15-Day Uganda Wildlife and Primate Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our guest advisor and your English-speaking safari guide. After, you will get transferred to your pre-booked hotel in Entebbe for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2 friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range), Papyrus Guest House (Budget)

Meals: Bed and Breakfast

After a breakfast, you will head to the Mabamba Wetlands in Kasanje, near Lake Victoria. You’ll be guided by a local and board a motorized canoe to search for the shoebill, a bird often seen in marshes. After spotting the shoebill, you’ll observe other wetland bird species, including African jacana, white-winged tern, purple swan, purple heron, blue-breasted bee-eater, spotted kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, winding cisticola, red-billed fish eagle, wigeon, long-billed lapwing, African wagtail, short-billed stork, Cape wagtail, Fan-tailed widowbird, yellow-billed duck, long-billed plover, eagle-owl, marsh harrier, and swamp flycatcher. You’ll return to the lodge for lunch and a relaxing evening before dinner and the evening.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2 friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range), Papyrus Guest House (Budget)

Meals: Dinner

Wake up early for breakfast at around 6:30 am, check out and a drive to Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. The journey includes a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where white rhinos can be observed in the wild. The sanctuary was established in 2005 to reintroduce rhinos into Uganda’s wildlife inventory. The trek allows for close observation with a local guide and a maximum of one hour with the rhinos. After the rhinos, guests can relax and enjoy lunch at the Kabalega Diner. The next day, the journey continues to Murchison Falls National Park. The park offers a breathtaking view of the Nile from Lake Victoria, passing through a narrow gorge that creates a loud murmur of the falls. After visiting the falls, guests cross the Nile and drive to their lodge. Murchison Falls National Park is home to 76 recorded mammal species, including Jackson’s Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Hippopotamus, and Nile Crocodile. The park also houses 450 recorded bird species, including the rare shoebill, Ethiopian Ground Hornbill, and Open-billed stork. The itinerary concludes with dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-Range), Hornbill Safari Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The safari begins with a cup of coffee and prepare your breakfast before heading to the northern part of the park. During your game drive, your guide will help you observe various wildlife species, including capped buffalo, elephants, Ugandan waterbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, Roth’s giraffe, oribi, lions, common warthogs, and some primate species. If lucky, you might spot a leopard. After breakfast, you continue your safari to fully explore the park and observe wildlife species. In the afternoon, you return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch before embarking on an afternoon Nile safari cruise at the Paraa assembly point. The boat cruise travels up the tranquil Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, stopping near the “Devil’s Cauldron.” The cruise takes you through areas populated by aquatic mammals and birds, including bloated hippos, Nile crocodiles, Egyptian goose, goliath heron, kingfisher, pelican, bee-eater, hornbill, and cormorant. You may also spot land mammals coming to drink and swim. After the boat, you return to your lodge for a night game drive, where you can encounter the park’s nocturnal mammals and birds, such as lions, leopards, porcupines, civet cats, spotted hyenas, and grazing hippos.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-Range), Hornbill Safari Lodge (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Today, you will wake up at an ideal time to pack your luggage into the safari vehicle, have breakfast, leave the park, and cross the Nile. Next, you will travel to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda, known as the primate capital of Africa, housing over 13 different primate species and the largest group of chimpanzees at more than 1,500. Kibale is famous for its chimpanzee tracking activities and offers opportunities to see various primates such as black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, and endangered L’hoest’s monkeys. Additionally, the park is home to forest elephants, antelopes, and over 370 bird species. On the way to Kibale, you will see beautiful tea plantations and the shadow of Mount Rwenzori. There will be a stop in Fort Portal City for lunch and a walk before heading to the lodge in the park and then to Bigodi Swamp for a nature walk and community experience.

The Bigodi Sanctuary Swamp is known for its rich wildlife, including eight species of primates such as baboons and various monkeys, along with other animals like mongooses and over 200 bird species. A community walk will be conducted by a knowledgeable local guide who can identify various animals, birds, and plants, sharing detailed information about their breeding habits. Visitors will see lush vegetation and wildlife at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and finish their excursion in Bigodi Village, which showcases a typical Ugandan rural lifestyle with mud houses and gardens. During the stay, visitors will interact with locals to learn about their daily lives and participate in activities like coffee cultivation and exploring local cuisine. The banana experience tour allows guests to visit banana plantations in Kibale National Park, where they will discover the history of bananas and how to make banana juice and banana waragi (gin). Participants can taste natural banana products and engage with the community while enjoying the beautiful landscape of Kibale National Park. Following the tour, guests will return to their lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops (Luxury), Kibale Forest Lodge (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Rise early and dress properly for chimpanzee trekking with waterproof shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, a raincoat, a hat, and insect repellent. After breakfast, meet your safari guide at the park’s information center for a briefing on trekking rules and regulations.

