- Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel
- Day 2: Transfer to Kibale, go Cycling in Mpanga tea estates, tour the Amabere ga’ Nyinamwiru caves, hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake
- Day 3: Do chimpanzee trekking and a community tour of the Bigodi community.
- Day 4: Transfer to Semliki National Park, engage in the Sempaya Nature walk
- Day 5, 6 & 7: Explore the Rwenzori mountains range and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National
- Day 8: Morning game drive and boat cruise along the 45km long Kazinga Channel
- Day 9: Have a game drive in the Ishasha sector and transfer to Bwindi National Park
- Day 10: Do gorilla trekking in Uganda and a Batwa community walk
- Day 11: Visit Lake Bunyonyi and do a boat ride with a hike to the top of the world
- Day 12: Transfer back to Kampala City
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda via Entebbe International Airport & connect to the hotel
Welcome to Uganda! As described by Winston Churchill, “Pearl of Africa”, you will be amazed by the natural beauty of the country. Uganda is a quintessential African safari destination and is often at the top of the pile when people plan a bucket list trip to Africa.
The country has everything: incredible natural beauty, fantastic wildlife, pristine beaches, archaeological sites, geological wonders, and amazing Afro-Arab-Indian cuisine.
Your 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour experience actually begins as soon as you touch down at Entebbe International Airport, Lake Victoria which welcomes to this beautiful Pearl of Africa as the airport is situated on a peninsular of this amazing lake which is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, the largest lake in Africa and the largest tropical lake in the whole world.
You will be welcomed by the soothing fresh breeze and equatorial sunshine which will make your skin glow in no time if you land on a warm sunny day. After sorting out all the required immigration processes you will get out of the terminal building and you will be met by one of our company preventative waiting areas where you are courteously welcomed into Uganda by our company representative.
You attend a short briefing about Uganda facts and the safari in particular after which you board the vehicle and connect to the hotel for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: Touch down in the “Pearl of Africa” at Entebbe International Airport with the breathtaking waters of Lake Victoria and Entebbe town.
Accommodation
- Top-Notch / Exclusive: Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort/ Protea Skyz Hotel Naguru
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Kampala Serena Hotel/ Kampala Sheraton hotel
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Kampala Protea Hotel/ Fairway Hotel Kampala
- Budget/ Basic: Biyem Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 40km or 1-1.5 hours
Other activities you can do include
If your flight arrives early in Entebbe you can opt to engage in any of the following activities
- Kampala city tour
- Mabamba swamp birding excursion
- Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary visit
- Entebbe city tour and a visit to Uganda Wildlife Education Center for a chimpanzee close-up
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park with an en-route visit to the Amabere Caves
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for our first part of the safari, namely Kibale Forest National Park, on your 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife.
It is a drive of about 4- 5 in a westerly direction covering 300km to Fort Portal Area. The drive takes you through the lush green cover of the Ugandan countryside marked with a rugged landscape including the scenic Inselbergs of Mubende.
Upon arriving in Fort Portal Area, you settle for lunch at one of the best restaurants in town. In fact, some people say it is the best place to eat in all of Uganda! There are myriad options to choose from, with things like a local food buffet, crocodile burgers, Guinness beef stew, and 46 different pizzas on the menu! Bon appetite!
You will visit the Amabeere Caves and hike the Fort Portal Crater Lake field. The breast-like features in the caves are believed to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of Bukuku who was a self-enthroned King of the Bachwezi.
She was denied the opportunity to breastfeed her baby Ndahura as the father had been alerted that the child would take over his throne. The “milk” continues to flow out of Nyinamwiru’s breasts in the form of stalactites in the caves.
Retreat from this encounter and embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater Lake field where you traverse the challenging slopes of Kyeganywa Hill surrounded by a range of crater lakes and crater hollows presenting one of the most beautiful scenic sites in Uganda.
The top of Kyeganywa Hill offers the views of Rwenzori Mountains on a clear day.
