Explore 6 Days Uganda primates  safari with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth national park and lion tracking experiential This exciting itinerary perfectly introduces you to Uganda’s 3 spectacular National Parks that is Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It also includes Lake Bunyonyi –the deepest freshwater lake in Uganda with 29 islands.

This captivating itinerary covers two primate adventures –chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi. It also encompasses enriching wilderness experiences like lion tracking, launch cruise, and canoe ride. The actual trip as per this itinerary begins from Entebbe city and the first park to be visited will be Kibale, followed by Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi and lastly, Lake Bunyonyi.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Transfer to Kibale

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 3: Lion Tracking – Launch Cruise along the Kazinga Channel

Day 4: Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions – Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 6: Canoeing – Transfer to Entebbe for departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Transfer to Kibale

Wake up early to prepare and later, you will be provided with a delicious cup of tea or coffee at your respective hotels in Entebbe city. After breakfast, you will meet your safari guide/driver who will pick you up. But first, you will be briefed on what your 6 days safari in Uganda is all about.

At around 8:00am, you will depart from Entebbe for Kibale National Park. Getting to Kibale will involve you driving on Kampala-Mityana-Mubende to Fort Portal tourism city. In a comfortable 4WD vehicle, enjoy spectacular views of countryside characterized by vast banana farms, the cool and lush Matiri Forest and tea farms on arrival at Fort Portal.

At a distance, enjoy the view of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain ranges. You will have sometime at Fort Portal tourism city and includes having lunch. After lunch in Fort Portal, your safari guide will transfer you up to the lodge.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Isunga Lodge
  • Midrange: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Primates Lodge
  • Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After you have prepared yourself and enjoyed breakfast, you will be transferred by car to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. At Kanyanchu, Kibale Park officials will be available to clear you and also take you on guidelines for chimpanzee tracking. The official will also use this session to allocate park ranger guides.

By around 8:00am, you will be led through Kibale Forest –home to 13 primate species which also include more than 1500 chimpanzees. A maximum of an hour will be enjoyed faced to face with the chimpanzee community. You will observe their daily behaviors and take as many pictures as you can.

Besides chimpanzees, other primates and lots of birds will also be encountered. After your primate interaction in Kibale, get back and you will have relaxed moment at the lodge as well as lunch.

In the afternoon, check out of the lodge and then catch up with your driver guide. You will be transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, check in your pre-booked accommodation for you to relax and organize for the next day’s activities.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Simba Camp/Bush Lodge Tents
  • Midrange: Elephant Plains/Bush Lodge
  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge

Day 3: Lion Tracking – Launch Cruise along the Kazinga Channel

After your early morning breakfast, set off for your rewarding lion tracking experience at Kasenyi. Search for lions and spend the better part of your time exploring their behaviors, and taking pictures. Later, you will be transferred back to the lodge to chill and enjoy your lunch.

In the afternoon, your last activity will be a launch/boat cruise which you will enjoy on the Kazinga channel. Along the Kazinga channel, keep eyes on the hundreds of hippos, the basking Nile crocodiles and plenty of aquatic bird species.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Simba Camp/Bush Lodge Tents
  • Midrange: Elephant Plains/Bush Lodge
  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Katara Lodge

Day 4: Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions – Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Leave the Kasenyi side of Queen Elizabeth National Park after you have had breakfast and also checked out of your lodge. Drive at standard speed as per the park regulations as you cross to Ishasha area. At Ishasha, you will have another most rewarding game drive session and this region is known for tree climbing lions and several other savanna animals.

After the game drive, have some lunch still in the wild while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the area. From Ishasha, you will go direct to Buhoma to check in your gorilla safari lodge.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Buhoma Community Camp
  • Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Silverback Lodge
  • Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Today, you will be expected to wake up a bit early to prepare and later settle for your breakfast. Later, exit the lodge and catch up with the morning briefing session at Buhoma area. During the briefing, you will get to know the dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking. Besides, the park guides and gorilla families will be allocated during this period, a reason you shouldn’t miss.

You will exit the briefing area by around 8:00am and begin your actual search for mountain gorillas in the wild. This involves winding through the lush rainforest for about 2-6 hours as you look for the gorilla group that was assigned to you. On getting these apes, by standards, you will spend only 1 hour with them, taking their pictures and observing their daily behaviors.

After your incredible time with a family of mountain gorillas, begin walking back and before you proceed to the lodge, you will receive a gorilla trekking certificate. At the lodge, have some time to relax and later, check out. From Bwindi, you will connect to the scenic Lake Bunyonyi for evening relaxation.

Accommodation

  • Budget: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat/Paradise Eco Hub
  • Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
  • Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort

Day 6: Canoeing – Transfer to Entebbe for departure

Have an early morning breakfast at the camp/lodge and after, catch up with your canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi. The canoe ride will be enjoyed with a local expert accompanying you. Lake Bunyonyi has 29 islands dotted on it and today, you will be visiting one. Also, expect to identify some birds and don’t miss the breathtaking surrounding landscape.

From Lake Bunyonyi, transfer back to Entebbe driving via Mbarara and expect to have lunch en-route. You will also have time taking pictures and stretching the legs at the Equator crossing then continue to Entebbe.

End of safari

Inclusions

  • Valid gorilla permits
  • Kibale chimp permits
  • Game drives
  • Launch cruise
  • Park entry fees
  • Cost on all your trip activities
  • Canoe ride
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Service of driver or safari guide
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Transportation by road and using a 4×4 safari car.

Exclusions

  • Visas
  • Tipping expenses
  • Laundry service cost
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Hotel fees after or before the start of the trip
  • Airfares
  • Telephone bills