Safari overview.

Primates and Wildlife adventure is ideal for anyone interested in seeing the Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and big game in seven nights without crossing borders.

The trip starts with Kibale Forest National Park, home to about 15 primate species, among others, including the chimpanzee, different colobus monkey species, colorful forest Birds and some of the oldest trees in Africa.

Queen Elizabeth National Park with a backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains is dotted with crater Lakes, the Kazinga channel. This provides perfect habitats and roaming grounds for Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and unique Birds. Ishasha sector spices up the park with unique tree climbing lions.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park provides the ultimate gorilla trekking experiences. The evergreen and moist forest is home to over 50% of the remaining mountain Gorillas on earth.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe international airport – Uganda.
Day 2: Scenic drive to Kibale National Park – Afternoon village walk.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking – Optional Afternoon Bigodi swamp walk.
Day 4: Kibale Forest National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon game drive.
Day 5: Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park & Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.
Day 6; Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Community walk.
Day 7; Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest – Visit Dr Gladys’ Gorilla lab.
Day 8: Fly to Entebbe and connect to your international flight.

Detailed Itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Uganda.

Adventure Consults’ airport staff will meet you on arrival, assist you through customs, get your luggage, and transfer you to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may have a briefing on your safari today/tonight or opt to have it in the morning after some hours of relaxation.

Overnight accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Most of the hotels are 10 minutes’ drive from Entebbe airport.
Inclusions: Bed & Breakfasts basis.
Excludes: All meals and Drinks.

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale National Park (Approx. 6 hours’ drive).

After Breakfast, meet your guide at the lobby, briefing on the day’s adventure and start your journey to western Uganda.

You will drive via the new express highway and avoid Kampala traffic. The drive to Fort portal is quite smooth, with busy towns and roadside markets. Part of the journey is green as you enter the ever-green Kibale forest and Tooro tea plantations.

You will have stops on the way to buy fresh fruits (mangos, pineapples, sugarcane and more). Proceed to the lodge arriving in time for lunch.

Afternoon at leisure or go for a crater walk where you will enjoy the village farmlands, homesteads, Birds or play soccer with the friendly Ugandans.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Exclusions: All drinks.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest NP and Bigodi swamp walk

After Breakfast, begin the day with a transfer to Kanyanchu Park Headquarters in time for a briefing that starts at 7:30 am, then later head out to the forest to observe the endangered chimpanzees.

Scientifically known as Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, the Eastern chimpanzees are found in the moist evergreen Kibale Forest National Park with over 1500 individuals. This 795-square-kilometer Protected Area is popular for sheltering the highest concentration of primates in the world – 13 species, including the very ‘localized’ Red Colobus as well, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, to mention but a few.

During the chimpanzee trek, the Ranger guide will provide detailed information on more than just primates. The forest is endowed with some of the oldest trees in Africa out of which some are medicinal, and others are used by Chimpanzees for communication. Your walk will be interestingly informative and exciting. You don’t have to be a birding enthusiast to enjoy the competition of Chimpanzee calls and bird sounds.

Today, you have there’s an option for a Uganda meal to give you a true feel of Africa. At Tinka’s homestay, food is served in a grass thatched hut while seated on a mat. You however have an option for other international cuisines or dishes at any of the lodges in Kibale area (discuss with the guide on the type of preferred type of lunch).

In the afternoon, you may simply relax at the lodge or go for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp for primate and bird viewing. The approximately 4.5 Km round walk takes you through a swamp that shelters over 200 species of birds that include Great Blue Turacos, Papyrus gonolek, Blue, Crowned eagles, Purple-breasted sunbirds, African Pitta, Papyrus Canary, and many more swamp endemics. During this wetland walk, you are likely to see more primates such as Olive baboons, Black and White Colobus, Red Tailed monkeys, L’Hoests Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Blue Monkeys among others.

The local guides will share exciting details of the local lifestyles, history, and culture of the community. On returning to the Lodge in the evening, you can relax while watching the sun as it dips down in the snow-capped Mountains of the moon, and many hills surrounding the lodge.

Meals and Overnight at Safari Lodge.
Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Exclusions: All drinks.

Day 4: Kibale Forest National Park – Queen Elizabeth National Park. App. 3 hours’ drive.

