8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter
8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter immerses you in the country’s breathtaking landscapes and remarkable wildlife. This journey takes you deep in the heart of the Pearl of Africa, blending thrilling primate encounters with classic game-viewing experiences. Start in Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its chimpanzees and other primates. Then, visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its diverse ecosystem and abundant wildlife, including lions, leopards, hippos, and elephants. Trek to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, relax at Lake Bunyonyi, and conclude at Lake Mburo National Park, home to zebras and many birds. This itinerary combines Uganda’s most iconic wildlife destinations with scenic landscapes, ensuring a safari experience that is both adventurous and deeply rewarding.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Meet and greet – Drive to your booked hotel in Entebbe town-8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, on your 8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter, you will be greeted by our customer care team and your English- or Italian-speaking safari guide. They will take you to your hotel, about a 20-minute drive away, where you can check in and relax. You can have dinner and spend the evening at your own leisure. If time allows, consider taking a walking safari in the Entebbe Botanical Gardens, where you can see some primates and several bird species and enjoy the scenic views and breezes from Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa.
Accommodation: Via Via Guest House (Standard) / Best Western Premier Garden Hotel (Mid-range) / Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe (Luxury)
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Entebbe town – Drive to Kibale Forest National Park – Bigodi swamp walk and community tour
Following your 8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter, wake up early to prepare for your drive to the African jungle. Enjoy breakfast, check out of the hotel, and begin your scenic journey to Kibale Forest National Park, passing beautiful tea plantations and rolling hills. You can interact with local people by talking to your safari guide. Due to its varied ecosystem, Kibale Forest National Park is home to a high density of wildlife species, specifically primates, including chimpanzees, making it ideal for chimpanzee trekking. Stop for lunch and explore Fort Portal City before checking into your lodge and visiting the Bigodi Sanctuary Swamp.
The Bigodi Sanctuary Swamp is known for its diverse wildlife, including eight primate species like red-tailed, red colobus, L’Hoest’s, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and others, along with other animals, reptiles, and over 200 bird and butterfly species. A local guide will lead a walk, explaining animal behavior and plant life. After exploring, visitors can interact with locals in Bigodi village, learn about their lifestyle, and experience activities such as coffee cultivation. Then, return to the lodge for dinner and spend the night.
Accommodation: Bweza Kibale Lodge (Standard) / Turaco Treetops Lodge (Mid-range) / Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park – Chimpanzee tracking experience – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening game drive safari
Wake up in the morning, dress in recommended clothing for the memorable chimpanzee trekking, like waterproof hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, a rain jacket, and insect repellent, among others. Enjoy breakfast, then meet your safari guide and drive to the park information center for a briefing on trekking rules that ensure safety. Start the forest walk to find chimpanzees and other primates, plus other mammals and several bird species. The duration may vary from 45 minutes to 4 hours, and upon seeing them, spend up to one hour with the chimpanzees, return to the park center for a completion certificate, have lunch with your guide, and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Experience an evening game drive to see big cats, together with elephants, buffalo, hippos, and other wildlife, before checking in at your lodge for the night.
Accommodation: Enshama Game Lodge (Standard) / Elephant Hab Lodge (Mid-range) / Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park—Morning game drive safari—2-hour afternoon boat cruise safari on the Kazinga Channel—Evening game drive safari
Following your 8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter, wake up at 5:30 AM to prepare for your day. Dress in light clothes and simple shoes, and carry a sweater for emergencies, along with an extra camera battery and binoculars. Have a cup of coffee and take a packed breakfast with you. Leave your lodge at 6:30 AM for a morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Starting early is crucial because animals are more active in the morning, increasing your chances of seeing many species. The park is one of Africa’s best places for wildlife, featuring lions, leopards, hippos, elephants, buffalo, and several antelopes.
During your safari, expect to see various animal groups like herds of buffalo and elephants, Uganda kobs, and others, while your guide shares interesting information. Around 11:30 AM, return to your lodge for lunch and some leisure time, followed by an afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel at 3:00 PM. The boat cruise offers a close view of hippos, crocodiles, and other mammals. After the cruise, enjoy an evening game drive to see more wildlife and sunset views, and then return to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
Accommodation: Enshama Game Lodge (Standard) / Elephant Hab Lodge (Mid-range) / Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park—Nature Walk in Kyambura Gorge—Game drive safari at Ishasha sector to search for the tree-climbing lions—Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Today, wake up at your preferred time and load your travel bags into the safari vehicle. Enjoy breakfast, check out of your lodge, and transfer to Kyambura Gorge, known as the “Valley of Apes.” Upon arrival, receive a briefing from a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger before starting a guided nature walk in the tropical forest. This walk, lasting about 2–3 hours, offers lush scenery and chances to see wildlife, including black-and-white colobus and red-tailed monkeys.
