10-Day Uganda (Primates in depth) Gorillas & chimpanzees
8-Day Uganda Eco Safari Tour
Tour Overview
This 10-Day Uganda Tour is designed especially for primate enthusiasts. The focus is on the various species of great apes (Gorillas and chimpanzees) and many other primate species. Apart from primates, you will also get a glimpse into the rest of Uganda’s wildlife, whether on foot, by boat, or in a safari vehicle.
- Guided private safari
- Private guide/guide on safari
- Boat tour to track down the shoebill
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
- Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
- Chimpanzee trekking in the Kyamburu Gorge
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Guided game walk in Lake Mburo National Park
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), you will be enveloped by the pleasant, tropical warmth of Uganda. Right outside the exit, your personal Ugandan guide will be waiting for you with a beaming smile and your name sign. “The Pearl of Africa” is what Winston Sir Churchill once called this fascinating country, deeply impressed by its lush nature and unparalleled diversity. A name that stands like a promise over your 10-day tour through Uganda. After the warm welcome, your driver will take you to your charming accommodation. Here you will have time to rest after your flight, soak up your first African impressions, and settle in completely before your safari adventure begins.
Accommodation: The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Entebbe – Mabamba Shoebill Tour – Fort Portal – Kibale Forest (Travel time approx. 6 hours)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before being taken to the famous Mabamba Wetlands on the shores of majestic Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. On arrival, you will board a small boat with a local bird expert and glide through the narrow channels of the dense papyrus swamp. Your ultimate goal is to spot with the legendary shoebill stork. This prehistoric-looking bird, with its enormous bill is one of Uganda’s most iconic symbols. Keep your camera ready – apart from the shoebill, more than 300 other bird species live in Mabamba.
At around 11:00 AM, you will depart the swamp and travel towards Fort Portal region in the western Uganda. En route, you will encounter herds of cattle and pass through small villages where vibrant fruit and vegetable stalls burst with color. Your driver will be happy to share information about the region, its people, and culture. Fort Portal is beautiful town situated in the “Shadow of the Mountains of the Moon”—the name given to the majestic, often cloud-shrouded Rwenzori Mountains. Here, you will enjoy lunch before continuing to your accommodation near Kibale Forest National Park. Here, it’s time to put your feet up and relax. You will spend the night surrounded by nature, where a fascinating array of birds and butterflies inhabit the lush greenery of the rainforest.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Kibale Forest - Chimpanzee Trekking – Bigodi Swamps
This morning is dedicated to our closest relatives. After a hearty breakfast, you will be taken to the Kibale National Park offices at Kanyanchu. Here, expert ranger guides from Uganda Wildlife Authority will give you a briefing on the important chimpanzee trekking rules.
At around 8.00 am, you will set off into the dense rainforest of Kibale Forest National Park in search of the resident chimpanzees. The chances of seeing chimpanzees in Kibale Forest are fantastic, with a sighting probability of an impressive 95%. Sometimes, however, the chimpanzee don’t make it easy for you, as they often frolic high in the treetops. But Kibale is far more than “just” the home of chimpanzees. It is a true primate paradise. Keep your eyes open for the beautiful black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, red-colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and many other species. You will also encounter some of the over 370 bird and 250 butterfly species that transform the forest into a vibrant natural oasis.
Chimpanzee trekking usually lasts around 2 to 4 hours, covering a distance of about 3 to 5 kilometers on foot. You spend one hour with the chimps. After encountering them, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will go for a community based guided tour through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. During this walk, you will learn more about this community-run initiative that aims to conserve the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetlands. And as you explore the trails, you will be surrounded by the vibrant chorus of rare birds and the rustling of monkeys in the dense papyrus.
After an eventful day in the jungle, a delightful dinner awaits you at your accommodation. Afterwards, unwind around a crackling campfire – the perfect place to share the day’s magical moments with fellow travelers.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Kibale - Queen Elizabeth National Park (travel time approx. 3 hours)
After a good breakfast, you travel to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will drive along the majestic backdrop of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains – a truly breathtaking sight. Your first stop is at Equator Line Monument at Kikorongo for photoshoots. From there, you will continue to the park towards the vibrant Kazinga Channel region. This impressive 32-kilometer-long natural channel connects Lake Edward with Lake George. It is the defining feature of Queen Elizabeth NP and attracts countless wild animals; hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalos, and waterbirds. It is renowned for hosting one of the densest concentrations of hippos in the world. After a hearty lunch, a boat cruise on the channel awaits you. From the water, African wildlife reveals itself from a completely new perspective. It is truly impressive how close you can get to the banks by boat to observe the animals. Afterward, you will enjoy a wildlife viewing cruise as the sun slowly sets on the horizon.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is a day of captivating contrasts. After breakfast, you will leave the open grasslands of Queen behind and descend into a completely different world: the stunning Kyambura Gorge. This 11-kilometer-long gorge, carved deep into the landscape, forms the natural boundary of the eastern Kyambura Game Reserve. You will hike 100 meters down. And once at the bottom, you will suddenly find yourself in the heart of a dense, lush green rainforest.
Because the flora and fauna here are able to develop without human interference, the gorge resembles an untouched “Garden of Eden.” Kyambura gorge provides an isolated ecosystem for chimpanzees, making the chances of spotting them very high. The trek here is still considered a real insider tip. You will explore nature in a much more private setting than, for example, Kibale Forest National Park.
Since the chimps are quite agile, you might find yourself climbing and descending the slopes of the gorge several times during your search. Don’t worry, with a moderate level of fitness, this hike is perfectly manageable. An extensive game drive is planned for the afternoon.
