Uganda safari for wildlife & primates Tracking Chimps, Gorillas & Savannah Wildlife
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 1 Chimp tracking permit per person
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Ground transportation in 4WD safari car
- Meals indicated in the itinerary
- Park / Activity Fees
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
10 Days Uganda Safari
Quick Overview
This 10 day Uganda safari takes you on a journey to explore the wildlife of the Savannah park, the gorillas and chimps in the forests and the rich culture of Ugandans all around the country.
Starting off in Kampala, this safari take you to Ziwa for a walk with the only Rhinos in Uganda before you continue to Murchison Falls NP for Savannah wildlife, birds and the magnificent Nile. You will then drive south to Kibale National Park for chimpanzees and other primate species.
Your Uganda safari will continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a different flavor of Savannah wildlife, and then continue to Bwindi where you will track and spend 1 hour with the gorillas. From Bwindi you will rest in Bunyonyi and explore Uganda’s deepest lake, and then return to Kampala where the safari ends.
In the Savannah park, animals such as lion, elephant, giraffe, hippo, buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, etc – and hundreds of bird species will be easily seen. The forest parks are great for their respective primates and your encounter will be transformative.
This tour is ideal for small groups, families and solo travelers – and can be customized to best suit your style and wishes.
Highlights
Destinations: Kampala, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, Mbarara
Activities: Game drives, Boat cruises, Chimpanzee tracking, Bird watching, Gorilla tracking, Nature walks, Canoeing
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Drive to Murchison Falls N.P, Via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Meet and greet at 7 am in Kampala or Entebbe, and then transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Driving to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will take around 3 hours, and this is where you will enjoy a walking safari with rhinos. The sanctuary was established to reintroduce rhinos in Uganda's wild areas - and give them a truly wild ecosystem where they roam free.
After seeing the rhinos, you will continue to the nearby Masindi town for lunch, and then continue to Murchison Falls National Park.
You will reach Murchison Falls with enough time to visit the top of the falls and enjoy the golden hour. Here you will get to see the waters of the Nile as they squeeze through a narrow 7-metre gap to produce the world's strongest falls. You will be feeling the strength of the falls from under your feet.
After your first moment with the falls and some photography, you will go to your lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay.
- Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Game drive, Afternoon Boatride to the falls
You will start the day early with breakfast and the go for your wildlife game drive. During the game drive, you will see many animals, such as giraffes, antelopes, lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, hippos and hundreds of bird species.
The game drive takes a couple of hours, after which you return to the lodge for a break and lunch.
After lunch, you will go for a boat safari upstream of the calm Victoria Nile. En route, marvel at the toothsome hippos and crocodiles and over this 17 km stretch where you may also see elephants, waterbuck and Uganda Kob besides the Nile.
This is also a zone of many bird species like the Goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant and the rare shoebill stork. The boat will stop just a few metres from the sinister, frothing and bubbling base of the falls.
You will then return to the starting point, and this time the water's direction will make the cruise take half the time. Your guide will be waiting to take you back to the lodge.
- Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Kibale National Park via Hoima
After your breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls and drive south to Fort Portal Town. This drive will take you around 5 hours through lush countryside, farms and small towns.
You will reach Fort Portal in time for lunch after which you will proceed for 30 minutes to your lodge near Kibale National Park.
- Accommodation: Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale NP
After breakfast, you will go for a chimp tracking briefing by the park officials and then proceed to start your search for chimpanzees in the forest.
The tracking is led by an experienced ranger who will provide detailed information about the chimps, other primates and the entire ecosystem of the forests - making your walk enjoyable and insightful.
Upon meeting the chimpanzees, you will spend about 1 hour with them before heading back to the starting point of your hike. The whole experience takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group and the movement of the chimps.
In the afternoon you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to see smaller mammals and primates - such as the rare red colobus monkey and the sitatunga. The guide circular trail offers great opportunities to see up to 6 primate species and many birds in a short period.
- Accommodation: Kibale Tourist Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP, Evening Launch Cruise
In the morning, you will leave Kibale and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, 2 hours away.
You will reach Queen Elizabeth in time for a game drive in the park and lunch.
Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en-route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena, and a variety of antelope species.
In the evening, you will go for a relaxing 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel - and into Lake Edward. This will take you through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals will be seen drinking at the water's edge. The launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing.
- Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning & Afternoon safari game drives
Today, you will get to explore the park's expanse by enjoying two game drives. Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters, home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.
