Primates of Uganda Adventure

Duration: 9 Days | 8 Nights
Destination: Uganda

Explore Uganda's rich biodiversity on this 9-day adventure! Trek chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, cruise along the Kazinga Channel, and encounter the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. The highlight? A thrilling gorilla safari in Bwindi Forest. From Entebbe to Lake Mburo, experience the best of Uganda's wildlife and culture.

Day 1: Entebbe International Airport
Arrival at Entebbe International airport and you will be picked up by the local guide for a transfer to your overnight stay in Entebbe.

Midrange: Papyrus Guest House – Entebbe
Upgrade: Boma Guest House – Entebbe / Best Western Premier Hotel – Entebbe
Dinner included.

Day 2: Entebee – Onward transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive south west of Uganda to the town of Fort Portal which is very popular for tee and vanilla production. Lunch en-route and by evening, arrive at Kibale Forest National Park. With an impressive list of 13 different primates in the park, Kibale Forest National Park is the largest natural forest conservation area with approx. 795km2 and therefore is natural habitat to over 1450 chimpanzees. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure at your accommodation or choose to take an evening guided walk leading you into the local communities of Fort Portal and into Tea and Vanilla plantations. Enjoy stunning views of the crater lakes along the way. Dinner and overnight at:

Midrange: Turaco Treetops – cottages
Upgrade: Primate Lodge – Luxury forest cottage / Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge
Note: Today transfer is about 6 hours’ drive, approx. drive distance 328km.
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 3: Kibale National Park (Trekking the chimpanzees in the forest)
After an early breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Kanyanchu ranger briefing station and receive a detailing briefing from the head park warden. Here after, set off into the rainforest on the chimpanzee tracking adventure. Follow a group of habituated chimpanzees with the head ranger or guide in a group of up to 8 people. It is recommended to carry with you some drinking water and a snack from the hotel during the hike. One hour is permitted in the presence of the chimpanzee and thereafter, return to the lodge. Evening, relax or take a guided walk in the crater lakes area for sightseeing. Important to visit is the Bigodi wetland sanctuary for a natural guided walk where you can encounter some of the rare birds as well as some more primates like the black and white colobus monkeys. Return by evening at lush for dinner and overnight as night before at:

Midrange: Turaco Treetops – cottages
Upgrade: Primate Lodge – Luxury forest cottage / Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge.
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 4: Onward transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start the day with freshly made breakfast before the drive to Queen Elizabeth National park. Queen Elizabeth is one of the largest parks and home to several species of mammals as well as views of many crater lakes and not missing out the backdrop of The Rwenzori mountain ranges. The transfer is relaxed and also grants rare sightings of the Leopard, hyenas and other wildlife as you transfer to the lodge. Lunch at the lodge in the park and then we organize a private safari by boat on the fascinating 45km stretch of water, the Kazinga channel connecting both Lake George and Edward. The 2.5 hours’ launch cruise is a fulfilling moment to embrace nature up-close, including different species of birds, animals as well as glimpses into the heart of Congo just further west of Lake Edward. Enjoy the rays of the setting sun on the launch cruise as you return back to your lodge for dinner and overnight at:

Midrange: Kasenyi Safari Camp – cottages / Kikorongo Safari Lodge / Enganzi Lodge
Upgrade: Katara Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge
Note: Today transfer is about 2.5 hours’ drive, approx. drive distance 96km.
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth – onwards to Ishasha sector
After breakfast, drive towards Kasenyi plains and towards Edwards and George which has been popularly marked as the mating grounds for several antelopes, particularly for the Uganda Kob. Along the privately guided game drive are sightings that include lions, buffaloes, elephants, Leopards, hyenas and other animals. Head back to your lodge for lunch and then proceed onwards to the famous area of Ishasha where lions climb up in the trees. It is stunning to find these heavy beasts chilling up in the trees on a warm day probably after a heavy meal. Evening game drive in the south of the park and finally dinner and overnight at:

Midrange: Enjojo Lodge – self-contained cottages / Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Upgrade: Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Note: Today transfer is about 1.5 hours’ drive, approx. drive distance 60km.
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 6: Ishasha sector – onwards to Bwindi Forest National Park
With early set off and breakfast, take a game drive in the park to spot some of the animals which are predominately in the Ishasha side. Return at lush to the lodge for lunch and by afternoon, begin the check out and progress through the south of the park to Bwindi Forest National park. This forested park is one of the has one of the oldest tropical rainforests in Africa and is spread out on 325km2 of protected area and currently home to more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the whole world. Reach Bwindi by the evening and check into your lodge for overnight and dinner. Dinner and overnight at:

