July 2, 2024
Guided Private 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari
This is a 9-day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari through Uganda’s most stunning landscapes. The safari offers an immersive experience, from tracking rhinos and chimpanzees to encountering mountain gorillas up close.
Start with a warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport, then head to Murchison Falls National Park. Witness the Nile’s power at Murchison Falls, and enjoy game drives and a boat cruise with sightings of elephants, lions, hippos, and various birds.
In Kibale National Park, meet the playful chimpanzees and visit Bigodi Swamp, a haven for bird watchers. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel with opportunities to see the largest concentration of hippos.
The highlight of the 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari awaits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you will trek through forests to meet rare mountain gorillas. Below is a detailed itinerary of this 9-Day Wildlife and Primates Safari. Remember, all our trips are fully customizable to meet your unique preferences.
Detailed 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari
Day 1: Airport pickup
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver/guide who will drive you to your accommodation for the night. Relax and unwind as you prepare for the exciting adventure ahead.
- Accommodation: Papyrus Guesthouse
- Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Begin your 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari Day with a scenic 8–9-hour drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. En route, stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a unique opportunity to track rhinos on foot, guided by experienced 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari rangers.
This sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Continue the drive with a lunch break in Masindi Town before arriving at the park. Upon arrival, head straight to the ‘top of the falls’ where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. The sheer force and beauty of the falls provide a spectacular photo opportunity.
From here, continue to the lodge, check in, and rest for the night.
- Accommodation: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Wildlife game drives in Murchison Falls NP
Murchison Falls National Park
Get up early for a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile River. You will be able to spot a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hartebeest, Waterbuck, Oribi, Bushbuck, and leopards if you are lucky. Return to the lodge for breakfast, relaxation, and lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go on a launch cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. This cruise offers spectacular views of the falls from below and opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species like the rare shoebill stork, fish eagles, and different kingfishers.
End the day with a delicious dinner at the lodge.
- Accommodation: Bamboo Village Safari Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Drive from Murchison Falls to Kibale National Park
Enjoy an early breakfast before going on a drive to Kibale National Park, a dense tropical rainforest. This is approximately a 6-hour journey that takes you through beautiful landscapes, tea plantations, and traditional homesteads.
You will stop for lunch in the charming town of Fort Portal, with views of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon.”
When you reach your accommodation, settle in and enjoy the natural surroundings. The evening is yours to relax, perhaps with a walk around the camp or a quiet moment to absorb the sounds of the forest. Dinner will be served at the camp.
- Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
Go Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
You will start your 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari Day with an early morning breakfast before heading to the park office for a briefing about chimpanzee tracking.
The chimpanzee tracking experience is undoubtedly the highlight for anyone visiting Kibale National Park. This adventure will take you through the dense rainforest in search of a troop of chimpanzees.
With experienced guides, you will go into the dense forest, heart racing with anticipation and suddenly, the air fills with the calls of chimpanzees. In a short while, you will find yourself in their midst, watching them play, groom, and interact.
After spending an hour with the chimps, return to the starting point and on to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its rich biodiversity and bird-watching opportunities. Take a guided walk through the swamp and engage with the local community, learning about their culture and way of life.
In the evening, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. (Drive time: approx. 3-4hrs)
- Accommodation: Bush Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Wildlife game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, you will get up early for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and large herds of buffaloes and antelopes. The backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains adds to the park’s dramatic scenery. After the game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and some leisure time.
In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. This cruise offers fantastic opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species up close. The shores are often lined with buffaloes, elephants, and various antelopes coming to drink.
- Accommodation: Bush Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Today, you will 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. The drive takes you through the scenic Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its terraced hills and picturesque views.
You will have a lunch stop en route before arriving at the lodge. Settle in for dinner and rest up for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.
- Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable N.P
This day promises to be one of the most memorable of your 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. In small groups, you will set off into the dense forest with experienced guides to track a gorilla family. The trek can be challenging, with steep and muddy paths, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Upon finding the gorillas, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to spend an hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Watch as they play, feed, and interact, gaining insight into their daily lives. After this unforgettable encounter, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the evening, visit the local Bakiga and Batwa communities to learn about their traditions and way of life.
- Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Drive back to Kampala
Uganda Equator Crossing
After an early breakfast, your 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari driver/guide will drive you from Bwindi to Kampala. This is a long drive of approximately 9 hours that will take you from the cooler mountainous altitude of the Kigezi Highlands to the lower undulating landscape of Ankole and Buganda, with large farms and plantations dotted with villages and small towns.
You will have several stopovers along the way, including the equator crossing in Kayabwe for some pictures. Depending on the schedule of your next flight, a few more stopovers can be added by your guide. You should reach Kampala in the early evening hours with enough time to freshen up before your flight out of Uganda.
- Accommodation: None
- Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End of 9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari
9-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primates Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions;
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with a pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English-speaking driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park entrance fees for all National parks
- All activities described in the itinerary
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person.
- 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
Exclusions;
- International airfares
- Entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter. Helps to carry your backpack & push/pull you on the slippery slopes.
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, drivers/guides, porters, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of a personal nature (e.g., drinks, laundry, optional activities.)
