Embark on a memorable 7-day safari that includes tracking gorillas and chimpanzees. Before heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park, this adventure will take you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a scenic drive through the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. Enjoy a fly-in experience to Bwindi’s lush forests and conclude your journey with a game viewing in Queen National Park and a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1: Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight.
Day 2: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha.
Day 4: Morning game drive followed by a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking and habituation experience.
Day 7: Return to Entebbe Airport for your international flight.
Day 1: Morning Flight to Bwindi
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will land at either Kihihi (for the northern and eastern parts) or Kisoro Airstrip (for the southern part of the park). Upon arrival, your safari guide will transfer you to your lodge.
Flight schedules vary, so you may fly in the morning or afternoon. Morning flights depart Entebbe at 7:45 AM with check-in at 6:15 AM, while afternoon flights leave at 12:30 PM with check-in at 11:00 AM. Due to strong winds, there is only one morning flight to Kisoro Airstrip daily at 7:45 AM. Flights to Bwindi take approximately one and a half hours, depending on the routing for the day.
Accommodation: Silverback Lodge / Mahogany Springs / Gorilla Lodge
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi
Start your day with a morning cup of coffee or tea before your gorilla-tracking adventure. Head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts while exploring the jungle alongside these gentle giants. Walking sticks will be provided, and you are advised to pack lunch and plenty of drinking water.
Encountering the deep, thoughtful eyes of these primates, which share 95% of their genes with humans, is both humbling and thrilling. After tracking, return to your lodge for the night.
Accommodation: Silverback Lodge / Mahogany Springs
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha
Today, drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth, known as Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lions. This beautiful and remote area offers chances to see buffaloes, topi, hippos, and diverse wildlife.
During your game drive, look for spotted hyenas, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Defassa Waterbucks, elephants, leopards (if lucky), antelopes, lions, and various bird species. Afterward, transfer to your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Cruise along the Kazinga Channel
Begin your day with an extensive early morning game drive through the park, focusing on wildlife-rich trails, including the Kasenyi Track. Expect to see elephants, buffalos, lions, bushbucks, kobs, the rare giant forest hogs, hyenas, and waterbucks. Return to your accommodation for breakfast.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This is an experience not to miss, as you’ll see hippos, buffalos, and crocodiles close to the shore and the possibility of spotting the elusive leopard. Various bird species, such as pelicans, cormorants, egrets, herons, and jacanas, can also be seen. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After an early morning breakfast, drive south via Kasese, stopping at the Equator for pictures. Enjoy the scenic drive through lush countryside, passing traditional homesteads and farms to Fort Portal. Fort Portal is situated under the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and is named after Sir Gerald Portal, a British Special Commissioner for Uganda whose statue adorns the town’s main road.
Kibale Forest National Park is one of Africa’s greatest tropical rainforests, home to an array of wildlife, including 13 species of primates, with chimpanzees being the most notable. The park also boasts 375 species of birds. As we traverse through Ugandan traditional villages, observe the locals tending to their crops, including millet, sorghum, beans, and maize.
Look for various bird species along the roads, such as Long-Crested Eagles, Double-Toothed Barbets, Black-headed Gonoleks, Fan-tailed Widowbirds, sunbirds, and weavers. After arriving at Kibale, check-in and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
After breakfast, we will visit Kibale Forest National Park, known for having the greatest variety and the highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous among its 13 species is the chimpanzee, which represents Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate, with around 1,450 individuals. The park is also home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkey and other primates like the black-and-white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey-cheeked mangabey, Red-tailed monkey, and Olive baboon.
You will enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest, searching for wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and others. After lunch, we will explore the Crater Lake region, which is characterized by numerous crater lakes, or take community walks to learn more about the well-being of the locals in the area.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetop / Kibale Forest Camp
Day 7: Morning / Afternoon Flight to Entebbe
After breakfast, if you are booked on the morning domestic flight, you will transfer to Kasese Airstrip for your flight to Entebbe.
7 Days Gorillas Primates Fly-in Safari Uganda Cost Includes
Air Ticket Return
1 Gorilla Permit @ $ 800.00
1 Chimp Permit @ $ 250.00
Full-time English-speaking professional driver/guide
All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary
Bottled water while on safari
Transport 4×4 safari Van
Meals as specified in the Itinerary
Park Fee and ferry crossing
Our Safari cost excludes:
For short trips, accommodation on arrival and departure are not included but can be arranged on request.
Flights
Laundry services
Beverages/ drinks
Vaccinations
Medical Insurance
Visas (Uganda @ $50, East Africa @ $100)