6-Day Uganda Ape Trekking Safari with Gorillas, Chimps and Bunyonyi

We can either pick you up from your hotel or from Entebbe Airport when you arrive. An English-speaking tour driver-guide will be assigned to meet you, and then we will begin our journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Mburo is a small and convenient park, located close to the highway connecting Entebbe/Kampala to the parks in western Uganda.

Lake Mburo National Park is a small savannah park in Uganda. It is home to many different types of birds and animals, including zebras, impalas, buffalos, and hippos. There is also a rare leopard that lives there.

When we arrive, we will go to check in. If we have extra time, we can go on a late afternoon to evening game drive. Otherwise, we will head to our accommodation and spend the evening relaxing without any plans or obligations.

We will have breakfast early in the morning and then go for a morning walk in Lake Mburo National Park with a ranger-guide from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who will be carrying a weapon. During this walk, you will get to see zebras, giraffes, eland, topi, and other antelope, as well as Cape buffaloes and more animals up close.

You can walk on the trail up the hills to see Lake Mburo and the surrounding landscape farther away. Afterwards, we will return to your accommodation to check out and then get into the vehicle for the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

We plan to arrive at our lodge in Queen in time for lunch. After eating and resting a little, we will head out for wildlife viewing. During the game drive, we might see groups of buffaloes or elephants, a family of lions, a shy leopard, warthogs, and various types of antelope. After that, we will return to the lodge and you can relax.

We will have breakfast and then go to search for chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is a habitat for chimpanzees, and there are also other animals there, such as baboons, monkeys, and birds. Today, you will spend the first part of the day following chimpanzees in this area.

After that, we will return to the lodge for a break and lunch. Once you have finished eating, you will board a boat for a 2-hour trip on the Kazinga Channel, the waterway that joins Lakes George and Edward.

During the cruise, you will be amazed by sightings of giant hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and other wildlife. You will also find many different types of birds near the water. After the boat ride, you can go on a short late afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge.

Wake up early and go on a morning safari in the Kasenyi Plains. Keep an eye out for Cape buffaloes, groups of elephants, lions, and leopards, although leopards may be difficult to see, along with other animals.

After the safari, return to the lodge and check out. Then continue to the Ishasha sector to look for the famous tree-climbing lions. The possibility of seeing these lions is around 70%, but sometimes they are difficult to spot, especially when they are searching for food in the tall grass. If you are able to see them, the sight is beautiful and easy to remember.

After Ishasha, we will continue to the place where we will stay 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 can choose to participate in a lion tracking experience. This means you will join a member of the predator research team, who will guide you on this expedition.

Have breakfast and go to the ranger station. There, you will receive instructions from a ranger-guide on what you should and should not do while trekking. After that, you will enter Bwindi Forest for your exciting experience.

The amount of time the trek takes and the type of terrain you move through will vary depending on how these great primates move. After finding a gorilla group, you can spend one hour with them. The excitement of having the opportunity to watch these kind and at-risk giants is something you will never forget.

After the trek, return to your accommodation, check out, and continue to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by beautiful hills covered in green vegetation. These hills are quite tall, ranging from 2,200 to 2,478 meters in height.

However, what makes the lake truly special are the 29 islands scattered throughout it. These islands come in different shapes and sizes and are very enchanting to look at. You could spend hours admiring them.

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

Expect to have lunch on the way and stop at the Uganda Equator line in Kayabwe. You can take some memorable photos there and also buy some artwork if you like.

Continue the trip and arrive at the airport in the late afternoon or evening.