7-Day Uganda Primate Safari – Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi

Tour Description

7 Days – Chimpanzees, Gorillas & Tree-Climbing Lions Track chimpanzees in Kibale’s ancient rainforest, cruise the Kazinga Channel for hippos and crocodiles, search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, and spend a life-changing hour with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This compact yet complete primate safari delivers Uganda’s greatest wildlife encounters in just one week – perfect for travelers with limited time but unlimited appetite for adventure.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe to Kibale National Park – Journey to the Primate Capital

Welcome to Uganda. Your adventure begins the moment you touch down at Entebbe International Airport. After clearing customs and collecting your luggage, your professional driver-guide from Get Together Adventures will greet you in the arrivals hall.Your guide will escort you to a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof – your home on wheels for the next seven days. Then, you will begin the scenic drive toward Kibale National.

The drive takes approximately 5–6 hours, with stops along the way for refreshments and lunch. As you approach the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains (the legendary “Mountains of the Moon”), the air cools and the landscape becomes greener. Arrive at your Lodge in the late afternoon. Dinner is served at the lodge. As darkness falls, the sounds of the forest begin.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – One Hour with Our Closest Relatives

Today is the day you come face to face with our closest living relatives. After an early breakfast at your Lodge, you will drive to the Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing. The briefing covers the rules and regulations of chimpanzee tracking: maintaining a safe distance (7 metres), avoiding direct eye contact, staying quiet, and limiting your time with the chimps to one hour once located. You will then be assigned to a chimpanzee family and led into the forest by an expert ranger guide. The trek can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on where the chimpanzees nested the previous night and how far they have moved in search of food. As you walk, your guide will point out signs of chimpanzee activity: nests in the trees, discarded fruit skins, droppings, and the distant calls that echo through the forest. When you finally locate the chimpanzee troop, you will have one unforgettable hour to observe them. Watch as they swing through the high canopy, drum on tree buttresses to communicate, and interact with each other in ways that are strikingly human. Mothers groom their infants. Juveniles play-fight. The dominant male asserts his authority. And sometimes, they simply sit and watch you – their eyes revealing a deep, ancient intelligence. After your hour, you will return to the trailhead and receive a personalized trekking certificate. Your driver-guide will then take you back to your Lodge for lunch and some rest.

●​ Guided Bird and Forest Walk – Kibale is a birder’s paradise, with over 375 species recorded. A guided walk through the forest reveals birds you might otherwise miss, along with primates, butterflies, and medicinal plants.

●​ Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk – A community-run swamp reserve known for its incredible birdlife, including the great blue turaco. You may also spot sitatunga antelopes, bushbucks, otters, and several monkey species.

●​ Community Visit – Meet the local communities living near Kibale Forest. Learn about
their traditional way of life, watch a cultural performance, or visit a banana beer brewery. Return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight. As you dine, listen to the sounds of the forest – a reminder of the extraordinary creatures that call this place home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Elephants, GameDrives & Sun downers.

After breakfast at your Lodge, you will check out and begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda’s most bio diverse savannah park. The drive takes approximately 2–3 hours, passing through the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountain Range and the town of Kasese. The mountains loom to the west, their snow-capped peaks (when visible) a dramatic backdrop to the journey. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a stunning mosaic of habitats: open savannah, wetlands, crater lakes, and riverine forest. It is known for its large elephant population – you will likely see herds of these gentle giants from the road as you enter the park. The park also protects lions, leopards, buffalo, hippos, and over 600 bird species. You will arrive at yourLodge in time for lunch. After lunch and a short rest, you will head out for an afternoon game drive. Your guide will take you along the Kasenyi Plains or the Channel Track – both known for excellent wildlife viewing. Watch for:

●​ Elephants – Queen Elizabeth has one of the highest elephant densities in Uganda. Herds of 50 or more are not uncommon.

●​ Lions – Often seen resting in the shade of acacia trees or stalking the abundant Uganda kobs.

