Primate and Wildlife Safari in Uganda

Quick Facts

Days

10

Takes you to

Kibale Forest, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha sector, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.

SAFARI OVERVIEW OF

Primate and Wildlife Safari in Uganda

This captivating 10-day Primate and Wildlife Safari journeys through the Pearl of Africa. Experience Uganda’s stunning landscapes and incredible wildlife as you journey into the lush tropical forests of Kibale and Bwindi National Parks, home to playful chimpanzees and majestic mountain gorillas.

Discover the untamed beauty of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks, where thrilling encounters with diverse wildlife await, making this adventure an unforgettable exploration of Uganda’s natural wonders.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Chimp Trekking in Kibale Forest: Track playful chimpanzees in their lush natural habitat.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: Discover a rich ecosystem teeming with birdlife and wildlife.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Adventures: Join the Lion Experiential Project and enjoy a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions: Witness the rare sight of lions lounging in trees.
Kichwamba Community Experience: Enjoy a coffee farm tour and vibrant traditional dance.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: Embark on an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas.
Lake Mburo National Park Activities: Enjoy nature walks, cycling, horseback riding, and night game drives.
Comfortable Midrange Lodges: Stay in handpicked lodges that blend comfort with sustainability.

DETAILED 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 at the start of the Primate and Wildlife Safari in Uganda.

Meal Plan: Dinner | Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale National Park

Start your day with a hearty breakfast before setting off on a scenic westward drive to Fort Portal. Along the way, enjoy a delicious lunch stop as you take in the changing landscapes. Nestled in the foothills of the legendary "Mountains of the Moon," Fort Portal welcomes you with its lush surroundings and picturesque tea plantations. From here, continue southwest to Kibale National Park, where breathtaking views of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Today, start your day with breakfast, followed by a pre-tracking briefing at 7:30 a.m. Then, journey to the trailhead for an unforgettable guided primate walk through the lush tropical rainforest. Encounter the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and more as you delve into the heart of nature.

With treks typically lasting 3-4 hours, prepare for remarkable chimp sightings in their natural habitat. Join a small group of up to 6, led by a seasoned forest ranger, on an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience. Spend an awe-inspiring hour observing these fascinating creatures in their daily routines.

Afterward, return to the lodge for a delicious lunch before venturing to the Bigodi Swamp Walk. Managed by the local community, this initiative boasts a remarkable array of birdlife and primates. Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled by the presence of over 200 species, including the magnificent Great Blue Turaco.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Turaco Treetops | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 4: To Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat cruise Kazinga Channel – Coffee Tour

Start your day with a symphony of birdsong in the park, followed by a delightful breakfast as the sun rises. Then, embark on an adventure to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll encounter iconic wildlife such as hippos, buffalo, elephants, kobs, and a myriad of bird species.

After indulging in a satisfying lunch, set sail on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway teeming with diverse birdlife, majestic elephants, and herds of buffalo. Look out for the playful antics of the hundreds of hippos lounging along the shores.

Cap off your day with a captivating coffee tour, immersing yourself in the art of coffee processing. During the tour, you will get to learn how the whole process of growing coffee seeds, production stages, and the final stage of consumption, or market stage. Have a tangible experience by yourself and feel the taste of African coffee while supporting the lives of orphans and other vulnerable children and the elderly in the community.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: The Bush Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 5: Game Safari – Ishasha sector – Tree climbing lions

After breakfast, head for the lion research project that allows visitors to participate in monitoring the pride in the park, using locator devices and learning habituation calls, as well as monitoring weather, surroundings, and behavior.

The Lion Project involves the clients and the researchers heading out as early as 6:30 a.m. with a safari vehicle equipped with radio-collar-receiving equipment to keep track of the lions. Later, head for Ishasha sector, home of the popular tree-climbing lions, another major highlight of the primate & wildlife safari.

You shall first check in at the lodge for lunch and thereafter head for the game drive in search of the tree-climbing lions as they cling to the fig trees.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 6: To Bwindi National Park

Start your day with a delightful bush breakfast, then embark on another game drive through the Ishasha sector, in search of the iconic tree-climbing lions. During your game drive, you may also encounter herds of elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and other antelope species grazing on the lush grasslands.

Afterward, journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with lunch en route, arriving in the evening at the Home of the Mountain Gorillas.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

In the early morning, you will be briefed on gorilla tracking at the park headquarters and assigned to 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.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 8: Transfer to Lake Mburo Park – Cycling session or Evening game drive.

