8 Day Uganda Wildlife, Chimpanzee

Discover Uganda’s remarkable wildlife and primates on this 8-day safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Beginning in Entebbe or Kampala, travel west for game drives across the savannah, a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel and chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge. Continue south through Ishasha, where tree-climbing lions are sometimes seen resting in fig trees, before entering Bwindi’s rainforest for a guided mountain gorilla trek. This safari brings together 3 very different wildlife environments in just 8 days. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers open plains, crater lakes and abundant birdlife, while Bwindi provides the unforgettable opportunity to spend 1 hour observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The journey finishes in Lake Mburo National Park, where zebras, impalas, elands and other wildlife can be encountered on game drives and guided walks. With private safari transport, carefully selected lodges and a practical route through western Uganda, the itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to combine gorilla trekking with a traditional African wildlife safari.

Safari Highlights

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meet your safari driver-guide at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala after breakfast. Following a short briefing, begin the journey west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive generally takes approximately 7 to 9 hours or longer, depending on your starting point, traffic and stops. Travel through Uganda’s countryside, passing trading centres, farmland, tea-growing areas and the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda. Stop for lunch along the way before continuing towards the park. As you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park, the scenery opens into savannah grasslands, crater formations and distant mountain views. Depending on your arrival time and the route to your lodge, you may encounter Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs or other wildlife along the way. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or evening and settle in. Enjoy dinner while preparing for the following morning’s game drive.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Meals: Lunch and dinner, subject to the confirmed booking.

Day 2, Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Wake early for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your driver-guide will explore suitable wildlife-viewing tracks, looking for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and other animals across the savannah. Lions, leopards and spotted hyenas also inhabit the park, although sightings depend on their movements and cannot be guaranteed. The early morning hours are particularly rewarding for wildlife photography, with softer light and animals often more active before the heat of the day. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a scheduled boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is one of the most rewarding places in Uganda for observing wildlife from the water. Look for large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles and buffaloes along the shoreline. Elephants may also come down to drink or bathe. Birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, pelicans and other waterbirds. The boat excursion commonly lasts around 2 hours, depending on the operator and departure arrangements. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Nile Boat Cruise to Murchison Falls

Day 3, Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking and Crater Lakes

After an early breakfast, travel to Kyambura Gorge for a guided chimpanzee tracking experience. Kyambura is a forested gorge surrounded by the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its riverine forest provides habitat for chimpanzees, monkeys and numerous bird species. On arrival, meet your ranger-guide for a briefing before descending into the gorge. The trek may involve steep paths, thick vegetation and slippery sections, particularly after rain. Your ranger-guide will search for signs of chimpanzee activity and listen for calls echoing through the forest. If the chimpanzees are located, you may observe them feeding, grooming, resting or moving through the trees. Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed, and the duration of the trek depends on the animals’ movements. After tracking, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, explore the volcanic crater lake region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The area offers beautiful views of crater formations, lakes and surrounding savannah landscapes. Stop at suitable viewpoints for photography before returning to your lodge in the evening.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.

Day 4, Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi

After an early breakfast, leave the Mweya area and travel south towards the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is particularly well known for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting in large fig trees. Enjoy a game drive through the sector, searching for lions, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants and other wildlife. Although tree-climbing lions are one of Ishasha’s main attractions, sightings are not guaranteed. After the game drive, enjoy lunch before continuing towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For this revised itinerary, the recommended destination is the Buhoma sector in northern Bwindi. The transfer from Ishasha to Buhoma generally takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on road conditions, with additional time required for the game drive and stops. As you approach Bwindi, the open savannah gives way to forested hills, tea plantations and rural communities. Arrive at your lodge and settle in. Spend the evening enjoying the rainforest atmosphere and preparing for the following morning’s gorilla trek.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 5, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the highlight of your Uganda safari as you enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of mountain gorillas. After an early breakfast, travel to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point. Park rangers will check your trekking permit, explain the conservation rules and assign you to a habituated gorilla family. Accompanied by experienced ranger-guides, begin your trek into Bwindi’s dense rainforest. The forest is known for its thick vegetation, steep valleys, giant ferns and remarkable biodiversity. The walking time varies depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family. Some treks are relatively short, while others involve several hours of walking through steep, muddy or uneven terrain. Your ranger-guides will follow signs of gorilla activity and help you understand the surrounding forest. Once the gorillas are located, enjoy up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat. You may see a silverback resting while keeping watch over the family, young gorillas playing near their mothers or adults feeding and grooming one another. Every encounter is different, shaped by the gorillas’ behaviour and the forest environment. Your ranger-guide will ensure that visitors maintain the required viewing distance and follow the park’s conservation rules. After the encounter, return to the trailhead and meet your driver-guide. Transfer back to your lodge for lunch or relaxation. Spend the remainder of the afternoon resting after the trek.

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.

Bwindi gorilla trekking in Uganda

Day 6, Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, leave Bwindi and begin the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. The transfer from Buhoma generally takes approximately 6 to 8 hours, depending on the route, traffic and stops. Travel through southwestern Uganda’s beautiful countryside, passing rolling hills, farmland, small towns and rural communities. Continue to Mbarara, where you may stop for lunch before proceeding to Lake Mburo National Park. The park is known for its open grasslands, wooded hills and lakes, providing habitat for zebras, impalas, elands, topis, buffaloes and other wildlife. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. If time permits, enjoy a short game drive in the park or simply relax at the lodge after the long journey. Spend the evening overlooking the surrounding savannah.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Lake Mburo National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 7, Lake Mburo Nature Walk and Boat Safari

After an early breakfast, enjoy a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park. Accompanied by an authorised ranger, explore suitable walking trails through the park’s grasslands and woodland. Unlike a conventional game drive, walking allows you to observe smaller details of the environment, including animal tracks, plants, birds and signs of wildlife activity. Depending on the route and wildlife movements, you may encounter zebras, impalas, elands, warthogs and other animals at a safe distance. Some guided walking routes may include viewpoints or areas near mineral-rich soils used by wildlife, depending on ranger arrangements. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a scheduled boat safari on Lake Mburo. The lake provides opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds along the shoreline. Look for African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and other wetland birds as your boat moves through the lake. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner.

Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge, Lake Mburo National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lake Mburo National Park

Day 8, Lake Mburo to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the return journey towards Entebbe. The drive generally takes approximately 4 to 6 hours, depending on traffic, road conditions and stops. Travel through Uganda’s central countryside, passing trading centres, cattle farms and cultivated landscapes. If your flight schedule allows, stop at the Equator crossing near Kayabwe for photographs and a short break. Continue towards Entebbe, where your driver-guide will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Travellers with early morning departures should consider returning to Entebbe on the previous evening or arranging an additional overnight stay near the airport. Your 8-day Uganda wildlife, chimpanzee and gorilla safari comes to an end, having combined savannah game drives, chimpanzee tracking, mountain gorilla trekking and the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda.

Meals: Breakfast.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

Safari Exclusions