This Uganda wildlife holiday safari takes you on a gratifying journey to see gorillas, chimps, and the abundant wildlife of Uganda’s vast savannahs.
The trip will start and end in Kampala. You will kick off everything with a visit to Kibale Forest National Park.
A visit to Kibale Forest National Park will offer the satisfying experience of seeing chimpanzees in their natural forest. You will also see more than 10 other primates as well as captivating cultural experiences of Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru and the nearby explosion craters.
After Kibale, you will continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will enjoy the classic wildlife game drives and boat cruise. You will see many animals such as elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and much more.
From Queen Elizabeth’s savannah, you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will be able to see mountain gorillas after a hike in their thick rainforest. You will spend around 1 hour with the gorillas and learn all about their lives and the natural environment they call home.
Seeing gorillas is a highlight for many, and looking into the silverback’s red eyes is a unique moment of connection. On your way back to Kampala, you will stop over the Uganda Equator line for some souvenir shopping and of course those classic Uganda Equator picture moments.
This trip is perfect for groups or individuals who want to experience Uganda’s Chimps and gorillas plus the wildlife and culture. Take a look at the detailed day-by-day program to get a picture of how your safari could unfold.
As with all our safari packages, we can customize this Uganda wildlife holiday program to fit your personal preferences. Just reach out to us and we’ll be eager to help you.
Safari Highlights
- Kampala
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru Caves
- Explosion Crater lakes
- Tooro Kingdom Palace
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- The Equator
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport pickup to Kampala
Our driver/guide will be at Entebbe International Airport to pick you up from your flight and transfer you to your accommodation in Kampala.
Your guide will brief you on the details and expectations for your specific Uganda wildlife holiday safari program.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Boma Hotel |
| Comfort | Cassia Lodge |
| Luxury | Serena Hotel Kampala |
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Drive to Kibale National Park
Today your journey begins from Kampala or Entebbe to Kibale Forest national park, with a stop-over for lunch in the friendly town of Fort Portal. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes so much of Uganda.
Kibale forest is home to at least 13 primate species including the Red-tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and the Blue Monkey.
The birdlife in the forest is also prolific and includes the beautiful Great Blue Turaco. If you are very lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a meandering herd of Forest elephants.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Kibale Forest Camp |
| Comfort | Turaco Treetops |
| Luxury | Papaya Lake Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees.
Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!
The experienced ranger takes you to track chimpanzees in the morning or afternoon depending on your choice; in the meantime, showing you the many monkey species that live in this tropical forest. A wonderful jungle trip is a result, finishing in an hour of eye-to-eye contact with the chimpanzees.
Your swamp walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small communities, and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco!
Accommodation:
| Standard | Kibale Forest Camp |
| Comfort | Turaco Treetops |
| Luxury | Papaya Lake Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Visit Caves & Crater Lakes, drive to Queen Elizabeth NP
Early morning begin the day with a cultural tour of the ‘Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru’ Caves in fort portal passing through the tea plantations. You will also hike up to the explosion craters surrounding this place so be sure to have hiking boots.
Return back to fort portal town for Lunch before going to tour the Tooro Kingdom palace.
Later you will be transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s second largest park and located base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain ranges, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Bush Lodge |
| Comfort | Kasenyi Safari Camp |
| Luxury | Kyambura Gorge Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Wildlife game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early breakfast, you go for an early morning long game drive at 6.30 a.m. in time to see the sunrise. You will search for all the wildlife in the park such as elephants, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog, etc. After lunch, you will take a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel.
Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variety of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe.
You can expect to see: Buffalo, crocodiles, bathing elephants, and a range of beautiful birds. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour.
After the boat safari, you will enjoy a game drive as you drive back to the lodge.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Bush Lodge |
| Comfort | Kasenyi Safari Camp |
| Luxury | Kyambura Gorge Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today you drive to Bwindi in the south-western part of Uganda, close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as “the Switzerland of Africa.”
You will see the great countryside, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch, you will stop at a local restaurant en route to Bwindi.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Buhoma Community Camp |
| Comfort | Rushaga Gorilla Camp |
| Luxury | Mahogany Springs Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is gorilla trekking day and you will wake up early to have breakfast and be at the park offices at 7:00 am. You will be briefed by the Park rangers on all the procedures before you can start your trek.
In groups of 8 and the rangers, you will go into the forest in search of the mountain gorillas that call this dense rainforest home.
The trek can be quite challenging but meeting the gorillas will make all that sweat more than worth it. You will spend 1 hour with the gorillas after which you will be led back to the starting point by your ranger guide.
A certificate is awarded by UWA at the end of every gorilla trekking experience. You will spend your afternoon relaxing at the lodge and enjoying the views of the forest.
Accommodation:
| Standard | Buhoma Community Camp |
| Comfort | Rushaga Gorilla Camp |
| Luxury | Mahogany Springs Lodge |
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Drive to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, you drive back to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport) with a stop at the equator, the best place for your souvenir shopping. Your driver/guide will bring you to your accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe or to Entebbe Airport (this is only possible for flights leaving at midnight or later).
Accommodation for tonight is not included in the program. In case you wish us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala and or Entebbe, please let us know. This will mark the end of your Uganda wildlife holiday trip.
Accommodation: None (Last day)
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Inclusions;
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English-speaking driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- All activities described in the itinerary
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
- 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
Exclusions;
- International airfares
- Entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter. Helps to carry your backpack & push/pull you on the slippery slopes.
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities.)
This Uganda wildlife holiday safari can be customized to your preferences, budget, and schedule. Here are other relevant safari packages that could inspire your trip some more.
