PRIMATEs, WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION SAFARI (12 Days)

From
USD 6562 Per Person
TOUR OVERVIEW

12-Day Primates, Wildlife and Conservation Safari

Uganda is a unique destination due to the various great apes that can be seen in this special country. Chimpanzees, Golden monkeys, and Mountain Gorillas take center stage in this tour through tropical Uganda. In between, there is time for safaris, allowing you to constantly enjoy varied landscapes. Together with the friendly locals, all the ingredients for an unforgettable adventure through southern Uganda are present! 

The accommodations have been carefully selected based on location, small scale, and atmosphere. Virtually all excursions listed in this trip are included in the tour price. 

At choose Uganda safaris, we are constantly looking for innovative and original experiences. For even more special excursions, you will have a night walk in Kibale Forest, go on lion GPS tracking in Queen Elizabeth NP, visit Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Center, and join a chat with a field veterinarian from The Gorilla Doctors and discover how they are saving the species one gorilla patient at a time.

Ready For Your Unique Uganda Journey

From  tracking wild chimpanzees on foot to standing face to face with mountain gorillas, this adventure is filled with unforgettable moments. Get in touch today and let us design your tailor-made Uganda safari.

Get A Customized Quote

Design your own uganda tour

Create a fully personalized safari through Uganda, from tracking mountain gorillas deep in the rainforest to exploring the country’s vibrant landscapes and cultures. Together with our experienced travel experts, you will shape a tour that matches your interests, pace, and sense of adventure. Let’s craft the trip that’s truly yours

Creat Your own tour

Your Itinerary In Detail

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by our company representative who will take you directly to your accommodation (15-minute drive) for a restful start to your journey. 

Located near Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe has a relaxed and local feel. If you arrive early, maybe stretch your legs with a stroll through Entebbe Botanical Garden or shop for souvenirs at Entebbe Craft Village.

Accommodation: Via Via Hotel

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast

Via-Via-Guesthouse-3

After a good night’s sleep in Entebbe, your adventure begins! Our driver guide will pick you up from your accommodation. After a tour briefing, you will start your road trip to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive will take about 5 to 6 hours (326km). You will drive past villages, rainforests, tea plantations, and crater lakes towards Fort Portal. On a clear day, you can see the Rwenzori Mountains with their snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival at Kibale Forest, you enter a completely different world: a world of primates!

You will do a night forest walk in Kibale National Park.

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest is one of the most primate-rich rainforests in Africa. Thirteen different primate species live in the forest, including the red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, red colobus monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabey, and the galago. The protected nature reserve is situated at an average altitude of 1,300 meters and is surrounded by tea plantations to the north and papyrus swamps to the south. In addition to the primate species, many special bird species can also be found in the forest and the Bigodi swamp.

Night Forest Walk in Kibale

As darkness falls, Kibale transforms. Night walks reveal a hidden world of nocturnal creatures such as bush babies with enormous eyes, various chameleon species blending into branches, and fascinating insects that emerge under cover of darkness. Guided by careful torchlight, you’ll experience the forest’s mysterious alternate self, where sounds become more pronounced and wildlife interactions take on an entirely different character.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Main House

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Today is entirely dedicated to the diverse primate species that live in this beautiful rainforest and adjoining swamp area. In the morning, you will go on a chimpanzee habituation trek, and in the late afternoon, you will take a walk through the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Between activities, you will enjoy lunch and a moment of rest at your accommodation.

Half-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience – Morning

On the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, you will visit chimpanzees that are not yet fully habituated, and you spend a large part of the day with them. You undertake the habituation day in groups of 6 travelers. Because you spend a long time in the rainforest of Kibale Forest, there is ample time, in addition to observing, to learn about these special primates, the butterfly species, the ancient rainforest, and the other animal species that live here. A unique excursion for travelers who want to experience the forest of Kibale Forest to the fullest!

