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Classic 10-Day Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife Safari
From
From $5282 per person for 2 people
Tour Overview
Uganda is one of the most exciting countries to visit in Africa, famous for its great apes (chimpanzees and gorillas). On this 10-day Uganda safari, you will trek through lush rainforests to meet these incredible primates. Besides the primates, you’ll also get a glimpse into the rest of Uganda’s wildlife, whether on foot, by boat, or in a safari car. On this tour we have carefully selected your accommodation for their comfort, beauty, and closeness to nature. Almost all the activities mentioned are already included in the price. At Choose Uganda Safaris, we always look for unique and exciting experiences to make your trip truly special. Want more adventure? We can arrange extra activities like tracking lions with GPS in Queen Elizabeth National Park or even horse riding among zebras in Lake Mburo Game Park.
Highlights
- Guided private safari
- Private guide/guide on safari
- Boat tour to track down the shoebill
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
- Bigodi Village Walk
- Equator Experience
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Canal
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Guided game walk in Lake Mburo National Park
- Day and night game drives in Lake Mburo National Park
Itinerary IN dETAIL
Discover your route below. This itinerary is the starting point, tailor your adventure with the specific experiences.
Day 1: Arrival Entebbe Airport, Meet & Greet
Welcome to Uganda! As soon as you step off the plane at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), you will be enveloped by the pleasant, tropical warmth of Uganda. Right outside the exit, the gateway to your adventure opens: your personal English-speaking Ugandan guide will be waiting for you with a beaming smile and your name sign. “The Pearl of Africa”—that’s what Winston Churchill once called this captivating country, deeply impressed by its lush nature and unparalleled diversity. A name that stands like a promise over your journey. After the warm welcome, your driver will take you to your charming hotel in Entebbe. Here you will have time to relax after your flight, soak up your first African impressions, and settle in completely before your safari adventure begins.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Entebbe – Mabamba Shoebill Tour – Kibale Forest (Travel time approx. 6 hours)
After a hearty breakfast, your driver will pick you up and take you to the famous Mabamba Wetlands on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.
Here, you leave the car behind and continue by small boat. Accompanied by a local bird expert, you glide through the narrow channels of the dense papyrus swamp in search of the legendary shoebill. With its enormous, distinctive beak and prehistoric appearance, the shoebill is one of most birds on the planet. Keep your camera ready. Besides the shoebill, you are likely to encounter many other fascinating bird species along the way.
Around 11:00 a.m., you leave the wetlands behind and continue towards the green hills of Fort Portal. Along the way, you will pass small villages, colourful fruit and vegetable stalls and herds of Watussi cattle. Your driver will be happy to share stories about the region and the people who call it home.
Fort Portal lies in the shadow of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, often known as the Mountains of the Moon. Their peaks are frequently hidden behind clouds, adding to the beauty and mystery of the landscape.
You arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon. Here, you can put your feet up and relax. Surrounded by lush rainforest, Turaco Treetops Lodge is a wonderful place to end the day. Listen to the birds, watch the butterflies and enjoy your first taste of the wild beauty of the Kibale region.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Kibale Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking – Bigodi Village Walk
This morning is dedicated to our closest relatives. You set off into the dense rainforest of Kibale Forest in search of its resident chimpanzees. The chances of seeing them are excellent, with a sighting rate of around 95%. Sometimes, however, the chimpanzees do not make it easy. They may be high in the treetops, moving from one tree to another.
But Kibale Forest is far more than just a home for chimpanzees. It is a true primate paradise. Along the way, you may encounter colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, diademed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and several other species. More than 300 bird species and around 260 butterfly species also bring colour and movement to this remarkable forest. The chimpanzee trek lasts approximately 2 to 4 hours and covers around 3 to 5 kilometres on foot.
In the afternoon after lunch and some relaxation, you continue with a guided walk through Bigodi Village, on the eastern edge of Kibale Forest. This community-based experience gives you a fascinating glimpse into everyday life around the forest. The walk can last 3 to 4 hours and can be tailored to your interests. You may visit a traditional healer who will share his knowledge of local plants, herbs, spirits and traditional medicine.
You can also meet elderly men and women who will tell stories about birth, marriage, ceremonies, clans and traditional life. Along the way, you will gain a deeper understanding of the community, its history and some of the challenges faced by people living in rural Uganda. You will also visit Bigodi Trading Centre, where you can see the everyday activity of this small rural community.
After such an eventful day, a delicious dinner awaits you at your accommodation. Later, unwind around a crackling campfire and share the day’s memorable moments beneath the stars.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Equator Photo Stop & Queen Elizabeth NP (travel time approx. 2 hours)
In the morning, you continue your journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, the majestic Rwenzori Mountains rise on the horizon, creating a spectacular backdrop for the journey. You will also stop at the famous Equator Sign, where you can capture a memorable photo with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a fun moment and a wonderful way to mark your journey through Uganda.
