7 Days Uganda Primates Safari (Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees)
This 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari includes two of Uganda’s popular primate trekking destinations. You will venture into this beautiful country’s two of the most remarkable National Parks and enjoy a gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park with a bonus visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park to spice up your experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south-western side of Uganda is known as one of the most popular gorilla trekking destinations in the World.
It shelters about 50% of the World’s mountain gorilla population as well as about 20 gorilla families that have been fully or semi-habituated for trekking.
Kibale Forest National Park is a must-visit chimpanzee trekking destination in Uganda and beyond, known for harboring about 13 primate species. A total of 6 chimpanzee communities have been habituated for trekking. Here, there is also a chance to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for more primates and birds.
Highlights of the 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
- Hike deep into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the mountain gorillas.
- Walk through the natural rainforest of Kibale to see chimpanzees going about their daily routines.
- Take a walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for lots of primates and bird species.
- Take a guided community walk.
7 Days Uganda Primates Safari Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, the beautiful Uganda.
- Day 2: Scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park via Mubende and Fort Portal.
- Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking & wetland walk.
- Day 4: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a boat ride along Kazinga Channel.
- Day 5: Game Drive through Queen Elizabeth Park and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 6: Bwindi National Park- Gorilla trekking and cultural tour.
- Day 7: Kampala (departure).
Detailed Itinerary of the 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, the beautiful Uganda
Welcome to the beautiful Entebbe! Depending on the time you get into your country and how tired you are after the long flight, you are likely to have some free time to explore the beautiful Town of Entebbe.
Besides being the gateway into Uganda, it is also a wonderful tourist site with lots of places to be explored such as the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, and the Uganda Reptiles Village among others.
Later continue to Kampala City for your dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options;
- Latitude 0 Degree Hotel (luxury).
- Villa Kololo (midrange).
- Yellow Haven Lodge (basic).
Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: Scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park via Mubende and Fort Portal
Following breakfast, you will leave Kampala City and transfer approximately 6 hours west to Kibale Forest National Park, a haven for primates featuring second-to-none chimpanzee trekking experiences.
You will be having lunch en route (at Fort Portal Town) and enjoying a crater Lake tour before continuing to your booked place of lodging. Having checked into your Safari Lodge, you can choose to spend the remainder of the day relishing Lodge facilities (like a swimming pool if existent).
Dine and have overnight within or near Kibale Forest National Park.
Accommodation options;
- Crater Safari Lodge or Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge (luxury).
- Primate Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops Lodge (midrange).
- Chimpanzee Guesthouse or Kibale Forest Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking & wetland walk
On this day you’ll take a chimpanzee trekking tour through Kibale Forest National Park. You’ll either walk or board the safari vehicle and head out to the Park Headquarters (at Kanyanchu Visitor Center) where you will be briefed on the dos and don’ts of the activity.
Be ready to walk 1-3 hours through Kibale Forest National Park while searching for the chimpanzees, after which get to spend one hour watching and taking photos as they go about their activities uninterrupted. Delicious lunch is provided at the Lodge.
Visitors have the remainder of the afternoon exploring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary at the boundary of Kibale Forest National Park to see different primates and birds that call the Sanctuary home.
Accommodation options;
- Crater Safari Lodge or Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge (luxury).
- Primate Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops Lodge (midrange).
- Chimpanzee Guesthouse or Kibale Forest Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, boat ride along Kazinga Channel
The program today includes transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park aboard a safari vehicle and this takes about 2 and a half hours. Use the Crater Lake route with numerous views to look out for and be there before lunchtime. Freshen up and have lunch before meeting at the Mweya jetty for the start of another adventure.
In the afternoon have a boat ride through Kazinga Channel with a massive concentration of Hippos and Crocodiles alongside elephants, buffaloes, and colorful birds that you can’t afford to miss. Spend the night at the Lodge, as is dinner.
Accommodation options
- Elephant Plains or Mweya Lodge (upmarket)
- Buffaloes Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge (midrange).
- Kazinga Channel View Resort or Simba Safari Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Game Drive through Queen Elizabeth Park and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The day starts early with breakfast at the Lodge and check-out of the Lodge, to continue for the game drive. See different animals that include elephants, Hippos, buffaloes, Topis, Uganda Kobs, Olive baboons, bushbucks and so much more.
Simply continue with the drive towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a brief stop at Ishasha sector for the tree-climbing lions. Lunch will be at Savannah Resort Kihihi and arrival in Bwindi for the evening.
Accommodation options;
- Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp (luxury).
- Bwindi Lodge or Kigezi Forest Cottages (midrange).
- Engagi Lodge or Ride for a woman Bandas (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Bwindi National Park- Gorilla trekking and cultural tour

This is the day you trek the mountain gorillas and therefore be prepared for it.
After breakfast, make your way up to the Park Headquarters for a briefing on the guidelines to be followed while trekking and being in the presence of the Giant Apes.
At 8:00 am start walking through the forest while sighting different animals and birds, then after 1-4 hours find the allocated gorilla family. The reward for this hectic walk is one hour of watching and photography.
Enjoy the afternoon exploring the surrounding area (Ride 4 a Woman) by checking out handcrafts made by local women and traditional dances, to mention but a few.
Accommodation options;
- Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp (luxury).
- Bwindi Lodge or Kigezi Forest Cottages (midrange).
- Engagi Lodge or Ride for a woman Bandas (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Kampala (departure)
It is now time to bid farewell to Uganda after one week of nonstop primate safari. The private safari driver will meet you at your Safari Lodge and transfer you to the Capital, then finally to the Airport for International departure.
This 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari package includes;
- Gorilla permit.
- Chimpanzee permit.
- Road transfer by private safari vehicle.
- Park entry fees (where applicable).
- Boat ride through Kazinga Channel.
- Cultural encounter.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Bottled water and snacks.
- Hand sanitizer and face masks (applicable to safaris during the Covid-19 pandemic).
- Bigodi walk.
The 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari package excludes;
- Personal expenses like telephone calls, laundry fees, souvenirs and gratuities.
- Visa fees.
Primate Tracking Rules and Regulations in Uganda