Bigodi Swamp Walk – Late Afternoon

You will go for a community based guided tour of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. During this walk, you will learn more about this community-run initiative that aims to conserve the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetlands. In addition to several monkey species, you will also look for the extraordinary giant turaco; one of Uganda’s most beautiful birds. You will take the walk in the late afternoon. It gets cooler then, and you will see most monkey species going foraging. It’s a quieter, slower-paced experience than walking through the forest.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Main House

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

After your stay in the first rainforest of this trip, you continue today towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Today you travel through rural life, from the green hills full of tea plantations and crater lakes to the dry savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, you will come across various local markets.

In the afternoon, you will take one of the most spectacular boat safaris the African continent has to offer.

Please note: On this trip, you will stay 1 night in the northern part of Queen Elizabeth NP (Kasenyi) and 1 night in the southern part of the park (Ishasha). Because there are many special activities to enjoy in this park, you can also choose to add an extra night. We tailor every trip, so we organize it exactly as you wish. 

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Queen Elizabeth National Park, spanning nearly 2,000 km², lies in the Rift Valley and borders the Rwenzori Mountains to the north and Lake Edward to the west. Central to this nature reserve lies the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. You can take amazing boat safaris here. To the west of the Kazinga Channel lies a landscape of beautiful volcanic craters. The Kyambura Gorge is a massive rift in the savannah landscape, home to a rainforest and the habitat of chimpanzees. Elephants, buffaloes, topi, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and many more live in Queen Elizabeth NP. More than 600 bird species live there.

Queen Elizabeth Boat Safari – Afternoon

Queen Elizabeth National Park is surrounded by Lake Edward and Lake George. These lakes are connected by the natural Kazinga Channel, which is teeming with wildlife! A boat trip along this channel is therefore one of the absolute highlights of your visit to the park. You will rarely see so many hippos in a single day! In addition to the hippos, you can spot enormous crocodiles, bathing buffaloes, and a huge variety of birds. When you also see a group of elephants spraying each other with water, you know your day has been a complete success!

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge – Banda

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Today is dedicated to nature in Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the morning, you will go for a predator tracking experience. After this safari, you will drive for approximately 2.5 hours to the southern part of the park, Ishasha. Here, you will enjoy a well-deserved lunch at your lodge. After lunch, you will go on safari again, searching for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Predator Tracking Queen Elizabeth – Morning (optional)

In the morning, you will go on a special safari accompanied by a park biologist. This biologist studies the behavior and movements of various lion prides and a number of individual leopards. This allows you to see through the eyes of biologists and learn about the king of the savannah in a unique way! The lion prides (and leopards) are tracked using radio collars, ensuring you will encounter the lions at all times. Leopards are not guaranteed. Because you are accompanying the biologist, you are permitted to leave the roads and paths. The proceeds from this activity are used to fund the research. This excursion takes place in the morning.

Ishasha

The southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park is Ishasha. Its remote location on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo results in a low number of visitors, which benefits the wilderness character. The savannas are interspersed with numerous wild fig trees used by tree-climbing lions. The Ntungwe River flows through Ishasha, where hippos live and the vegetation is lush and dense.

Game Drive Ishasha – Afternoon

During the safari, you will search for tree-climbing lions, which seek out the upper branches of old fig trees here. Ishasha is also home to buffaloes, large groups of Ugandan kobs, and lier antelopes, among others. You can look for hippos in the Ntungwe River. You will take the safari in the afternoon, when it is still warm and the lions are still inhabiting the trees. As the sun sets, you will return to your accommodation for a refreshing drink. In the evening, you will enjoy a campfire with the sounds of the African wilderness in the background.

Accommodation: Enjojo Lodge

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

In the morning, you will have another game drive in Ishasha sector and then leave the savannas for the volcanoes of southern Uganda. The drive is truly beautiful and typifies Uganda’s diversity. You drive past rainforests, crater lakes, coffee plantations, and over mountains and hills until you reach the volcanoes at picturesque Lake Mutanda. What a view! 

Lake Mutanda

The fairytale-like Lake Mutanda lies in the far southwest of Uganda, at the foot of the Virunga volcanic range. This imposing volcanic chain connects the countries of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Various rainforests, home to the endangered mountain gorilla, are located in the vicinity of Lake Mutanda. The lake is therefore an ideal base for one of Uganda’s most extraordinary excursions: gorilla trekking. The mountain gorilla can be found in the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, among others. However, a wide variety of animals and plants can also be found in the immediate vicinity of the lake. For instance, it is possible to spot kingfishers and the grey crowned crane there. In addition to plants and birds, otters, chameleons, frogs, and lizards also live on the shores of the lake. In short: a large collection of unique animal species.

Bwindi & Lake Mutanda Excursions – (optional)

In this green and diverse environment, there is truly something for everyone. Various fun excursions can be enjoyed on and around Lake Mutanda, such as sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking on the lake. A sundowner tour (with a drink) on a motorboat is also highly recommended. In Mgahinga National Park, you can climb the Virunga volcanoes or go on a Golden Monkey trek, and in the Bwindi rainforest, in addition to the gorilla trek, you can also take various beautiful hikes. Furthermore, you can visit the Batwa Pygmies or take a village tour nearby. Do you have specific interests? Let our travel specialist know your wishes. You can discuss with the travel specialist what you book in advance and what you would like to arrange on-site.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

After an early breakfast, you will take a short drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for a golden monkey habituation experience. After the trek, there are so many optional activities you can do at Lake Mutanda. You can enjoy a lovely swim in the lake (among the otters), and on the lake you can go stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking, or take a trip on the motorboat. In the evening, you will have a fireside talk with the gorilla doctors.

Golden Monkey Habituation – Morning

In the early morning, you set off into the bamboo forest with a ranger for an in-depth gorilla monkey habituation experience. Soon you hear rustling and playful calls: the golden monkeys are constantly on the move. With their bright orange fur and long tails, they leap nimbly from branch to branch, often low to the ground. You follow them as they eat bamboo shoots, chase each other, and look on curiously. You will spend four hours in the presence of the monkeys and researchers who study them. Not only does this give you a wonderful opportunity to learn about golden monkey behavior, it also offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into primatology.

Evening fireside talk with gorilla doctors

This evening, a field veterinarian from the Gorilla Doctors will join you at your lodge for a behind-the-scenes look at their work. This organization is dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer’s) gorilla species using veterinary medicine and science. They provide medical interventions to protect the animals from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease. You’ll learn more about their fascinating work during this exclusive experience.

Water sports Lake Mutanda – (optional)

From Mutanda Lake Resort, you can enjoy fantastic water sports activities. You can take a refreshing swim in this bilharzia-free lake or sunbathe from one of the three swimming jetties. If you want to be a bit more active, you can use the stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or Laser sailboat, and for a more local experience, you can go canoeing in one of the dugout canoes. There is also a motorboat available for a trip across the lake to spot birds or simply enjoy the surroundings (with a glass of wine). Whatever you choose, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the serenity of this fairytale lake. You can book all activities on-site at Mutanda Lake Resort. 

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

In the morning, you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for perhaps the absolute highlight of your trip: the gorilla Habituation experience. In the afternoon, you reflect on this special encounter. The mountain rainforest of Bwindi, together with the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, is the most important area for gorilla trekking. This relatively small nature reserve is home to nearly half of all mountain gorillas living in the wild. In addition to the mountain gorillas, a total of 120 species of mammals and 350 species of birds live there.

Gorilla habituation day Bwindi Forest (optional)

Greenway Nature Tours offers you the opportunity to undertake the unique gorilla habituation day instead of the gorilla trekking. During this special excursion, you will join a group of researchers to experience how a gorilla family becomes habituated. Participants are allowed to stay with the gorilla family for no less than four hours, and the excursion is undertaken in a group of only four people. A truly unique insight into the habituation of the gorillas.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

After breakfast, you will be driven to Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi. From there, you will take a hike on the ancient walking trails through the mystic Bwindi jungle to CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp in the northern side of Bwindi (Buhoma sector). For 2 to 3 hours, you’ll be guided by a local expert who will furnish you with ancient tales, and incredible forest knowledge and bring you close to being one with the forest trails. If you are lucky, you will meet some wild forest inhabitants like chimps, forest elephants, duikers, forest buffalo, and more.