The Equator stop is more than just a photo opportunity. You can learn about the fascinating geography of this imaginary line and discover how it divides the Earth into two hemispheres. Take a few photos, enjoy the moment and then continue towards the wilderness of Queen Elizabeth National Park. After arriving at your accommodation, you can enjoy a relaxed lunch and settle into the lodge. Then, in the afternoon, your first game drive awaits.
The landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park are wonderfully diverse, with open savanna, wide plains and beautiful crater lakes. This rich habitat is home to more than 90 species of mammals and around 610 species of birds. As you drive through the park, keep your eyes open for elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, warthogs, and antelopes.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is all about discovering the wildlife, landscapes and local life of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is not only a wonderful place for wildlife, but also home to communities whose lives are closely connected to the surrounding landscape. Your day begins with an early morning game drive. In the afternoon, you take to the water for one of the great highlights of your time in Queen Elizabeth National Park: a boat safari on the famous Kazinga Channel. Between the activities, you will have time to enjoy lunch and relax at your accommodation.
Game Drive – Morning
After an early breakfast, you set off as the sun begins to rise over the savanna. The morning mist still hangs over the grasslands, while the sounds of the African wilderness slowly come to life. This is a wonderful time for a game drive. Keep your eyes open for large herds of buffalo and elephants, as well as Uganda kob, lions, leopards and hyenas. The landscape changes as you drive, from open grasslands and stands of candelabra euphorbia to wooded areas and beautiful crater lakes.
Queen Elizabeth Boat Safari – Afternoon
In the afternoon, you head to the famous Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This is one of the most spectacular places in Uganda to see wildlife from the water. As your boat glides along the channel, you can watch huge numbers of hippos gathered along the banks. Nile crocodiles lie quietly in the shallows, while buffaloes come down to drink. Keep your eyes on the shoreline, too. Elephants often gather at the water’s edge, sometimes spraying themselves and each other with water. Above you, the sky is filled with birdlife. It is a completely different way to experience the park, and one you are unlikely to forget.
Private Boat Safari – Optional
For an even more personal experience, you can choose a private boat safari. Instead of sharing the boat with a larger group, you enjoy the experience exclusively with your own group. You have more flexibility over the pace of the trip and can take your time when something catches your eye. It is a wonderful option if you want to enjoy the Kazinga Channel at your own pace and make the experience truly your own.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth NP - Bwindi (Rushaga) (Travel time approx. 6 hours)
Have your camera ready! Your day begins with another early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. As the sun rises over the savanna, you may have one more chance to spot elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob and perhaps even a lion before saying goodbye to the park.
After the game drive, you leave the savanna behind and travel towards the green hills of Kigezi, often known as the “Switzerland of Africa.” The landscape changes with every kilometre. Rolling hills and terraced slopes gradually replace the wide plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
By afternoon, you reach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The name says it all. This ancient mountain rainforest is dense, green and wonderfully wild. It is also home to around half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, along with several other primate species and an extraordinary variety of birds. As you climb higher into the forested hills, you can already feel that tomorrow will be very different. This is gorilla country. You arrive at Gorilla Safari Lodge in the afternoon.
The rest of the day is yours to settle in and relax. Take a deep breath, enjoy the beautiful views of the rainforest and let the excitement build. Tomorrow, you will enter this remarkable forest in search of its most famous residents: the mountain gorillas.
Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Gorilla Trekking
In the morning, you will be gently awakened by the birdsong of the rainforest. After good breakfast, it’s just a short walk to the park headquarters in Rushaga. There, you will receive a briefing on the rules of conduct that are important for gorilla trekking. You will then set off with the ranger guide into the mountain rainforest. The ranger follows the instructions and tracks of the trackers who started at sunrise. The trackers first went to the spot where they encountered the gorillas the previous day and are now following their movements since then.
As soon as you spot the gorillas, they inform the guide. You carefully approach the gorilla family and the silverback. It’s a wonderful moment to stand face to face with these gentle giants of the rainforest. Your visit with the gorilla family must be limited to one hour to minimize disruption to their natural rhythms. The walk to the gorillas can be strenuous, depending on the family you are visiting. This is quickly forgotten when you see these majestic apes, but a certain level of fitness is recommended. It is also essential that you are in good health. Even a cold can prevent you from entering the gorilla enclosure to ensure their safety.
The trekking duration varies depending on the gorilla family. Proper equipment is essential. Good footwear, gaiters, and rain gear are standard. Gloves are also highly recommended, especially when encountering thorny plants.
Enjoy your time with the gorillas.
This visit is much more than “just” wildlife viewing. When you look into the eyes of these gentle giants, you see so much of ourselves. Over 98% of our genes are identical to those of gorillas, and you experience a truly sublime feeling when you stand close to these magnificent creatures. The young ones are playful and frolic within the gorilla family. A late lunch awaits you at your accommodation. After you’ve eaten, you can relax at the lodge for the rest of the afternoon.
Accommodation: Gorilla Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Bwindi – Lake Mburo NP (travel time approx. 6 hours)
After an early breakfast, you WILL depart for Lake Mburo National Park. Located on the way back towards Kampala, this national park is far too often overlooked by travelers – quite undeservedly! It awaits you with a beautiful scenery and a wealth of activities.
Although it’s Uganda’s smallest savannah park, it conceals a true natural paradise. Birdwatchers, in particular, will be in their element. More than 350 different species, such as the rare Papyrus Shrike, the Black-headed Lapwing, and the Mirror Warbler, call this park home.
In the afternoon, you will head out into nature for an extended game drive. Keep an eye out for topi, oribi, buffalo, eland, and many other animals. Besides the remote Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park is one of the only places in the entire country where you can see zebras in their natural habitat!
In the evening, you’ll embark on a night game drive, experiencing nature and wildlife from a completely different perspective. Enjoy the tranquil, magical atmosphere of this special park and unwind amidst the wilderness.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Lake Mburo National Park – Game Walk
This morning, you will embark on an early morning game walk.
Accompanied by an experienced ranger, you’ll set off on foot through the bushland, where he will be happy to share his knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Savor the special moment when you come face to face with zebras or antelopes. The first rays of the rising sun will bathe the savanna in a mystical, golden light – the perfect backdrop for unforgettable photos. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before embarking on an extended game drive.
The lodge offers a variety of activities (not included), such as mountain biking and horseback riding, which can be booked on-site. The accommodation boasts magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Grab a refreshing drink, relax, and enjoy an African sunset that paints the sky in the most spectacular shades of red and orange.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Lake Mburo– Entebbe – return home (travel time approx. 3-4 hours)
To conclude your journey, you will venture out into the wilderness one last time in the morning. Enjoy a final game drive amidst the fascinating wildlife. After a leisurely late breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to this beautiful corner of Africa.
On your way back to Entebbe, you will make a stop at the equator (Kayabwe), providing the perfect opportunity to browse for souvenirs. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight home. If you have a late flight, we can book a day room for you.
Accommodation: Not Included (end of tour)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Tour Price
Number of People | Price per Person |
1 Person | USD 7156 |
2 People | USD 5282 |
3 People | USD 4825 |
4 People | USD 4470 |
5 People | USD 4358 |
6 People | USD 4200 |
Inclusions
- All park entrance fees
- Transport in a safari-equipped off-road vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 1 night at The Boma Hotel Entebbe
- 2 nights at Turaco Treetops Lodge (standard cottage)
- 2 nights at the Elephant Hab Lodge
- 2 nights at the Gorilla Safari Lodge
- 2 nights at Mihingo Lodge
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale (permit included)
- Bigodi Village walk
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park (permit included)
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Canal in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Shoebill Tour in Mabamba
- Guided hike + night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Optional excursions or activities not pre-booked
- Uganda visa costs (USD 50)
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled frequently asked and important questions for you and answered them carefully and in the most up-to-date way. If you still have any questions, please write to us or call us!
What amenities do safari accommodations typically offer?
Even in the heart of the African wilderness, you won’t have to forgo any comforts! Whether you choose a tented camp or a lodge, your accommodation will come standard with large, comfortable beds and a private bathroom en-suite. Most rooms also offer a small private veranda, perfect for observing the surrounding nature. The main area of the accommodations typically features a cozy restaurant, an inviting lounge, and a well-stocked bar. The absolute centerpiece, almost everywhere, is the traditional campfire (the “boma”) for gathering in the evenings.
Is there drinking water on safari?
Drinking water is provided on all your game drives in the vehicle – this is included in the price. However, water ordered at the bar or restaurant of the accommodation is subject to a charge.
What to do in case of an emergency on safari.
You can leave your worries at home – even in the heart of the African wilderness, you’re in the best hands. We and our local partners are watching over you and are available 24/7. Trained first responders will look after you at your accommodations, and should you require a doctor, mobile medical personnel will provide assistance, or your driver will take you to a doctor. In an emergency, we rely on reputable air ambulance services that ensure immediate evacuation by plane. Enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind: your safety is our top priority, supported by a network of experts who are always available to you.
Is there internet access in safari accommodations?
Many hotels, lodges, and camps now offer free Wi-Fi. Internet speeds can vary considerably. For basic tasks like sending emails, WhatsApp messages, and browsing the web, the speed is usually sufficient. However, it’s generally not fast enough for streaming.
Where do you sleep on a safari?
On a safari, you’ll sleep in a variety of accommodations – from stylish lodges and cozy cottages to tented camps. The choice of accommodation depends on the destination and the desired level of comfort.
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