Begin your forest walk in search for chimpanzees and other forest animals. These includes various primates like l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys, as well as mammals such as forest elephants and buffaloes. The walk also offers a chance to see different bird species. Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives with 98.8% of human DNA, can be found in only 21 African countries, with Uganda having a high concentration of them. Kibale National Park is particularly noted for having over 1,500 chimpanzees, making it the top destination for chimpanzee trekking, which can last from 30 minutes to 4 hours based on their movements. Visitors can spend up to an hour with them, taking photos and asking questions, while knowledgeable guides provide information about the wildlife. After the chimpanzee encounter, participants receive a certificate and enjoy lunch with their safari guide before heading to Rubaliika Farm Lodge for a local farming experience. The day includes village activities like cooking and learning about community life, concluding with a return to the lodge for the night.

Accommodation: Chimpundu Safari Lodge (luxury), Rubaliika Farm Lodge (Mid-Range), Kibale Forest Camp (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Wake up early today, have breakfast, and explore the Kasenda Crater Lakes. This hiking tour teaches about the lakes’ formation and importance to Uganda, showcasing beautiful landscapes and rich history along the way. Exploring lakes on foot is a great experience in Uganda’s Kibale Forest National Park, known for its unique crater lakes formed by ancient volcanic activity about 10,000 years ago. The Kibale-Ndali-Kasenda Crater Lakes are notable ones, but the water is toxic and has a sulfur smell, so it’s important to check if it’s safe to swim before diving in. After visiting the crater lakes, you’ll continue your safari at Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its big cats like lions and leopards, and the Kazinga Channel with many hippos. The park hosts over 600 bird species, around 2,500 elephants, approximately 5,000 hippos, 10,000 buffalo, and other small animals. Upon arriving at the park, you will check into your lodge and relax by Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel before dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Elephant Hab Lodge (Mid-Range), Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Wake up early at 6:00 a.m. for coffee, collect breakfast, and travel to the Kasenyi sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arriving early allows you to see nocturnal birds and mammals like leopards, lions, civets, and servals before they hide. The Kasenyi area is popular for wildlife watching, with a variety of African birds and a grassy savannah habitat. During the Kasenyi Plains safari, take photos and look for birds such as hooded vultures, short-toed snake eagles, and bateleurs, along with mammals like elephants, cape buffalo, and waterbucks. After observing wildlife, return to the lodge around noon for lunch and relaxation. Later, go on a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel for a bird safari, spotting water birds like the African mourning dove and various nightjars. This boat safari is a highlight for visitors, offering close views of hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife. After the cruise, enjoy a night safari to see more animals, before returning to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Elephant Hab Lodge (Mid-Range), Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, you will wake up early for breakfast and then go on a game drive to look for tree-dwelling lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is famous for its unique lions that rest in the fig trees, watching Ugandan waterbucks and other animals. You may also see leopards in the trees. The Ishasha section is great for safaris, offering visitors the chance to see these lions along with other wildlife, making it a memorable experience. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most popular parks, providing a habitat for many types of big game, including lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and various antelopes and primates. Your safari guide will help you spot as many species as possible and share information about the wildlife you see. After the safari, you will relax and then travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is known for being home to a large population of mountain gorillas, with about 500 in total. Bwindi is an ancient rainforest, rich in biodiversity with nearly 400 tree species, 120 mammal species, and over 350 bird species.

Accommodation: Bwindi Lodge (Luxury), Bakiga Lodge (mid-range), Ride 4 A Woman (Budget)

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Wake up early to pack your backpack and dress appropriately for mountain gorilla trekking. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket, a round hat, and thick gloves to deal with the weather. After packing, have breakfast, collect your packed lunches, and meet your safari guide at the park’s information center for a briefing. This briefing covers best practices, what to expect, and how to behave around gorillas. You will be split into groups of eight to track a specific gorilla family, each group accompanied by two armed rangers and a machete-carrying guide. Once the briefing is complete, your group will enter the forest to search for the designated gorilla family using various trails. The trek can last from 45 minutes to 6 hours, so being physically and mentally fit is essential. If you feel unfit for a long trek, request an easier family to track. A challenging route may lead to varied wildlife encounters, as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts species such as chimpanzees and African elephants. When you find the gorilla family, you have an hour to observe and interact with them, remembering to stay calm and quiet. After your visit, return to the starting point for a trekking certificate and then enjoy lunch before driving to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (Luxury), Lake Mulehe (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Wake up early for breakfast, load your luggage into the vehicle, and collect your packed lunch from the lodge. Then, leave to visit the Batwa Pygmy community for a cultural experience. The Batwa once lived in the Bwindi and Mgahinga forests, but after these areas became national parks to protect wildlife, they lost their homes and faced hardships. The Batwa Trail was created to share their way of life and preserve their culture for future generations. During the trail, you will explore their traditional lifestyle, learning about their hunting methods, house-building with local materials, and traditional medicine using local herbs. You will also visit caves used during tribal wars and see how to make fire from wood. The women’s groups will entertain you with dances and plays. After the visit, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the early evening, you’ll go on a boat safari on Lake Mutanda, a great place to unwind after your day’s activities.