In Buhoma, you will take a short but heart-pumping uphill walk past the town’s main sprawl of wooden stalls to mountainside base in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Run by Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), the camp is part of the NGO research base. The NGO was founded by award-winning vet and conservationist Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, to safeguard the future of gorillas by improving living conditions and livelihoods for local communities. You will take on a tour its laboratory, where samples regularly collected from gorillas are scrutinised for microbes. You will learn a lot of conservation work here. You will spend your night here.

Accommodation: Gorilla Conservation Camp guesthouse 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

In the morning, you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for perhaps the gorilla trekking adventure in Buhoma Sector of Bwindi. 

During the gorilla trekking, you will walk and crouch through the dense forest of Bwindi. Accompanied by the most experienced rangers of the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), you will search for traces of a family of mountain gorillas.

Droppings, nests, gnawed bamboo stalks, and broken twigs reveal that we are getting closer. Once a trekking group encounters one of the gorilla families, your visit with the gorillas will last one hour. After, you will return to park offices where you will be awarded a gorilla trekking certificate. You then return to CTPH Gorilla Conservation Camp to learn more about this conversation initiative.

Accommodation: Gorilla Conservation Camp guesthouse 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

It is with very intense memories that you leave Bwindi behind. Not only is the experience with Dian Fossy’s protégés (‘Gorillas in the Mist’) etched in your memory for a lifetime, but also the beauty, the power, and the unique allure of Central African nature. Via the road connecting Rwanda with Kampala and Kenya, you drive to the lovely Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest safari area in Uganda and the only nature reserve where the impala and the eland live. Located centrally in the park is Lake Mburo, home to hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species.

Night Safari Lake Mburo

Just before dinner, you will go on an exciting night safari where you search for galagos and hyenas, and also stand a good chance of spotting a leopard!

Accommodation: Eagles Nest Mburo

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

It is with very intense memories that you leave Bwindi behind. Not only is the experience with Dian Fossy’s protégés (‘Gorillas in the Mist’) etched in your memory for a lifetime, but also the beauty, the power, and the unique allure of Central African nature. Via the road connecting Rwanda with Kampala and Kenya, you drive to the lovely Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest safari area in Uganda and the only nature reserve where the impala and the eland live. Located centrally in the park is Lake Mburo, home to hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species.

Night Safari Lake Mburo

Just before dinner, you will go on an exciting night safari where you search for galagos and hyenas, and also stand a good chance of spotting a leopard!

Accommodation: Eagles Nest Mburo

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

PRICES FOR THIS PRIVATE TRIP

We have costed this package basing on comfortable budget friendly lodges. We would be happy to discuss whether the accommodations align well with your wishes and combine different levels where desirable.

The prices below are in USD.

  • 1 Pax  – USD 9765
  • 2 Pax – USD 7537 per person
  • 3 Pax – USD 6994 per person
  • 4 Pax – USD 6562 per person

What Is INCLUDED

  • Comfortable budget-friendly accommodation as per itinerary
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • All transfers
  • A fully equipped 4×4 safari Landcruiser
  • Experienced English-speaking guides
  • Night walk in Kibale Forest National Park
  • Nature walk in the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
  • One gorilla habituation permit per person
  • One chimpanzee habituation permit per person
  • One golden monkey habituation permit per person
  • One gorilla trekking permit per person
  • Bwindi - Gorilla Doctors Veterinarian Educational Talk
  • Nature walks from Nkuringo to Buhoma
  • Visit to Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Center
  • Boat safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Predator tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Game drives in search of tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Game walk in Lake Mburo National Park
  • Drinking water in the safari vehicle
  • All park entrance fees

what is NOT Included

  • International flights to/from Uganda
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Optional excursions or activities not pre-booked
  • Uganda visa costs
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips and gratuities

Related Safari Tours

Uganda Active: Rwenzori & Gorilla Treks (12 Days)

View
From
$3,606

Uganda Adventure And Wildlife (12 Days)

View
From
$3,729

Ultimate Uganda Safari Tour (17 Days)

View
From
$4,178

TOP Destinations

Safaris BY Type

Safaris by length

CONTACT

Follow us on

Facebook X-twitter Linkedin Instagram
© Choose Uganda safaris 2026
Crafted By Ssonko Rashidu

Share

Primates, Wildlife And Conservation Safari (12 Days)