7 Days Uganda Primate Trekking & Wildlife Safari Encounter

Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport, our driver guide will greet you and give you a short briefing of the safari before starting the journey to Kibale National Park.

The journey to Kibale National Park is long but you will be rewarded with amazing sites of the countryside, national parks, forests, rivers, lakes, large plantations, the intriguing Ankole cattle, trading centers, towns, districts and the ever smiling peasants. On arrival at Fort Portal City, you will have lunch and then go for a tour of this small but very beautiful town. Fort Portal is now the tourism city of Uganda. It not only houses the headquarters of the Toro Kingdom, but is also located in an area with excellent climate and beautiful scenery all year round. Because of the tranquility in the city, the town is arguably the best place to live in Uganda.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge, Turaco Treetops/ Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

After early morning breakfast, you will be taken to Kibale National Park headquarters for the briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The briefing is led by the Park Guides and is all about the rules of tracking chimpanzees, the park and what to expect. After the briefing, the Park Guides will lead you into the forest to find the chimps. Chimpanzee trekking is quite different from gorilla trekking. Chimps stay longer on top of trees compared to gorillas. Their groups are also more vocal and dramatic. It is possible to hear their cries from a mile away even before getting close to them. By the time you get to them, they would have already seen your group. Tracking chimpanzees usually takes between 3 to 5 hours. You only have an hour to observe them. Use the time to take as many photos as you can.

After spending one hour with the chimps, you will be led back to the park offices where you will find the company driver waiting for you. The driver will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest.

Later in the Afternoon, your guide will take you to visit the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary for a nature walk and birding. The Bigodi swamp is one of the best spots of birding in Uganda. Expect to see small monkeys, birds, butterflies and much more.

Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge, Turaco Treetops/ Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

You will wake up early to take heavy breakfast and check out. Our Guide will come and pick you to start the 2 hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park – to your lodge and later to Kazinga channel for amazing boat cruise after lunch. The Kazinga Channel is one of Africa’s greatest birding sites. You can spot both resident and migratory birds in large numbers. Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes Edward and George, is also home to one of the greatest concentration of hippo in Africa and herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals come to drink at the water’s edge. The channel is a magnet for water birds, with great flocks of pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.

In the evening, our guide will take you for evening game drive at the Kasenyi plains. The evening game drive will allow you to catch up with nocturnal animals and predators coming out of their dens to start hunting in the night. You should also spot the early risers and especially birds. Other animals to look out for are hippopotamus, hartebeests, leopard and buffaloes among many other birds. After the game drive, the driver will start the journey back to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Accommodation: Katara Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge, Twin Lakes Safari Lodge, Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

After early morning breakfast, our guide will take you for your second game drive at the Kasenyi plains. The morning game drive will allow you to catch up with nocturnal animals and predators retreating to their dens after hunting in the night. You should also spot the early risers and especially birds. Other animals to look out for are hippopotamus, hartebeests, leopard and buffaloes among many other birds. After the game drive, the driver will start the journey back to the lodge for your packed lunch and check-out.

Our driver will then transfer you to Bwindi impenetrable national park – via Ishasha sector to spot rare tree-climbing lions. The Ishasha sector is famous for hosting tree climbing lions. Researchers believe that the lions have adapted to climbing trees to escape bites from bugs. They also use their position on top of trees to observe movements of their prey. The lions prefer the sturdy acacia and fig trees but you may also spot them on fallen trees.

After Ishasha, the driver will continue the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park and to your lodge

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge, Haven Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board

After enjoying an early breakfast, you set off for gorilla tracking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment. Tracking in the Bwindi forest can be steep and requires stamina as some gorilla families can be more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially if it is wet and muddy.

Porters are available to help you with extra luggage at extra cost. The Park Rangers will lead you into the forest to track the primates. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes between 2 to 6 hours. Once you spot them, take as many photos as you can because you will be with them for only one hour. Observing mountain gorillas can be amazing. You can see them groom, play, eat or take a nap. Some may come close to you out of curiosity but remember to always remain calm as you follow instructions from the park Guides.

After an hour of observing the mountain gorillas, you will return back to the starting point where our Guide will be waiting for you. Do not forget to get your certificate of completion as you go back to the lodge for lunch and rest.

After resting, the driver will take you out to visit the Batwa pygmy community. Bwindi forest was the original home of the Batwa before they were evicted by the government. The government decided to evict them from the park and resettle them elsewhere. Although several projects were started to help the Batwa adjust to life outside the forest, it has not been a success. The Batwa remain very poor because they failed to adapt to life outside the forest or compete with neighboring tribes. While with them, you will learn a lot about their culture and the challenges they face after a life of plenty in the forest. Expect traditional dance and other performances from the tribesmen.

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge, Haven Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board