08 Days Best Of Uganda Game and Primates’ Safari – SOA021

Uganda

Location

Duration

8 days
DESTINATION  UGANDA (Bwindi, Kibale, Kampala)
TRAVEL VALID  2026 – 2027
DURATION  7 NIGHTS / 8 DAYS
TRIP THEME  Nature & Outdoors
PROGRAM CODE  SOA021

Uganda’s incredible diversity takes center stage on this 8-day safari that combines world-class primate encounters with outstanding wildlife viewing across some of the country’s most celebrated national parks. The journey begins in Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa, where chimpanzee tracking offers an opportunity to observe our closest relatives in their natural habitat. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a landscape of savannahs, crater lakes, and waterways rich in wildlife, where game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel provide excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and a remarkable variety of birdlife. The safari then travels through the famous Ishasha sector, known for its rare tree-climbing lions, before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. A guided gorilla trek through the ancient rainforest delivers one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters, complemented by cultural interactions with local communities. Along the way, enjoy unique experiences including a Ugandan coffee tour, scenic countryside drives, and visits to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. Combining luxury accommodations, diverse wildlife, spectacular scenery, and unforgettable primate encounters, this itinerary offers a comprehensive introduction to the very best of Uganda.

 

Itinerary At a Glance

1 Night – Entebbe / Kampala
1 Night – Kibale Forest National Park
2 Nights – Queen Elizabeth National Park
2 Nights – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
1 Night – Entebbe / Kampala

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide who will then take you your hotel for overnight stay in Kampala.

Meals: N/A
Overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort

Transit Time: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour

After breakfast at 8.30am transfer to Kibale National, Lunch will be on arrival at the Lodge. On arrival, check in to your Lodge and relax, you opt for an evening nature walk in Bigodi Community. Kibale Forest National Park is a large, protected block of rainforest, which has the highest number of primates in Africa such as Chimpanzees, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Red Tailed monkey and Red Colobus. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Chimpundu Safari Lodge

Transit Time: 5 to 6 hours

At 7.30am after breakfast, you will go for Chimpanzee tracking in the forest starting with a briefing at 7.30am and tracking starts at 8.00am, with a chance of seeing a variety of primates and bird species plus vegetation.

Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau. The park is home to a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee.

It also contains over 375 species of birds. Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create an 180km-long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park.

Later, return for Lunch at the lodge, after Lunch, transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP.

You will go via Kasese for coffee experience. You will be taken through the coffee plantations, growing, picking, drying, processing, drying, and testing. Later you will go with a pack of Uganda Coffee to enjoy from your home.

Overnight at:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Transit Time: 2 to 3 hours

6.00 am: Take an early game drive in the park with high expectations of seeing Lions, Hippos, Buffaloes, Leopards, Spotted Hyenas, Elephants, Antelopes and the elusive Giant Forest Hog in this park. Return to your accommodation for breakfast and rest.

2.30pm: Take the boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. Believed to be the biggest Hippo concentration in Africa, this area is also great for bird viewing as well as viewing many other wildlife as they come to have a drink of water. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography.  Over 550 species have been spotted and recorded here that include Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers are. Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner, overnight at.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Transit Time: N/A 

After breakfast, have a Game drive in the morning as we drive through the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha Sector which is famous for tree climbing Lions. It is somewhat uncommon for lions to climb trees. There are no more than 2 populations in whole world of such lions that do actually climb trees as one of their daily behaviors. One of these populations is found here within the Ishasha area. The other population is found in Lake Manyara National Park in the Southern part of Tanzania. Lunch will be en-route at one of the Lodges. Later transfer to Bwindi for your overnight stay.

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is where you have the best chance of spotting a mountain gorilla family going about their business. Once you have your permit, you are led across the rugged terrain and through the awe-inspiring jungle to where the gorillas were seen yesterday and then you track them and follow them. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are numerous forest walks and 346 species of birds to track down, many of which are amazingly colorful. Evening, you will relax at the lodge to prepare for tomorrows tracking. Overnight at

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Transit Time: 3 to 4 hours 

After an early breakfast, depart to the park headquarters and proceed for a briefing from park ranger guides at 7.30 before starting your Gorilla trek at 8.00am through steeply forested and beautiful landscape along several animal trails. Some of the terrain is steep and strenuous, but the reward of watching gorillas undisturbed in their natural habitat is unmatched.

