This 8-day itinerary combines Uganda’s famous mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, safari walk in Lake Mburo National Park and a classic safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is a popular, action-packed route that offers a comprehensive overview of Uganda’s diverse natural beauty and wildlife.
This package is best for Visitors who want to experience Uganda’s flagship primate encounters mountain gorillas and chimpanzees alongside traditional savannah wildlife viewing.
The highlights this package is to Spending time with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, tracking wild chimpanzees, game drives to spot big game, a boat cruise on the scenic Kazinga Channel, seeing the famous tree-climbing lions Ishasha sector and safari walk in Lake Mburo where you move close to wildlife in park.
This trip requires securing both permits for gorilla trekking in Bwindi and a chimpanzee tracking in Kibale. It is recommended to book these well in advance, as they are often in high demand.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Kibale National Park
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your safari guide from Mirama Hills Safari. Begin the scenic drive to Fort Portal city, a town at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, and on to your lodge near Kibale National Park. The journey offers views of rural life, forests, plantation and lush green landscapes. Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee capital safari lodge.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi swamp walk
After an early breakfast, head to Kibale Forest for a briefing and register before beginning your chimpanzee trekking experience. The trek takes you through the tropical rainforest to find a habituated chimpanzee community. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to primates like Red colobus monkeys Red tailed monkeys and numerous bird species such as crested Barbet ,Eastern Yellow Barbet, Spotted Fluff tail, Black Bee Eater, Thrush, Western Nicator and many others.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its incredible biodiversity. The route may take you through the crater lakes, with great views of foot of Rwenzori Mountains, and town of Kasese. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel where you will see one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and other animals on the banks, wildlife on the shores of channel like elephants, buffalo, warthogs, crocodiles birds like African Spoon bill, African Fish Eagle, Pied kingfisher, Black headed Gull and various antelopes. After the boat you will go for short game drive as you’re heading to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Enshama safari lodge.
Day 4: Game drive and Transfer to Ishasha sector
Start your day with an early morning game drive in the park’s Kasenyi sector. Here, you can search for lions, leopards, hyenas, and large herds of elephants, along with many bird species. In the afternoon, after lunch you will be connect to Ishasha sector, where you will see animals like African Elephant ,Forest hog on your day, waterbucks, primates like vervet monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys among others on the way. Dinner and overnight stay at Topi safari lodge Ishasha.
Day 5: Tree-climbing lions and journey to Bwindi
After you breakfast will go for game drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Your guide will search for these impressive predators lounging in the branches of fig trees and Topi specie of antelopes. Later, go for your lunch and continue with your journey to the mountain forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 6: Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Transfer lake Bunyonyi
This is a core highlight of your trip. After an early breakfast, proceed to the park head trail for a briefing on the gorilla trekking rules. You will be grouped into group for one Gorilla family then hike with a ranger guide into the “impenetrable” forest to find a specific habituated gorilla family. Once you find them, you will have a magical hour to observe and photograph these endangered creatures. After the strenuous gorilla trek, enjoy a scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight stay at Keija resort Bunyonyi.
Day 7: Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
After your breakfast you will be going for a boat to explore some of the lake’s 29 islands. The unique islands are the punishment island where the Bakiga tribe tend to damp unmarried pregnant girls to die and also other island. This lake is known as the “Lake of a Thousand Islands,” this beautiful destination is a perfect place to relax and unwind.
Day 8: Safari walk in Lake Mburo National Park and Transfer to Entebbe for departure
Enjoy a final breakfast in the pearl of Africa before beginning the drive to the park entry as well as checking out of the lodge because after your safari walk you be connect to Entebbe. Stop at the Uganda Equator crossing point for lunch, a memorable photo opportunity and souvenir shopping. Your driver guide will drop you off at the airport for your flight.
That will be the End of 8 days combination of primate and wildlife safari in Uganda.