After breakfast, head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, via the frontier town of Kasese, surrounded by the breathtaking snow-capped Rwenzori Mountain Range. You will arrive at the lodge early afternoon.

After lunch, go for a game drive. This savannah park is a haven for about 95 species of mammals that include Defassa waterbucks, Uganda Kobs, Lions, Topis, Hippos, Leopards, Bushbucks, side-stripped jackals, warthogs, spotted hyenas, African bush elephants, and Cape buffaloes among others.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 5: Game drive & Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.

Make sure you are up before so that you don’t miss out the colorful sunrise session!

After a cup of coffee/tea, head out for a game. As the sun peeps out of the broken clouds, it reflects on thesavannahs, creating shady moments. The sparkling sunlight reflection on the lakes and green wetlandsgives the best moment for classic big game and colourful birds to hang out.

Two famous game tracks- Kasenyi track, and Queens’s mile will never disappoint! There are high chances of sighting the Leopard, African bush elephants, Hippos, Lions, Cape buffaloes, and several antelope species.

Enjoy a Picnic Breakfast at a beautiful site by the community craft market, facing Lake Bunyampaka. Depending on the season, you might see the colorful flamingos in a distance.

After lunch, drive to the Mweya pier in time for the 2 pm boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The channel is a 32-kilometer- long natural water stretch that links Lake Edward and George.

The boat cruise on the channel provides the best opportunities for up-close animal viewing and photography with lots of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s bird life is rich, colorful, and stupendous totaling to 600 recorded species.

We normally book scheduled boats. The type of boat to use (either big or small) is to be determined on the day of the boat trip. Private/exclusive boats are available on payment of supplement.

Weather permitting, go for a sundowner and have a taste of Uganda’s finest gin, and a mix of both local and premium drinks as you look at the sun dipping in the horizon. Note that snacks and soft drinks on house, all alcoholic drinks are on own account.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Today, you will head out to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector famous for its tree climbing Lions and multitude of animals. The drive from Mweya sector to Ishasha is about two and a half hours, and a short game drive through Ishasha is about one hour.

The Northern Sector of Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) is still pristine and untouched with only a handful of game vehicles found around the area at any time. Large herds of buffalo are common in Ishasha, as are Uganda Kob. You will not miss the elephant, waterbuck, bushbuck, and topi. The ‘super stars’ of the area are the tree climbing lions that can regularly be seen snoozing on a limb on one of the fig trees.

After a short game drive, have lunch at Savannah lodge then after head out to Bwindi/Buhoma, arriving late afternoon.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has got almost 400 species of plants, providing habitat for over 120 mammal species (including 11 primates), 346 species of birds (including 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics), 202 species of butterflies, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos, and many other endangered species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is notable for being home to over 50% of the approximately 1,060 Mountain Gorillas still living on earth.

In the afternoon, go for a tea plantation walk. Bwindi has got the best soils that favors growth and flourishing of tea plantations. You don’t have to be a ‘tea-person’ to learn more about tea!

You will head out for a tea tour and get to know how tea is grown, picked and traditionally processed. The tour also shows how ‘black’, ‘green’ and ‘white’ teas are produced and differentiated. You have an opportunity to sample the fine teas at the end of the tour whilst looking over the impressive forests. We call it the tea ceremony.

Time permitting, go for a visit to Ride for a woman project: This is a charitable organization set up to support women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. Your visit indirectly supports the project work and while here, you may participate in basketry, weaving, and have an opportunity for craft shopping. You can as well place your order for African designed cautions, dresses, wrappers, table mats and all that has got an African touch on it! The ladies will ensure your orders are ready for collection within 24 hours or earlier.

Day 7: Gorilla Tracking – Afternoon Gorilla lab visit

Today is dedicated to visiting the Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

While in Buhoma, you can access Gorilla families of Buhoma or Ruhija sectors. Depending on the sector/family booked to track gorillas, you may leave the lodge either at 0600hrs for Ruhija or 0700hrs for Buhoma area. Breakfast is always ready by 0500 hours or can opt to have a packed breakfast if leaving at 0600hrs.

This beautiful park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 50% of the world’s remaining Gorillas. The rainforest is spectacular, heavily vegetated, and dense landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for trekkers. The time taken to find the Gorillas depends on Gorilla movements and in most cases, they are either looking for food or simply taking time to walk in their territory.

