7-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide who will brief you about the safari before transferring you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short walk around Entebbe town or relax at the hotel after your flight. The evening is usually quiet, allowing you to rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Your journey begins early in the morning, usually around 7:00 AM, as you depart from Entebbe or Kampala heading west towards Kibale Forest. The drive takes you through changing landscapes, starting with busy towns and gradually opening into rural countryside dotted with banana plantations, roadside markets, and small trading centers.

As you approach Fort Portal, the scenery becomes more beautiful with tea plantations stretching across the hills and the distant outline of the Rwenzori Mountains appearing on the horizon. You will stop in Fort Portal for lunch and a short break before continuing to Kibale Forest.

The final stretch to your lodge takes you through lush greenery and cooler temperatures typical of this region. You will arrive in the afternoon, check in, and spend the rest of the day relaxing while enjoying the natural surroundings.

After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. The forest is alive with sounds, and as you walk through it, your guide will help you identify different plants and animals.

Tracking chimpanzees involves following their calls and movements through the forest. Once you locate them, you will spend time observing how they interact, feed, and move through the trees. The experience is dynamic and often involves watching them jump between branches and communicate loudly.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, you will later visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This guided walk offers a different experience, with opportunities to see other primates, birds, and local community life. By evening, you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will leave Kibale and drive south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey is shorter compared to the previous day and offers beautiful views of crater lakes and open savannah landscapes.

You will arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, followed by some rest. In the late afternoon, you may go on an evening game drive and begin to spot wildlife such as elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species. The golden light of the evening makes this a particularly enjoyable experience.

The day begins with an early breakfast before heading out for a morning boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway known for its high concentration of wildlife. As you glide along the calm waters, you will encounter large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles basking on the shores, and elephants and buffaloes gathering at the water’s edge to drink. The morning hours offer clear views and a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal time to observe animal behavior and enjoy the rich birdlife that thrives along the channel.

After returning to the lodge for lunch and a short rest, you will set off in the afternoon for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you through the Ishasha sector, where you may have a chance to spot the famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. As you continue, the landscape gradually transforms from open savannah into rolling hills and terraced farmland, eventually leading into the dense rainforest of Bwindi. You will arrive in the early evening, check into your lodge, and unwind as you prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking experience.

The day begins early with breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing from the rangers. Here, you will be assigned to a small group and given guidelines on how to behave while in the presence of the gorillas. Shortly after, you will enter the forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers. The trek takes you through dense vegetation, steep slopes, and narrow trails, with the duration varying depending on the location of the gorilla family. Along the way, your guide will point out signs of wildlife, plants, and the unique features of the forest.

When the gorillas are finally located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. You may see them feeding, grooming, playing, or simply resting as the dominant silverback keeps watch over the group. The experience is both intimate and powerful, offering a rare opportunity to connect with these gentle giants in the wild. After the encounter, you will begin the trek back to the starting point, receive your trekking certificate, and return to the lodge for relaxation and reflection on this remarkable experience.

On the final day of your safari, you will check out after breakfast and begin the scenic drive back to Kampala. Along the way, you can stop for photos of the rolling countryside, local markets, or scenic viewpoints. You will arrive in Kampala by late evening, concluding your 7-day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari with unforgettable memories of gorillas, wildlife, and the stunning landscapes of Uganda.