7-Day Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari

Your 7-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari begins with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport, where your professional Enjobe Safaris driver-guide will meet you upon arrival. After a brief introduction and safari briefing, you will depart for western Uganda and the beautiful Kibale National Park. The scenic journey takes you through Uganda’s lush countryside, passing vibrant roadside communities, farmland, tea plantations and rolling green hills.

You will have a lunch stop along the way before continuing towards Fort Portal, one of Uganda’s most scenic tourism towns, known for its green landscapes, tea estates and crater lakes. From Fort Portal, you will continue to the Kibale area, arriving at your lodge in the late afternoon or early evening. Kibale National Park is renowned for its ancient tropical rainforest, exceptional primate diversity and one of Africa’s most rewarding chimpanzee trekking experiences.

Upon arrival, you will check in, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the forest. Dinner and overnight will be at your selected lodge in the Kibale region.

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the chimpanzee trekking briefing point at Kibale National Park where you will meet experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, receive a briefing about chimpanzee trekking guidelines and begin your guided walk into the tropical rainforest.

As you move beneath the forest canopy, listen for the calls of chimpanzees and watch for movement in the trees. Your ranger will help identify animal tracks, feeding signs, medicinal plants, birds and other primates. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend a memorable hour observing them as they feed, groom, communicate, play and move through the forest. Kibale National Park is also home to several other primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and olive baboons which you might spot during the trek.

After the chimpanzee trekking experience, you will return to the lodge or a nearby restaurant for lunch and relaxation and then you will enjoy a guided Bigodi community and wetland walk. During this experience, you may learn about traditional farming, coffee production, banana cultivation, local foods, medicinal plants, crafts and everyday community life. The Bigodi experience supports local conservation and community development initiatives. You will later return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin the scenic journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through the beautiful Fort Portal and Kasese region, passing rolling tea plantations, crater lakes, rural communities and impressive views of the distant Rwenzori Mountains.

Along the way, you will stop at the Kikorongo Equator landmark for photographs and the memorable experience of standing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. After the Equator stop, you will continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving at your lodge in time for lunch, check-in and a short rest.

Later in the afternoon, you will proceed to the Mweya Peninsula for a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to observe large schools of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and other wildlife gathering along the shoreline to drink and cool off. The Kazinga Channel is also renowned for its rich birdlife, with possible sightings including African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, cormorants, herons and African spoonbills. As the boat glides across the calm waters, you will enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding savannah, wetlands and distant Rwenzori Mountains.

After the boat cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin the day with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The cooler morning hours offer some of the best wildlife-viewing opportunities, as predators and grazing animals are often more active at this time.

Your driver-guide will explore the Kasenyi Plains and other productive savannah areas in search of African elephants, Cape buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs and several antelope species. With some luck, you may also encounter lions, leopards or spotted hyenas. The open grasslands and soft morning light provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. After the game drive, you will continue to the park’s scenic crater lake region. Here, you will enjoy panoramic views of volcanic crater lakes, rolling grasslands, salt lakes, the Great Rift Valley and the distant Rwenzori Mountains. Your guide will explain the geological formation of the craters and the importance of this landscape to the surrounding communities and wildlife.

You will then begin the scenic transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, stopping for lunch along the way. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, including rural villages, cultivated hillsides and the lush highlands of southwestern Uganda. Upon arrival in Bwindi, you will check in at your lodge and spend the remainder of the evening relaxing as you prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking experience. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge.

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park headquarters. At the park headquarters, you will meet Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and receive a detailed briefing about gorilla trekking procedures and conservation guidelines.

You will then be assigned a habituated gorilla family and placed in a trekking group of 8. Accompanied by experienced trackers and rangers, you will enter the ancient rainforest and begin searching for the mountain gorillas. The trek may take between two and several hours, depending on the gorillas' location, movements and the condition of the forest trails. The hike can involve steep slopes, thick vegetation, mud and uneven terrain, but the reward is one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.

Once the gorilla family is located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing the gorillas as they feed, rest, groom, play and interact with one another. You will have time to take photographs while following the instructions provided by your ranger. After the encounter, you will trek back to the park headquarters and receive a gorilla trekking certificate. You will then return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, you will participate in a respectful, community-led Batwa cultural experience. During the visit, Batwa community members may share stories about their forest heritage, traditional hunting methods, medicinal plants, songs, dances and survival skills. The experience offers an opportunity to learn about the Batwa people while contributing to community livelihoods and cultural preservation. You will return to the lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay on safari.

After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin the scenic journey from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes you through the beautiful highlands and countryside of southwestern Uganda, passing terraced hills, banana plantations, cattle farms, rural trading centres and traditional homesteads.

You will stop in Mbarara City for lunch before continuing towards Lake Mburo National Park. As you approach the park, the landscape gradually changes from Bwindi’s densely forested mountains to rolling hills, open grasslands and acacia woodlands.

Upon arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, you will check in at your lodge and take some time to relax after the journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may head out for a short evening game drive through the park’s scenic savannah and acacia-covered landscapes.

Lake Mburo National Park is home to several wildlife species that are uncommon or difficult to see in many other Ugandan parks. Possible sightings include zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, bushbucks and giraffes. You may also encounter olive baboons and vervet monkeys along the park’s tracks.

As the sun sets over the rolling hills and open plains, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, you will join an experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger for a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Exploring the park on foot offers a more intimate wildlife experience and allows you to observe the surrounding landscape, animal tracks, plants and smaller details that are often missed during a vehicle game drive.

During the walk, you may encounter zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, topis, warthogs, waterbucks and other wildlife at a safe distance. Your ranger will explain animal behaviour, identify footprints and share insights into the park’s diverse ecosystem. The activity also provides excellent opportunities for nature photography and birdwatching.

After the walking safari, you will return to the lodge, freshen up and check out before beginning your journey towards Entebbe International Airport. The drive takes you through the scenic countryside of western and central Uganda, passing cattle farms, rural communities, roadside markets and small trading centres.

Along the way, you will stop for lunch before continuing to the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe. Here, you will have time to take photographs, browse local craft and souvenir shops, and enjoy the memorable experience of standing in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. You will then continue to Entebbe International Airport, arriving later in the afternoon or evening. Your driver-guide will assist you with your luggage and drop you off at the airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda safari.

Guests departing Uganda on the same day are advised to book a late-evening flight to allow sufficient time for the journey. Alternatively, an additional night in Entebbe can be arranged for a more relaxed conclusion to your safari.