Uganda Primate Safaris

Accommodation: Kampala Safari Hotel

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in Kampala. Evening briefing covering gorilla trekking protocols, what to expect in the forest, and preparation for your adventure. Relax and acclimate to Uganda.

Activities: Scenic drive through rural Uganda | Accommodation: Bwindi Forest Lodge

Early morning drive southwest through Uganda's beautiful countryside. Pass through rolling hills, tea plantations, and traditional villages. Arrive at your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the late afternoon. Evening forest orientation and trek preparation.

Activities: Gorilla trekking (permit included), one hour with gorillas

Early morning transfer to park headquarters for briefing by rangers. Meet your expert tracker and guide, then begin your trek into the dense forest. Trek duration varies (1-6 hours) depending on gorilla location. Once found, spend one magical hour observing a habituated gorilla family. Return to lodge exhausted but exhilarated.

Activities: Forest walk, community visit, relaxation

Morning gentle walk in the forest buffer zone with a local guide to learn about medicinal plants and smaller forest creatures. Afternoon visit to a nearby community to learn about local culture and conservation efforts. Optional Batwa cultural experience (extra cost). Evening to reflect on your gorilla encounter.

Activities: Scenic drive | Departure: Evening

After breakfast, begin your return drive to Entebbe, with picnic lunch en route. Arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon. Day room available for freshening up before your transfer to Entebbe International Airport for evening departures.

Accommodation: Kampala Safari Hotel

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel in Kampala. Evening briefing covering the adventure ahead, primate trekking protocols, and what to expect in Uganda's national parks.

Activities: Scenic drive through tea plantations | Accommodation: Kibale Forest Lodge

Morning drive west through Uganda's beautiful countryside to Kibale Forest National Park. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon. Evening nature walk around the lodge grounds to spot primates and birdlife. Preparation for tomorrow's chimpanzee tracking.

Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, wetland exploration

Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest with expert guides. Spend time observing these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Afternoon guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to see diverse birdlife, monkeys, and lush vegetation. Learn about community conservation efforts.

Activities: Scenic drive, afternoon game drive | Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the picturesque crater lake region. Afternoon game drive in the park, searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. Evening at a lodge with views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Activities: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise

Morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains or Ishasha sector (famous for tree-climbing lions). Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa's most concentrated wildlife experiences. See hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and abundant birdlife coming to drink.

Activities: Scenic drive through volcanic landscape | Accommodation: Bwindi Forest Lodge

Morning drive south through dramatic scenery to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you through the volcanic landscape of the Virunga Mountains. Arrive at your lodge on the forest edge. Evening gorilla trekking briefing and preparation.

Activities: Gorilla trekking (permit included), one hour with gorillas

Early morning transfer to park headquarters for briefing. Begin your trek into the dense forest with expert trackers and guides. Trek duration varies (1-6 hours). Once the mountain gorillas are located, spend one magical hour observing their behavior. Return to lodge for celebration and relaxation.

Activities: Scenic drive | Departure: Evening

After breakfast, begin your return drive to Entebbe with picnic lunch en route. Arrive in Entebbe in the late afternoon. Day room available for freshening up before your transfer to Entebbe International Airport for evening departures, concluding your primate and wildlife adventure.

Accommodation: Entebbe Birding Hotel

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Meet your expert ornithologist guide. Afternoon birding at Entebbe Botanical Gardens along Lake Victoria shore—excellent introduction to East African birdlife. Evening briefing and checklist start.

Activities: Canoe excursion, wetland birding | Accommodation: Entebbe Birding Hotel

Early morning drive to Mabamba Swamp for a canoe excursion targeting the legendary Shoebill Stork. Also spot papyrus endemics like the Blue Swallow and other wetland specialists. Return to Entebbe for afternoon birding at nearby sites. Evening species review.

Activities: Scenic drive, afternoon forest walk | Accommodation: Kibale Forest Birding Lodge

Morning drive west to Kibale Forest National Park with birding stops en route. Afternoon guided bird walk in the forest edges around your lodge targeting forest specialists like the Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Chestnut Wattle-eye. Evening checklist update.

Activities: Chimpanzee tracking (optional), full day forest birding

Optional chimpanzee tracking in the morning (extra cost) with birding opportunities throughout. Alternatively, full day dedicated to Kibale's rich birdlife. Target species include the Green-breasted Pitta (seasonal), Purple-breasted Sunbird, and many hornbill species. Afternoon at Bigodi Wetland for additional species.

