11-Day Uganda Primate Safari: Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Golden Monkeys
11 days Uganda Safari: Trekking Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Golden Monkeys & Shoebill Experience.
Experience the beauty of the “Pearl of Africa” on this 11-day Uganda Primate safari, taking you to some of the country’s top wildlife destinations. Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kibale Forest National Park.
This adventure includes thrilling activities such as mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga, and a Shoebill tour in Mabamba Swamp. Enjoy game drives and boat safaris in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, while immersing yourself in Uganda’s rich culture and stunning landscapes
Brief Itinerary of 11 days Uganda safari gorillas and wildlife:
- Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 2: Murchison Falls Game drive and Launch cruise
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National park – Fort portal
- Day 4: Tour Fort Portal Crater Lakes, Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru Caves
- Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National park Uganda
- Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National park Game drive and launch cruise
- Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Day 9: Golden Monkeys Tracking in Mgahinga National Park
- Day 10:Transfer to Kampala or Entebbe over night
- Day 11: Mabamba Island for shoe bill and Transfer to Entebbe Airport.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1:Entebbe Airport Pick up to Startup our 11 days Uganda Primate Safari and wildlife trekking tour.
Depending on our arrival time, and drive to the hotel or Masindi Town for an overnight:
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Masindi Kolping Hotel
Moderate – Masindi Hotel, new court View hotel
Up Market – Kabalega Resort,
Day 2: Murchison National Park for wildlife game viewing and boat cruise on River Nile.
Early Morning we drive to Murchison Falls national Park and immediately visit top of the falls which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters with Morning game drive & In the afternoon, you will take a relaxing boat trip along the Nile to the foot of the falls. Here, you will spot Hippos, a dazzling array of birdlife along the banks and of course those Nile Crocodiles! Listen out for the thunderous and electrifying sound of the famous waterfall as you approach its base.
This is where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. This is an experience not to be missed! The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, big Pods of Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river. & night game drive to search for nocturnal animals.
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Red Chillis camp/Yebo safari camp
Moderate – Sambiya River Lodge
Up Market – Paraa Lodge / Nile safari Lodge
Day 3: Murchison wildlife game drive, (top of the falls) and later drive to Kibale Forest National Park for Chimpanzee Tracking
Morning game drives through rolling plains of the park. Watch the parade of Elephants, Hartebeest, Giraffe, Buffalo, and many species of Antelope pass you by and try to spot a Lion or Leopard relaxing in the sunshine,
From here we will continue to Kibale forest national park, via the Lake Albert escarpment, having a good view of the lake. Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you pass through traditional Ugandan Villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good “photo opportunities”. As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda’s famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.6-7hrs drive.
Accommodation: Rweterara service park
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Kibale forest camp (KFC)
Moderate – Rwenzori View House
Luxury – Ndali Lodge / Mountains of the moons Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park with other primates.
Early morning, we will go Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national Park. On your forest walk in the afternoon, you will look for the fascinating multi-species troops of monkeys. Various species move through the forest together, each specie occupying different elevation in the forest. They understand each other’s’ alarm calls when predators are spotted, so when, for example, an eagle soars overhead, the monkeys at the higher elevation will sound the alarm and all monkeys will take appropriate evasive action. The same applies when those at the lowest elevations spot a ground-dwelling or ambush predator such as a leopard: the terrestrial monkeys will sound the alarm signal and all monkeys will rapidly move up to the higher elevation.
In the evening, we shall go for Bigodi swamp walk (2-3 hours) that takes you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic Waves. It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk, though the Highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco!
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Albertine river camp, simba safari camp/Pumba
Moderate – Hippo Hill Luxury tented camp/Engiri
Up market – Mweya safari Lodge / Kyambura Wildlife reserve / Jacana Safari Lodge
Day 5: Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park (3hrs drive)
After breakfast we travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for a number of wildlife like the hippos, buffaloes, elephants, kobs and a number of bird species. Queen Elizabeth National Park holds other wildlife including the predators, Lion, Leopard and Spotted hyena. Other mammals include Giant forest hog, a variety of antelope, elephant and hippo. The park’s bird species number more than 600, quite likely higher than any other destination in Africa.
After lunch proceed for an evening bush walk through the Maramagambo Forest. This is one of the largest forests in Uganda, and forms a habitat for a number of primates and forest dwellers. Due to its location, Maramagambo also has a great diversity of butterflies and birds. The walk culminates in a visit to volcanic caves that are home to thousands of bats. Pythons are often observed in the crevices of the bats cave as they prey on bats. In this walk you will see the picturesque Blue lake-Kimeranjojo which got its name after swallowing an Elephant. Other trails will lead you to the Crater Lake and habitats of the Wild chimps and forest bird. Accommodation camping:
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Albertine river camp, simba safari camp/Pumba
Moderate – Hippo Hill Luxury tented camp/Engiri
Up market – Mweya safari Lodge / Kyambura Wildlife reserve / Jacana Safari Lodge
Day 6: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Game drive, boat trip on Kazinga Channel For on the swamp on the shores of Lake Edward.