Midrange: Gorilla Leisure Lodge – Bwindi south / Four Gorillas Lodge – Bwindi south – Rushaga
Upgrade: Mahogany Springs Lodge – luxury suite / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – forest cottage.
Note: Today transfer can be from 4 hours and depends on accommodation selection, roads conditions and area of allocation for gorilla permits. The choice of the area of the gorilla safari depends on the availability of permits at time of booking the trip.
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 7: Bwindi forest gorilla safari / local community engagements
In the morning you enter the rain tropical forest of Bwindi for the gorilla safari. The activity starts at 8am and you will follow the ranger guides in a group of maximum 8 people as you search for the habituated family of mountain gorillas, which was allocated according to the permits. Bwindi forest in Uganda has a population of about 420 gorillas, which is more than half of the world population according to 2018 gorilla population surveys. Bwindi is also one of the ancient and biologically varied rainforests in the world that date back to more than 25,000 years, comprising of about 400 varied plant species and offers also the opportunity to spot some of the endemic birdlife in the forestIt is not predictable the time you will spend to encounter the gorillas. You have one hour for observing the primates and their behaviors, while taking photographs. Ensure you take the packed lunch and water with you in the bag and for this you might need the support of available porters.

Note: In the case of a gorilla habituation experience, the guest has up to 4 hours of observing the gorillas. Please check with your agent for supplement costs to change to a gorilla habituation experience.

After the trek, we recommend another guided walk into the local tribe on the Batwa who in the past depended on the forest for complete survival. Be entertained by the display of dance and enjoy a glimpse into the typical lifestyle of the Batwa or a community guided walk. This tribe is still indigenous and still practices old traditions passed down from past generations. Return by late afternoon or by evening for dinner and overnight at:

Midrange: Gorilla Leisure Lodge – Bwindi south / Four Gorillas Lodge – Bwindi south– Rushaga
Upgrade: Mahogany Springs Lodge – luxury suite / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge – forest cottage.
Note: The choice of the area of the gorilla safari depends on the availability of permits at time of booking the trip. We recommend to book the gorilla permits at least 6 months in advance.
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Day 8: Bwindi Forest – Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, a small game National Park found in the western region of Uganda, the Ankole region. This is the perfect stop over between Bwindi and Entebbe to cut up the long road transfer. The small but impressive Park sits on 370km2 of protected area and is now home to the Rothschild Giraffes, Leopards and Hyenas among others. Lunch is enjoyed en-route and thereafter arrive in the park and go for a privately guided evening game drive in search for the beautiful impalas, elands, topi and many antelopes, buffaloes, zebras. Alternatively, you can take up a guided bike safari in the park or a horse back safari. Wind down the day with dinner and overnight at:

Midrange: Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Upgrade: Mihingo Lodge – Luxury Tent / Kigambira Safari Lodge – Deluxe Tent
Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Day 9: Lake Mburo (guided safari walk in the park) – Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, take a guided morning walk together with a park guide on foot to spot some of the animals in the park. The animals are not people shy, but still it is important to follow the guidance of the ranger. Return for lunch at the lodge and afternoon relax. This is also the final day of holiday in Uganda and the journey takes you back to Kampala. Begin the journey back to for your flight out from Entebbe International Airport. Approx. drive time: 4 hours, approx. distance 270km.

Note: We recommend to book evening or night flights out of Entebbe International airport. Half Board (Breakfast and Lunch). End of safari holiday in Uganda.

Tour Price
• Price shown is for a person based on twin share accommodation.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Depending on your needs and group size (individual, couple, family, group, etc.) we will provide the final pricing for your tour.

Inclusions:
• Private Airport transfers (to and from the airport)
• All ground transportation by a 4x4 Tourist land cruiser vehicle
• English speaking guide driver
• Full board accommodation as indicated including drinks
• All local and government taxes
• 1 Time Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest NP
• 1 Time Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest NP
• Park entry fees and all government taxes
• Private boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel
• 1.5 hour horseback safari or 2 hour guided cycling tour
• Local community engagements and guided walks as indicated
• Guided bush walk on foot inside the park
• Emergency Aviation insurance /BAR SOS provided by Bar Aviation
• Water during the trip

Exclusions:
• International Air ticket
• Entrance visas: Uganda AU$ 76 (prior online application and approval is required)
• International Tourist insurance/ local health insurance
• Special Drinks & Premium drinks, champagne (massages)
• Optional activities not included and changes to the program
• Tips

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.