9-Day Uganda Primate & Wildlife Safari

This itinerary focuses mainly on Uganda’s primate and wildlife circuits—Kibale Forest for chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and boat safari, Bwindi for gorillas, and Mgahinga for golden monkeys. The journey ends with a short scenic extension into Rwanda for departure via Kigali.

Detailed: 9-Day Uganda Primate & Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight and prepare for the safari ahead.

Accommodation: K. Hotel
Meal Plan: D

3-Day Rwanda Chimpanzee Tracking Safari

Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you drive west through Uganda’s countryside toward Kibale Forest. A stop is made in Mubende for refreshments, and lunch is taken in Fort Portal town.

The journey continues through the scenic crater lake region before arriving at your lodge near Kibale in the late afternoon.

Travel Time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk

The day is spent in Kibale Forest with a morning chimpanzee trekking experience, offering close encounters with habituated chimpanzee families.

In the afternoon, you enjoy a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for primates and birdlife.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 4: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you continue south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park through crater lakes and rolling countryside. A stop is made for photos and refreshments, with lunch enroute.

You arrive at the lodge in the afternoon and later head out for an evening game drive across the Kasenyi plains.

Travel Time: Approx. 3-4 hours
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 5: Game Drive, Boat Safari and Lion Tracking

The day begins with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the Kasenyi plains. This is combined with either lion tracking or golden cat tracking with researchers, depending on availability and park conditions.

In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector

You depart after breakfast and drive through the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions. A stop is made for wildlife viewing before continuing with lunch enroute inside the sector.

The journey then proceeds into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, arriving in the late afternoon.

Travel Time: Approx. 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Mgahinga

You begin early with gorilla trekking in Bwindi, spending several hours in the forest depending on the gorilla movements. Once found, you’ll spend one magical hour.

After the experience, you return to the lodge for lunch and rest before driving to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The transfer takes about 2–3 hours through highland scenery, arriving in the evening.

Travel Time: Approx. 2-3 hours
Accommodation: Imbogo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga

The morning is dedicated to golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forests of Mgahinga. The experience is lighter and offers excellent wildlife viewing and photography.

The afternoon is left at leisure to enjoy views of the Virunga volcanoes.

Accommodation: Imbogo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: B, L, D

Day 9: Drive to Kigali for Departure

After breakfast, you drive to the Cyanika border crossing into Rwanda, with scenic views of the Virunga ranges along the way.

A lunch stop is made in Musanze before continuing to Kigali. The journey takes approximately 5–6 hours including border formalities and stopovers, ending with drop-off at Kigali International Airport for departure.