7 Days Uganda Primate Safari
This 7-day Uganda Primate Safari is a thrilling and unforgettable experience where you will track and get a closer encounter with different primate species in their natural habitat. On this trip, you shall visit three major National Parks, two of them with the highest concentration of these primates, and one with a variety of wild life.
The first will be Kibale National Park which habituates 13 primate species, these include the Chimpanzees, Olive Baboons, Red Colobus Monkeys, Black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Uganda Mangabey among others. A part from primates, the park is home to a lot of other wildlife and many Bird species.
You will there after transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park where u will enjoy an evening boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel and an early morning game drive. Here you will view a variety of wildlife in the savannah like the tree climbing lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and many more.
After that you will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this Park offers a thrilling encounter with the endangered mighty mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This is home to 50% of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas where you will trek through the thick rain-forest in search of the big primates. Upon finding them, you will spend up to one full hour watching them go about their daily routine which includes basically feeding, resting and engaging in their social behaviour. Beyond the gorilla trekking you will enjoy a community walk and get cultural knowledge about the Batwa people who live within this protected area and of course enjoy the breathtaking view of the landscape.
This is the most ideal Primate Safari experience in Uganda. Please check out the itinerary of this safari to get a more detailed breakdown of the activities. Remember that this safari is customizable and we can engage with you to tailor make it up to your specific wishes.
ITENERARY;
DAY 1: Pick up From Airport to Preferred Hotel.
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International airport, our driver/guide will pick you and take you to your preferred Hotel in Entebbe/Kampala.
DAY 2: Drive to Kibale National Park
Your 5 Days Primate Safari starts with an early morning pick-up from your hotel or accommodation in Kampala/Entebbe by our driver/guide. After briefing, you will embark on a 5 to 6-hour scenic drive via the Kampala-Fort Portal highway.
You shall make a brief stopover in Fort Portal City and enjoy a delicious lunch, after which you will proceed to Kibale National Park. Upon arrival in the evening, check in at your preferred accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
- Isunga Lodge (Budget)
- Turraco Tree Tops (Mid-Range)
- Primate Lodge Kibale (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 3; Chimpanzee Tracking and Afternoon Nature Walk.
Wake up early, have your breakfast and ready yourself for a thrilling encounter the primates through the chimp tracking activity.
After briefing, you will drive to the trailhead for the start of an unforgettable adventure – hiking and following the footsteps of the chimpanzees. Your guide will take you through with facts about the park and its inhabitants including other primate species, wildlife and birds. Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will spend an amazing one hour with them as they go about their daily life for example feeding, playing, grooming, taking care of their young, among others in their natural habitat.
After your tracking experience you will return back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you will enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi wetland. You will visit the community and take a walk in Bigodi Swamp – which is the home to over 150 bird species like the great blue Turaco bird. Beyond the flora and fauna, your local guide will bring you closer to the local tribe that lives in this area where you will learn about their traditional customs and lifestyle and a lot more. After you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight rest.
Important Notes: You will require;
- A rain jacket is recommended as the weather is unpredictable.
- Proper hiking boots are essential for the steep terrain.
- Upon finding the chimpanzees, you will have one full hour to observe and photograph them as advised by the guide.
Accommodation Options:
- Isunga Lodge (Budget)
- Turraco Tree Tops (Mid-Range)
- Primate Lodge Kibale (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Full board
DAY 4; Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After breakfast you will embark on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park where apart from the primates you will enjoy a boat cruise and a game drive to view a variety of wild life. Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest game park in Uganda and here you will come across a variety of wild life like the tree climbing Lions, Leopards, elephants, buffalos, antelopes among others, and a variety of over 500 bird species.
After about 80 Km you will make your first stop at the equator line in Kikorongo for photography and witness the famous water experiment demonstrating the hemispheric division of the Earth. You will then continue with the drive southwards to your preferred lodge where u will check in and have lunch.
After lunch you will you head to the Kazinga channel for the 2:00 pm boat cruise. This is a great chance of seeing several aquatic species like crocodiles and hippopotamus alongside other wildlife and bird species on the river banks. After the boat cruise, you will drive back to your accommodation facility where you will have dinner and an overnight rest.
Accommodation Options:
- Topi Lodge (Budget)
- Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
- Elephant Plains Lodge( Luxury)
Meal Plan: Full board
DAY 5; Early Morning Game Drive and Drive To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
On this day, you will have an early morning breakfast and then proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Here you will explore a variety of wildlife including, the tree climbing Lions, Leopards, elephants, buffalos, warthogs, antelopes among others and several bird species.
The game drive will last about 4 hours after which you will exit the park heading further south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Upon arrival you will check in to your preferred accommodation facility and have lunch, have a relaxed evening, dinner and an overnight rest.
Accommodation Options:
- Ride 4 a Woman(Budget)
- Haven Lodge Buhoma(Mid-Range)
- Buhoma Lodge(Luxury)
Meal Plan: Full board.
DAY 6; Gorilla Trekking and Community walk
This is the day! Wake up early have your breakfast and ready yourself for a thrilling encounter with the big primates, the mighty mountain gorillas.
Head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. After briefing, you will begin the trek in groups of not more than 8 people in search for the mountain gorillas. En route, your guide will point out various signs of gorilla activity such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots an adventure that can last 2-6 hours, depending on the gorilla family location.
After the trek, you will receive a gorilla trekking certificate, recognizing your contribution to gorilla conservation.
In the evening, you will go for a community visit and cultural experience of the local Bakiga and Batwa tribes that live close to Bwindi. You will learn about their lives, history, and traditions.
Important Notes: You will require;
- A rain jacket is recommended as the weather is unpredictable.
- Proper hiking boots are essential for the steep terrain.
- Upon finding the gorillas, you will have one full hour to observe and photograph them as advised by the guide.
Accommodation Options:
- Ride 4 a Woman(Budget)
- Haven Lodge Buhoma(Mid-Range)
- Buhoma Lodge(Luxury)
Meal Plan: Full Board.
DAY 7; Drive from Bwindi back to Kampala/Entebbe
This is the last day of your 7 Days Uganda Primate Safari. After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe via Mbarara and Masaka (approx. 8hrs).
A lunch break will be provided enroute, and you will arrive in the evening and your driver will drop you off at your place of choice in either Kampala or Entebbe. This will mark the completion of your unforgettable Gorilla Trekking safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch