Uganda Primate Safari

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where our representatives will pick you up for a short transfer to the hotel in Entebbe for check-in and dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel, then choose to relax or join one of two excursions: a boat trip to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria — a Jane Goodall–founded chimpanzee sanctuary crossing the equator en route, home to around 50 orphaned chimpanzees, with a chance to watch the afternoon feeding — or birding at Mabamba Swamp by motorized traditional canoe, probably the best place in Africa to see the pre-historic Shoebill stork amid a wide variety of water birds.

Return to Entebbe for a hot lunch at the hotel, with a free afternoon or a birding walk through the Botanical Gardens, home to over 300 plant species and excellent birdlife including the African fish eagle and African grey parrot.

Breakfast before setting off towards Fort Portal, a small town in the shadow of the legendary "Moon Mountains" — the Rwenzoris. Lunch in Fort Portal town with an opportunity to visit the local Mpanga market, before continuing in the afternoon to a lodge near Kibale National Park.

An early trek into the jungle to search for chimpanzees — watching our closest relatives in their natural habitat in Kibale Forest is a fantastic experience. After lunch, an optional 3-hour walk into Bigodi Swamp, one of the best places to see the great blue Turaco, or a community visit to learn traditional cooking, brewing, coffee preparation and craft-weaving, with singing and dancing from a local women's group.

Leave Kibale Forest driving along the mystical Rwenzori Mountains towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving at Mweya Safari Lodge for lunch before a shared 2-hour cruise on the Kazinga Channel to Lake Edward — excellent for big game and birdwatching.

An early morning game drive through this diverse ecosystem of savannahs, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters, home to lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, elephants, buffalo, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, topis, bushbucks and over 550 bird species. A free afternoon for relaxation — elephants, warthogs and mongoose sometimes come to feed around the lodge in the evening.

Drive to the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, continuing to its southern sector with lunch en route, arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon to refresh and enjoy dinner.

The highlight of the trip: after a morning briefing, trek through rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes with a guide and trackers in search of a mountain gorilla family — tough and long at times, but any discomfort is quickly forgotten at the first glimpse of a magnificent silverback. Once sighted, spend a full hour within 6 metres of the gorillas, gazing into their eyes. Return to the lodge for a free evening to relax.

Drive to Lake Mburo National Park on the way back to Kampala, with an afternoon short game drive — an opportunity to discover the park's elands and zebras, the largest antelopes found here, plus a chance to see giraffes.

An early community walk — a rewarding activity for expanding your knowledge of local Ugandan culture. Return for breakfast at the lodge and enjoy lunch before leaving the park and driving towards Entebbe, arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel before your transfer for departure if the flight is early, or stay for relaxation at the hotel if the flight is in the evening. Transfer by the hotel shuttle.