We will reach our camp in the late afternoon and settle in. It is a beautifully atmospheric camp hidden away in the forest, and our home for the next two nights. We will get together in the restaurant area for relaxation, dinner, and our overnight stay.
Tomorrow another exciting adventure awaits!
The highlight of the day: Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside and listen to the folklore stories behind the formation of the Amabeere caves.
Accommodation:-
- Top-notch / Exclusive: Kyaninga Lodge/ Ndali Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House- Cottages
- Budget/ Basic: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House-Main House/ Kibale Forest Camp- Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 310km or 5-6 hours
Activities & Services
- Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Visit the Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru caves in Fort Portal
Optional Activities
- Nocturnal walk in Kibale National Park enables you to encounter some of the nocturnal creatures such as Bushbabies, Nightjars, Tree hyrax, Ginet & Mongoose
- Do Cycling in Mpanga tea estates
Day 3: Do chimpanzee trekking and visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
After breakfast on the 3rd day 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife, we will gather at the Kanyanchu Tourism Centre in Kibale for our Chimpanzee tracking activity that begins promptly at 8 am.
The encounter commences with a briefing from the excellent park rangers who will be our guides for the activity. After the briefing, we head to the forest in search of the man’s closest relative.
The activity lasts about 3 to 4 hours and over the years has had a 95% success rate of seeing some of the 1,450 individuals in Kibale. The chimps have been fully habituated and thus offer you an opportunity to draw quite close to them and take pictures.
Viewing them as they munch fruit, swinging in trees, socializing, patrolling, mating, and making hooting calls is an unforgettable experience that you will treasure forever. You have a full hour to enjoy these precious creatures and you are free to take as many photos as you wish!
After our amazing Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest Park, we will return to the starting point where we will enjoy our packed picnic lunch and catch our breaths after all the excitement.
After lunch, the fun doesn’t stop, as we visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a famous successful community tourism initiative where we have a chance to walk in the swampy habitat that has become known as the “bird paradise”, as we have the chance to see some special species here and also undertake this community thriller.
You will take part in the coffee-making process right from the planting process, harvesting red ripe coffee berries, sun drying process, then coffee pounding, and finally making your cup of coffee that is freshly brewed from the coffee that’s grown by these locals.
After our exciting day, we will head back to our camp to freshen up. Then we will have dinner together and reminisce about our wonderful day and amazing time so far in Uganda. Then we’re off to bed for a good night’s rest, because tomorrow another superb national park awaits!
The highlight of the day: Fun-filled day with our closest relatives biologically 95-98% DNA will be worth it as they communicate by kissing, embracing, patting on the back, touching hands, and tickling.
Accommodation
- Top-notch / Exclusive: Kyaninga Lodge/ Ndali Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House- Cottages
- Budget/ Basic: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House-Main House/ Kibale Forest Camp- Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services
- Bigodi community visit
- Chimpanzee trekking
Optional Activities
- Nocturnal walk in Kibale National Park enables you to encounter some of the nocturnal creatures such as Bushbabies, Nightjars, Tree hyrax, Ginet & Mongoose
- Afternoon birding session in the park
Day 4: Transfer to Semliki National Park and undertake the Sempaya Nature walk
Day 4 of this amazing 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour commences early in the morning with a morning breakfast at 6:00 am then you will drive to Semliki National Park which is a 78km journey taking about 2 – 3 hours’ drive.
You drive past the town of Fort Portal which is one of the most beautiful towns in Uganda before proceeding to the Bundibugyo area welcomed by the views of the Mount Rwenzori block. On arriving in Semliki National Park, you undertake the famous Sempaya Hot Springs nature walk to explore both the female and the male hot springs.
The male hot spring also known as Bitente has a wider pool while the female hot spring Nyansimbi features a hot boiling geyser that sprouts up to 2m high and boils to more than 100 degrees Celsius. You can boil some plantain or eggs to have picnic bites.
