Uganda · Primate Tours

12-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari with Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking

12 Days Round trip from Kampala Road Moderate pace
A Baby Gorilla
Travellers in Uganda
Uganda Equator
Travellers in Uganda

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Encounter captivating chimpanzees in Kibale National Park
  • 02 Explore Toro Kingdom's rich culture through village visits
  • 03 Spot iconic African wildlife on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • 04 Trek for gorilla encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Embark on a thrilling 12-day journey through Uganda, from Entebbe and Kampala to Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mburo. Experience game drives and Nile River cruises, track chimpanzees in Kibale, and enjoy a cultural visit to the Toro Kingdom. Continue with wildlife encounters in Queen Elizabeth National Park before heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla tracking and a Batwa cultural encounter. Relax at Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park, where nature walks and cycling add a different perspective to your safari adventure.

The tour guides will go ahead of you and locate the gorillas, and once they are found, you will spend one hour with them at a distance of 10 meters.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi
Languages English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival at Entebbe and Transfer to Kampala

  • Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala for an overnight stay.

Destination: Kampala (City)

Accommodation options:

Luxury: Kaazi Beach Resort or Similar

Mid-Range: Casia Lodge or Similar

Budget: Acactus Hotel or Similar

Meals Plan

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Drinking water and fruits

2
Day 02

Game Drive and Nile River Cruise

  • After breakfast, you will head out for a game drive and have a chance to spot different wild species, including buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, elephants, kobs, and hyenas, among others.
  • After lunch, you will go for a spectacular boat cruise on the great Nile River.
  • You will see water animals such as hippos, crocodiles, and elephants having baths, as well as water birds including the secretary bird, herons, and fish eagle, among others.
  • Take pictures during the beautiful sunset, then head back to the accommodation and retire.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Paara Safari Lodge or similar

Mid-Range: Nile Breeze Bamboo or similar

Budget: Hornbill Lodge or similar

Meals and drinks

Half board (one route meal)

3
Day 03

Morning Game Drive and Evening Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls

  • After breakfast, you will head out for a game drive and have a chance to spot different wild species, including buffaloes, giraffes, leopards, elephants, kobs, and hyenas, among others.
  • After lunch, you will go for a spectacular boat cruise on the great Nile River.
  • You will see water animals such as hippos, crocodiles, and elephants having baths, as well as water birds including the secretary bird, herons, and fish eagle, among others.
  • Take pictures during the beautiful sunset, then head back to the accommodation and retire.

Accommodation:

Nile Breeze Bamboo

Main destination:

Murchison Falls National Park

Meals and drinks:

Full board

Drinking water

4
Day 04

Top of the Falls Visit and Transfer to Kibale National Park

  • You will have an early morning breakfast and then head to the top of the falls.
  • While at the top of the falls, you will appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Murchison Falls.
  • After the falls, you will drive straight to Kibale National Park.
  • During the drive, you will be amazed by the incredible scenery.
  • On the way, you will have a lunch stopover and also stop for photography at the Ugandan Equator.
  • Upon arrival, you will head to your booked accommodation and rest.

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Guest House

Main destination:

Kibale National Park

Meals and drinks:

Half board (one route meal)

5
Day 05

Chimpanzee Tracking and Toro Kingdom Community Visit

  • After breakfast, you will head to the park's headquarters for a briefing before continuing into the rainforest for chimpanzee tracking.
  • You will join a group of 6 and wait until the chimpanzees are found, which takes 2 to 6 hours, and then you will be given one hour to learn more about their behaviours.
  • After lunch, head out for a community visit, including a visit to the Toro Kingdom to explore the King's place and the mysterious caves of Amabere ga Nyinamwiru (breasts of Nyinamwiru), which have a strong attachment to the Batooro people tribe.
  • Head back to your accommodation, have dinner, and rest.

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Guest House

Main destination:

Kibale National Park

Meals and drinks:

Full board

6
Day 06

Bigodi Wetland Exploration and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth

  • You will have breakfast and move out to Bigodi Wetlands.
  • These wetlands boast an extensive array of biodiversity, among which are several primate species, such as the black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and baboons.
  • It is also a bird paradise.
  • Head back to the accommodation and set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Have a lunch stopover and drive straight to the park.
  • It is a 2-3 hour drive, and on arrival, you will head to your booked accommodation, refresh, have dinner, and rest.

Accommodation:

The Bush Lodge

Main destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals and drinks:

Half board (one route meal)

7
Day 07

Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

  • You will have an early morning breakfast and start your day with a morning game drive that will expose you to diverse wild species, including buffaloes, lions, elephants, kobs, hyenas, and leopards, among others.
  • In the evening, you will enjoy a boat cruise on the famous Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George and Lake Edward. As you enjoy the breeze, you will spot elephants taking a bath, giant water hippos, crocodiles, and buffaloes gaping along the banks.
  • With your binoculars, you will have a magnificent view of birds and other wildlife species.
  • Return to your accommodation and rest.

Accommodation:

The Bush Lodge

Main destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals and drinks:

Full board

8
Day 08

Drive through Ishasha Sector to Bwindi

  • Enjoy a relaxed morning breakfast and then head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • You will travel through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famously known for the climbing lions.
  • Sighting them is picturesque and memorable. On arrival, head to your booked accommodation and rest.

