6-Day Uganda Primate Safari with Gorillas, Chimps and Lake Bunyonyi

You will be picked up either from your hotel or from Entebbe Airport on arrival. An English-speaking driver-guide will meet you and begin the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo is a small and convenient park located close to the highway linking Entebbe and Kampala with the parks of western Uganda.

This small savannah park is home to many bird species and animals such as zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and hippos. It is also home to the rare leopard. On arrival, you will check in, and if time allows, head out for a late afternoon to evening game drive. Otherwise, you will continue to your accommodation and spend the evening relaxing at leisure.

After an early breakfast, you will head out for a morning nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park with a ranger-guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who will be armed. During this guided walk, you may see zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, other antelope species, Cape buffaloes, and more wildlife at close range. You can also walk up the trail into the hills for views over Lake Mburo and the surrounding landscape.

After the walk, return to your accommodation to check out, then continue by road to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You are expected to arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. After lunch and a short rest, head out for an afternoon game drive. During the drive, you may spot herds of buffaloes or elephants, a pride of lions, a shy leopard, warthogs, and various antelope species. Later, return to your accommodation and relax.

After breakfast, you will set out to track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. This gorge is home not only to chimpanzees but also to baboons, monkeys, and many bird species. You will spend the first part of the day following chimpanzees in this remarkable setting.

After the trek, return to your lodge for a break and lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lakes George and Edward. During the cruise, you may see giant hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and other wildlife, along with many different bird species along the shoreline. After the boat ride, there may be time for a short late afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge.

Wake up early for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. Keep an eye out for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards, although leopards can be difficult to spot, along with other wildlife. After the safari, return to the lodge and check out.

You will then continue to the Ishasha sector in search of the famous tree-climbing lions. The chance of seeing these lions is around 70%, although sightings are not guaranteed, especially when they are hunting in the tall grass. If you do see them, it is a beautiful and memorable sight.

After Ishasha, continue to your accommodation near Bwindi National Park, specifically in the Ruhija sector, arriving in the evening at around 5:00 or 6:00 pm.

Optional (extra cost $120): You may choose to join a lion-tracking experience with a member of the predator research team, who will guide you during this expedition.

After breakfast, head to the ranger station for a briefing from a ranger-guide about what you should and should not do during the trek. After the briefing, enter Bwindi Forest for your gorilla trekking experience. The duration of the trek and the terrain covered will vary depending on the movements of the gorilla group.

Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them. The excitement of watching these gentle and endangered giants in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.

After the trek, return to your accommodation, then depart for Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is surrounded by beautiful green hills rising between 2,200 and 2,478 metres. What makes it especially remarkable are the 29 islands scattered across its waters, each with its own shape and character. It is a truly enchanting place where you could spend hours simply admiring the scenery.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation while taking in the stunning views of the Bunyonyi islands right in front of you. Afterwards, begin the journey back to Entebbe Airport.

Lunch is expected en route, with a stop at the Uganda Equator line in Kayabwe. Here, you can take memorable photos and buy artwork if you wish. Continue the drive and arrive at the airport in the late afternoon or evening.