●​ Buffalo – Massive herds graze on the open plains.

●​ Leopards – More elusive, but occasionally spotted in the evening hours.

●​ Warthogs, waterbucks, and bushbucks – Common sights along the tracks.

As the sun begins to set, your guide will find the perfect spot for a sundowner – a cold drink enjoyed as the savannah turns shades of gold and crimson. This is a magical moment: the end of your first full day in Queen Elizabeth, with the Rwenzori Mountains silhouetted against the fading light. Return to Katara Lodge for dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks not included

Day 4: Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise – Hippos, Crocodiles & Waterbirds.

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a focus onits most famous waterway: the Kazinga Channel. Morning Game Drive (Optional): If you wish, you can start the day with an early morning game drive (starting around 6:30 AM). This is the best time to see predators returning from their night hunts and the plains game gathering at water sources. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast.

Mid-Morning: Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel​

The Kazinga Channel is a 36-kilometre natural waterway that connects Lake George (a shallow, papyrus-fringed lake) to Lake Edward (a larger, deeper lake). The channel is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of hippos in the world – you will see hundreds of them, grunting and yawning in the water. Your 2–3 hour boat cruise is a highlight of any Uganda safari. From the safety of a covered launch, you will glide along the channel, getting within metres of:

●​ Hippos – Dozens of pods, some with tiny calves, wallowing in the shallows.

●​ Nile Crocodiles – Sunbathing on the banks with their prehistoric jaws gaping.

●​ Elephants – Coming to the channel’s edge to drink, bathe, and spray water over their backs.

●​ Buffalo – Large herds standing in the water to cool off.

●​ Waterbirds – Over 50 species recorded along the channel, including African fish eagles, saddle-billed storks, pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers, and the rare shoebill (with luck).

The boat cruise is relaxed, comfortable, and incredibly rewarding. Your guide will point out wildlife and explain the channel’s ecology. Photographers will have endless opportunities. Lunch at your Lodge. Afternoon Flexibility: The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. Optional activities (available at additional cost) include:

●​ Maramagambo Forest Walk – A guided nature walk through one of Uganda’s largest forests. Visit the bat cave (home to thousands of fruit bats and a python that preys on them), the blue crater lake, and search for primates and birds.
●​ Game Drive – If you prefer wheels over water, head out for an afternoon game drive to explore different areas of the park.
●​ Community Visit – Visit a local fishing village or a salt-mining community near Lake Katwe to learn about traditional livelihoods.Return to your lodge for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ,Drinks not included

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park –Tree-Climbing Lions & The Gorilla Sanctuary

After breakfast at Katara Lodge, you will check out and begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive takes you through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – a remote, less-visited area famous for its tree-climbing lions. Unlike savannah lions elsewhere, the lions of Ishasha have developed the unusual habit of lounging in the branches of giant fig trees, draped lazily above the grass. While not guaranteed, sightings are common enough to make Ishasha a
must-visit for lion enthusiasts. Your guide will slow down as you drive through Ishasha, scanning the fig trees for the telltale shape of a lion’s body draped over a branch. If you are lucky, you may see an entire pride –including cubs – resting in the trees, their tails dangling. Continue your journey toward Bwindi.

The landscape changes dramatically as you leave the savannah and climb into the Kigezi Highlands – often called the “Switzerland of Africa” for its terraced hills, lush farms, and winding roads. The air cools, and the vegetation becomes denser. Arrive at your lodge in  Buhoma Community in the late afternoon. Your lodge is located just outside the park headquarters at Buhoma – the main starting point for gorilla trekking in the northern sector of Bwindi. After checking in, settle into your room and enjoy the forest views. In the evening, you will attend a gorilla trekking briefing conducted by your driver-guide. He will explain what to expect tomorrow: the trekking conditions, what to pack, the rules of gorilla etiquette, and the profound experience that awaits you.Dinner is served at the lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ,Drinks not included

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Wake early – before dawn – and enjoy a quick breakfast at Haven Lodge. Pack your daypack with essentials: packed lunch, plenty of water, rain jacket, gloves, and your camera Your driver-guide will drive you to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park headquarters at Buhoma. Arrive by 7:00 AM for registration and briefing. The park headquarters buzz with energy – a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. During the briefing, park rangers will assign you to a gorilla family. Bwindi has several habituated families available for trekking, each named after their dominant silverback. Yourgroup will be assigned based on your fitness level and preferences – some families are closer to the trailhead, others require longer treks. You will then be led into the forest by an experienced ranger guide and armed trackers. The Impenetrable Forest is exactly that – dense, steep, and tangled with vines, bamboo, and ancient hardwoods. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, depending on where the gorillas have moved. When you finally locate the gorilla family, you will have one profound hour with them. You will be asked to sit down and stay quiet as you observe:

●​ The Silverback – The dominant male, named for the silver saddle of hair on his back. He leads the group with quiet authority, watching you closely while seemingly uninterested.

●​ Mothers and Infants – Watch as mothers cradle their tiny babies, groom them, and protect them from curious juveniles.

●​ Juveniles – The most active members of the group, tumbling through vines, play-fighting, and occasionally approaching curiously.

●​ Feeding and Resting – Gorillas spend most of their day eating vegetation. Watch as they strip leaves from branches, break apart giant thistles, and occasionally rest in the sun. The eye-to-eye connection with a mountain gorilla – sharing 98% of human DNA – is humbling, profound, and life-changing. Many travelers describe it as one of the most moving experiences of their lives. After your hour, you will return to the trailhead and receive a personalized gorilla trekking certificate. The remainder of the afternoon is yours. You may choose to:

●​ Relax at the lodge, processing the morning’s experience.

●​ Take a short village walk to the Batwa community – the original forest dwellers who were displaced when Bwindi became a national park. Learn about their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, music, and medicinal plants.

●​ Simply sit on your veranda and listen to the sounds of the forest. Dinner is served at Haven Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drinks not included

Day 7: Bwindi to Kigali – Farewell to the Pearl of Africa

Your final morning in Uganda. After breakfast at Haven Lodge, you will check out and begin your journey toward Kigali, Rwanda – the closest international airport for departures. The drive from Bwindi to the Uganda-Rwanda border at Cyanika or Katuna takes approximately 3 hours. The route winds through the stunning Kigezi Highlands: terraced hills,small farms, eucalyptus forests, and local markets. Enjoy the scenery – this is one of the most beautiful drives in East Africa. At the border, your driver-guide will assist you with immigration formalities. (Visa fees for Rwanda are not included; most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or have an East Africa tourist visa if arranged in advance.

Once across the border, you will continue the drive to Kigali International Airport, approximately another 3 hours. The Rwandan countryside is immaculate – rolling hills, tea plantations, and well-paved roads. You may catch a glimpse of the Volcanoes National Park – home to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda – in the distance. Arrive at Kigali International Airport in the afternoon – in time for your international departure flight. Your driver-guide will help you with your luggage and bid you farewell. Your 7-day Ugandan primate safari ends here, but the memories of chimpanzees swinging through Kibale’s canopy, hippos grunting in the Kazinga Channel, and the soulful eyes of a mountain gorilla in Bwindi will stay with you forever.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner not included

Inclusions

• Airport transfers
• All park entry fees
• Chimpanzee tracking permit
• Mountain gorilla permit ($700 for foreign non-residents)
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
• Professional English-speaking driver and guide
• All meals
• Accommodation
• Border transfer to Rwanda

Exclusions

• International flights
• Uganda visa (USD 50)
• Rwanda visa (if not covered by East Africa tourist visa)
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities (guided forest walks, community visits, Bigodi Swamp walk, porters for trekking)
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips
• Personal items
• Laundry