TAILOR-MADE INSPIRATION
Classic Primate Safari
8 days from Entebbe to Entebbe
Why we love this itinerary
Spend eight wonderful days on this classic Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari trip, trekking gorillas and chimpanzees, on game drives through beautiful savanna plains, and experiencing Ugandan cultures.
Trip Highlights
- Unforgettable encounters with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and chimpanzees in Kibale National Park (permits included)
- Beautiful hike across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Game drives and a boat cruise in Lake Mburu and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Meet, explore and learn from the local communities and support sustainable tourism initiatives
Day 1 | Entebbe
Arrive in Entebbe from your international flight and you'll be met by our representative and transferred to Papyrus Guest House for your first night here.
In the afternoon you'll depart by car and local canoe to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places for spotting the rare shoebill storks. Of course, some fortune is needed but rarely does one leave the swamp without seeing one! Many other water birds have chosen this area as their home so birding is always very interesting. Enjoy a relaxing sundowner on Lake Victoria and then return to the Guest House for some sleep before your gorilla safari begins.
Papyrus Guest House
Day 2 | Lake Mburo National Park
After an early breakfast you'll travel to Western Uganda across the beautiful landscape of central Uganda made of rolling hills and cultivated terraces, stopping en-route at Mpambire, to watch drums being made using old traditional methods, and at the equator. After lunch you'll enjoy a game drive in the park and a boat ride on Lake Mburu to admire the beautiful landscapes and in search of close encounters with the local fauna.
Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Days 3-4 | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Hiking
On your 3rd day you'll enjoy an early morning game drive in Lake Mburu National Park, and then continue to Western Uganda across its rolling hills, tea plantations, and tropical rainforest and towards the end the majestic chain of the Virunga Volcanoes, reaching your lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The following day you'll go gorilla tracking in Bwindi. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular, with dramatic, steeply forested landscapes and the incredibly dense area crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored.
Next begins the unforgettable hike across the forest (13km - 4-5 hours) which is a vast unique natural reserve with monkeys, duikers, bush pigs and some of Bwindi's world-renowned bird species plus many butterflies can be sighted. If you are very lucky you may even encounter gorillas again! Once you reach Buhoma, you'll meet up with the vehicle and continue onto Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Days 6-8 | Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale National Park
The southern area of Ishasha is notably recognized for its resident ‘tree climbing’ lions that are an exceptional attraction and one of the highlights of all safaris taken within the park. Your time here will be spent on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and to the boat trip on the Kazinga Channel - the 36 km waterway which connects Lake George and Lake Edward which allows special viewing of game and birds on the river banks.
Finally, you'll head to your lodge in Kibale National Park via the town of Fort Portal. Time permitting late afternoon trek to the ‘Top of the World’ to enjoy fantastic views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, tea plantations and local villages. Here you will take part in a chimpanzee trek. The density and diversity of primates in Kibale National Park is the highest in the whole of Africa. Spot the uncommon I’Hoest’s monkey as well as East Africa’s biggest population of the endangered red colobus monkey. The black & white colobus, red tailed monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, grey cheeked mangabey, bush baby and potto are among the other primates.
After such an exciting few days, your final road trip will be a leisurely drive back to Entebbe.
Katara Lodge and Turaco Tree Top
Price per person from:
£4,375
*based on 2 people sharing, excludes international flights*