Experience Overview

This premium 8-Day Best of Uganda Safari showcases the country’s top highlights: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and classic savannah wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park (tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos, and boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel). It’s the perfect balance of primates, big game, and scenic beauty.

Safari Overview

Package Features List

Include Features

What’s Not Included

Recommended Accommodations

  • Kibale: Primate Lodge (Mid) or Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury)
  • Bwindi: Buhoma Lodge (Mid) or Mahogany Springs (Luxury)
  • Queen Elizabeth: Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge
  • Would you like me to customize this further? For example:
  • Replace Queen Elizabeth with Murchison Falls?
  • Add Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary?
  • Fly-in option to reduce driving time?
  • Exact quote for your group size, dates, or budget level?
  • Share your preferences (group size, comfort level, specific interests), and I will refine it right away!
  • Ready to experience the very best of Uganda with Afriquest Travels?

Itinerary

Day 1.Airport pick up and over stay in Entebbe or Kampala.

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to YOUR hotel. Relax and recover from the jet lag or take a short city tour.

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park (Primate Capital)

Early Pickup from Kampala or Entebbe

Your Afriquest Travels guide will pick you up from your hotel or residence in Kampala or Entebbe. After a warm welcome and briefing about the safari, you’ll begin your journey westwards in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle. The guide will introduce the itinerary, safety guidelines, and the attractions you will experience during the trip.

Scenic Drive through Uganda’s Countryside

Enjoy a picturesque drive through central and western Uganda, passing vibrant towns, rolling hills, tea plantations, banana plantations, crater landscapes, and rural villages. There will be several short stops for stretching, photography, refreshments, and enjoying the beautiful scenery as your guide shares interesting facts about Uganda’s culture, history, and wildlife.

Lunch in Fort Portal

Arrive in Fort Portal, one of Uganda’s most beautiful tourism cities, renowned for its cool climate and spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before continuing to Kibale National Park.

Arrival at Kibale National Park

Continue to Kibale National Park, often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.” Upon arrival, check in at your forest lodge and take in the peaceful surroundings. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short nature walk around the lodge or simply relax while listening to the sounds of the rainforest.

 Chimpanzee Trekking Briefing and Relaxation

Receive a briefing from your guide about the following day’s chimpanzee trekking experience, including park regulations, trekking expectations, and what to carry. Spend the remainder of the evening relaxing at the lodge, enjoying dinner, and preparing for one of Uganda’s most exciting wildlife experiences.

Overnight Accommodation

Stay at a comfortable lodge near Kibale National Park.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park

Early Breakfast

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the rainforest. Ensure you are dressed appropriately for trekking, with sturdy hiking shoes, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, and a light rain jacket. Carry drinking water, insect repellent, and your camera (flash photography is not permitted during the trek).

Transfer to Kibale National Park Headquarters

After breakfast, your Afriquest Travels guide will transfer you to the Kibale National Park Visitor Centre for registration. Meet the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, who will conduct a comprehensive briefing on chimpanzee trekking rules, safety guidelines, and what to expect during the experience.

Chimpanzee Trekking Experience

Venture into the lush tropical rainforest in search of Kibale’s famous habituated chimpanzee community. The trek may take between 1 and 4 hours depending on the location of the chimpanzees. Along the way, your ranger guide will help you spot other fascinating wildlife, including several monkey species, forest birds, butterflies, and unique plant life.

Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend up to one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, groom, communicate, play, and swing effortlessly through the forest canopy while learning about their behaviour and conservation.

Lunch And Relaxation

Return to your lodge for a well-deserved lunch and some time to relax after the morning’s adventure. Enjoy the peaceful forest surroundings before heading out for the afternoon excursion.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Nature Walk

Visit the renowned Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed eco-tourism project celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity. Guided by knowledgeable local experts, enjoy a leisurely walk through the swamp and surrounding forest in search of additional primates such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, and numerous bird species, including the impressive Great Blue Turaco.

The walk also offers an opportunity to learn about the local community’s conservation initiatives, traditional medicinal plants, and sustainable livelihoods, making it both a rewarding wildlife and cultural experience.

Overnight Stay

Return to your lodge in the Kibale area for dinner and an overnight stay, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast and Check-out

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your lodge before checking out. Bid farewell to Kibale Forest and prepare for the next exciting chapter of your safari as you journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse wildlife destination.

Scenic Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Travel through the beautiful western Uganda countryside, passing tea plantations, crater lakes, traditional villages, and the majestic Rwenzori Mountain ranges. If conditions and timing allow, your journey may take you through the Ishasha Sector, internationally renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions often seen resting on large fig trees. Keep your camera ready as this is one of the most unique wildlife spectacles in Africa.

Lunch

Arrive at your lodge or a selected restaurant for a delicious lunch while enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding savannah and wildlife-rich landscapes.

Afternoon Safari Experience

Depending on the day’s schedule, enjoy either:

 Afternoon Game Drive
Explore the park’s vast savannah in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, lions, and numerous bird species. Your experienced safari guide will help you spot wildlife while sharing fascinating insights about the park’s ecosystems.

