Your 9-day Uganda safari to explore the country’s natural treasures will be a remarkable journey. You’ll delve into the core of jungles and tropical rainforests, as well as savannah parks. The itinerary features game drives, boat cruises to spot various wildlife and bird species, and different treks to find notable primates like the gentle forest giants “the gorillas,” chimpanzees, and the appealing golden monkeys.
This Uganda tour offers an exciting adventure with relaxing trips to river spots for rides. You’ll have the chance to trek and observe chimpanzees and the well-known gorillas. The schedule also includes a community visit to understand African social customs as you interact with locals in their community settings. A key part of this Uganda holiday is the gorilla trekking experience in Uganda’s famous gorilla park, which houses half of the remaining mountain gorillas worldwide. This will be a unique safari encounter. You’ll meet primates, wildlife, and friendly people you’ve always wished to see. This Uganda vacation promises to be an active, energetic adventure filled with notable experiences you’ll remember for years to come.
Day 1. Arrival and transfer to hotel in Kampala. Travel time 1.30 hrs
When you land, our driver guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your booked hotel in Kampala. You’ll enjoy a nice view of the city and receive a briefing about your 9 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife tour. After check-in, you’ll have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Cassia Lodge (mid-range hotel)
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Travel time + 6hrs
After a relaxed morning meal, you’ll start a picturesque drive through the verdant countryside to Kibale Forest National Park. The journey includes stops for sightseeing, including views of tea plantations along the way. You’ll arrive at Kibale Forest NP in the afternoon and check into your booked lodging for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to unwind. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House (mid-range lodge)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Nature walk
In the morning, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee tracking adventure. During this Uganda safari activity, you might also spot other primates like Vervet Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and Black and White Colobus Monkeys. Kibale is known as a primate haven, hosting 13 species including the well-known chimpanzees. The trek typically lasts 2-4 hours, depending on chimpanzee movement. You’ll have one hour to interact with the chimpanzees, take photos and short videos, while your local guide shares information about chimpanzee biology. After the trek, return for lunch. In the afternoon, take a nature walk in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary to observe primates and birds. This roughly 2-hour walk lets you explore the wetland’s hidden gems, with good chances to see various bird species and monkeys. Afterward, return to your lodge.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House. (Mid-range lodge)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Travel time +3hrs
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying views of crater lakes en route. You’ll take a brief crater lakes tour before continuing to the park, with a stop at the Equator for photos. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Twin Lake Safari Lodge (Mid-range lodge)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Game drive & boat cruise at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start your day with an early 6:00 am breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive. Look for early hunters and grazers such as buffalos, elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, lions, and various bird species. Return for lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel to observe water birds and animals. You might see pied kingfishers, African fish eagles, herons, darters, and animals like buffalos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, and elephants wallowing in the mud. Following the cruise, enjoy a short game drive as you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Twin Lake Safari Lodge (Mid- range lodge).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi. Travel time +5hrs
After a relaxed breakfast, check out of your lodge and visit the fishing village near Kazinga channel. Continue to Ishasha for a chance to spot tree-climbing lions during a short game drive. Then, proceed to Bwindi, enjoying scenic views along the way and stopping for lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge (Mid – range lodge)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Experience.
Early morning, with packed lunch, go to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your gorilla trekking adventure. This Uganda safari highlight is often described as a life-altering experience, offering a rare opportunity to meet gorillas face-to-face in their natural habitat. You’ll have an hour with the gorillas to observe them, including watching juveniles swing from tree branches. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge (Mid – range lodge)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Kigali. Travel time +4hrs
After a relaxed breakfast, check out and drive to Kisoro, stopping at Lake Bunyonyi for an enjoyable boat or canoe ride. This beautiful lake, dotted with islands, is a birdwatcher’s paradise. You’ll see locals fishing with canoes and nets. Continue your drive to Kigali, stopping for lunch along the way. In Kigali, visit the genocide museum before heading to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Chaz Lando Hotel (Mid-range lodge),
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Transfer to Kigali airport. Travel time +8hrs
On the final day of your Uganda tour, enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight time, you’ll be transferred to the airport. Exchange warm goodbyes and handshakes, full of memories from your great trip. We look forward to receiving your review and recommendations to family and friends. End of service!
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
The 9 Days Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife includes.
Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
Accommodation and meals as listed in the itinerary
Services of an English-speaking driver guide
1 Chimpanzee permit per person
1 Gorilla permit ($700) per person (to be paid in advance)
Bigodi nature walk
En route lunches
Boat rides
Boat cruises as mentioned in the itinerary
Park entrance fees
Community visit
Bottled mineral water
Game drives as mentioned in the itinerary
Other day excursions as described in the itinerary
Lots of fun on African soil