After the walk, enjoy refreshments and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. On the way, visit the Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Although spotting the lions is not guaranteed, you may also see buffalo, elephants, and other wildlife. After a game drive and lunch, continue to Bwindi, home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas and a rich diversity of plants and animals. Check in at your lodge in the park and relax until dinner and your overnight stay.
Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp (Standard) / Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range) / Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park—Mountain gorilla trekking experience—Drive to Lake Bunyonyi-8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter
Following your 8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter, wake up early and prepare your backpack. Wear long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket, and heavy-duty gloves. After breakfast, pack a picnic lunch and meet your safari guide. Attend a briefing about gorilla trekking rules and expectations. You will be grouped with eight others and assigned a gorilla family. The search can take 45 minutes to 6 hours. Being fit is important for the trek. If not very fit, ask for a closer gorilla family; if fit, a challenging family offers a better experience.
During a walk in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you may see animals like chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants, and birds, guided by a forest expert. You will spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family, observing them quietly, keeping a low tone, and taking photos. Expect to meet the silverback, the family leader, and mothers with young ones. Afterward, you receive a certificate for supporting gorilla conservation. Then, enjoy a packed lunch before heading to Lake Bunyonyi for activities like swimming or canoeing before dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Accommodation: Keije Resort Bunyonyi (Standard) / Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Mid-range) / Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi—Morning boat riding on Lake Bunyonyi—Drive to Lake Mburo National Park—Evening and night game drive safaris
Today, wake up at your own time, get your travel bags ready in your safari vehicle, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and check out of your lodge. Then, go for a morning boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, known for its natural beauty and as Africa’s second deepest lake. The boat ride is the only way to explore the lake and its islands. You will visit some islands, including Akampene Island, or “punishment island,” where the Bakiga people used to isolate girls who got pregnant before marriage. Your local guide will share interesting stories about the islands, and you will have the chance to visit an occupied island to learn about how the people live there.
Later, go back to the mainland to meet your safari guide and start your safari to Lake Mburo National Park. This park has over 68 mammal species, including zebras, elands, impalas, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, leopards, and more, as well as over 350 bird species. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and check into your room. After some leisure time, take a game drive safari in the evening. While Lake Mburo is smaller than other parks, it has many visible animals, including a high number of leopards. After the evening game drive, return to your lodge for dinner and prepare for a night game drive to see nocturnal animals and listen to jungle sounds. Afterward, return to your lodge for the night.
Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge (Standard) / Kigarama Wilderness Lodge (Mid-range) / Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8: Lake Mburo National Park—Morning jungle walking safari—Game drive safari—Drive back to Entebbe International Airport
Rise very early to pack your travel bags in the safari vehicle, have breakfast, check out of the lodge, and drive to the park for a 2-hour morning jungle walking safari. Lake Mburo National Park is unique in Uganda, as it allows guided bush walks due to its open savannah. A jungle walking safari lets you experience the jungle freely, enjoying fresh air and walking with animals like impalas, giraffes, and zebras. You will hear animal and bird sounds without the noise from vehicles. The walk will take you to the salt licks area, where you may see various animals, including hippos and hyenas.
After the walking safari, take a vehicle for a game drive in Lake Mburo National Park to see more mammals and birds. Spending more time in the park increases your chances of spotting wildlife. Then, start your journey back to Entebbe International Airport, stopping at the Kayabwe Equator landmark. Here, you can witness a water experiment and learn about the planet’s hemispheres. You might even feel a decrease in body weight at the equator line. After photos and visiting craft shops, have lunch before concluding your 8-day Uganda safari for wildlife and primate encounters.
Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch
The tour price includes:
Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off at Entebbe International Airport)
Private English/Italian-speaking safari guide for 8 days
Private, well-modified safari vehicle, Safari van/Land Cruiser, which is 4WD, air-conditioned, and has a pop-up roof for 8 days
Private standard/mid-range/luxury accommodation for 7 nights on full board (breakfast/lunch/dinner)
Fuel for 8 days
All en route meals and bottled drinking water throughout the tour
All government applicable taxes
All park entrance and activities fees
One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park)
One chimpanzee trekking permit per person (Kibale Forest National Park)
Bigodi Sanctuary, swamp and community walk
Chimpanzee trekking experience at Kibale Forest National Park
Evening and morning game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
2-hour afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Nature Walk in Kyambura Gorge
Game drive in search of the tree-climbing lions at the Ishasha sector
Mountain gorilla trekking experience (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park)
A visit and boat-riding experience on Lake Bunyonyi
Evening and night game drives in Lake Mburo National Park
2-hour nature walk safari in Lake Mburo National Park
A visit to the equator crossing point
The tour price excludes the 8-Day Uganda Safari for Wildlife and Primate Encounter
International and domestic flights
Country entry visa
Personal travel insurance
Souvenirs and gifts
Tips
Items of a personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
Extra meals and activities
Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice orders at the lodge, and wines)