OR

Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Embark on one of Africa’s finest wildlife boat safaris along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. Observe one of the world’s highest concentrations of hippos alongside Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, monitor lizards, and hundreds of resident and migratory bird species gathering along the shoreline.

Overnight Stay

Relax at your safari lodge after an adventurous day.

Recommended accommodation includes:

  • Mweya Safari Lodge
  • Elephant Plains Lodge
  • Buffalo Safari Lodge
  • Bush Lodge
  • Enganzi Lodge

Meals Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 5: Full Day Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Sunrise Breakfast

Start your morning with an early breakfast before setting out for a rewarding wildlife viewing experience during the cool hours when animals are most active.

Morning Game Drive

Explore the famous Kasenyi Plains or Mweya Peninsula, renowned for exceptional wildlife viewing. Search for lions stalking prey, herds of African elephants, Cape buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, warthogs, hyenas, and, with a bit of luck, the elusive leopard.

Bird enthusiasts will also enjoy spotting some of the park’s more than 600 recorded bird species, making Queen Elizabeth National Park one of Africa’s premier birdwatching destinations.

Lunch

Return to your lodge for a freshly prepared lunch and enjoy some time to relax before your afternoon excursion.

Afternoon Exploration

Continue your adventure with another game drive through a different section of the park to maximize wildlife sightings, or enjoy the Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise if it wasn’t done on the previous day.

You may also opt to visit the scenic crater lakes region, where breathtaking viewpoints overlook volcanic crater lakes surrounded by lush vegetation and spectacular landscapes perfect for photography and relaxation.

Sundowner and Dinner

End the day with a memorable sundowner as the African sun sets over the savannah, followed by a delicious dinner at your lodge while sharing stories of the day’s incredible wildlife encounters.

Overnight Stay

Overnight in the Queen Elizabeth National Park area

Meals Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi plus Afternoon Exploration

Breakfast and Check-out

Enjoy an early breakfast before checking out of your lodge. Your guide will brief you on today’s journey as you head towards one of Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Scenic Drive to Bwindi

Travel through the breathtaking landscapes of southwestern Uganda, passing rolling hills, lush tea plantations, terraced farmlands, banana plantations, and picturesque local communities. Depending on your route, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.” A delicious lunch will be served en route before continuing to Bwindi

Arrival at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Arrive at your lodge and settle into your comfortable accommodation nestled on the edge of the ancient rainforest. Take in the cool mountain air and stunning forest views while preparing for tomorrow’s unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure.

Gorilla Trekking Briefing and Relaxation

Your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the next day’s gorilla trekking experience, including trekking etiquette, safety guidelines, fitness expectations, and what to carry. Spend the remainder of the evening relaxing at the lodge before enjoying dinner.

Overnight Stay

Overnight in the Bwindi area (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo sector), depending on your allocated gorilla family.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Early Breakfast

Begin your day with an early breakfast before setting off for one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. Dress appropriately with waterproof hiking boots, long trousers, gloves, a rain jacket, and carry drinking water and a packed lunch.

Transfer to Park Headquarters and Briefing

Proceed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters for registration and a comprehensive briefing by experienced ranger guides. You’ll be assigned a habituated gorilla family based on your fitness level and receive important guidelines on responsible gorilla viewing.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience

Accompanied by expert ranger guides, trek through Bwindi’s dense rainforest in search of one of the habituated mountain gorilla families. The trek may last anywhere between 2 and 7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements through the forest.

Along the way, discover an incredible diversity of birds, butterflies, unique plant species, and other forest wildlife. Once the gorillas are located, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, interact, groom one another, and care for their young an experience widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest wildlife encounters.

Lunch and Relaxation

Return to your lodge for lunch and enjoy time to rest after the rewarding trek. Celebrate your successful gorilla encounter while taking in the peaceful surroundings of the forest.

Optional Cultural or Nature Experience

If time and energy permit, choose from one of the following optional experiences:

  • Batwa Cultural Experience: Meet the indigenous Batwa community and learn about their traditional forest lifestyle, music, dance, hunting techniques, and cultural heritage.
  • Guided Nature Walk: Explore nearby forest trails to discover additional birdlife, butterflies, waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints.

Overnight Stay

Return to your lodge for dinner and another peaceful overnight stay in the Bwindi area.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Day 8: Morning Activity and Return to Kampala or Entebbe

Breakfast

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast while taking in the final views of the beautiful Bwindi rainforest before checking out of your lodge.

Morning Leisure

Depending on your departure schedule, enjoy some free time at the lodge, a short community walk, souvenir shopping, or simply relax before beginning your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe.

Return Journey

Begin the scenic drive back through Uganda’s beautiful countryside with several comfort stops along the way. Stop for lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before visiting the Uganda Equator, where you can take memorable photographs, purchase locally made crafts, and enjoy demonstrations of the famous water experiment.

Continue your journey to Kampala or Entebbe, arriving in the evening for drop-off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Ugandan safari with Afriquest Travels.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Destination Map

  • Money Back Guarentee.
  • Your Safety is Our Top Priority.
Bonus Activity Included – Limited Time!