7-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari

Your 7-Day Uganda Safari begins in Entebbe or Kampala with a scenic transfer to Kibale National Park.

Travel through changing countryside, rural communities and agricultural areas before reaching the greener landscapes around Fort Portal and Kibale. Tea plantations and forested hills become increasingly prominent as you approach the national park.

Lunch will be arranged during the journey. After arriving at your lodge, check in and spend the remainder of the day relaxing and preparing for the following morning's chimpanzee trekking experience.

Main activity: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge ( Budget), Chimpnest Safari Lodge (Midrange) tabebua Spa and Safari Resort(Luxury)

After an early breakfast, transfer to the chimpanzee trekking briefing point. Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will explain trekking procedures, forest etiquette and the rules for observing chimpanzees.

Enter Kibale Forest with your ranger guide and begin searching for habituated chimpanzees. The duration of the search varies because the chimpanzees move freely through their natural habitat. Along the way, you may also encounter other primates and forest wildlife.

After locating the chimpanzees, standard tracking visitors normally spend up to one hour observing them as they feed, groom, communicate, rest and move through the forest.

After the trek, return for lunch and relaxation. Later, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. The wetland provides opportunities to observe monkeys, birds, butterflies and diverse plant life.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Main activities: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge ( Budget), Chimpnest Safari Lodge (Midrange) tabebua Spa and Safari Resort(Luxury)

Enjoy breakfast before departing Kibale and travelling toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The relatively short transfer allows you to appreciate western Uganda's beautiful crater landscapes, farms and views toward the Rwenzori region.

After arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park, continue to your lodge and check in. Depending on your arrival time and lodge location, there may be an opportunity for an introductory game drive.

The park's varied habitats support elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, hippos and numerous other animals. Predators include lions and leopards, although sightings depend on wildlife movements and luck.

Spend the evening relaxing at your lodge surrounded by the landscapes of one of Uganda's best-known wildlife destinations.

Main activity: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: Enshama Game Lodge ( Budget), Buffalo Safari Lodge ( Midrange), Mweya Safari Lodge Luxury)

A major highlight of the 7-Day Uganda Safari is the morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise.

Your driver-guide will explore different tracks while searching for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs and other savannah wildlife. Lions are an important attraction in the Kasenyi area, while leopards and hyenas may occasionally be encountered.

Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation before travelling to the Kazinga Channel.

In the afternoon, board a scheduled boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise is famous for its hippos and provides opportunities to see crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and other animals along the banks.

Birdlife is another highlight, with African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans and numerous other water-associated species potentially visible.

After the cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Main activities: Kasenyi game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: Enshama Game Lodge ( Budget), Buffalo Safari Lodge ( Midrange), Mweya Safari Lodge Luxury)

After breakfast, leave the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel south through the Ishasha Sector.

Ishasha is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions. Your guide will search the area's open plains and fig trees for these unusual lions while also looking for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other wildlife. Tree-climbing lion sightings cannot be guaranteed because the animals move freely.

Continue toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with lunch arranged along the journey.

The landscape becomes increasingly mountainous and forested as you approach Bwindi. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and spend the evening relaxing while preparing your trekking equipment for the next morning.

Main activities: Ishasha wildlife viewing and transfer to Bwindi
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge ( Budget), Gorilla Leisure Lodge ( Midrange), Burunga Gorilla Lodge(Luxury)

Today is one of the biggest highlights of your 7-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the appropriate Bwindi trekking sector for registration and a pre-trek briefing. Rangers will explain gorilla trekking rules, safety procedures and appropriate behavior around the gorillas.

You will then enter Bwindi's forest with your ranger guides to search for your assigned habituated mountain gorilla family. Trekking duration varies considerably depending on the gorillas' location, terrain and forest conditions.

Once your group locates the gorillas, standard permit holders normally spend up to one hour observing them. You may see gorillas feeding, resting, grooming, playing or interacting with other members of their family.

After your encounter, trek back to the starting point and return to your lodge. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and reflecting on your gorilla experience.

Main activity: Mountain gorilla trekking
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge ( Budget), Gorilla Leisure Lodge ( Midrange), Burunga Gorilla Lodge(Luxury)

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before beginning the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe.

The drive takes you through southwestern Uganda's hills, farmland, towns and rural communities. Stops will be made along the way for refreshments and lunch.

Continue toward Kampala or Entebbe, arriving later in the day depending on traffic, road conditions and your final destination.

Your driver-guide will drop you at your hotel or agreed location, marking the end of your 7-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari.

Travelers planning an international flight on the same day should allow sufficient time for the long road transfer and airport check-in. An additional Entebbe overnight can also be arranged.

Main activity: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast and lunch