7 Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Safari

7- Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari starts and ends at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. This Uganda safari involves exclusive primate experiences such as meeting eye-to-eye with the magical mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and general wildlife encounters, boat cruises, cultural experiences, and nature walking safaris in the wilderness. It will take you to visit the most adventurous places in Uganda for the best eye-catching and memorial activities. While on this 7- Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari. You will visit Kibale Forest National Park, “the primate capital of the world,” for a chimpanzee trekking safari and culture experience, Queen Elizabeth National Park, “a medley of wonders,” for wildlife encounters, a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, and a game drive to search for tree-climbing lions, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, for the magical mountain gorilla trekking and canoeing experience on Lake Bunyonyi and conclude your safari with the visit to Lake Mburo National Park. During your safari in Uganda, you will explore the most scenic places, rolling hills, vast tea plantations, meet various people, and see several wildlife species, including members of the big five mammals of the African Jungle (Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Caped Buffaloes).

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Meet, greet and get transferred to your booked Hotel in Entebbe-Entebbe Botanical Gardens

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly met by our company representative with your professional English-speaking safari guide, greet and then transferred to your booked hotel in Entebbe town to check in and freshen yourself and later meet with our company representative and safari guide at the hotel reception to brief you about your 7- Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari. The hotel is about a 10–15-minute drive from Entebbe International Airport on the shores of Lake Victoria. Later, if time allows, drive to Entebbe Botanical gardens that is found on the shore of Lake Victoria for a walking safari. Botanical gardens is a home to some primates, such as Vervet monkeys and several bird species. The walking safari will take you to the shores of Lake Victoria, where you will spot some water birds and enjoy the fresh breezes from the lake as well as get used to Uganda’s beautiful nature. Lake Victoria is the largest water body in Africa and the second largest freshwater body in the world and is shared by three East African Countries (Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya). Lake Victoria is also the source of the River Nile, which is the longest river on the planet, flowing for more than 6,600 kilometres (4,100 miles) from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea in the north through several African countries. these include Uganda, Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan. Later, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation; Serena Kigo Entebbe ( Luxury)The Boma Hotel (Mid range) , 2 Friends Entebbe ( Budget)

Meal plan; Dinner

Day 2: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park – Visit Bigodi Sanctuary Swamp Walk and Community tour

Wake up early in the morning (0630am) to have all your travel bags arranged, be served breakfast, check out of the hotel to meet your English-speaking safari guide, have all your bags packed in the vehicle, and then start your drive (0730am) to Kibale Forest National Park, about 348 kilometres. Along the way you will enjoy the scenic landscape, undulating hills and tea estates as a way of appreciating nature and Uganda’s beauty. Kibale Forest National Park is famously known for its biggest population of chimpanzees, amounting to more than 1500 individual chimpanzees, and some of these are well habituated for tourism and research. The park is also referred to as Africa’s primate capital, with 13 primate species recorded, more than any national park or wildlife reserve in Africa, hence making the park a primate lover’s haven.  On arrival at the park, check in at your booked lodge, refresh and then drive to Bigodi Sanctuary swamp and community.

Bigodi sanctuary swamp is a rich area with many plants and animals, making it a great place for bird lovers with over 138 bird species and eight types of primates. You can see monkeys like the grey-cheeked mangabey and olive baboons, as well as mammals like bushbucks and mongooses. The local community manages the swamp to protect its environment for the future. During your visit, you can see various birds and monkeys. The Bigodi community walk lets you meet local people, learn about their daily activities without modern technology, and see how they make banana gin, coffee, and crafts. Dinner and an overnight stay are included.

Accommodation:  Chimpundu ( Luxury) ,Kibale Tourist Lodge ( Mid range) , Kibale Forest Camp ( Budget)

Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner.

Day 3:Chimpanzee trekking  and transfer to Queen Elizabeth- 7 Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Safari

After breakfast, you’ll meet your safari guide and go to the park information offices for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of chimpanzee watching. Then, you’ll begin a guided forest walk to search for chimpanzees, our closest relatives who share 98.8% of our DNA. During the walk, you might see other wildlife, including forest hogs, bush pigs, birds, and other primates, with your guide sharing interesting facts to enhance the adventure.

Once you find chimpanzees, you’ll have one hour to observe them play, feed, and care for their young while taking photos. After this experience, you’ll return to relax and enjoy lunch before driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its diverse wildlife, which includes over 95 mammal species, big cats, 10 primate species, and 600 bird species. The park features the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George.  Before checking into your lodge, you’ll visit the Katwe community, famous for its traditional salt mining since the 16th century. You’ll learn about their salt extraction practices and may even participate in mining. After the community tour, you’ll head to your lodge for the evening to relax before dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation option: Elephant Plains ( Luxury),  Parkview Safari Lodge( Midrange), Bush Lodge( Budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 4:  Morning game drive – Mid-morning boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Wake up early to enjoy coffee and have your packed breakfast before heading to the northern part of the park for a game drive safari. Your safari guide will help you spot various wildlife, including Cape buffalo, elephants, Uganda Kobs, lions, and many bird species. If you’re lucky, you might see a leopard. Take a break to enjoy your full breakfast and continue exploring the park for more wildlife. After the game drive, freshen up and go on a mid-morning boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The boat cruise is a highly recommended activity and lets you see animals like hippos, Nile crocodiles, and elephants, along with many water birds such as the African Fish Eagle and Kingfishers. This two-hour experience is a must-do for guests at Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Later, return to your lodge for lunch and relax before traveling to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park via the Ishasha sector. During this journey, look for the unique tree-climbing lions. After the game drive, have lunch and proceed to Bwindi, known for being home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and its rich biodiversity, with around 400 tree species and 120 mammal species. After your day, enjoy dinner and spend the night at your lodge.

