Overview
This 5-day Uganda Primate Safari offers you an opportunity to explore Uganda’s rich primate population, including the famous mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Combining visits to Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this safari provides a memorable experience for nature lovers and primate enthusiasts alike.
Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 5: Transfer to Entebbe & Departure
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your safari guide who will brief you on your upcoming adventure. You'll then embark on a scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its high concentration of primates. Along the way, enjoy the diverse landscapes, including tea plantations and rural villages.
- Drive time: 5-6 hours
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you'll set out on a thrilling chimpanzee tracking experience. Kibale Forest is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, and the trek will bring you close to these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. The experience allows you to spend one hour observing and photographing their behavior.
In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-based project that is great for bird watching and spotting other primates like red colobus monkeys.
- Activity: Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the famous home of mountain gorillas. The scenic drive through southwestern Uganda offers incredible views of rolling hills, lakes, and rural villages. You’ll arrive in Bwindi in the evening, where you will prepare for the next day's gorilla trekking adventure.
- Drive time: 6-8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This is the highlight of your safari! After an early breakfast, you'll head to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on a guided trek through the dense forest in search of a mountain gorilla family. Trekking through Bwindi can take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas, but the reward of spending an hour with these majestic creatures is unparalleled.
After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation and reflection on your experience.
- Activity: Gorilla trekking
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey back to Entebbe, with an optional stop at the equator for photos and souvenir shopping. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your unforgettable primate safari in Uganda.
- Drive time: 8-9 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits
- Park entrance fees
- Accommodation (full-board basis)
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water throughout the safari
- Wi-fi on board
The Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses like tips, drinks, and souvenirs
- Any additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
FAQs
Uganda offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury lodges to mid-range and budget camps. Most safari lodges are eco-friendly and located close to the national parks, offering comfort and convenience during your stay.
Yes, Uganda offers a variety of wildlife safari experiences that can be combined with primate trekking, such as game drives, boat safaris, and bird watching in parks like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. We can always customize your safaris depending on your interests.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old, while for chimpanzee trekking, the age limit is 12 years. This is to ensure that participants can handle the physical demands of trekking.
Yes, Uganda is generally a safe country for tourists. National parks are well-protected, and experienced guides accompany all safaris. However, it’s always advisable to check travel advisories and ensure you have proper travel insurance.
During the trek, you are allowed to be within 7-10 meters of the primates. This distance is maintained to protect both you and the animals, minimizing the risk of disease transmission.
Both treks can be moderately challenging, depending on the terrain and the location of the primates. Trekkers should be reasonably fit as the activity may involve hiking for several hours through forests and mountainous terrain. If you have issues with long hiking, we always inform our tour guides to ensure they find for you a nearer gorilla family.
Uganda can be visited year-round, but the best time for primate tracking (gorillas and chimpanzees) is during the dry seasons: December to February and June to September. These months offer easier trekking conditions as the trails are less muddy.
