7 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Tour

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What can you do in a week? On our 7 day Uganda primates and wildlife tour, quite a lot. First, you hike through Kibale Forest National Park to spend time with wild chimpanzees. They are habituated, so they don’t mind some company. Next, you visit the Uganda kob mating grounds in Queen Elizabeth National Park and take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel. Finally, we save the best for last: trekking through the Afro-montane forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to find a family of mountain gorillas. Wild enough for you?

Trip overview

This week-long trip blends forest and savannah. In Kibale, you track chimps and walk through the Bigodi wetland. Then, in Queen Elizabeth, you look for elephants, buffaloes, lions and hippos on game drives and from the water. After that, you head south through the terraced hills of Kabale to Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

Tour highlights

Spend an hour with habituated chimpanzees in Kibale.
Walk the community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Enjoy game drives on the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Cruise the Kazinga Channel past hippos, buffaloes and water birds.
Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

We pick you up from your hotel in the morning. Then, we begin the drive to Kibale at a relaxed pace. There is no hurry and no strict timetable. Instead, you simply enjoy the drive west as busy city streets give way to rolling farmland and, finally, lush green forest. By late afternoon, you settle into your lodge while the rainforest fills the air with its evening chorus. So, take time to unwind and recharge, because tomorrow brings an unforgettable adventure.

Driving time: ± 6.5 hours

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 2: Chimp tracking and Bigodi swamp walk

After an early breakfast, we head to the park headquarters. There, you meet the ranger guides for a briefing on the dos and don’ts and where the chimp families were last seen.

The walk follows real forest trails. They are shaded and full of roots, and they can be muddy depending on the season. So, good closed shoes matter more than fashion here. Trekking can take up to 4 hours. Once you find the chimps, you get a full hour at close range. You may watch them groom each other, squabble, nap in the fork of a tree or crash down to the forest floor a few metres away. Along the way, you will almost certainly see grey-cheeked mangabeys and colobus troops moving through the canopy. Meanwhile, birdsong fills the air.

After lunch back at the lodge, the pace changes. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community-run reserve. Here, the walk follows a raised boardwalk and forest path through papyrus swamp and dense thicket for about three hours.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a hearty breakfast, we set out for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Later, the adventure continues with a late afternoon game drive. As golden light falls on the savannah, look out for herds of elephants, buffaloes and graceful Uganda kobs. You may also see hippos resting near the water and plenty of other wildlife.

Driving time: ± 3–4 hours

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

Day 4: Game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Today, you go on a game drive across the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, thousands of Uganda kobs graze, and you may see lions and elephants too. Also on the programme is a two-hour launch trip on the Kazinga Channel. From the water, you see animals along the shore and a wide variety of birds. Finally, the day is not complete until we visit the Uganda kob mating grounds inside the park.

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, we set off at 8am and drive to Kabale for lunch. From here, the road winds through a beautiful region known as the “Switzerland of Africa”. You pass mountains, hills and lakes with terraced fields, as well as tropical rainforest and bamboo forest. Although the drive is long, the views of green hills and traditional homesteads make it worthwhile. Finally, you check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Driving time: ± 5 hours

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge

Day 6: Mountain gorilla trekking

After an early breakfast, we take you to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Park ranger guides explain the dos and don’ts of spending time with mountain gorillas. This briefing usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Afterwards, you head into the jungle for a 3–4 hour trek. The terrain is steep and sometimes muddy, and rain is common, so you need an average level of fitness. Still, coming face to face with a giant silverback more than makes up for the effort.

Along the way, your ranger shares fascinating facts about the forest plants, animals and the lives of the gorillas. Once you find them, you have one hour to relax and watch them play and interact. After this unforgettable experience, you return to your lodge for a relaxing evening.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge

Day 7: Return to Kampala

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and the beautiful scenery one last time. Then, we begin the calm drive back to Kampala. On the way, the Ugandan countryside offers plenty of photo stops. After passing through Masaka, we stop at the Equator. Here, you can have lunch, take photos, buy souvenirs and enjoy tea or coffee. Afterwards, we take you to a guesthouse or hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe. Alternatively, if you are flying home or travelling on, we drop you directly at Entebbe airport.

Driving time: ± 9 hours

What’s included and price per person

Included:

4WD vehicle and fuel
English-speaking driver/guide
Accommodation mentioned
Small first aid kit
Bottled water
Chimpanzee permit ($250)
Bigodi swamp walk
Game drives

Excluded:

Drinks & personal snacks
Personal expenses
Porters for trekking
Personal medical and travel insurance
Gorilla permit ($800)
Gorilla habituation ($1,500)
Chimpanzee habituation ($400)

Price per person:

2 Pax – $1,791

3 Pax – $1,583

4 Pax – $1,359

5 Pax – $1,320

6 Pax – $1,214

7 Pax – $1,207

Who this primates and wildlife tour suits

This 7 day Uganda primates and wildlife tour suits first-time visitors who want a bit of everything in one week. It also works well for couples, small groups and photographers. However, the chimp and gorilla treks involve steep, sometimes muddy trails. So, you need an average level of fitness. Porters are available if you would like help with your bag.

Best time to go

You can do this trip all year round. Even so, the drier months of June to September and December to February usually make forest trails easier and game viewing better. In the wet season, paths get slippery. On the other hand, the parks are green, and there are often fewer visitors. For more detail, read our guide to the best time for gorilla trekking.

Tips for your trip

Book your gorilla permit early. Permits are limited, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority sets the price. Because rates change from time to time, we will confirm the current one when you enquire.
Pack for two climates. Bring light layers for the savannah and a rain jacket for the forests.
Wear closed hiking shoes. Forest trails have roots, mud and steep slopes.
Bring binoculars. They help on game drives and the boat cruise.
Wear neutral colours. Khaki, green and brown work well in the parks.

Extend or combine your trip

Short on time? Then, our 5 day primates expedition focuses on chimps and gorillas only. Alternatively, for a longer journey that adds Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo, see the 10 day Uganda highlights safari. You can also browse more primate tours in Uganda.

Every Roots Tours & Travel trip is tailor-made. Just tell us your dates, group size and interests. Then, we will send you a free itinerary for your 7 day Uganda primates and wildlife tour.

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