8 Days Uganda Primate Encounters : Tour three of the most popular national parks in Uganda; Kibale Forest National Park the best place to go chimpanzee tracking in Africa, Queen Elizabeth National Park the most popular park in Uganda and home to incredible wildlife including tree climbing lions and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest renowned home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Trip Highlights:
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Game drives on the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Launch Cruise on Kazinga Channel a perfect platform for game viewing and birdwatching closely.
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable. The encounter of Gorillas in close range is an unforgettable experience.
- Itinerary
8 Days /7 Night
Day 1: Entebbe Airport – Entebbe
Arrival at Entebbe International airport. Meet, greet by our representative and transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe for a well-deserved overnight on Bed and Breakfast.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Papyrus Guest House High Budget: Hotel No.5
Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park. We can make a stopover before proceeding to our accommodation. In the afternoon, we can take a walk around the lodge where you will encounter some bird species or visit to the crater lakes (both activities are optional). Dinner and overnight at your accommodation.
Kibale forest is home to the biggest population of chimpanzees in Uganda, estimated at 1450. Other primates in this park include L’hoests, grey cheeked mangabeys, Red-colobus monkey, Red-tailed, a variety of bird species, and butterflies.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Kibale Guest Cottages (FB) High Budget: Primate Lodge (FB)
Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park – Chimpanzee Tracking
Breakfast and transfer to the park offices at Kanyanchu for briefing and allocation of the Chimpanzee community to visit. Trekking requires some level of fitness, and it is a complete walk through the forest, you will be escorted by a ranger guide who will follow the chimpanzees’
feeding pattern and after finding them you will only be allowed one hour to spend with them. Later walk back to office for certificate awarding and thereafter, drive to the lodge for hot lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at the Lodge or Optional visit to the Bigodi wetland Sanctuary where we encounter other primates and a variety of bird species along the trail, including a visit to the local community.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Kibale Guest Cottages (FB) High Budget: Primate Lodge (FB)
Day 4: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, we drive through the crater lakes with stop overs for photos or Optional crater lakes walk before we embark on our way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is one of the most famous Parks in Uganda that was named after Queen Elizabeth II. The park boasts a rich biodiversity including; lakes, forests, savannah grasslands and world Ramsar site wetland which covers the shores of lake George. Enjoy lunch at the lodge and later in the afternoon, we depart for a game drive in the Kasenyi plains. This section of the park is home to lions, cape buffalos, elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, spotted hyenas, mangoose, Uganda Kob and over 600 bird species. In the evening, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) High Budget: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Deluxe (FB)
Day 5: Full day Queen Elizabeth National Park. Game drive and Launch Cruise
After an early breakfast, we head out for a game drive along the different tracks in Kasenyi in search of wildlife, we conclude this game drive with a visit to the Kasenyi Salt Lake. Later return to lodge for early lunch and we embark on a two hours’ boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The launch cruise gives a great opportunity for photography, animal viewing and bird watching at close range.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Kasenyi Safari Camp (FB) High Budget: Mweya Safari Lodge Deluxe(FB)
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, we drive from the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth to the southern sector (Ishasha) with a drive through the park for a mid-morning and late afternoon game drive in search of the tree climbing lions. Later, we proceed to Bwindi arriving in time for dinner and an overnight stay.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest popularly known for the rare, endangered Mountain Gorillas is also the Bird watcher’s haven! Bird and primate life in this forest is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Bwindi is habitat for over 340 species of birds and supports 24 of the 26 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur in Uganda. You might as well have a chance to encounter some other primate species.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Buhoma Haven Lodge (FB) High Budget: Mahogany Springs Lodge (FB)
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable – Gorilla trekking
Morning breakfast, collect your lunch boxes and be transferred to the park office for registration, cultural presentation and briefing on the do’s and don’ts while in the jungle. You will be assigned a ranger guide who will lead you into the dense Bwindi Forest in a group of up to eight persons for a lifetime adventure! Gorilla trekking is quite challenging as you hike high and low through the impenetrable forest searching for the endangered Mountain Gorillas!! This activity may take 2-8 hours depending on the movements of these interesting creatures who are presumed to be our close relatives. You will be allowed one-hour maximum with these gentle giants; watching them associate, eat and play in their natural habitat is rewarding experience. Picnic lunch time will be determined by your ranger guide thereafter, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Medium Budget: Buhoma Haven Lodge (FB) High Budget: Mahogany Springs Lodge (FB).
Day 8: Bwindi – Kampala / Entebbe
Today, after breakfast, we drive back to Kampala or proceed to Entebbe Airport for your outbound flight.
*End of safari*
| No. Pax | Medium Budget | High Budget |
| 2 | 2,615 | 3,435 |
| 4 | 2,130 | 2,975 |
| 6 | 1960 | 2,805 |
| SRS | 375 | 660 |
| Add: Gorilla Permit | 700 | 700 |
Includes:
- Airport transfers
- Accommodations and meals as per itinerary
- Bottled drinking water
- Game drives in 4×4 Land cruiser
- Knowledgeable English-Speaking driver/guide
- Park entry fees where applicable
- Activities mentioned as included
Excludes:
- International and domestic flights
- Visas, airport taxes
- Beverages and meals not mentioned
- Tips, porterage
- Items of personal nature such insurance, laundry, communication, etc
- All optional activities / excursions
- Any other item not mentioned on the itinerary