The walk to the hot springs also exposes the lush flora of Semliki Forest which is an extension of the Congo forest biome. The Primate species like Black and white colobus monkeys might also be viewed. From Semliki, you connect back to Fort Portal for lunch and transfer to Kasese.
Upon arrival in Kasese, you will visit the Ruboni Craft village and encounter the local women putting together different materials to produce one of the best craft products in Uganda. You can learn a skill like basket weaving.
Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight on the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
The highlight of the day: Spending time at the true birder’s haven won’t disappoint with its many avian rarities, the Sempaya Hot Springs are a primeval, evocative sight.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Equator Snow Lodge
- Mid-range: Springs International Hotel Kasese
- Budget: Sandton Hotel Kasese
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 250km or 4-5 hour
Activities and Services
- Visiting the hot springs
- Visiting Ruboni
Day 5, 6 & 7: Undertake the 3 days adventure hike to the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 5: Hike from Ibanda to Omu’ka Kizza Rest Camp (2.977 m)
Following an early morning breakfast at your lodge in Kasese at 6:30 am, you will transfer to the starting point of this hike on your 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour in Ruboni village and embark on a hike through the foothills of the legendary mountains of the moon towering to 5,109m above sea level with snowcapped peaks.
The day 1 trek will lead you on a 7.2 km hike through the Kyambogho pristine forest ridge gaining views of Mubuku Valley, climbing the ridge that is densely forested and shelters counts of primates including the Black and white colobus monkeys, the rare L’hoest Monkey, and the blue monkey stretching up to the Omu’ka Kiiza Rest Camp standing at an elevation 2,977m.
This point offers you an impressive view of the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and the town of Kasese at 2,160 meters below and you can have the opportunity of viewing Rwenzori Turaco and hear the pant hooting calls of Chimpanzees.
You camp overnight in the mountain wilderness.
The highlight of the day: Birding in the montane forest of the high Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Meal Plan: Breakfast in Kasese, Picnic lunch & Dinner @ the mountain
Day 6: Hike from Omu’Ka Kizza Rest camp to Lake Mahoma
After having your early morning breakfast on your 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour at 7:00 am, continue with the hike to the famous Lake Mahoma which the trail is named.
The forest offers a way to an extended narrow ridge covered by moss rising up to 3,515m above sea level passing through an incredible lush forest comprising of giant heather covered in bright green moss layers.
You impressively follow the mountain elephant footprints passing through the Bamboo and the heather forest where you might have the opportunity of encountering them as they consume water at the hot spring.
The ridge takes you to Rukenga Valley where you can encounter everlasting flowers (Mimulopsis Eliotti) and the remarkable giant lobelia. After this point, you cross to the Mahoma Lake Camp for dinner and overnight.
With a clear sky, you have the opportunity to view Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and the Portal Peaks from the Camp.
The highlight of the day: The views of the distinctive flora rather than the fauna of the park, and distinctive altitudinal vegetation zones of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Meal Pan: Picnic Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner @ the mountain
Day 7: Descend from Mahoma Lake to Ibanda and transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park
This is the day that finalizes your expedition in the Rwenzori Mountains. On this day of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour, the day kicks off with an early morning breakfast at 7:30 am, which will be followed by a walk around this mountain lake.
You will then descend back to the starting point through the Nyabitaba ranger post and the Mpanga ridge to adjoin the Valley of Mubuku which is home to the three-horned Chameleon leading you back to Ibanda.
Our guide will be waiting for you here and you will now continue with your safari expedition as you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: Climb to the scenic trail up to the 3,300-meter elevation of Lake Mahoma, closer to the Mountains of the moon.
Accommodation
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge / Mazike Valley Safari / Katara Safari Lodge Safari Lodge
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 40km or 1 hour
Activities & Services
- Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park
- Descend from the mountain
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
- Night game drive experience in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Bush Breakfast
- Birding
- Cultural encounters
Day 8: Do a morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga
The 8th day of the 12 Days safari Uganda tour Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour commences with an early morning cup of coffee in the views of the moist savannah before heading to the park for the game drive at 7 am.