We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda Kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.
In the afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray very close from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallow; elephants watering, and much other wildlife. At least 80% of the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park can be found along this Channel. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Albertine river camp, simba safari camp
Moderate – Hippo Hill Luxury tented camp
Up market – Mweya safari Lodge / Kyambura Wildlife reserve / Jacana Safari Lodge
Day 7: Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Drive to Bwindi for 3 hrs
Today morning after breakfast, we will drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth known as Ishasha, famed for its tree-climbing lions, the lions have learnt to climb the fig trees to escape the midday heat and if you’re lucky, you will see some sleepy lions relaxing in the branches. Ishasha is a remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park. We will see buffalo, topi and hippo among other species. It is a fabulous sight to see the lions draped from the trees and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low-limbed fig tree of Ishasha.
We then drive further south through stunning savannah grasslands as we head towards the breathtaking adventures of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Buhoma Community Rest camp /Ruhondeza
Moderate – Lake Kitandara Camp, Engagi logde
Up Market -Gorilla Forest camp/ Gorilla resort camp Clouds lodge.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) other primates.
While most of today’s forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s, red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Buhoma Community Bandas(self contained cottages)/ Ruhondeza
Moderate – Lake Kitandara Camp, Engagi logde
Up Market -Gorilla Forest camp/ Gorilla resort camp Clouds lodge.
You will surely enjoy this day! After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing at the gorilla park headquarters before enjoying the highlight of the trip- Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. We trek through the rain forest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.
DAY 9: Golden Monkeys Tracking in Mgahinga National Park. 4 hrs drive
After early morning breakfast, drive to Mgahinga National Park for briefing with the tour guides and then go for golden monkey tracking and have your parked lunch en-route the trek. This golden monkey’s walk will expose you to other attractions in the park before returning back to your hotel for overnight
Accommodation: Kisoro Traveller’s Inn or Lake Chahafi Resort/Casa gorilla lodge
Budget: Tourist Hotel (BB), travelers rest hotel.
Mid range and Luxury: Mt Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge
DAY -10: Transfer Back to Entebbe for overnight – 8-9hrs drive to End our 11 days Uganda gorilla safari and other primates holiday.
Have early morning breakfast and then start on the journey back to Entebbe as we are coming to the end of our Uganda gorilla safari and wildlife, You will have lunch in en-route (Mbarara city) on our journey and again you will have another chance to make a stopover at the equator line for photos and experiment, and to Mpabire village for local crafts and drum making place, to get yourself some of the African crafts on your way, arrive in the evening in Entebbe, and check-in for overnight.
Accommodation: (Full board basis)
Budget – Airport Uniq Hotel, Via Via Entebbe Hotel, Skyway Hotel/Enkima Forest camp
Moderate – Faze3 hotel,lake Point Villa,
Up Market – Protea Hotel Entebbe, Botanical beach hotel, Imperial Resort Hotel.
DAY- 11: Shoe Bill Tour in Mabamba Island and Transfer to Entebbe International Airport.
Your day begins with a 7:30 AM pickup from your residence, followed by a short 20-minute drive to Mabamba Swamp, located on the edge of Lake Victoria. This wetland is famous for the elusive Shoebill Stork, often seen hiding in water weeds while waiting to catch fish. Using wooden boats or canoes, you’ll explore the swamp in search of this rare bird, which thrives in undisturbed papyrus marshes and reed beds.
After the tour, we’ll take a ferry to Nakiwogo and enjoy lunch at 3 Faze before transferring to Entebbe Airport.
END OF 11 days UGANDA SAFARI AND WILDLIFE TREKKING HOLIDAY.
Estimated tour prices for 11 days Uganda Primate Safari: Trekking Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Golden Monkeys & Shoebill Experience.
Mid-range lodges: prices are US$4,500–7,000 per person, sharing, depending on season and group size:
All tour activities as indicated above –
Gorilla permit $800
Chimpanzee tracking permits $250
Golden Monkey permit $100
All boat fees,
Game drives,
Bigodi Swamp visit.
Ziwa Rhinos: $60
Sightseeing as noted in the trip itinerary,
Park fees, entry fees,
Accommodation in all lodges and hotels(on full board)
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included as mentioned.
Ground transportation by a private 4×4 vehicle,
English-speaking tour guide and other local guides to escort you on excursions,
Airport transfers,
Plenty of bottled mineral water.
Excluded: Tips for drivers and other staff, bank charges involved, flight tickets and departure taxes, travel documentation, travel and medical insurance, optional excursion, beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle, Meals not indicated on your detailed itinerary.
