Primates Safari Adventure: Chimp Tracking & Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Upon arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, there will be a routine clearance process. Once through, you will meet the assigned English-speaking professional tour driver-guide who will receive and welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will transfer to the booked accommodation. You will check in and rest to recover from jet lag and adjust to the time difference.

Airport Guest House

You will have a relaxed breakfast and at about 8 am, you can embark on a road transfer to Kibale Forest NP. The park is popular for its primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and Uganda mangabeys (Lophocebus ugandae). You will reach Kibale in time to enjoy your lunch at the booked accommodation. Later, after some rest, you proceed for a tea plantation visit. Alternatively, you can head out to explore the Kibale Crater lakes if you love scenery, primates, and bird sightings.

Turaco Treetops

Have breakfast then head to the rangers’ post where you will receive a briefing on the dos and don'ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest with an experienced ranger guide. The presence of primates here will surely amaze you. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence. Later, after lunch, head out for the Bigodi Wetlands excursion. Bigodi boasts an extensive array of biodiversity, including a number of primates and birds. Thereafter, you will return to your accommodation and rest.

Turaco Treetops

You will reach Queen Elizabeth National Park early enough to relax and have lunch. In the afternoon, proceed for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthog, elephant, lion, and buffalo, to name but a few. Alternatively, you can choose to go for the breathtaking explosion crater drive. It is a sightseeing drive with a spectacular view of the magnificent scenery in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park. There is also some wildlife to see along the drive, although the most common sights are Cape buffalo and elephants. Return to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner, and your overnight stay.

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Wake up early and enjoy your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards (though they are hard to spot), among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife, including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles, among others, will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the shores. You will have dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, and thereafter, embark on a drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70%, though sometimes they are hard to spot, especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey. If you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! From Ishasha, continue to the accommodations close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check in to your accommodation and relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Buhoma Community Haven Lodge

Have breakfast and continue to the rangers’ post. You will receive a briefing from a ranger guide on the dos and don’ts during the trek. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but is crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access to tourists. The time it takes and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, check out, and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.

Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

After an early breakfast, you will have a boat cruise on the lake. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of 2,200–2,478 meters, but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it magical—you could admire them all day. Come back to the hotel, have your lunch, and thereafter, check out for a transfer to Lake Mburo National Park.

Rwakobo Rock

Have breakfast and then head out for an early morning game drive. During the game drive, expect to see nocturnal creatures, including snakes, hyenas, owls, and the elusive leopard (on a lucky day), among others. Head back to the lodge for lunch, then head out again for a boat cruise.

Rwakobo Rock

After your breakfast, check out and embark on your return journey to Entebbe Airport for your outbound departure. Remember to make a stop at the Uganda Equator line mark for some memorable photos while on your safari in the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, proceed to Entebbe Airport, where your driver or guide will gladly drop you off. We hope to see you (or any referral) when you next visit. Thanks for choosing version Safaris Uganda.