Undertake a game drive in the Kasenyi tracks and the Queen’s Mile in the open savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park lying flat on the Albertine rift floor.
This Uganda safari encounter offers you an opportunity to explore a range of wildlife animals in Uganda including; cape Buffaloes, Leopards, Topi, Elephants, Kobs, Waterbucks, Warthogs, Hyena, lions, side stripped jackals among other wildlife not forgetting counts of bird species since Queen Elizabeth National Park has the highest Uganda birds count in the whole of Uganda and East Africa (over 600) including the Martial Eagle, African Skimmer, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pink-backed Pelican, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, White-tailed Lark, Black Bee-eater, White-winged Warbler among other birds.
Retreat from the activity for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise departing at 2 pm. You will have an afternoon 2-hour boat cruise running along the Kazinga channel that stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward covering a 45km distance.
This cruise offers you an opportunity to see at close range the highest concentration of water submerged Hippos, surrounded by over 550 species of migrant and resident birds plus crocodiles drinking and resting at water edges. The cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching, and game viewing.
You will retreat from the boat cruise and do an evening game drive along the Channel track to explore more wild games in their evening moments. Continue to the lodge overnight.
The highlight of the day: The 45 km boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel is surely an Oasis of fascinating species inhabiting the Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Mweya Safari Lodge / Mazike Valley Lodge / Katara Safari Lodge
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Enganzi Game Lodge/ Marafiki Safari Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services
- Morning game drive
- Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel
Other optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
- Night game drive experience in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest/ Kyambura Gorge
- Bush Dinner
- Hot air ballooning experience early in the morning at 5:30 am
- Birding
- Cultural encounters
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi National Park with an en-route game drive in Ishasha
We will start with an early breakfast and then we will pack our bags and check out. We will depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and head even further south.
Before leaving the park we will undertake a game drive in the Ishasha sector in the Rukungiri District in search of the famous tree-climbing Lions that tend to lie on fig tree branches scanning the plains for prey. This is also the only area in the park to see Tsessebe (Topi subspecies) and Sitatunga.
We then exit Queen Elizabeth National Park and continue towards our next park, the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We will enjoy lunch somewhere along the route and reach our destination in the mid-afternoon.
Composed of 321 km2 (124 sq mi) of both montane and lowland rainforest, and accessible only on foot due to the improbable steepness, Bwindi was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994.
It is an amazing piece of land; it survived the last Ice Age (about 15,000 years ago) when most other forests in Africa disappeared. In the local language (Lukiga), Bwindi actually means ‘impenetrable.’
The highlight of the day: Encountering the Tree climbing lions of Ishasha hanging up and sleeping in the big fig and acacia trees staring at their prey is a must-do activity on this day of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour Accommodation
- Top-Notch / Exclusive: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Haven Lodge Buhoma
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Trekkers Tavern Ruhija
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: Approx. 45-130km or 2-4 hours
Activities & Services
- Transfer to Bwindi
- Game drive in Ishasha
Day 10: Do gorilla trekking and have a Batwa/Bakiga traditional performance
On this day, you will have an early morning breakfast served at 6:30 am comprising of a wide assortment of bites ranging from truly delicious tropical organic fruits and confectionaries to give an energy boost for the gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park experience ahead of you where you get to meet one of the gorilla families in this park for a full hour.
Depart from the lodge with your packed lunch and gather at the park center where you will be welcomed by the park sector warden who will take you through the history of gorilla conservation in this particular park sector and Bwindi Forest Park in general.
While here still you get to have a miniature cultural performance from the local Batwa People who will showcase their musical skills to you.
With your armed ranger in the lead, embark on a trek, searching for your allocated gorilla family. You will be granted a full hour with these magical beings to watch them as they go about their daily lives and if you’re lucky you might get to see the young gorillas break the 7-meter rule as they get closure to you to have you incorporated in their games.
