8-day Uganda Chimpanzee, Big Game And Gorilla Safari
Embark on a captivating 8 days journey to Uganda, an East African safari gem celebrated for its rich tapestry of landscapes and wildlife (primates especially). This safari is a private guided road tour that unveils the allure of Kibale, a haven renowned for its chimpanzees and other 12. Venture into the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park for an enthralling game-viewing experience, highlighted by an extraordinary lion-tracking excursion. The expedition culminates in Bwindi, setting the stage for an unforgettable rendezvous with majestic gorillas—a truly once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Throughout your journey, you’ll be captivated not only by the astonishing biodiversity but also by the genuine warmth of the local people.
The breathtaking scenery serves as a backdrop to your adventures, creating lasting memories of an immersive exploration of Uganda’s diverse wonders.
Day 1-Arrive at Entebbe
You arrival at Entebbe airport, where you are met with our local safari guide. He will transfer you to the hotel in Entebbe, where you will have a pre-night before heading to Kibale National Park.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guesthouse
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 2-Kibale National Park
After your breakfast at the lodge in Entebbe,
hop into your safari vehicle and depart for Kibale Forest National park, about 5-6 hours away. Primate lodge is a perfect base from which you can enjoy Kibale Forest National park, famous home of the largest concentration of chimpanzees in Africa, as well as a bewildering variety of other primates, birds and butterflies. The lodge is located inside the park. Time to unwind and appreciate the views, before dinner and night.
Accommodation: Primate Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3-Chimpanzee tracking and community tour
Early morning wake up call, followed by breakfast and the transfer to the forest headquarters. There is a short introduction and briefing before you depart on the chimpanzee trekking.
The perennially popular primate walk provides the chance to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Kanyanchu’s groups are accustomed to human presence – some have been observed for over 25 years – and the chance of locating them is over 90%.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species, some elephants and antelopes. There are around 370 species of birds, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Return to the lodge, have lunch and visit the community in Bigodi with your guide and a local community guide.
Accommodation: Primate Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4-To Queen Elizabeth National park
Today, have an early morning breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Start your journey at 7am and arrive at park after 2 hours and venture straight into a short morning game drive at the Kasenyi plains. The sun will be out and a great chance to get the best of the game drive before checking in at our lodge for lunch.
After we drive to Elephant Hab Lodge, located at Kyambura over looking the gorge and the escarpment. We shall have our lunch before going for the boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. After the boat, we shall drive to the park office again, and do a night game drive. Nights are amazing to watch wildlife as nocturnals are active and even predators get a good chance to ambush prey.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Cottages
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5- South of Queen Elizabeth and to Buhoma.
After breakfast, depart for the southern sector of the park and the Ishasha region. The landscape slowly changes as you pass large herds of Uganda kobs, topis and buffaloes, grazing peacefully in the savannah highlands. In the far end, the winding Ishasha River forms the natural border between Uganda and DR Congo. The highlight of this area, however, is the tree climbing lion, who likes to take a nap in the upper branches of huge fig trees. We shall have a game drive at the park’s sector and then proceed to Bwindi’s sector of Buhoma for a night before our gorilla tracking.
Accommodation: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6- Gorilla Tracking Day
Early morning wake up call, and transfer to the headquarters for your briefing.
Tracking mountain gorillas through the dense African forests is a magical experience. Only eight visitors are allowed per gorilla group each day, and to minimize possible transmission of human diseases, visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 10m from the gorillas. Typically, tracking can take from 3 to 8 hours and requires some agility and fitness; however, all fitness levels can be accommodated and no one should feel deterred from missing this once in a lifetime experience. Return to the lodge and refresh before you visit a community of the Batwa (pygmies) who used to inhabit the forest before being evicted and believed to be one of Uganda’s oldest tribes.
Accommodation: Buhoma Gorilla Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savanna park. It is less on the big 5 but has some amazing experiences different from other park and can be explored in unique ways. After our early breakfast, we shall drive to the park from Bwindi, arriving in the afternoon. Check-in, you can access the pool before heading out for an evening game drive.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8- Choose between a Walking or Cycling Safari.
These are some of the unique activities that you can do to experience Lake Mburo National Park. After breakfast, we ride or drive to the park from the lodge. We venture into a walk or cycling experience before we head to Entebbe for your exit safari. Lake Mburo is 264km from Entebbe and we shall arrive in the late afternoon and prepare well for your exit flight.
End of the itinerary
Includes
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
Accommodation at mentioned lodges or their equivalent
All meals (as indicated)
Drinking water on all days
Driver guide
Safari vehicle and gas
Park entry fees
Activity fees
Excluded
Flight tickets and visas
Personal expenses (Laundry, souvenirs, alcoholic drinks and beverages)
Tips
Activities not mentioned