During your trip to Lake Mutanda, you will enjoy a canoe ride with a local guide who will show you local life and islands. After the canoeing, you will go otter-watching in the Kaboko River channel, where you can see clawed otters. Remember to bring your camera to capture these moments. You will also visit Kyangushu Island, the site of Kyangushu’s burial and the largest island in the lake, where you can see stunning views of the Bunagana-DRC border and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park before heading back for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (Luxury), Lake Mulehe (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Get up very early in the morning to dress properly for observing primates. Wear waterproof hiking shoes, a rain jacket, long pants, thick gloves, and bring a camera, binoculars, wipes, and other necessary equipment. Enjoy breakfast and pack snacks, then meet your safari guide. Drive to the Ntebeko Park Information Center to meet others and attend a presentation by the forest ranger about how to observe primates respectfully and safely. Afterward, hike in the forest to search for primates and other wildlife like wild buffalo, elephants, L’hoest monkeys, and various birds. If you’re lucky, you might trek with mountain gorillas. Your guide will share information along the way. You’ll spend up to an hour with the golden monkeys, watching their behavior as they feed and play. Feel free to take photos and ask questions. After the monkey experience, return for a picnic lunch and then relax at Lake Bunyonyi, a great place to unwind after your adventures.

Accommodation: Birdnest Resort (Luxury), Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Mid-range), Heritage Lodge (Budget)

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Today, wake up early for breakfast before heading to Lake Mburo National Park. Stop at the Igongo Cultural Center for lunch and visit the local museum to learn more about the area. After that, meet your guide to continue your safari at Lake Mburo National Park, which has over 68 mammal species and more than 350 bird species. Upon arrival, lunch will be served, and you’ll have time to freshen up before enjoying a 4×4 game drive in the evening. Lake Mburo National Park, although small compared to others, offers opportunities to see various animals like zebra, impala, and giraffe, along with high numbers of leopards. After the evening safari, return to the lodge for refreshments, dinner, and an overnight stay at Kigarama Wilderness Lodge.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Kigarama Wilderness Lodge (midrange), Eagles Nest (Budget)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Today, wake up early for breakfast before heading to Lake Mburo National Park. Stop at the Igongo Cultural Center for lunch and a visit to the local museum to learn more about the area. Afterward, meet your guide to start your safari in Lake Mburo National Park, which has over 68 mammal species and more than 350 bird species. Upon arrival, you will have lunch, settle into your room, and enjoy some free time. In the evening, take a 4×4 game drive through the park, known for its diverse wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, and the highest concentration of leopards in Uganda. After the evening safari, return to the lodge for refreshments, dinner, and an overnight stay at Kigarama Wilderness Lodge (Mid-Range). You will have the opportunity to prove it right or wrong by taking photos from the center of the planet. After your equator experience, visit the craft shops, have lunch, and then head to Kampala for the night.

Accommodation: Serena Hotel (Luxury), Fairway Hotel (mid-range)

Meals: Bed and breakfast

Today, you will wake up at leisure, have breakfast and after visit the Gaddafi Mosque, the Kasubi Tombs, and the Kabaka’s Palace. The safari will conclude with a visit to Nakasero Market before returning to Entebbe International Airport to meet your return flight.

Meal plan: Lunch

Inclusions:

•        All airport transfers (pickup and drop-off)
•        Professional English-speaking guide
•        1 gorilla trekking permit per person
•        1 chimpanzee trekking per person
•        All accommodation for the entire safari and meal plans
•        Drinking water throughout the safari
•        All park entrance fees and government taxes.
•        Fuel for 15 days
•        All activities mentioned in the itinerary
•        All ground transport using a 4×4 safari vehicle
•        All en route meals included
•        Drinking water (other drinks not included)

Exclusions:

•        Travel insurance
•        Alcoholic drinks and all soft drinks such as sodas, juice, and wines in lodges
•        Visa Ticket
•        Extra activities not included in the itinerary
•        Personal items such as telephone charges, laundry, tips, souvenirs, etc.