After the full hour of contact with these gorillas transfer back to the park center where you get awarded a Gorilla tracking certificate for your tracking efforts. You will return to your lodge and prepare for an evening tour through the community on this day of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour.
The highlight of the day: The Uganda gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodation
- Top-Notch / Exclusive: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Haven Lodge Buhoma
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Budget/ Basic: Trekkers Tavern Ruhija
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & time: Approx. 45-130km or 2-4 hours
Activities & Services
- Gorilla trekking
- Batwa cultural performance
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat cruise and community hike
This day of the 12 Days Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour will be fairly relaxed as you get to wake up a little bit late at 8:00 am for breakfast. You will then check out of the lodge and drive to Lake Bunyonyi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands with magical sceneries.
Along the way, you will have an en-route stop at a local market which gives you an opportunity to have an African shopping experience as you haggle for the best price bargain while shopping a selected few items courtesy of the company. This also allows you to interact with the locals and have an insight into how they live their daily lives.
Upon your arrival at Lake Bunyonyi Uganda, embark on the whole day of Island hopping exploration visiting the main Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. You explore the Bucuranuka (Upside down) Island which is believed to have buried people alive after refusing to offer local brew to an old woman she cursed the Island to turn upside down burying its inhabitants.
You also visit the Akampane (Punishment) Island where the girls with unwanted premarital pregnancies would be dumbed to die of hunger as they try to swim back to the mainland.
You will have a lunch break then in the evening; embark on a hike to the top of the world Point here which takes you 2200meters above sea level if you manage to get to the top your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views of the entire Bunyonyi Lake which will forever be imprinted in your memory.
While at the top take time off to catch your breath and enjoy a picnic evening tea that comes with a warm cup of coffee & an assortment of snacks while you appreciate nature’s work and also re-energize before you slope down.
After this hike, set off for a community tour as you visit some of the local schools here where you get to meet the local students who are striving for a better future, if it’s fine with you, you can donate a few scholastic items to the school to enable these students to have a comfortable stay in school.
From the school visit, retire from the activity and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: Enjoy the quietness of the water while paddling a dugout canoe on Lake Bunyonyi – the second deepest lake in Africa.
Accommodation
- Luxury/ Upmarket: Birds Nest @ Bunyonyi
- Mid-range/ Moderate: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
- Budget/ Basic: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive distance & time: Approx. 55-85 km or 1-3 hours
Activities & Services
- Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
- Community hike
Day 12: Transfer back to Kampala with en-route stops along the way
And so an amazing Ugandan safari, unfortunately, comes to an end. What a great time we had!
This day finally closes off what has been a 12-day Uganda Safari Primate Trekking Gorilla, Chimps & Wildlife Tour experience to remember with a return journey to Kampala City.
After a relaxed breakfast at the deck of the lodge, we will pack our bags, say our goodbyes to the friendly staff at our camp, and set off for Kampala, our first stop will be at Igongo Cultural Center for traditional lunch.
We shall proceed on with the drive and make another stop at the Uganda Equator Line crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots where one leg is in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere.
The site also has good souvenir shops where you can secure your memorabilia about Uganda before continuing on the drive to catch up with an evening flight at Entebbe International Airport.
The highlight of the day: You will make a stop at the Ugandan Equator crossing at Kayabwe for photoshoots and experiences.
End of the 12 Days Safari Uganda Tour Primate trekking with Gorillas, Chimps, and Wildlife Tour.
2 Days Safari Uganda Tour – SAFARI INCLUSIONS
- Full time English professional safari driver guide
- 4×4 safari van/4×4 Safari land cruiser with poop up roof for game viewing with functional A/C
- Full board accommodation
- Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permit fees
- Boat cruise fees
- Wi-fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
- Bottled water
12 Days Safari Uganda Tour – SAFARI EXCLUSIONS
- International &domestic flight fees
- Visa fees
- Laundry services
- Items of personal nature
- Gratuities and tips
- Other beverages/ drinks