Waterproof ankle shoes are recommended or good athletic shoes. Wear thick long pants (not light weight khakis) to protect your legs from the underbrush. Bring heavy, long socks that can be pulled up over the pants to prevent any problems with stinging nettles and ants. Bring a pair of sturdy garden gloves and protect your camera with a rain cover (a plastic bag or shower cap can work!).

No more than eight people may visit any gorilla family on any given day so you can be assured of an intimate experience with these with these impressive animals. Once you reach the gorillas you have an unforgettable hour to spend with them.

After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch. This afternoon, you will be taken on a village walk to Buhoma Village. This is a great opportunity to meet the people surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It also is a unique way to support the local community.

Enjoy the evening relaxing at the camp and trading stories with fellow adventurers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Transit Time: N/

After breakfast, transfer to Kampala, Via the Uganda Equator for a short stop to take pictures and shop for crafts from several shops in this area, lunch en-route. Proceed to Kampala after and check in at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight:
Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort

Transit Time: 8 to 9 Hours

You may opt to fly back to Entebbe on a domestic flight. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation.

Trip Inclusions

  • All Services as specified in the itinerary
  • All private transfers
  • Accommodation and meals as detailed in the itinerary
  • Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser Jeep with popup roof for Game Viewing & Fuel for the whole trip
  • 1 Gorilla permit per person for Bwindi
  • 1 Chimp Permit for Kibale per person
  • Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
  • All park entry fees for all the parks
  • Coffee experience in Kasese
  • Bwindi Community Visit
  • Entrance to all sites indicated
  • Game drive in Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha
  • Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel Queen Elizabeth
  • Drinking Water per day
  • All local taxes and levies
  • Amref Evacuation Insurance Cover
  • PCR Covid Tests before departure

Trip Exclusions

  • Personal expenses & Tips
  • Meals and drinks where they are not indicated.
  • Air tickets both domestic and International
  • Visas
  • Personal Insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages and others not mentioned above
  • Optional ActivitiesNB: Gorilla permits, Chimpanzee permits are subject to availability at the time of booking and therefore require booking and payment in advance

Booking Form

Shades Of Africa Safaris – Terms & Conditions

1. Bookings /reservations policy
All bookings/reservations are made through Email for the purposes of referencing.
All booking vouchers are sent via email tour client for their reference
All purchases are subject to re-confirmation within 3-4 business days.
All confirmed bookings should be confirmed with a 50% deposit to secure reservations.
The balance is paid 7 days before travel to allow us to clear with our suppliers on time.
Late reservations and modifications will attract a fee to secure reservations imposed on us by our suppliers.

2. Travelers name
All travelers/visitors are responsible to ensure their names match their passport/Id card names.

3. Inclusions/Exclusions
All inclusions on the tour package cover’s hotel service charges, Meal plan, transport(air/rail), entry & park fees, sightseeing, game drives as shown on each of the itinerary.
The Shades of Africa Travel ltd reserves the right to modify the tour arrangements for smooth operation of the tour.
The tour package doesn’t include items of personal nature, tips, gratuities.

4. Ticketing policy
All airfares or Train tickets are offered as a portion of our tour prices. These fares are subject to change without notice and on certain peak periods may not be available.
Air ticket cancellation subject airlines/Trian penalties and handing fee
All tickets for children are subject to Airline/train rules and regulations.

5. Child policy
Child above 12yrs of age sharing with 2 adults will be charged 50% of adult rate.
Children on own room sharing pay 75% of adult rate.
The company provides child seats on our fleet of vehicles on request.

6. Transport Policy
All our tour packages have included transport which is done by our fleet of vehicles
All our fleets have professional drivers/tour guides
All our fleets are fully insured incase any misfortunes
All our fleets are fully registered with the regulatory bodies.

7. Cost/Price
All our tour packages are customized as per the client request and are packaged in regards to seasons/destinations.
Price may vary with regards to the seasons/destination
All Prices are subject to 16% VAT.

8. Payment
Payment is required by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or by cash transfer to the Shades of Africa Travel Ltd Bank Account, cheques, and pre-paid credit cards. Third parties may pre pay/credit or debit card presented at the start of the engagement must always be in the name of the traveler booking the tour package. Vouchers cannot be transferred, ie the person named on the voucher as the traveler must be the person reserves the booking.

9. Cancellation Policy:
Notice of cancellation must be made in writing to Shades of Africa Travel Ltd and the following scale of cancellation fees will be applied.

NOTE: Shades of Africa travel reserves the right to accept or decline any passenger or any trip should that person physical or mental condition impede the operation of the tour or the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other tour.

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