The 8 Days Luxury Primate Tracking and Wildlife Safari in Uganda by Gorilla Tour Rwanda is an exceptional journey combining close encounters with endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzee tracking in tropical rainforests and exciting wildlife safaris across Uganda’s most celebrated national parks. You will explore Kibale Forest National Park, renowned for its chimpanzee population, Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its diverse wildlife and scenic Kazinga Channel, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas. Along the way, you will enjoy beautiful countryside, crater lake landscapes, traditional communities and the remarkable biodiversity that makes Uganda one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Your Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Gorilla Tour Rwanda representative, who will assist with your luggage and transfer you to your luxury hotel. During the drive, you will enjoy your first impressions of Uganda, including its tropical vegetation, lively streets and the beautiful surroundings of Lake Victoria. After checking in, you will have time to freshen up and relax following your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens for a guided nature walk, where you can discover tropical plants, birds and other wildlife in a peaceful lakeside setting. Alternatively, you may relax at your hotel or enjoy views of Lake Victoria. In the evening, your guide will brief you about the upcoming safari, including the chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking arrangements. You will enjoy dinner at your hotel before retiring for the night.
Accommodation options: Hotel No.5, The Boma Hotel Entebbe, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will depart Entebbe and travel westwards towards Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s most important destinations for primate tracking. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, including rural settlements, agricultural fields, roadside markets and rolling green hills. You will pass through the Fort Portal region, known for its tea plantations, scenic countryside and views of the Rwenzori Mountains when the weather is clear. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to Uganda’s cultural heritage, local livelihoods and the importance of conserving the country’s natural environments. You will stop for lunch at a suitable restaurant or lodge before continuing towards the Kibale Forest area. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury accommodation and enjoy time to relax in the tranquil surroundings. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short nature walk around the lodge or admire the nearby crater lake landscapes. In the evening, your guide will explain the following day’s chimpanzee tracking arrangements, including the necessary preparations and forest safety guidelines.
Accommodation options: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Today, you will explore Kibale Forest National Park in search of wild chimpanzees, offering one of the most exciting primate encounters in Uganda. After an early breakfast, you will proceed to the designated park briefing point, where authorised rangers will explain the tracking procedures and conservation guidelines. You will then enter the tropical rainforest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers who will help you locate the chimpanzees by following their calls, movements and other signs of activity. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have the permitted observation period to watch their behaviour, including feeding, grooming, playing and communicating within their social groups. Your guide will also help you identify other forest primates, birds and interesting tropical vegetation along the trails. After the trek, you will return for lunch before visiting Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area famous for its rich birdlife, monkeys and wetland scenery. During a guided nature walk, you will learn about the area’s biodiversity and the role local communities play in protecting the environment. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation options: Kyaninga Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, you will leave Kibale Forest and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. The drive takes you through scenic countryside, with opportunities to appreciate the green hills, crater lakes and traditional communities of western Uganda. As you approach the park, the landscape gradually changes into open savannah, woodland and wetland habitats that support a wide range of wildlife. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury lodge and enjoy lunch before setting out for an afternoon game drive. Accompanied by your experienced safari guide, you will explore selected wildlife tracks in search of African elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks and warthogs. You may also encounter lions resting in the grass or moving through the plains, although sightings depend on wildlife movements and seasonal conditions. The game drive offers opportunities for photography and birdwatching while your guide explains the park’s ecosystems and conservation efforts. As the sun begins to set, you will return to your lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening in the wilderness.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
You will begin the day with an early-morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures when wildlife is often more active. Your guide will explore the Kasenyi Plains and other suitable wildlife-viewing areas, where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other antelope species grazing across the grasslands. You will also look for lions and other predators while learning about the relationships between the animals and their habitats. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast and time to relax before the afternoon excursion. Later, you will embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. From the boat, you may observe large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking along the shoreline and buffaloes gathering near the water. The channel also provides excellent opportunities for birdwatching, with species such as African fish eagles, pelicans and kingfishers frequently seen in the area. After the cruise, you will return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Ishasha Wildlife Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will depart for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a region particularly known for its tree-climbing lions. During a guided game drive, you will explore the open savannah and scattered fig trees, looking for lions resting on branches, elephants moving through the vegetation and antelopes grazing across the plains. Although tree-climbing lion sightings are not guaranteed, Ishasha offers a distinctive wildlife experience and excellent opportunities for photography. Your guide will explain the ecological importance of this region and the different wildlife habitats found within the national park. After the game drive, you will enjoy lunch before continuing towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas. As you travel into south-western Uganda, you will notice a change in scenery, with steep hills, terraced farmland, rural settlements and dense forest covering the mountain slopes. Upon arrival, you will check into your luxury lodge and have time to relax after the journey. Your guide will provide a briefing about the following day’s gorilla trekking experience, including suitable clothing, walking conditions and the importance of following ranger instructions.
