8-Day Uganda Vacation Including Chimps & Gorilla Trekking

Pick-up will be either from your hotel or the airport upon arrival. Your assigned professional English-speaking tour driver-guide will receive you, and you will embark on a transfer to your overnight accommodation at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. Upon arrival, check in and relax.

Optional activity (extra cost: USD 15 per person): If time allows and you are interested, you may join a crater lakes excursion. Enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills and stunning panoramic views. Otherwise, simply relax at the lodge.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge (Budget Level)

Meals: Dinner

Transfer Time: Approx. 6 hours

Have breakfast and proceed to the ranger’s post, where you will receive a briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. You will then begin your trek into Kibale Forest, accompanied by an experienced ranger-guide. During the trek, you will be amazed by the presence of the forest’s primates. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch before embarking on a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Optional activity (no cost): If interested and time allows, you may join a brief afternoon-to-evening game drive.

Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp (Budget Level)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer Time: 2–3 hours

Be up early and have breakfast before proceeding for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. Keep an eye out for Cape buffalo, herds of elephants, lions, leopards (though they are harder to spot), and other wildlife. Return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch.

After lunch, enjoy a two-hour boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to observe wildlife, including giant hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and numerous bird species along the shores.

Optional activity: After the boat trip, you may choose either to return to the lodge to rest or go for a brief late afternoon game drive before heading back to the lodge.

Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp (Budget Level)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before heading to the Ishasha sector (southern Queen Elizabeth NP) in search of tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 60–70%, though they can sometimes be difficult to see, especially when they are in the grasslands hunting prey. If you are fortunate enough to spot them in the trees, the sight is picturesque and memorable.

From Ishasha, embark on the final leg of the journey to your accommodation at the edge of Bwindi National Park. Upon arrival, you may choose to relax or, at an extra cost of USD 25 per person, participate in a late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This experience includes traditional dances by local community members and the opportunity to take part in activities such as traditional cooking, weaving, and more.

Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp (Budget Level)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer Time: 6–7 hours

Have breakfast and proceed to the ranger’s post, where you will receive a briefing from a ranger guide on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. You will then enter Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular, with dramatic, steeply forested landscapes that are incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists.

The duration and terrain of the trek vary depending on the movements of the gorillas. Once you locate a gorilla group, you will have one hour in their presence. The experience of observing these gentle yet endangered giants is truly unforgettable.

After the trek, return to the accommodation, check out, and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is framed by lush, green-terraced hills rising to heights of 2,200–2,478 meters, but it is the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it magical—you could admire them all day.

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (Budget Level)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer Time: Approx. 2–3 hours

After several long drives and the strenuous gorilla trekking in Bwindi the previous day, this day is at your disposal for relaxation. All meals will be served at the accommodation.

Optional (extra cost USD 30 per person): Should you wish to go out for an activity, you may consider one of the following: Historical Islands tour, visit to the Batwa/Pygmies community, Nyombe Swamp excursion, mountain biking, zip-lining, canoeing, or kayaking on the lake. Activities can be arranged onsite with the assistance of your driver-guide.

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (Budget Level)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then set off for Lake Mburo NP. Mburo is a compact gem, conveniently located close to the highway that connects Entebbe/Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah National Parks but is home to many bird species as well as animals such as giraffes, zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and the elusive leopard, among others.

Upon arrival, check in and rest before heading out for a late afternoon-to-evening game drive, which will bring you up close with the park’s inhabitants. Finally, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Optional (extra cost USD 30 per person): If interested, you may consider a night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures, a rare sight compared to the regular daytime sightings.

Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge (Budget Level)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer Time: Approx. 4–5 hours

Enjoy an early breakfast and proceed for the morning park (bush) walk in Lake Mburo NP, accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter, at close range, zebras, giraffes, elands, topis, other antelopes, and Cape buffaloes, among others. Follow the trail to the top of the hills for a stunning view of Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you can see nine of the twelve lakes surrounding the park.

After the walk, return to the accommodation for checkout and then drive to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight.

Accommodation: Recommended on request

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer Time: Approx. 4 hours