8-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

Overview—8-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

The 8-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari is a journey that combines two of Africa’s most iconic primate encounters: trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and tracking wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. Alongside these unforgettable wildlife experiences, the safari takes you through Uganda’s most scenic landscapes, including the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the crater lakes region, and the misty highlands of the southwest. It is a carefully crafted adventure that balances primate tracking with game drives, boat cruises, and cultural encounters, offering you a complete taste of Uganda’s natural wonders.

Over the course of eight days, you will trek deep into the rainforest to meet gorillas and chimpanzees, watch elephants and lions roam the plains, take a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, and experience the warmth of Uganda’s communities. This itinerary is designed for travelers who want more than a single highlight—it is for those seeking a diverse safari that combines the thrill of primates with the beauty of Uganda’s landscapes and wildlife.

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Detailed Itinerary —8-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you are met by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Entebbe’s botanical gardens or the shores of Lake Victoria before settling in for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you set out on a scenic drive to western Uganda. The journey takes you past green plantations, crater lakes, and gently rolling hills. Arriving in Fort Portal by midday, you continue toward Kibale Forest, known as the “Primate Capital of the World.” Your lodge is nestled on the forest’s edge, offering a serene base for your chimpanzee adventure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge prepare you for the next day’s trek.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – Bigodi Wetland Walk

This morning, you head into Kibale Forest with experienced rangers for chimpanzee tracking. The forest is alive with the sounds of birds and monkeys as you search for the troops. When you find them, the excitement is overwhelming—chimps feeding, grooming, and calling out through the canopy. You spend an hour observing them at close range. In the afternoon, you explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project rich in birdlife and home to several monkey species. Dinner and overnight are at your lodge.

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you depart Kibale and drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route passes through the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, offering beautiful views of the “Mountains of the Moon.” Arriving by midday, you check into your lodge before enjoying an afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi plains. The park’s savannah is home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes, and a variety of bird species. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge within the park.

Day 5: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

The day begins with a morning game drive in the park, searching for wildlife as the sun rises. Lions, leopards, hyenas, and large herds of Uganda kob are often spotted at this time. After lunch, you embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that links Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise offers close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants along the banks, and hundreds of water birds. The evening is spent at your lodge with dinner and overnight in the park.

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, you leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions that lounge in fig trees. Continuing south, the landscape changes into highlands and misty hills as you approach Bwindi. By late afternoon, you arrive at your lodge on the forest’s edge, where dinner and overnight are served in the cool mountain air.

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

This is the highlight of your safari. After breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting out into the forest with rangers. The trek can take several hours, but the dense jungle is enchanting. When you finally encounter the gorillas, the moment is beyond words. Spending one hour with them—watching the silverback’s authority, the tender care of mothers, and the playful curiosity of juveniles—is a life-changing experience. After the trek, you return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge, surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

Day 8: Return to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast, you begin the journey back to Entebbe. The drive is long but scenic, with stops for lunch and a final pause at the Equator crossing for photographs and souvenirs. By evening, you arrive at Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your eight-day adventure.