We drive to Lake Mburo National Park, and as we enter the park, you will likely spot some wildlife, like impalas, zebras, and buffaloes, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you can go on a boat ride on the lake and enjoy the rich birdlife and the hippos that are cooling off. In the evening, you will have an evening game drive in search of zebras, buffalo, giraffes, and impalas, among others, before returning to the Lodge for relaxation.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 9: Nature walk and Boat Cruise

Early start of the day, as we will go for a bushwalk guided by a ranger. Lake Mburo National Park is renowned for its rich birdlife and beautiful lakes. Enjoy a nature walk searching for zebras, warthogs, buffalo, and impala, and, if you’re lucky, see the largest of Africa’s antelopes, the beautiful Eland.

Return for lunch and thereafter enjoy a serene boat cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Mburo, where nature unfolds in all its beauty. Glide past lush shorelines and witness a variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, and an array of water birds such as the African fish eagle and pied kingfisher. This leisurely experience offers breathtaking views of the park’s rolling landscapes and provides a unique perspective on Lake Mburo’s rich biodiversity.

Alternative Activity: Community-Based Tour to the nearby pastoralist communities and learn about their traditional way of life, deeply rooted in cattle herding.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner | Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge | Comfort Level: Mid-range

Day 10: Departure

Depart the park on this day after a relaxed breakfast. You will have lunch en route and arrive in the early evening in Entebbe. A day room option is available if your flight is late in the evening.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

Included in the Primate and Wildlife Safari in Uganda

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel
English-speaking Guide
Accommodation and Meals
All Park Entrance Fees.
All Nature walks
All Community Visits
All Boat Cruises
All Game Drives
Gorilla trekking permit USD 800PP
Chimpanzee trekking permit USD 250PP
Drinking water / refillable water bottle

Excluded from the Primate and Wildlife Safari in Uganda

International Airfares;
Visa Fees USD 50;
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.

Uganda – The Pearl of Africa’s Untamed Beauty

Uganda, aptly named the Pearl of Africa, is a land gifted by Nature. It is located in the Great Lakes Region with breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary biodiversity, and unforgettable adventures. This remarkably diverse country is where the East African savannah meets the lush West African jungle, creating an ecological paradise unlike any other.

Towering over Uganda’s landscapes are the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s third-highest range, and the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes, while the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, cradle its southern border. Lying in a basin between the eastern and western branches of the Rift Valley, Uganda’s elevated position gives it a more temperate climate than its equatorial location might suggest. Most of the country sits over 1,000 meters above sea level, with a landscape that is largely flat apart from the forested mountain ranges that often define its borders.

One of Africa’s most water-rich nations, Uganda’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands cover 25% of its surface, keeping the landscape lush and green for most of the year, though the northern region gradually transitions into semi-desert.

Nowhere else on the continent can travelers witness such a rich variety of primates with such ease. From great apes—mountain gorillas and chimpanzees—to over a dozen monkey species, Uganda is a primate lover’s paradise. But it’s not just primates that thrive here. With over 1,000 bird species, Uganda is a birder’s wonderland, home to rare rainforest specialists and some of Africa’s most sought-after birds.

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$50). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online 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 Commission 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).

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, valid for 90 days, for USD 100 per visa. For more information, go through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration if you are entering Uganda first, or the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.

Money and Currency:

Before you travel, call your credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling. This will help to ensure the credit card company won’t flag any of your vacation expenses. ATMs are available in major towns or cities, though at times may not be reliable due to a limited amount of money to be withdrawn.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Major hotels and restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard. AMEX and others are not recommended as establishments usually don’t support them. Note that a surcharge of 5% is attached to their usage.
Local Currencies are recommended to use while on safari. There are many forex bureaus and banks in the capital cities and the main towns. Smaller denominations than US$100 may attract a less favorable rate of exchange. Notes older than 2010 may not be accepted in the country.
Forex Bureaus are located in major towns or cities and have regular banking hours Monday to Friday from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs. Saturdays are open from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs. Traveler’s Cheques may be changed in major towns/cities. American Express cheques are accepted, but they do attract a low rate. If you can, forego this option. Note: A purchase receipt and a passport are often asked for by the bank and forex bureaus as proof of ownership.

Health and Medical Information

Travelers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days before your departure; otherwise, you won’t obtain a visa. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. On top of that, it is also advised that you get vaccinations for DTP, Hepatitis A, and malaria. Some organizations may advise you to take Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis B, and Rabies as well. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.

Travel Insurance on tour

It’s highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances. Ensure that your insurance policy provides adequate coverage for your entire trip duration and the activities you plan to undertake, such as wildlife viewing and adventure sports.

Flights and Getting Around

If you need assistance with flight bookings, Travelers Link Africa offers an in-flight service—simply share your travel dates, and we’ll take care of the rest!

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