8 Days Gorilla, Chimps & Queen Elizabeth Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your safari guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for rest and briefing. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or stroll along the shores of Lake Victoria as you prepare for your journey ahead.

Accommodation: Hotel No.5 / Papyrus Guest House
Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park – The Primate Capital

After breakfast, depart Entebbe for Kibale Forest National Park, home to 13 species of primates, including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda. The scenic drive takes you through rolling hills, tea plantations, and the crater lakes region near Fort Portal. Arrive in the afternoon and relax at your lodge surrounded by tropical forest sounds.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops / Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Start your day with a guided chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest. Walk beneath towering trees as you follow the calls of chimps through the canopy. When you find them, spend an hour observing their playful behavior — an unforgettable connection to our closest relatives.

In the afternoon, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area that is home to beautiful birds such as the great blue turaco, and smaller primates like red-tailed and colobus monkeys.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops / Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Primate Lodge Kibale
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – The Medley of Wonders

After breakfast, drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most biodiverse wildlife reserve. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountains and stop at the equator line for photos. In the evening, head out for your first game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where elephants, lions, and antelopes roam the golden savannah.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge / Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive through the Kasenyi sector, prime habitat for predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. The morning light offers perfect conditions for wildlife photography.

After lunch, take a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise provides close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and vibrant birdlife — a true highlight of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge / Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth and travel south through the Ishasha sector, renowned for its famous tree-climbing lions. With luck, you may spot these majestic cats resting in fig trees. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Arrive in the evening and settle into your forest lodge.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Today is the highlight of your safari — a gorilla trekking experience in the misty jungles of Bwindi. After breakfast and a detailed briefing, set off with your ranger guide into the dense forest. The trek may take several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location, but the moment you meet them is truly life-changing. Watch as they feed, play, and interact in their family groups under the watchful eye of the silverback.

Return to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon. Optional activities include a Batwa community visit, where you’ll learn about the forest’s indigenous people and their cultural traditions.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Return to Entebbe / Departure

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Entebbe through Uganda’s scenic highlands, tea plantations, and farmlands. Stop at the Equator line for photos and souvenirs before arriving in the evening. Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be dropped off at Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey — marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch