Uganda · 7 days
7-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari
Chimpanzees in Kibale, game drives and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth, then mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Starts
- Entebbe
- Ends
- Entebbe
- Country
- Uganda
Overview
Three of Uganda's flagship parks in one loop, and the trip we'd recommend to most first-time visitors. You track chimpanzees through Kibale's forest, cross the savanna of Queen Elizabeth by vehicle and by boat, look for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha on the way south, and finish with a full day in Bwindi's gorilla forest.
- Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland walk in Kibale
- Kasenyi game drive for lion, elephant, buffalo and antelope
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Entebbe to Kibale National Park
We leave Entebbe for western Uganda, stopping among the tea plantations around Fort Portal before reaching your lodge near Kibale forest.
- Approx. 320km, 6 hours
- Lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Luxury: Tabebuia Spa & Safari Resort
Day 2
Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Wetland
An early start at Kanyanchu to track a habituated chimpanzee community, usually 2-4 hours of searching followed by an hour with the chimps. In the afternoon, a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for birds and other primates.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Luxury: Tabebuia Spa & Safari Resort
Day 3
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
A short drive past the crater lakes brings you to Queen Elizabeth in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive.
- Approx. 150km, 3 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Day 4
Kasenyi plains & Kazinga Channel
A dawn game drive across the Kasenyi plains, when lion and leopard are most active, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel past hippos, buffalo, elephants and Nile crocodiles.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Day 5
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha
We drive south through the Ishasha sector, looking for the lions that rest in its fig trees, then climb into the hills to Bwindi.
- Approx. 200km, 4-5 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Day 6
Gorilla trekking
The highlight of the trip: a briefing at park headquarters, then a trek into the forest to spend one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Day 7
Return to Entebbe
A full travel day back to Entebbe for your flight, or a domestic flight from Kisoro if you would rather.
- Approx. 9-10 hours with stops
- Breakfast and lunch
- End of safari
This is a sample route. Every trip is private, so we can add days, swap lodges, change the pace or fly instead of drive on the longest legs. Lodges are confirmed when we book, subject to availability.
What’s included
- Gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey and rhino tracking permits for the activities in your itinerary, booked in advance
- Park entrance fees
- All game drives
- Boat cruises
- Accommodation and meals as listed for each day
- Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or border pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- All government taxes
Not included
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Visa fees
- International flight tickets
- Personal and medical insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, tips and laundry
Good to know
- Gorilla trekkers must be 15 or older and reasonably fit. Gorilla trekking guide
- The dry seasons (June to September, December to February) are best for trekking and game drives, but this safari runs all year. When to go
- What to pack and frequently asked questions
More safaris you might like
Ready to start planning?
Tell us your dates and what you would love to see, and Godwin will put together a route, lodges and a quote for you.