Accommodation options: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today, you will experience the highlight of your Uganda safari with a mountain gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, you will travel to your designated park headquarters for a briefing by authorised rangers, who will explain the trekking rules and assign you to a habituated gorilla family. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will enter the rainforest and follow forest trails in search of the gorillas. The trek may involve steep slopes, muddy paths and uneven terrain, with its duration depending on the location of the assigned gorilla family. Once the gorillas are located, you will have the permitted observation period to watch them feeding, grooming, resting and interacting within their family group. This rare encounter allows you to appreciate the behaviour and family bonds of these endangered primates while learning about the importance of forest conservation. You must follow ranger instructions, maintain the required viewing distance and avoid trekking if you have an infectious illness. After the experience, you will return to the lodge for a well-earned meal and time to relax. Depending on your energy levels and the time available, you may arrange an optional community visit to learn about local traditions and conservation initiatives.
Accommodation options: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and begin your return journey towards Entebbe International Airport, bringing your eight-day luxury primate tracking and wildlife safari to an end. During the drive, you will enjoy final views of south-western Uganda’s rolling hills, cultivated landscapes and rural communities. Depending on your route, departure time and available hours, you may stop at the Uganda Equator crossing for photographs and a brief explanation of its geographical significance. You will also have a suitable stop for lunch along the way. Your professional driver-guide will plan the journey around your flight schedule, allowing sufficient time for airport check-in and departure formalities. Because the road journey from Bwindi to Entebbe is long, an early start is essential for most international flights departing on the same day. If your flight departs early, or if you prefer to avoid a long transfer before flying, Gorilla Tour Rwanda can recommend a domestic flight or an additional overnight stay at an extra cost. Upon arrival at the airport, your guide will assist with your luggage and bid you farewell. You will depart Uganda with lasting memories of chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla encounters, wildlife safaris and the country’s beautiful landscapes.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Items Included in the Tour Package
- Airport pickup on arrival and airport drop-off on departure.
- Seven nights of accommodation in selected luxury hotels and safari lodges.
- Meals as specified in the confirmed itinerary.
- Private 4WD safari vehicle suitable for the planned route and national parks.
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- Fuel and ground transportation for scheduled safari activities.
- One chimpanzee-tracking permit per person for Kibale Forest National Park.
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Entrance fees for the national parks included in the itinerary.
- Guided game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
- Guided nature walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
- Game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Bottled drinking water during scheduled road transfers and safari activities.
- Applicable taxes and service charges for the included services.
Items Excluded from the Tour Package
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda visa fees and other immigration charges.
- Travel insurance, medical insurance and emergency evacuation cover.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs.
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages not included in the accommodation meal plan.
- Tips and gratuities for the driver-guide, rangers, lodge staff and other service providers.
- Optional activities not specifically listed as included.
- Additional accommodation before arrival or after the scheduled itinerary.
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking, where applicable.
- Personal trekking equipment, including hiking boots, waterproof clothing and walking sticks.
- Domestic flights or alternative transport arrangements unless specifically included in the final quotation.
- Additional costs resulting from flight changes, delays or itinerary alterations outside the operator’s control.
- Any service not expressly stated under the included items.