12 Days Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari – Chimpanzees & Gorillas

This 12 Days Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari is designed for primate enthusiasts. You will track chimpanzees in Kibale and gorillas in Bwindi, combined with game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Tour Overview

This safari focuses on Uganda’s incredible primate population. You will spend time in Kibale Forest, known as the “primate capital of the world,” and Bwindi for gorilla trekking. It is the ultimate primate adventure.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Kibale Forest

Your primate adventure begins with an early morning departure from Kampala, heading west towards Kibale Forest National Park. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, passing through beautiful countryside with rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages. You will stop en route for lunch in Fort Portal, a charming town nestled in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. Known as the “Tourism City of Uganda,” Fort Portal offers scenic views and a pleasant climate.

Upon arrival at Kibale Forest, you will check into your lodge, which is situated close to the park boundary. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation with views of the surrounding forest. In the late afternoon, you can take a guided nature walk along the forest edge, where you might spot birds and small primates. This gentle introduction to the forest helps acclimatize you to the environment and builds anticipation for the chimpanzee tracking experience ahead. Your driver-guide will brief you on the next day’s activities and answer any questions you may have about the trek.

Dinner and overnight stay at your Kibale Forest lodge. Take time to enjoy the sounds of the forest as you settle in for the night.

Day 2: Kibale – Chimpanzee Tracking

This is the day you have been waiting for. After an early breakfast, you will head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. The briefing covers safety guidelines, the behavior of chimpanzees, and what to expect during the trek. You will then be assigned to a group and accompanied by an experienced ranger guide who knows the forest and the chimpanzee families intimately.

The trek into Kibale Forest can last anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees. The forest is dense and lush, with towering trees and a rich undergrowth. As you walk, your guide will point out various bird species, butterflies, and other primates such as red-tailed monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. The thrill of hearing chimpanzee calls echoing through the forest is unforgettable.

Once you locate a chimpanzee family, you will have one hour to observe them in their natural habitat. Watching chimpanzees interact – grooming, playing, feeding, and communicating – is a profound experience. You may see them using tools to extract termites or cracking nuts with stones, demonstrating their remarkable intelligence. After an hour of observation, you will return to the park headquarters and then to your lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, you can relax at the lodge or take an optional nature walk in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run sanctuary is excellent for bird watching and offers the chance to see other primates and wildlife. The walk is a gentle, informative experience that supports local conservation efforts. Dinner and overnight at your Kibale Forest lodge.

Day 3: Kibale – Forest Walks and Bird Watching

Today you have the opportunity to explore more of Kibale’s rich biodiversity. After breakfast, you will embark on a guided forest walk in a different part of the park. This walk focuses on the smaller wonders of the forest – the birds, butterflies, plants, and smaller primates that are often overlooked during chimp tracking. Kibale is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 370 recorded species including the green-breasted pitta, African pitta, and the great blue turaco.

Your guide will help you identify bird calls and spot camouflaged species. You will learn about the medicinal plants used by local communities and the intricate relationships between different forest species. This slow-paced exploration allows you to appreciate the forest’s complexity and the importance of conservation efforts.

After the forest walk, you will return to your lodge for lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation. You may choose to visit the nearby crater lakes, which offer stunning views and a chance to see water birds. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the lodge’s facilities, perhaps with a book on the veranda as you listen to the sounds of the forest. Dinner and overnight at your Kibale Forest lodge.

Day 4: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart after breakfast for Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife parks. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, passing through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. If you are lucky, you may spot these unique lions lounging in the branches of fig trees.

As you enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will notice the dramatic change in landscape. The park is dominated by the vast Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel, with the Rwenzori Mountains forming a stunning backdrop. You will check into your lodge, which offers panoramic views of the park and the channel.

In the late afternoon, you will embark on a game drive to begin your wildlife exploration. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including elephants, buffaloes, hippos, leopards, and numerous antelope species. The game drive takes you through open savannah and acacia woodland, where you will see herds of Uganda kob grazing and warthogs foraging. As the sun sets, the park comes alive with nocturnal animals. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth – Game Drive

Start your day early with a sunrise game drive, the best time to see wildlife when animals are most active. Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world. You will explore the Kasenyi Plains, where you are likely to see large herds of buffalo, elephants, and the iconic Uganda kob.

Your experienced guide will help you spot predators such as lions and hyenas, which often hunt in the early morning hours. You may also see leopards resting in the trees or civets and genets returning to their dens. The park is also home to the elusive giant forest hog, which is often seen at dusk.

After the game drive, return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. The rest of the morning is at leisure. You can enjoy the lodge’s swimming pool or simply relax on the veranda and watch wildlife from a distance. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Equator crossing for photos or explore the crater lakes area near the park boundary. The drive to the crater lakes offers stunning views and the chance to see flamingos and other water birds. Dinner and overnight at your Queen Elizabeth NP lodge.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth – Kazinga Channel

Today features the highlight of your stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park – a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This 32-kilometer channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is famous for its high concentration of wildlife. The boat cruise is scheduled for the afternoon, which is the best time for viewing animals coming to the water to cool off.

The cruise offers unparalleled opportunities to see hippos and crocodiles at close quarters. You will also see elephants bathing, buffaloes drinking, and a spectacular variety of water birds. The Kazinga Channel is a birder’s dream, with species like the African fish eagle, pelicans, kingfishers, and the rare shoebill stork sometimes spotted. Your boat captain will navigate close to the banks to give you the best views while ensuring the animals are not disturbed.

In the morning before the boat cruise, you can enjoy a leisurely game drive or visit the Katwe Salt Works, where salt has been extracted from the crater lakes for centuries. This cultural visit offers insight into traditional mining techniques and the community’s way of life. Return to the lodge for lunch before the boat cruise. After the cruise, you will have some free time to relax before dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi

After breakfast, you will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to approximately half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, passing through the Ishasha sector where you may search for tree-climbing lions one last time. The journey offers spectacular views of the Virunga volcanoes as you approach Bwindi.

Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. As you enter the forest, you will notice the air becomes cooler and the vegetation denser. The drive to your lodge takes you through winding mountain roads with breathtaking views. You will check into your lodge, which is nestled on the edge of the forest, offering a sense of immersion in this ancient ecosystem.

In the late afternoon, you may take a short walk around the local area to get a feel for the community and the environment. Your guide will brief you on the gorilla trekking for the next day, including what to wear and bring. Gorilla trekking requires a good level of fitness and preparation, as the forest is steep and often muddy. Dinner and overnight at your Bwindi lodge.

Day 8: Bwindi – Gorilla Trekking

This is the pinnacle of your primate safari. After an early breakfast, you will gather at the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. You will be assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level and the location of the different families. The briefing covers safety guidelines, the behaviour of gorillas, and what to expect during the trek.

The trek into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can last anywhere from two to eight hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. The forest is dense and the terrain can be steep and slippery, especially after rain. You will be accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers who know the forest intimately. Along the way, you will encounter other primates, birds, and unique plant species.

The moment you find the gorilla family is awe-inspiring. You will spend one hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watching a silverback with his family, or a mother cradling her baby, is a profoundly moving experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. You will witness their feeding, grooming, and social interactions, gaining insight into their complex lives.

After the trek, you will return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Bwindi as you reflect on this extraordinary experience. Dinner and overnight at your Bwindi lodge.

Day 9: Bwindi – Community Visit

Today you will have the opportunity to engage with the local community and learn about the Batwa people, the original inhabitants of the forest. The Batwa experience offers a unique insight into their traditional way of life, which was closely tied to the forest for thousands of years.

Your guide will take you to a Batwa community, where you will be welcomed with traditional songs and dances. You will learn about their hunting and gathering skills, their knowledge of medicinal plants, and their spiritual connection to the forest. The Batwa share stories and demonstrate traditional skills such as fire-making and basket weaving. This cultural visit is a meaningful exchange that supports local communities and helps preserve their heritage.

In the afternoon, you can relax at the lodge or take a guided nature walk along the forest edge. The forest edge is rich with birdlife and you may spot other primates. Alternatively, you could visit the Bwindi Community Hospital, which provides healthcare to the local community and is supported by gorilla tourism. Dinner and overnight at your Bwindi lodge.

Day 10: Bwindi to Lake Mburo

Leave Bwindi behind as you travel towards Lake Mburo National Park, a journey of approximately 6 hours. The drive takes you through the beautiful rolling hills of southwestern Uganda, passing through towns and villages where you can observe local life. You will stop for lunch en route, perhaps in Mbarara, a bustling regional centre.

Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savannah park but offers excellent wildlife viewing. The park is dominated by the lake itself and is home to a variety of animals, including zebras, impalas, elands, and buffaloes. This is the only park in Uganda where you can see impalas and elands. The park also has a healthy population of hippos and crocodiles, which can be seen from the boat cruise.

Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge with views of the lake. In the late afternoon, you may take a short game drive or nature walk to get acquainted with the park. The park is known for its walking safaris, which offer a different perspective on the wildlife. Dinner and overnight at your Lake Mburo lodge.

Day 11: Lake Mburo – Game Drive and Boat Ride

Start your day with an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. The park’s open savannah makes wildlife viewing relatively easy. You are likely to see large herds of zebras, impalas, and elands, along with cape buffalo and perhaps a leviathan or two. The park also has a good population of birds, making it a rewarding experience for birdwatchers.

After the game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and some relaxation time. In the late morning, you can take a nature walk with a ranger, which is a unique way to experience the park. The walk focuses on the smaller species and the park’s ecology, offering a deeper understanding of the environment.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat ride on Lake Mburo. The lake is home to large populations of hippos and crocodiles, and you can also see a variety of water birds, including African fish eagles, cormorants, and herons. The boat ride offers a different perspective on the park’s wildlife and is a relaxing way to end your safari. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Return to Kampala

After breakfast, depart for Kampala, bringing your primate and wildlife safari to a close. The journey takes approximately 4 hours, with a stop for lunch along the way. As you travel, you can reflect on the incredible experiences of the past 12 days – the chimpanzees of Kibale, the gorillas of Bwindi, and the diverse wildlife of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo.

Upon arrival in Kampala, you will be transferred to your hotel or to Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey. This marks the end of an unforgettable primate adventure in Uganda, a country that truly earns its reputation as the “Pearl of Africa.”

Tour Inclusions

This safari package includes a wide range of services to ensure your comfort and convenience throughout the journey. You will travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide who is knowledgeable about Uganda’s wildlife and culture. All park entry fees and conservation levies are included. The package covers gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits, which are essential for your primate encounters. You will also enjoy boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo, along with accommodation in carefully selected lodges and all meals as per the itinerary. Bottled water is provided throughout the safari to keep you hydrated.

Tour Exclusions

The package does not cover international flights, which must be arranged separately. Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, telephone calls, and alcoholic drinks are also excluded. Tips for your driver-guide and lodge staff are optional but appreciated. Travel insurance is not included and is highly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Book Your Primate Safari

Experience the best of Uganda’s primates with this comprehensive 12-day safari. From the playful chimpanzees of Kibale to the majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi, this journey offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. Contact us today to book your primate safari and embark on an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories.

Ready to book your 12-day Uganda Primate and Wildlife Safari?

Get in touch with us today to secure your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits. Our team is ready to help you plan every detail of your journey, from airport transfers to accommodation and activities. Let us help you create the ultimate primate experience in Uganda.