endemic to the Virunga region and are known for their vibrant golden-orange fur and energetic behavior. The trek through bamboo forest can take between 1 to 4 hours, depending on their location. Once located, you will spend up to one hour observing them as they leap through the trees and forage on bamboo shoots.

This experience offers a lighter but equally fascinating primate encounter, complementing the more intense gorilla trekking experience to come.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, you will continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a short but scenic drive of about 1 to 2 hours through mountainous terrain and local communities.

Arrive in the afternoon, check in, and relax as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the next day.

Today is the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking in Uganda.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You will be assigned to a small group and a habituated gorilla family.

The trek into Bwindi’s dense rainforest can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movement. The terrain is often steep and covered in thick vegetation, but your guides will ensure a safe and manageable pace.

When you finally encounter the gorillas, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them at close range. Watch as they feed, groom, interact, and care for their young—an intimate and deeply moving experience that defines any Uganda safari.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. You will also receive a gorilla trekking certificate as a memorable keepsake.

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a drive of approximately 4 to 5 hours.

The route offers beautiful scenery as you descend from the forested highlands into open savannah landscapes. Depending on your route, you may pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions—an exciting highlight if sightings are favorable.

Arrive in the afternoon, check in at your lodge, and enjoy a short rest before heading out for an evening game drive. This is an ideal time to spot wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes, with chances of encountering predators as they begin their evening activity.

Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This region is known for its large herds of Uganda kobs, which attract predators such as lions and leopards.

As you explore the savannah, expect sightings of elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hyenas, and a wide variety of bird species. The early morning light also provides excellent conditions for photography.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This waterway is famous for its dense concentration of hippos, as well as crocodiles, elephants along the shoreline, and abundant birdlife including African fish eagles and pelicans.

This combination of game drive and boat safari makes for one of the most rewarding wildlife days in Uganda.

After breakfast, you may visit the Katwe Salt Lake, where local communities have practiced traditional salt mining for generations. This cultural experience offers insight into local livelihoods and Uganda’s history.

You will then continue your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, a drive of approximately 4 to 5 hours through scenic countryside and farmland.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area rich in biodiversity. Look out for monkeys, birds such as the great blue turaco, and other wildlife.

After an early breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee tracking experience.

Kibale Forest is renowned for its high success rate of chimpanzee sightings and is home to over 12 other primate species. As you trek through the forest, you may hear the chimps calling before you see them moving through the canopy.

Once located, you will spend up to one hour observing their lively and social behavior—feeding, grooming, and interacting within their groups. This experience offers a fascinating contrast to gorilla trekking, with chimpanzees being more active and vocal.

The afternoon is free for relaxation or optional exploration around the lodge.

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, a drive of approximately 5 to 6 hours.

The route takes you through tea plantations, rural towns, and scenic countryside, offering a final glimpse of Uganda’s natural beauty. A lunch stop will be made along the way, with opportunities for last-minute shopping or photography.

You will arrive in the afternoon or early evening and be dropped off at your hotel or at Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.