When you finally find them, you are allowed to spend 60 minutes while watching and following their movements. The thrill of spending time with and observing these gentle giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long-lasting memories of a truly unique experience.

Mountain gorillas are generally shy and peaceful creatures, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch and photograph them as they interact with each other.

In the afternoon, Visit Dr. Gladys’ Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) center. This is a non-profit organization that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of the people living around protected areas. CTPH focuses on human and wildlife coexistence in and around protected area. It’s at Conservation through Public Health that samples from the Gorillas are examined as part of the health observation process to ensure the good health of Gorillas. If you are lucky, you may meet the founder (Dr. Gladys Kalema). If not at the center, you are assured of meeting one of her team members who will take you through detailed explanation and experiments of their day-to-day job to ensure animals and local community health is taken care of. Listen to their stories and you will fall in love with Mountain Gorillas.

Day 8: Fly to Entebbe and connect to an international flight.

After breakfast, transfer to Kihihi airstrip in time for your morning flight to Entebbe Airport. The morning flight departs Kihihi airstrip at 9:45 am (flight schedule can change and sometimes at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, but in most cases would be for safety reasons).

Baggage restrictions on domestic flights: Maximum luggage weight is 15 kgs /33lbs in soft-sided bags. Standard luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, 18 inches (45cm) length, and 13 inches (33cm) width. Any excess luggage can be paid for at 3$ per Kg depending on space availability or can make advance reservation.

The drive from Buhoma to Kihihi airstrip takes about 2 hours. The approximate flight duration is one hour and forty-five minutes. It can be shorter than that, but the actual duration depends on the routing of the day.

You will arrive Entebbe airport by 1125hrs (sometimes earlier). If you have a connecting international/regional flight today, ensure it’s scheduled to depart Entebbe not earlier than 1345hrs.

On arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be assisted through customs and connect to your international/regional flight.

If you have more than 4 hours layover from 11am, Adventure consults offers various options.

Complementary transfer to the nearby restaurant (outside the airport) where you will have an early lunch (on own account), then later transfer back to the airport in time for your flight.
Day room at a hotel near Entebbe airport (on payment of supplement).
Optional day activities to keep you busy and get to see more of Entebbe. Please ask for detailed info and related costs to ensure reservations are in place.

Accommodation options.

There is a wide range of accommodation facilities in Uganda that meet our clients’ standards.

It’s quite difficult to list all of them but have done our best to mention the few we can. Get in touch and we discuss all your safari specifications.

Accommodation in Entebbe

The gateway to Uganda features several accommodation options that cater for the needs and aspirations of large groups, while there are small boutique hotels with 10 to 20 rooms. The hotels range from high end, midrange to budget. Our safari packages include Bed & Breakfast while in Entebbe or Kampala.

Hotel Number 5.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe.
The Boma hotel.
Lake Victoria Serena Golf resort and spa.
2 Friends Beach Hotel.
Papyrus Guesthouse.
Best Western Premier Garden Hotel.
K Hotels.
Admas Grand Hotel.

Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation options at/around Kibale Forest National Park are endless. Most if not all facilities have got beautiful views of either the verdant forest, crater lakes, hills or valleys.

Ndali Lodge.
Kyaninga Lodge.
Crater Safari Lodge.
Primate Lodge.
Turaco Treetops.
Chimpundu Safari Lodge.
Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge.
Kibale Forest Camp.
Papaya Lake Lodge.
Isunga Lodge.
Kibale Forest Lodge.
Nyaika Hotel.
Fort Motel.

Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park provides a wide array of accommodation options. Some facilities are inside the park and others all outside but within proximity of park activities. All facilities have magnificent views of the savannah plains, lakes, rivers, mountains, and every green craters.

Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
Elephant Plains Lodge.
Mweya Safari Lodge.
Katara Lodge.
Buffalo Safari Lodge.
Enganzi Lodge.
Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Parkview Safari Lodge.
Kasenyi Safari Camp.
Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge.
Ishasha Jungle lodge.

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi has got a variety of accommodation options. They range from high-end luxury camps/lodges, midrange, to budget camps.

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
Buhoma Lodge.
Mahogany Springs lodge.
Trekkers Tavern Lodge.
Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.
Engagi Lodge.
Ride 4 a woman Cottages.

Primates and Wildlife in Uganda – 8 Days