Activities: Scenic transfer, afternoon bird drive | Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Birding Lodge

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Albertine Rift escarpment, birding en route. Afternoon bird-focused game drive targeting savannah species like the Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, and various larks and coursers. Evening at lodge overlooking the Kazinga Channel.

Activities: Gorge bird walk, afternoon boat cruise

Morning bird walk in Kyambura Gorge focusing on forest and riverine species. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for incredible waterbird concentrations—African Fish Eagle, Pink-backed Pelicans, various herons, and if lucky, the elusive African Finfoot. Evening checklist compilation.

Activities: Scenic drive, afternoon birding at lodge | Accommodation: Bwindi Birding Lodge

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the highlands. Birding stops for montane species en route. Afternoon birding around your lodge targeting highland specials like the Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, and various turacos. Evening preparation for forest birding.

Activities: Full day forest birding with specialist guide

Full day with a specialist forest bird guide targeting Albertine Rift endemics: African Green Broadbill, Grauer's Rush Warbler, Neumann's Warbler, and many others. Explore different trails and elevations for maximum species diversity. Packed lunch in the forest.

Accommodation: Entebbe Birding Hotel

Morning birding around Bwindi before beginning the return drive to Entebbe. Strategic birding stops en route for any missed species. Arrive in Entebbe late afternoon. Final evening checklist review and celebration dinner.

Activities: Optional morning birding | Departure: Flexible

Optional early morning birding at nearby sites for final species. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, concluding an exceptional Ugandan birding expedition with a comprehensive species list.

Accommodation: Kampala Safari Hotel

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Transfer to Kampala with stop at the Uganda Equator for photos. Afternoon city tour including the Kasubi Tombs and local markets. Evening welcome dinner and comprehensive trip briefing.

Activities: Rhino tracking, waterfall views | Accommodation: Murchison Falls Lodge

Morning drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for guided rhino tracking on foot. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park. Afternoon visit to the top of the falls where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge. Evening game drive en route to your lodge.

Activities: Morning game drive, afternoon Nile cruise

Early morning game drive on the northern bank of the Nile searching for lions, elephants, giraffes, and Jackson's hartebeest. Afternoon boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls with incredible wildlife viewing—hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds, and animals drinking along the banks.

Activities: Scenic drive through countryside | Accommodation: Kibale Forest Lodge

Full day drive south to Kibale Forest National Park, passing through rural Uganda. Stop at local communities and tea plantations. Arrive at your lodge on the forest edge. Evening nature walk to spot nocturnal primates and prepare for tomorrow's chimpanzee tracking.

Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, community walk

Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest with expert guides. Spend time observing these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Afternoon guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary with community guides, learning about conservation and spotting primates and birds.

Activities: Scenic transfer, afternoon game drive | Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the scenic crater lake region. Afternoon game drive in the park searching for elephants, buffaloes, lions, and the unique Uganda kob. Evening at a lodge with views of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Activities: Morning boat cruise, afternoon lion search

Morning boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for incredible concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and birds. Afternoon drive to the Ishasha sector to search for the famous tree-climbing lions. Evening cultural performance at the lodge.

Activities: Scenic drive through highlands | Accommodation: Bwindi Forest Lodge

Drive through the beautiful highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Stop at local communities and enjoy panoramic views. Arrive at your lodge near the forest. Evening gorilla trekking briefing and cultural interaction with local Batwa community members.

Activities: Gorilla trekking (permit included), one hour with gorillas

Early morning transfer to park headquarters for briefing. Trek into the dense forest with expert trackers and guides. Once the mountain gorillas are located, spend one unforgettable hour observing their behavior. Return to lodge for celebration and relaxation. Optional Batwa cultural experience in the afternoon.

Activities: Scenic drive, canoe ride, community visit | Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Lodge

Morning drive to beautiful Lake Bunyonyi ("Place of Little Birds"). Afternoon canoe ride to explore the islands and learn about local history. Visit a community project supporting education or conservation. Evening relaxation with stunning lake views.

Accommodation: Kampala Safari Hotel

Morning drive back to Kampala with stops at the Igongo Cultural Centre and the Ankole longhorn cattle farms. Arrive in Kampala for final souvenir shopping at craft markets. Farewell dinner celebrating your complete Uganda experience.

Activities: Optional Entebbe sites | Departure: Flexible

Depending on flight schedule, optional visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your comprehensive Ugandan adventure.