Game drives in this park provide an excellent opportunity to see lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, and hippos.
These two game drives are a great of discovering the abundant wildlife, birds and stunning landscapes in Uganda's most popular safari park.
- Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today, you will leave Queen Elizabeth and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Driving from the hot rift valley floor to the high altitude Kigezi highlands is quite the experience. From the steep (and yet cultivated) hills with winding roads, you will attest to why many people refer to Kigezi as the 'Switzerland of Africa'.
In Bwindi, the temperatures will be much cooler (even cold) and you will check into your accommodation. You can relax around the lodge or take a leisurely visit to the nearby communities to meet the locals and interact.
You will rest for the night as you have to wake up early the next day for gorilla tracking.
- Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the park offices for a briefing about gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be assigned the gorilla family and experienced ranger guide to lead your gorilla tracking experience.
The rangers are experienced and know the forest very well and will lead your hike to see the gorillas. Your hike goes through dense untamed rain forest, steep slopes and simple trails and it can take 2-8 hours depending on how the gorillas move around.
During your gorilla trek, the rangers will share a lot of information and insights about the gorillas and the forest. You can ask any questions you have and they will answer you.
Upon meeting the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them, watching them play, eat, groom and go about their day. You will ask more questions, get to take pictures and take in the moment of peace among the gorillas.
After your time with gorillas, you will hike back to the starting point for your gorilla trekking certificate.
You will go back to the lodge to refresh and relax for the rest of the day.
- Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, Leisure & Community visits
After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi and drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale - some 2 hours away.
It is a beautiful, mountainous area with steep-sided hills, neatly terraced cultivation, and many small Islands. Lake Bunyonyi is a popular destination for relaxing and you will reach in time for lunch - the rest of the day being free for relaxation.
- Accommodation: Bunyonyi Rock Resort
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Back to Kampala
After breakfast, you will leave Bunyonyi and drive back to Kampala - and have lunch along the way in Mbarara.
Much of today will be spent driving and you will have some stops for photography and lunch. You will reach Kampala in the evening and your guide can take you to your accommodation or the airport if your outbound flight is on the same day.
- Accommodation: None - Last day
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, -
Notes of Chimp & Gorilla Trekking
Here are some important things to know about tracking gorillas or chimps in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Minimum age allowed to track chimps is 12 years old.
- Minimum age allowed to track gorillas is 15 years old.
- Tracking gorillas is quite strenuous and one should be physically fit to best enjoy the experience.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track chimps or gorillas.
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas or chimps is 1 hour.
Packing Recommendation
Here are some general safari packing recommendations to consider. Your agreed itinerary will have recommendations based on your trip and schedule.
- Lightweight rain poncho
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Waterproof trousers
- gardening-type gloves
- Sunscreen
- Wide brim hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera with extra batteries and cards
- Your regular medication
- Phone/gadget chargers
Visas for Uganda or Rwanda
Both Rwanda and Uganda have simple to use online visa self-service portals where you can apply and get your visa in a few days. Here are the full articles to guide you about visas.
- Uganda visa requirements and processes for tourist
- Rwanda visa requirements and processes for tourist
Best time to visit Uganda or Rwanda
For most people, it is more pleasant and enjoyable to visit Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season months (June to September and December to February). The general climate is warm and sunny all year round, and you can visit at any time of the year.
If you don't enjoy crowds, the shoulder seasons are ideal since the tourist numbers are lower and the attractions are more intimate to explore.
Safety. Is its safe to visit?
Both Uganda and Rwanda are very safe countries to visit and live in. They are some of Africa's most visited countries and hailed for the friendly locals and warm welcoming smiles.
If you have any safety concerns or specifics your are worried about, simply reach out to us and we'll do everything to help you.
Why Choose Exclusive African Safaris
We are a full service Destination Management Company started and operating in Uganda since 2008. In more than 15 years, we have served guests from all parts of the world and helped them to enjoy wonderful experiences of the wild places, cultures and people in Uganda and Rwanda.
Choosing Exclusive African Safaris, is choosing to go with a trusted company whose wide network, experienced guides and staff will make sure that your safari experience is all that you wanted - and more.
Customizing your safari experience
All our safari packages can be customized and personalized to fit your budget, preferences and schedule. You can start the process through an already existing safari which is speaking to you - but not quite fully, and we shall tailor that trip to your wishes.
You can also directly reach out for us and request for a custom safari, and we shall work closely with you, start from scratch and build a safari that is 100% you.