Please Note: The chances of seeing chimpanzees here are somewhat lower than in Kibale Forest. But the hike through the gorge is unique.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Queen - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Rushaga) (Travel time approx. 5.5 hours)
Have your camera ready! You will enjoy another morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park to observe the awakening wildlife. Then, you will leave Queen behind and travel through the so-called “Switzerland of Africa,” the rolling hills of Kigezi region. Your final destination for the day is the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The name “Impenetrable” already hints at what awaits you: a densely vegetated, primeval mountain rainforest, one of the most fascinating ecosystems on Earth.
Bwindi is a sanctuary for around half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Apart from mountain gorillas, 9 other primate species, as well as countless rare birds, call this place home. The dense mountain rainforest has developed since the Ice Age, and the shrub and bush vegetation provides an ideal habitat for the primates. You will arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon. Use the remaining hours to settle in and take a deep breath. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the rainforest. Take your time to relax and unwind at the end of the day so you’re refreshed and ready for the gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking
In the morning, you will be gently awakened by the birdsong of the rainforest. After breakfast, it is just a short walk to the park headquarters, where you will receive a briefing on the rules for gorilla trekking. You will then set off with the ranger into the mountain rainforest. The ranger follows the instructions and tracks of the trackers, who started at sunrise. They first went to the place where the gorillas were encountered the previous day and are now following their movements. Once the gorillas are located, the trackers inform the guide, and you will carefully approach the gorilla family and its silverback.
Standing face to face with these gentle giants of the rainforest is a wonderful moment. Your visit with the gorilla family is limited to one hour to minimize disturbance to their natural behaviour. The walk can be strenuous, depending on the family you visit. A reasonable level of fitness is therefore recommended. It is also important to be in good health, as even a cold can prevent you from trekking to the gorillas to protect them from human illnesses.
Trekking time varies depending on the location of the gorilla family. Good footwear, gaiters and rain gear are essential. Gloves are also highly recommended, especially when moving through thorny vegetation. Enjoy your time with the gorillas. This is much more than simply watching wildlife. Standing so close to these magnificent animals and seeing how the family interacts in the forest is a truly special experience. The young gorillas are often playful, while the adults feed, rest and move through the forest around them.
A late lunch awaits you at your accommodation. After lunch, you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings for the rest of the afternoon.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Bwindi – Lake Mburo National Park (travel time approx. 6 hours)
Enjoy a good breakfast before embarking on your drive to Lake Mburo National Park. Located on the way back towards Kampala/Entebbe, this national park is far too often overlooked by travelers – quite undeservedly! It awaits you with beautiful scenery and a wealth of activities. While it is smallest savannah national park in Uganda, it conceals a true natural paradise. Birdwatchers, especially, will be in their element. Over 350 different species, such as the rare Papyrus Gonolek, the Black-headed Lapwing, Grey-crowned Cranes, and African finfoot, call this national park home. In the afternoon, you will head out into nature for a game drive. Keep an eye out for Oribi, Topi, klipspringers, Buffalo, Eland, Giraffes, and many other animals. Besides the remote Kidepo Valley National Park, Mburo is one of the only places in Uganda where you can see zebras in their natural habitat!
In the evening, you will embark on a night game drive, experiencing nature and wildlife from a completely different perspective. Enjoy the tranquil, magical atmosphere of this special park and unwind amidst the wilderness as the day draws to a close.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Lake Mburo – Game Walk
Early in the morning, you will set for game walk in Lake Mburo National Park. Guided by an experienced ranger, you will explore bushland on foot. The ranger will be happy to share his knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Savor the special moment when you come face to face with zebras, giraffes, or antelopes. The first rays of the rising sun will bathe the savanna in a mystical, golden light – the perfect backdrop for unforgettable photos. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before embarking on an extended game drive.
Mihingo Lodge offers a variety of activities (not included), such as mountain biking and horseback riding, which can be booked on-site. The accommodation boasts magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Grab a refreshing drink, relax, and enjoy an African sunset that paints the sky in the most spectacular shades of red and orange.
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Mburo– Entebbe – return flight home (travel time approx. 4 hours)
To conclude your adventure, you will venture out into the wilderness one last time in the morning. Enjoy a final game drive amidst the fascinating wildlife. After a leisurely late breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to this beautiful corner of Africa. On your way back to Entebbe, you will make a stop at the equator, providing the perfect opportunity to browse for souvenirs. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure flight back to home. We wish you a pleasant flight and many unforgettable memories of this trip.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Tour Price
Number of People | Price per Person |
1 Person | USD 7156 |
2 People | USD 5282 |
3 People | USD 4825 |
4 People | USD 4470 |
5 People | USD 4358 |
6 People | USD 4200 |
Inclusions
- All park entrance fees
- Transport in a safari-equipped off-road vehicle
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Game drives as indicated in the itinerary
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 1 night at The Boma Hotel Entebbe
- 2 nights at Turaco Treetops Lodge (standard cottage)
- 2 nights at the Elephant Hab Lodge
- 2 nights at the Gorilla Safari Lodge
- 2 nights at Mihingo Lodge
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale (permit included)
- Bigodi Village walk
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park (permit included)
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Canal in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Shoebill Tour in Mabamba
- Guided hike + night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Uganda
- Optional excursions or activities not pre-booked
- Uganda visa costs (USD 50)
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Drinks
Greenway nature tours
We are a fully licensed tour company accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board. We design and operate safaris in Uganda and East Africa. Our operations are based in Kampala, Uganda, the heart of our safari planning and coordination. Though our company was officially established in 2025, our team brings deep, hands-on knowledge of East Africa.
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