7 days private Uganda safari adventure offers the best primate safari in Uganda with gorilla trekking, lion tracking experiential and chimpanzee tracking. This  7 days Uganda safari perfectly introduces you to Uganda’s finest destinations like Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Bunyonyi.

While on our expertly designed 7-day safari in Uganda, expect to enjoy the best of game drive for you to encounter some of the big 5 game, lion trekking/tracking, launch cruise along the Kazinga channel for you to see variety of aquatic species and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. This itinerary also includes a thrilling mountain gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi and canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi- the deepest lake in Uganda.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Transfer to Kibale

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

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 – Visit Batwa Pygmies

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoeing and island tour

Day 7: Transfer to Kampala / Kigali for drop off

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1: Pick up from Hotel – Transfer to Kibale

After the early morning breakfast, meet and greet your safari guide while still at your hotel. You will be briefed about your one-week expedition in Uganda and then have your luggage packed into the vehicle.

Once everything has been packed, you will board your 4×4 safari vehicle and set off for Kibale National Park. It will be 5-6 hours’ road trip along the Kampala-Mityana-Mubende-Matiri-Fort Portal tourism city route. En-route to Kibale, expect to enjoy the beautiful tea farms, banana plantations and when you get to Fort Portal, view the legendary Rwenzori Mountains at a distance and some crater lakes.

Still at Fort Portal, you will have a brief lunch break in one of the top restaurants/hotels and later, relax. After having your lunch, proceed to your respective lodges for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation

  • Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
  • Midrange: Primates Lodge
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Leave your accommodation and report to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre located right in the heart of the lush Kibale National Park. At Kanyanchu, clear with the park’s reservation desk and then proceed to the briefing room where you will find the park official who will take you through the dos and don’ts for chimpanzee tracking.

You will have the park ranger guide allocated to you and each guide will take 6 visitors on a search for habituated chimpanzee community. The trek can begin right from the visitor centre or you will board your safari vehicle for you to be dropped off to starting point in the forest. The trek with chimpanzees may go for 2-4 hours and includes an hour for you to enjoy a face-to-face encounter with these apes then you return for lunch.

After having lunch, check out and you will head off to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kasese. Expect the most scenic journey characterized by spectacular views of the craters and vast landscapes of Queen Elizabeth Park at a distance as well as the Rwenzori Mountain ranges.

Accommodation

  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
  • Midrange: Elephant Plains
  • Budget: Simba Camp

Day 3: Lion tracking – launch cruise along the Kazinga channel

After a hearty breakfast, you will set off for an early morning lion tracking experience in Kasenyi track. During lion tracking, expect to search for lions in the wild with an expert accompanying you. The entire excursion is intended to allow you have an in-depth exploration of different behaviors of lions and taking pictures. Return from the lion trekking experience and settle for lunch and some refreshments.

In the afternoon, set off from the lodge for an exciting boat cruise on Kasenyi Channel-an extensive natural channel that links Lake George and Lake Edward. On boat cruise, variety of aquatic life will be spotted including the hippos, crocodiles and birds.

Accommodation

  • Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
  • Midrange: Elephant Plains
  • Budget: Simba Camp

Day 4: Ishasha tree climbing lions – Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Drive from Kasenyi side to Ishasha in the South where you will have a game drive before connecting to Bwindi. At Ishasha, you will spend time searching for the tree climbing lions, and other mammals. A picnic lunch will also be enjoyed in the bush and then you will be transferred up to your pre-booked lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda.

Accommodation

  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
  • Midrange: Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking – Visit Batwa Pygmies

Early in the morning, enjoy a hefty breakfast and later, ensure that you report to Buhoma area for briefing. Before exiting the lodge, have all essentials ready and also have some packed lunch and bottled water since your gorilla trek is generally unpredictable.

At the briefing point, the park official will take you through the dos and don’ts to be followed in the jungles. You will also be assigned to one park ranger guide and a gorilla family to track.

Depart for actual search for mountain gorillas and expect to spend an hour face-to-face with these apes on locating them in the wild. After, walk back and you will be issued with a gorilla trekking certificate then you continue up to your respective lodges for relaxation.

Accommodation

  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
  • Midrange: Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoeing and island tour

Enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, you will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi. This is one of the most spectacular lakes in Uganda and has 29 islands. It is notably the deepest lake in Uganda and while here, expect to experience the best of canoe ride. On a canoe ride, expect to visit one of the stunning islands, especially the enriching historical Punishment Island.

Accommodation

  • Luxury: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi
  • Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Day 7: Transfer to Kampala / Kigali for drop off

After the delicious cup of tea/coffee, depart from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala/Kigali. If you are to get back to Kampala, expect a stopover at the Equator crossing and for the case of Kigali, you will cross the borders –either Katuna or Cyanika.

End of safari

Inclusions

  • Valid gorilla permits
  • Chimpanzee permits for Kibale
  • Game drives
  • Lion tracking
  • Canoe ride
  • Transportation in a 4WD vehicle
  • Service of an English-speaking driver or guide
  • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
  • Government taxes
  • A bottle of mineral water for drinking

Exclusions

  • Tips
  • Laundry services
  • Telephone calls (airtime)
  • Insurance
  • Extra activities (optional)
  • Additional accommodation
  • Beverages