7 Days Uganda Gorilla, Wildlife and Chimpanzee Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After an early breakfast, your Uganda Family Tours guide will meet you and begin your journey to Kibale National Park, Uganda's premier primate destination.

The drive takes you through picturesque countryside, traditional villages, lush farmlands, and scenic landscapes. Along the way, enjoy views of the Albertine Rift Valley and the stunning Lake Albert escarpments before stopping for lunch in Hoima.

Continue to Fort Portal, a beautiful town nestled beneath the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, before arriving at Kibale National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy an excursion through the scenic crater lakes region and visit the surrounding tea plantations that characterize this beautiful area.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Following breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on your chimpanzee trekking adventure.

Kibale National Park hosts over 1,500 chimpanzees and offers one of Africa's finest primate viewing experiences. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, venture into the rainforest in search of these fascinating primates.

As you trek through the forest, keep an eye out for other primate species including black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, vervet monkeys, and numerous bird species.

Once the chimpanzees are located, spend time observing their behavior as they feed, communicate, groom, and interact within their family groups.

In the afternoon, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area renowned for its rich biodiversity. The guided walk offers excellent opportunities to spot additional primates, colorful birdlife, and other wetland wildlife.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, depart Kibale and travel south to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The drive offers magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and rural communities. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy lunch.

Later in the afternoon, embark on your first game drive through the park's savannah plains. Expect to encounter a variety of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, and numerous bird species.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's most visited wildlife reserve and boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any national park in Africa.

Dinner and overnight at your selected lodge.

Day 4: Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the park.

This early safari offers excellent opportunities to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, antelopes, and other wildlife while they are most active.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.

In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake George and Lake Edward.

This cruise is often considered one of Uganda's finest wildlife experiences. Expect close encounters with large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a remarkable variety of birdlife including pelicans, kingfishers, African fish eagles, and saddle-billed storks.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, continue your safari southward toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Travel through the famous Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions that are often seen resting in fig trees.

Continue through scenic landscapes characterized by rolling hills, terraced farmlands, and traditional villages before arriving at Bwindi.

Check into your lodge and spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for the highlight of your safari — mountain gorilla trekking.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is the most anticipated day of your safari.

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will then be assigned a gorilla family and begin your trek into the dense rainforest.

The duration of the trek varies depending on the location of the gorilla family and may take anywhere between 2 and 8 hours.

The trek itself is a rewarding adventure through one of Africa's oldest rainforests. Along the way, your guides will share fascinating information about the forest ecosystem and its wildlife.

Upon locating the gorillas, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watching these gentle giants interact, feed, and care for their young is a truly life-changing experience.

After the trek, return to the lodge for relaxation.

Optional activities include a visit to the Batwa community for cultural performances and insights into the traditional forest lifestyle of the indigenous Batwa people.

Day 7: Return to Kampala & Departure

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Kampala.

Along the way, stop at the Equator crossing for photographs and souvenir shopping before continuing to Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch.

After lunch, continue to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport, arriving in the late afternoon, marking the end of your incredible Uganda safari adventure.