Accommodation option: Sanctuary Gorilla forest camp(Luxury), Silverback Lodge (Mid-range), Gorilla Mist Camp (Budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner

Day 5:  Mountain gorilla trekking –Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

On Day 5 of the7- Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari, You will wake up early at 6:00 AM to prepare for mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. After having a hearty breakfast and packing lunch with enough drinking water, travelers meet their safari guide and proceed to the park’s information office for a briefing. This includes dos and don’ts for interacting with mountain gorillas and details about their allocated gorilla family. It is advisable to hire a porter to assist with carrying supplies during the trek.

You will  start the trek through the forest in search of the mountain gorillas. The duration to find the gorilla family can range from 45 minutes to 4 hours depending on their location. Therefore, it’s essential to be physically and mentally ready for a potentially long walk-through hilly terrain with no clear paths. Carrying enough water and snacks is recommended to stay hydrated and energized during the search. Once you  find the gorilla family, which includes a giant silverback, mothers, infants, and juveniles, the excitement of seeing them in their natural habitat is fulfilling. You will  spend up to one hour observing the gorillas’ behavior and social interactions, capturing photographs and videos for memories.  After trekking you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi to relax, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation option: Bird nest Resort (Luxury), Arcadia Lodge Bunyonyi (Mid-range), Bunyonyi Safari Resort (Budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 6: Morning boat canoeing – Drive to Lake Mburo National Park – Evening game drive safari

On your day 6 of 7 Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Safari you will wake up at your convenient time and enjoy breakfast before going on a morning canoe safari on Lake Bunyonyi, lasting about 2 hours. You’ll explore the lake and visit its 29 islands with a knowledgeable local guide. Each island has a unique story, like Akampene Island, known as “punishment island.” This island was used by the Bikiga community to isolate girls who became pregnant before marriage as a way to teach a lesson to others. Poor men unable to afford a bride price could take wives from among those exiled to the island. In African society, a girl’s pregnancy before marriage brings shame to her family, leading to strict parenting to protect their daughters from such situations.After canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi, check out from your lodge and begin your trip to Lake Mburo National Park. Stop at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch and an optional tour of the museum, highlighting the history and culture of the Ankole people. Continue to the park, check into your accommodation, and then head out for an evening game drive to see wildlife such as zebras, impalas, and giraffes. Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest savannah protected area in Uganda, is rich in plant and animal life, featuring 350 bird species and 68 mammal species, along with 13 small lakes that support various animals like buffaloes, leopards, and hippos.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Kigarama Safari Lodge ( Midrange), Eagles Nest Lodge Lake Mburo ( Budget)

Meal Plan; Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 7: Lake Mburo National Park – Morning nature walk – Drive back to Entebbe

On this day, you will have breakfast and then go for an early morning nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park. This activity allows you to view wildlife and birds on foot with armed rangers. You might see animals like zebras, impalas, and elands, which are curious about their relatives. The nature walk offers a peaceful way to explore the park without causing noise or air pollution, unlike a safari vehicle. After the walk, return to your lodge , check out, and begin your drive back to Entebbe International Airport. On the way, you will stop at the Uganda equator line in Kayabwe, which divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

At the equator landmark, you can see a water experiment demonstrating how water drains differently in each hemisphere: clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere. The sun rises and sets quickly, and temperatures remain steady throughout the year. You can take photos with one foot in each hemisphere, capturing a moment on both sides of the world. It is claimed that standing on the equator reduces your body weight by about 3 kg, which you can test for yourself. After the water experiment, enjoy lunch and shop for souvenirs featuring Ugandan local art. Then, continue your journey to Entebbe International Airport for your return flight, concluding your 7-day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch

Inclusions for 7- Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari package

• Private transport for 7 days in a well-modified safari van / (4×4 WD, air-conditioned and pop-up roof) shared 4 x 4 open-sided land cruiser, airstrip transfers
• Bottled mineral water and all en-route meals
• All park entrance fees
• Mountain gorilla trekking permit per person
• Mountain gorilla trekking at Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park
• 1 chimpanzee trekking permit per person
• Evening Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community walking safari
• Evening to Katwe salt mining community
• 2 hours afternoon boat cruise safari on the Kazinga channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• A visit to Kayabwe equator Landmark
• Evening A visit and boat canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
• Service of an English-speaking professional driver/guide during safari
• Full Board Accommodation whilst on safari
• All park entrance fees and government taxes as per the itinerary.

Exclusions for 7- Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Encounter Safari package

• International airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Extra meals and drinks both Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Tipping
• Items of a personal nature i.e., telephone/internet usage, laundry, drinks etc.
• Change in itinerary, in park fees, or other charges beyond our control.
• All Activities not mentioned in the package
• Early check-in or late check-out