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8 days - Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi

Chimpanzees, the Kazinga Channel and the gorillas

Eight days from Entebbe through Kibale Forest's chimpanzees and the Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth, to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable, returning to Entebbe.

1 Country
4 Stops
7 Nights
Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Gorillas and chimpanzees
Queen Elizabeth game and the Kazinga cruise
Gorillas and chimpanzees Queen Elizabeth game and the Kazinga cruise Avoid
January Primary window

Dry season: firmer trails on the Bwindi ridges and clearer light for photographs. Dry season. Short grass, animals at the water and the river cruises running in clear light.

Dry trails Dry season

The route

Entebbe Kibale Forest Queen Elizabeth Bwindi
01

Uganda

Entebbe, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable.

This day upon arrival to Uganda, you will meet our safari guide at Entebbe International airport, well set to welcome you to the Pearl of Africa. We will transfer you to your hotel for a briefing and an overnight stay. Based on your arrival time, you may have a complementary tour around Entebbe town, visiting a local landing site, market, and craft villages.
On this day, we will transfer you to the Primate capital of the world, Kibale forest national park. This park offers guests a great encounter with the chimpanzees and several other primate species inhabiting Kibale forests. The journey that takes about 07hrs is complemented by the beautiful views of the countryside, with a possible stopover at the tea estate.
You will start this day with an early morning breakfast in the lodge, thereafter be accompanied by your safari guide to the briefing area for the chimpanzee tracking experience. After the briefing, a professional ranger guide allocated to you will lead you through the forests searching for man’s closest relatives, the chimpanzees. The rich forests will complement your walk with a variety of bird species, several other mammals and primates, butterflies, and many more. In the afternoon, you will proceed to a traditional lunch cuisine. Here you will learn how local dishes are made in Uganda, thereafter have a hot lunch here before proceeding for the Bigodi wetlands walk for chances of meeting several primates and bird species.
This day you will prepare for a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park, a medley of wonders blessed with an abundance of wildlife and beautiful scenery. You will start this day with a morning crater lakes walk, passing through the local communities with several food crops plantations. You will hike to the point commonly known as the top of the world, with beautiful views of the crater lakes and the Rwenzori mountain ranges. You will proceed for a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park. Upon arrival here, you will visit the Katwe salt lakes, where communities traditionally harvest salt.
After breakfast in the lodge, you will depart for the game-viewing experience in Queen Elizabeth National park. Several animals and bird species may be spotted during the experience, giving you a perfect opportunity to take as many pictures as possible. In the afternoon, you will prepare for the rewarding game boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. In the comfort of your boat seat, you will get close to hundreds of hippos, crocodiles, several bird species, elephants, buffaloes, and many other animal species on the shorelines.
On this day, you will depart for Bwindi, a famous tourism destination in Uganda, where you can track the rare mountain Gorillas. En route to Bwindi, you will pass via the remote woodland Ishasha sector, famous for the tree-climbing lions. On a lucky day, you will encounter the tree-climbing lions and several other animal species residing in the park. Then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable forests for dinner and an overnight stay at Gorilla Safari Lodge.
The long-awaited day is finally here. You will depart from the lodge after breakfast, well set with your packed lunch and ready for the Gorilla tracking experience. Your safari guide will transfer you to the briefing area for briefing and orientation. Thereafter, enter the park through the Gorilla trails for the tracking experience. While trekking, you may spot several other species of animals and birds. Once the Gorillas have been tracked, you will be given an hour for interaction and taking pictures. It is a rewarding experience that you should not miss.
On this day, we will transfer you back to Kampala, passing through the beautiful Kigezi highlands. You will have a stopover at Mbarara town for lunch, thereafter proceed to Kampala/ Entebbe, arriving later in the evening. Lunch en route to Kampala/ Entebbe.

The detail

About this trip

Planning to visit Uganda for primates and game viewing? 8-Day Tour Highlights of Uganda is a good safari package to consider. Here we take you to Kibale forest for an encounter with the chimpanzees, proceed to Queen Elizabeth for a visit to the salt lakes, game viewing and the boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, not forgetting the tree climbing lions at the Ishasha sector. Then you will end your safari with the rewarding Gorilla tracking experience. The tour 8-Day Tour Highlights of Uganda let you see the best of what this beautiful country has to offer.

What is included

  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labelled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as an upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

What is not included

  • International flights (From/home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government
  • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How do we travel between Entebbe, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi?
The route is by road with a safari guide. From Entebbe on day 2 you drive about seven hours to Kibale Forest, with a possible stop at a tea estate. Day 4 goes on to Queen Elizabeth National Park after a morning crater lakes walk, and day 6 continues to Bwindi through the Ishasha sector. On day 8 you drive back to Kampala and Entebbe, with lunch in Mbarara.
When is the best time for this Uganda highlights tour?
January, February, June to August and December score highest, with firm trails, clear light and animals at the water. July and August are the peak dry months and the first to sell out. March and September are alternatives. April, May, October and November are the wettest, with muddy trails, although tracking continues.
What does a typical day look like on this 8-day tour?
Day 3 is the pattern for chimpanzee days: breakfast, a ranger briefing and chimpanzee tracking, then a traditional lunch and the Bigodi wetlands walk. Day 5 combines a game drive in Queen Elizabeth with an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. Day 7 is gorilla tracking after breakfast with a packed lunch, ending with an hour with the gorillas.
What can be adjusted on the Uganda highlights itinerary?
The days follow a set route, so the choices are your dates and how you use arrival day. On day 1, depending on your arrival time, you may have a complimentary tour around Entebbe town, visiting a landing site, market and craft villages. Primate permits sell out early in the dry months, so share your dates early. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

8-Day Tour Highlights of Uganda
Adult gorilla glancing sideways at the camera with two young gorillas behind among green leaves

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

A seven-hour road day

The drive from Entebbe to Kibale takes about seven hours, with a possible stop at a tea estate. Bring water and a book.

A cookery lunch

On day three you learn how local dishes are made and have a hot lunch before the Bigodi wetlands walk.

Salt lakes and crater lakes

Day four starts with a walk among crater lakes and a viewpoint of the Rwenzori mountains, then continues to the Katwe salt lakes, where villagers harvest salt.

The Kazinga Channel

The cruise links Lake Edward and Lake George and passes hundreds of hippos and crocodiles. Bring binoculars.

Gorilla tracking essentials

Take a packed lunch, waterproof boots, gaiters, gloves and a rain jacket. The briefing is early, so breakfast starts early too.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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