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Discover the Great Apes of Uganda

OVER VIEW

Discover the wonders of Uganda on an immersive 8-Day Great Apes of Uganda Tour, exploring the lush landscapes of the Pearl of Africa. Encounter vibrant primate communities, from the playful chimpanzees of Kibale to the majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi.

Visit the captivating Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Ngamba Island, where you'll learn about the region's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts.



SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

  • Chimp Trekking in Kibale Forest: Encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
  • Nature Walk in Bigodi Community: Explore diverse birdlife and local culture.
  • Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest: Get close to endangered mountain gorillas.
  • Chimpanzee Feeding at Ngamba Island: Learn about conservation at the Island.
  • All-Inclusive Safari: Enjoy midrange accommodations supporting local communities and responsible travel.
  • ITINERARY
  • WHAT TO PACK
  • INCLUDES
  • TRAVEL INFORMATION
  • REQUEST A QUOTE 
ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport

Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House

Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 2: Kampala– Kibale Forest National Park

Begin your adventure in Kampala, journeying westward towards the enchanting town of Fort Portal. As you traverse the scenic landscapes, look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, and other playful primates that dwell in the treetops.

Pause for a delightful lunch in Fort Portal, a town renowned for its majestic views of the legendary Mountains of the Moon and sprawling tea plantations. From this picturesque stop, your journey continues to the lush, verdant Kibale National Park, where you’ll immerse yourself in the heart of the tropical forest.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Enjoy breakfast, then walk to the park headquarters for a 7:30 am briefing. Thereafter head for a guided nature walk to find the chimpanzees, along with red-tailed and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Spend an unforgettable hour observing the chimps in their natural habitat.

After your trek, enjoy a refreshing lunch then head to Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary: Explore the 4.5 km walk through the sanctuary, home to over 200 bird species like the Great Blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek, and 8 primate species, including Black-and-white Colobus and Olive Baboons. This 3-hour walk offers a rich experience of wildlife and nature. Head back the camp for relaxation.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 4: Kibale National Park – Bwindi National Park

After breakfast head to Bwindi National Park, the home of the mountain gorillas with lunch en route, take time to look at the amazing scenery and homesteads of the local communities. You will arrive in the early evening for relaxation in preparation for your gorilla trekking adventure.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Mwebesa Lodge.

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 5:  Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park   

In the early morning, you will be briefed on gorilla tracking at the park headquarters and assigned groups of 8 people per group. Accompanied by a guide and your packed lunch, you will go in search of the gorillas in a small group. You walk through the forest, sometimes you descend again and then climb up a slope again. The duration of gorilla tracking is unpredictable. 

The walk can be quite strenuous due to the muddy trails and mountainous areas and can take up to 8 hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved in search of food. It is worth it and what awaits you, in the end, is indescribable.

For an hour you can admire these peaceful ‘Gentle Giants’ as they go about their daily activities of grooming, feeding, and playing. It is a once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience.

Optional 2-hour Community Activity if trekking ends early:

Explore the Buhoma Community for a cultural experience where you get to learn about their way of life, and traditional basket weaving, explore the Banana plantation for a traditional brewing demonstration that uses Bananas and includes the distilling of one of the local gins.

You visit a traditional healer who uses local herbs to treat the sick, visit the Batwa -Pygmy community and learn about their way of life as well.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Mwebesa House

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 6: Transfer back to Entebbe 

After a delightful breakfast, embark on your journey back to Entebbe, with a fascinating stop at the Equator for an intriguing water flow demonstration, showcasing the unique interaction between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing your journey arriving in the evening.

For a more scenic experience, opt for a flight from Kihihi Airfield, treating yourself to breathtaking aerial views. Upon arrival in Entebbe, unwind and indulge in the welcoming ambiance of Boma Guest House, where your meals and accommodation will be provided.


Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 7: Ngamba Island Sanctuary – Chimp feeding session    

After a delightful breakfast, head for an exciting 45-minute boat ride across the sparkling waters to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Upon arrival, step into the visitor’s center where you’ll be warmly introduced to the sanctuary’s incredible story—its mission, history, and the remarkable chimpanzee residents who call it home. At 11:00 am, experience the joy of witnessing the chimpanzee feeding session, a heartwarming moment that connects you to the island’s cause.

After lunch, take time to explore the sanctuary further, browse the island’s gift shop for meaningful keepsakes, or enjoy a serene bird-watching session. As the afternoon draws to a close, head back to the mainland and unwind at the guest house.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House

Comfort Level: Mid-range


Day 8:  Departure

After breakfast, depending on your flight details, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home at the end of your Primate Safari in Uganda.

Meal Plan: Breakfast


WHAT TO PACK

• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.

• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.

• Insect repellent and sunscreen.

• Reusable water bottle.

• Binoculars and a good camera.

• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.

• Nature blending clothes

INCLUDES

Included in the Itinerary

  • Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel
  • All Nature walks 
  • All Boat Cruises 
  • Gorilla trekking permit
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit
  • Drinking water / refillable water bottle
  • English-speaking Guide
  • Accommodation and Meals
  • All Park Entrance Fees.


Excluded in the Itinerary

  • International Airfares;
  • Visa Fees;
  • Drinks and Beverages
  • Tips, and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff
  • Optional activities unless specified as included
  • Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.


TRAVEL INFORMATION

Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.

In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.

For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.

We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.

Entry Requirements:

Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.

Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.

Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.

You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.

Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.

Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.

Visa Exempt Countries:

The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).

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East Africa Tourist Visa:

If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.

Banking and Currency:

US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.

Credit Cards:

Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.

Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:

Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags

Health and Medical Information

Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.

Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.

Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.

Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.

This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information

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