Accommodation:

Buhoma Haven

Main destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals and drinks:

Full board

9
Day 09

Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Cultural Encounter

  • After breakfast, you will head to the park's headquarters for a briefing, and in groups of 8 individuals aged 15 years and above, you will head out into the jungle.
  • The tour guides will go ahead of you and locate the gorillas, and once they are found, you will spend one hour with them at a distance of 10 meters.
  • Have lunch in the jungle, and in the evening head out for cultural encounters with the Batwa guides, who will provide insights into traditional forest life before they were evicted from the forest and share their culture. They will demonstrate how grass-thatched houses were constructed, showcase traditional herbs that were used to cure diseases, and make fire using sticks, among other activities.
  • Head to your accommodation, have dinner, and rest.

Accommodation:

Buhoma Haven

Main destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals and drinks:

Full board

10
Day 10

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

  • After an early morning breakfast, head to Lake Bunyonyi.
  • On your way, you will have a lunch stopover and then embark on the journey to Lake Bunyonyi.
  • Check into your reserved accommodation and rest.

Accommodation:

Rock Resort

Main destination:

Lake Bunyonyi

Meals and drinks:

Half board (one enroute meal)

11
Day 11

Transfer to Lake Mburo and Evening Nature Walk

  • After breakfast, head to Lake Mburo National Park.
  • On your way, you will have a lunch stopover and then drive straight to the park.
  • Check in to your booked accommodation, and in the evening head out for a nature walk.
  • You will have an opportunity to encounter zebras, giraffes, antelopes, among others, at close range.
  • Head back to your accommodation and rest.

Accommodation:

Rwakobo Rock

Main destination:

Lake Mburo National Park

Meals and drinks

Full board

12
Day 12

Cycling in Lake Mburo and Departure via Entebbe

  • After an early morning breakfast, you will head out for a cycling tour around the park, enjoying a ride through the open savanna among zebras.
  • After the great morning adventure, you will head back to your accommodation and then embark on the journey to the airport.
  • On your way, you will stop over for lunch and also for photography at the Equator in Kayabwe.
  • You will then drive straight to the airport, marking the end of the 12-day safari experience.

Main destination:

Entebbe International Airport

Meals and drinks:

Half board (one route meal)

Gorilla forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee rainforest of Kibale National Park, islands of Lake Bunyonyi

Where this trip takes you

Gorilla forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee rainforest of Kibale National Park, islands of Lake Bunyonyi

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kampala Road 9 cities · 12 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Round-trip airport transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
  • Private transportation in 4x4 safari cars
  • Meals specified on a full-board basis
  • Accommodation with ensuite facilities
  • Applicable park entrance and activity fees
  • English-speaking professional driver-guide
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit fees
  • Gorilla trekking permit fees
  • All hotel/lodge pick-ups and drop-offs
  • All taxes
  • Bottled drinking water and fruits while on safari

What's Not Included

  • Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Flight fares
  • Country entry visa
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Telephone charges
  • Laundry
  • Bar bills and all other kinds of drinks except water
  • Government-imposed increases in taxes and park fees
  • Souvenirs, gifts, and tips
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Covid-19 and other related tests and vaccinations

What to bring

  • Clothing: Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, T-shirts and shorts, a wide-brimmed hat or cap, and comfortable, sturdy shoes.
  • Rain gear: A lightweight, waterproof jacket.
  • Swimwear: If water-based activities are planned.
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen: High-SPF sunscreen for sun protection.
  • Insect repellent: To protect against mosquitoes and other bugs.
  • Binoculars and camera: To observe and capture wildlife.
  • Reusable water bottle: You will need to stay hydrated in the heat.
  • Travel documents: Passport, visa, and any required permits. All necessary permits, such as chimpanzee trekking permits, shall be provided by our guide in Uganda, and a copy shall be shared with the client before departure from the country of origin.
  • Medications and first aid: Personal medications and a basic first-aid kit. All our vehicles are well equipped with fully stocked first-aid kits, though we advise clients with special medications and drugs to carry them along.

Know before you go

  • We consider all the changes, alterations, and suggestions that a client may request in all our itineraries, whether in accommodation standards and choices, meal plans, or price changes. We offer Luxury, Mid-Range, and Budget Safaris.
  • We welcome guests from all over the world. We aim to be an inclusive tour company so guests of all cultures, religions, orientations, and races feel welcome.
  • We offer solo trips for adventurous travellers looking to explore the world on their terms.
  • We accommodate all dietary restrictions.
  • All our safari vehicles are Toyota Land Cruisers and modern 4x4 safari vans with pop-up roofs for a clear view during game drives and for the comfort of our clients. All our safari vehicles have Wi-Fi internet to ensure permanent connectivity for our clients wherever we are and to enable them to share their lifetime memories.
  • Our guide drivers pick up all our clients from Entebbe International Airport, and we can also pick them up from their locations or stations of choice at no extra cost.
  • Drop-off is done at Entebbe International Airport by our guide drivers, and we can also drop off our clients at their locations or stations of choice at no extra cost.
  • We encourage clients to read our

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Entebbe International Airport, Kampala Road, Entebbe, Uganda
Tour start
Kampala Road, Entebbe, Uganda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 12 days finish where they began, in Kampala Road.

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Starting from

USD 5,470 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $5,470.00 — $7,340.00
Double Sharing $5,470.00 — $5,690.00

When

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