9 Days of Uganda Safari, Chimp & Gorilla Trek

Tour Plan

This 9-day Uganda safari offers a comprehensive safari journey through the country’s most celebrated wildlife and primate destinations.

Experience enchanting chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, followed by the unforgettable highlight of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Along the way, explore diverse landscapes including savannah parks, crater lakes, and lush rainforests, with opportunities for classic game drives, boat safaris, and cultural encounters.

Traveling in a comfortable 4x4 Land Cruiser with expert guides and staying in quality lodges, this itinerary delivers a well-rounded and deeply rewarding East African safari experience.

 

Safari Summary

• Start/End: Entebbe
• Status: Private Tour, departs on any day, open all year round
• Vehicle used: 4/4 Land Cruiser
• Accommodations: Tented Camp/Lodge
• Kibale – 2 Nights, Queen Elizabeth Park – 2 Nights, Ishasha – 1 Night, Bwindi – 2 Nights & Lake Mburo – 1 Night
• Activities: Gorilla trek, photography, nature walk, cultural tour, sightseeing & birding

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe – Transfer to Fort Portal, Approx. 5 hours

You will be picked from your Entebbe hotel at 6.30a.m. and immediately depart for Kibale. This drive will provide you with stunning views as you pass small African villages and banana plantations.

The lovely town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the renowned Mountains of the Moon and is famous for the many tea plantations.

Overnight: Crater Safari Lodge/Kyanginga Lodge/Chimp Forest Camp

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 2: Kibale – Chimp Tracking & Bigodi Swamp walk

Today have early breakfast and transfer to park’s gates for briefing about chimp tracking.

Thereafter, head out to the forest to look for the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey and many others. Kibale Forest is reputable for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa.

After a hearty lunch we transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for another different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates.

Overnight: Crater Safari Lodge/Kyanginga Lodge/Chimp Forest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Kibale Forest – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth, Approx. 3 hours

After breakfast depart for Queen Elizabeth National park to arrive in time for lunch. Enjoy amazing views of small lakes, plantations, meandering road and the majestic view of Rwenzori Mountain. Have first game drive on this day or spend time relaxing.

Overnight: The Bush Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth – Morning game drive + Afternoon boat cruise

Have morning game drive after breakfast then later return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel between Lake Edward and Lake George.

Thanks to the abundant birdlife that is sighted, and the elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will definitely be one of the highlights of your safari.

Overnight: The Bush Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth – Game drive – transfer to Ishasha

Have breakfast then have a short game drive as you head to the Southern part of the park called Ishasha arriving in time for lunch. Later have another final game drive.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 6: Ishasha – Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, we embark on a game drive in search of tree climbing lions as well as seeing other animals like the topi, elephants, kobs etc. After lunch head to Bwindi arriving in the evening.

Overnight: Mahogany Springs/Buhoma Lodge/Bwindi Lodge/Sancuary Gorilla Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 7: Bwindi, Gorilla tracking

Another highlight of your safari: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi!

Especially hikers will love the tracking in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. It is difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike, it may take 3 to 8 hours. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorilla.

But it will be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest. A unique and unforgettable experience!

You will carry packed lunch on this day.

Note: For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour.

The ranger guide always briefs you on how to behave with these giant apes. After trekking, return to the lodge for relaxation.

Overnight: Mahogany Springs/Buhoma Lodge/Bwindi Lodge/Sancuary Gorilla Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 8: Bwindi – Transfer to Lake Mburo, Approx. 3-4 hours

Have early breakfast then depart for Lake Mburo. This drive is a scenic one; the forest, monkeys on the road, meandering roads, small villages, plantations and lakes, it is very hard for one to get bored. Arrive Lake Mburo and immediately have a game drive till early evening when you check in at the lodge. You will carry picnic lunch from Bwindi this day.

Overnight: Mihingo Lodge/Mburo Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 9: Lake Mburo – Transfer to Entebbe, Approx. 4 hours

After early morning breakfast, depart for Entebbe and be dropped off at the airport.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch