The 8 days primate safari Uganda is remarkably one of the best primate safari packages designed for you to explore different species of primates that make Uganda a true primate paradise. It involves trekking to see mountain gorillas in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzees in rain-forest of Kibale Forest National Park which comprises of 13 distinct primate species. This package also incorporates game viewing safari in the pristine wilderness areas like Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your journey will commence and end in Kampala or Entebbe.
What to expect on your 8 days primate safari Uganda
- Game drives
- Launch trip
- Guided nature walks along Bigodi Wetland
- Chimpanzee tracking
- Gorilla trekking
- Accommodation for 7 nights and meals
- Photography at the Equator crossing
- Travel in a 4×4 drive safari van/land cruiser
Brief itinerary of your 8 days primate safari Uganda
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and guided nature walk along Bigodi Wetland
Day 4: Transfer from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Game drive and launch/boat cruise
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7: Gorilla trekking
Day 8: Drive back to Kampala
Detailed itinerary of your 8 days primate safari Uganda
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, get a warm welcome from our company representative. He will brief you on what your 8 days primate safari Uganda covers and then drive you to the hotel of your choice.
Day 2: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Have breakfast early in the morning and later, drive to Kibale Forest National Park about 5-6 hours via Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal route. You will make a stopover at Nakayima tree, the tree of mystery which is found in Mubende district. In Fort Portal Town, you will have lunch and then connect to Kibale Forest National Park.
Travel time: 5-6 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options at Kibale Forest National Park
Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge (Luxury), Chimps Nest/Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range), Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Community Campsite (Budget).
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
Have breakfast early in the morning and after, meet other visitors at Kanyanchu Visitor Center for briefing on the set guidelines for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale National Park is home to about 1500 chimpanzees and several of them have been habituated for tourism purposes. You will be put in a group of 6 visitors and park ranger guide who will take you through your primate adventure which lasts for about 4 hours.
Once you come across chimpanzees, you have an hour with them, take their pictures and learn about their behaviors. While on search for chimpanzees, you will also come across other primates including red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, birds and many others.
After, get back to the lodge to have lunch and in the afternoon, make your day complete by embarking on a guided nature walk along Bigodi wetland. A guided nature walk along Bigodi Wetland involves exploring different primates including L’Hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white monkeys as well as birds.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options at Kibale Forest National Park
Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge (Luxury), Chimps Nest/Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range), Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Community Campsite (Budget).
Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy your cup of tea or coffee and after, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park about 3 hours’ drive. Along the way, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges and crater lakes.
Travel time: 3 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Mweya Safari Lodge/Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Luxury), Twin Lakes Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostel/Elephant Hab (Budget).
Day 5: Game drives and boat cruise
Have breakfast early in the morning and later, start your 3 hour game drive along Kasenyi plains. This offers you a chance to spot out different wildlife species including buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, warthogs, antelopes, birds and many others. After, drive back to the lodge to have lunch and some rest.
In the afternoon, you have a boat cruise along Kazinga Channel which allows you to spot out large schools of hippos, crocodiles, water birds as well as other wildlife species.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Mweya Safari Lodge/Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Luxury), Twin Lakes Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge (Mid-range), Mweya Hostel/Elephant Hab (Budget).
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Following an early morning breakfast, check out from your lodge ready to embark on 3 hour road trip to Bwindi National Park. You will be served lunch at Savanna Resort Hotel and then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Travel time: 3 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options
Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury), Silverback Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will gather at your respective trekking area (Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma or Rushaga region) where you will be briefed on the set dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking. Make sure you have some packed lunch, bottled water, long sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking boots and a good camera with no flashlight.
You will be allocated a gorilla family to track and a park ranger guide to take you through your adventure which lasts for about 2-6 hours depending on where the gorillas are, your hiking speed and nature of the habitat.
Once you have come across these large apes, you have an hour to make your dream come true. A side from viewing mountain gorillas, you also have opportunity to see other primates, birds and unique plant species. After, you will return to the lodge to have rest, dine and spend a night.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation options
Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury), Silverback Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Day 8: Return to Kampala
Check out from your lodge after breakfast ready to make a return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Make a stopover at the Equator crossing for photography, relaxation then connect to Kampala/Entebbe.
End of your 8 days primate safari Uganda
8 days primate safari Uganda includes
- Gorilla permit each at $600 but from 2020, permits will be issued at $700.
- Travel in 4×4 drive safari car
- Bottled water
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide
- Accommodation for 7 nights and meals
- Relevant government taxes
8 days primate safari Uganda excludes
- Airfares
- Uganda visa fees
- International flights
- Personal insurance
- Drinks/alcohol
- Laundry services
- Other expenses include telephone calls, hotel fees in Kampala/Entebbe.
Important tips to take note for gorilla trekking
- Waterproof hiking boots are vital when it comes to gorilla trekking
- Camera should be a must to have but should have no flashlight
- Long sleeved shirt/t-shirt is recommended
- Gardening gloves are vital to protect you from itching plants, thorns
- No eating, drinking or smoking while on trek to see mountain gorillas
- Rain jacket or poncho is essential in case it rains.