Uganda Apes and Wildlife Safari
Destinations to visit
Safari Overview
Experience the very best of Uganda on this unforgettable 13 Days Uganda Apes & Wildlife Safari, a journey that combines thrilling wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and incredible primate experiences. This carefully crafted safari takes you through Uganda’s most celebrated national parks, offering opportunities to track endangered mountain gorillas, walk alongside chimpanzees, enjoy exciting game drives, and cruise along one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich waterways.
From the peaceful savannahs of Lake Mburo National Park to the dense jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, the abundant wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the lush tropical rainforest of Kibale National Park, every day introduces a new adventure.
This safari is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, honeymooners, and anyone looking to experience Uganda’s remarkable biodiversity.
Safari Activities
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
One of the greatest wildlife encounters on Earth awaits you in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Accompanied by experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, you’ll hike through ancient rainforest searching for one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. Once found, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play, groom, and interact in their natural habitat.
This life-changing experience supports conservation efforts while creating memories that last forever.
Chimpanzee Tracking
Kibale Forest National Park is home to the highest concentration of primates in Africa. Guided by experienced trackers, you’ll venture deep into the forest to locate playful chimpanzees while also encountering black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and numerous bird species.
Game Drives
Enjoy multiple guided game drives in three spectacular national parks where you’ll search for: Lions, Tree-climbing lions, Leopards, African elephants, Cape buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, Zebras, Uganda kob, Topi, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Hyenas, Bushbucks, Hippos
Your experienced safari guide will help locate wildlife while sharing fascinating information about Uganda’s ecosystems.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing waterways. Watch enormous pods of hippos, basking Nile crocodiles, elephants cooling off along the shoreline, buffaloes drinking, and hundreds of colourful bird species including African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans, and cormorants.
Lake Mburo Boat Safari
Enjoy a peaceful boat cruise across Lake Mburo where you’ll observe hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles, kingfishers, and numerous water birds while appreciating the park’s beautiful scenery.
Nature Walk (Optional)
Lake Mburo is one of the few parks in Uganda where guided walking safaris are permitted. Walk safely alongside zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, and antelopes while learning about animal behaviour, medicinal plants, and tracking techniques.
Bigodi Wetland Walk
Explore the famous Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community conservation project renowned for birdwatching and primate viewing. The swamp is home to over 200 bird species and several monkey species.
Uganda Apes and Wildlife Safari
Detailed Itinerary
Uganda Apes and Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by your Engeya Tours and Travel safari guide. After a short briefing about your upcoming adventure, transfer to your hotel where you can relax after your international flight.
Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Entebbe or simply unwind before your safari begins.
Accommodation: Entebbe
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Entebbe – Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, begin your scenic drive towards Lake Mburo National Park.
Stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs, souvenir shopping, and fascinating water experiments demonstrating the Earth's hemispheres.
Continue through beautiful countryside characterised by rolling hills, traditional farms, banana plantations, and Ankole long-horned cattle before arriving at Lake Mburo National Park.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive where you may encounter zebras, giraffes, impalas, buffaloes, elands, waterbucks, warthogs, and numerous bird species.
Accommodation: Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Explore Lake Mburo National Park
Rise early for a rewarding morning game drive when wildlife is most active.
After breakfast, choose from optional activities including:
Guided walking safari
Boat cruise on Lake Mburo
Horseback safari
Relaxing at the lodge
The boat safari offers excellent opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds.
Accommodation: Lake Mburo National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, depart Lake Mburo and journey through southwestern Uganda's breathtaking highlands towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The drive offers spectacular views of terraced hills, local villages, tea plantations and dense forests.
Arrive in the afternoon and relax while preparing for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: First Gorilla Trekking Experience
After an early breakfast, report to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for a briefing before beginning your trek.
The trek may last between 2 and 8 hours depending on the gorillas' location.
Once located, spend one magical hour observing these endangered primates in their natural habitat.
Return to the lodge for relaxation and celebration.
Accommodation: Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Second Gorilla Trekking Experience
Today offers another incredible opportunity to track a different habituated gorilla family, allowing you to appreciate varying group behaviours and family dynamics.
Each gorilla family offers a completely unique experience, making a second trek especially rewarding for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Accommodation: Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Bwindi – Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, travel to the southern Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive in search of the famous tree-climbing lions that rest in giant fig trees.
Keep watch for elephants, buffaloes, topis, Uganda kob, and leopards.
Accommodation: Ishasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Full-Day Game Viewing in Ishasha
Spend the day exploring the remote wilderness of Ishasha.
Morning and afternoon game drives provide excellent opportunities to observe predators and large herbivores in their natural habitat.
The area is one of Uganda's most rewarding wildlife destinations due to its low visitor numbers and abundant wildlife.
Accommodation: Ishasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Ishasha to Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy one final morning game drive before travelling through Queen Elizabeth National Park towards the Kasenyi Plains.
After lunch, head out for another exciting evening game drive searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, waterbucks and Uganda kob.
Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Begin the day with a sunrise game drive across the Kasenyi Plains before returning for breakfast.
In the afternoon, embark on a spectacular boat safari along the Kazinga Channel where you'll witness one of Africa's highest concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and birds.
Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale National Park
After breakfast, depart for Kibale National Park.
The drive passes through scenic crater lakes, tea plantations, traditional villages and offers magnificent views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Arrive in the afternoon and relax at your forest lodge.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
After breakfast, join expert rangers for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest.
Besides chimpanzees, the forest hosts twelve primate species and over 370 bird species.
Following lunch, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an enriching nature walk where you'll encounter monkeys, birds, butterflies and beautiful wetland vegetation.
Accommodation: Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Return to Entebbe
After breakfast, begin your return journey to Entebbe.
Enjoy scenic countryside views and stop for lunch along the way before arriving at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda safari.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
What is included in your safari
Safari Includes
- Airport transfers
- Gorilla trekking permits (2)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Transport in a customised 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Accommodation throughout the safari
- Meals as indicated
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Park entrance fees
- Game drives
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Lake Mburo boat cruise
- Bigodi Wetland walk
- Ranger guide fees
- Government taxes
Safari Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Rwanda Visa (where applicable)
- Uganda Visa (where applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal shopping expenses
- Laundry services
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
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