Embark on an unforgettable 9-day Uganda Luxury Safari: Gorillas, Chimps, and Wildlife a journey that perfectly blends adventure, indulgence, and meaningful travel. Designed for those with a passion for nature and a taste for comfort, this immersive experience brings you up close with Uganda’s most iconic primates, the majestic mountain gorillas and playful chimpanzees along with an abundance of other wildlife. Throughout the trip, you’ll stay in handpicked eco-luxury lodges, support local communities, and contribute to vital conservation efforts. It’s more than a safari it’s a transformative encounter with the wild heart of Africa.

Highlights:

  • Scenic road trips
  • Unforgettable Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Trek Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest.
  • Community encounters in Bwindi
  • The ultimate jungle treks.
  • Wildlife Encounters

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day One: Arrival at Entebbe International airport.

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will proceed through the immigration process, which typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the time of your arrival. Once you exit the arrivals area, you will be greeted by a representative from Hooves of Africa Safaris for a brief meet and greet. Following this, you’ll be transferred to your boutique hotel in Entebbe, where you’ll enjoy a comfortable overnight stay with a bed and breakfast arrangement.

Accommodation: Hotel No 5
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

Day Two: Pick up and transfer to Kibale Forest park with for Bigodi community Walk.

We will pick you up from your guesthouse in Entebbe and transfer you to Kibale National Park, the home of chimpanzees and often referred to as the primate capital of the world. The drive takes approximately 6 hours, passing through the rural areas of central and western Uganda. Along the way, you’ll pass by vibrant open markets and local grocery stores—perfect for a glimpse into daily life. The journey is scenic and lively, so you can expect to arrive in the late afternoon at your lodge, located near the park.

After checking in, we’ll take a stroll through the famous Bigodi Wetlands, a community-managed project aimed at improving the lives of the local people. During the walk, keep an eye out for olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a variety of bird species. You’ll also have the chance for a cultural encounter with the local communities. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodations: Turaco Tree Tops  

Meal Plan: Half Board

Day Three: Am chimpanzee tracking and Evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Kanyanchu for a briefing before heading into the forest with expert rangers in search of chimpanzees. Following their calls and tracks, you’ll embark on an exciting trek. Once the chimpanzees are located, you’ll have an unforgettable one hour to observe them and learn more about their behaviors and social structure.

After a delicious hot lunch at the lodge, we’ll drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we’ll check in and prepare for an evening game drive. The park is renowned for the Kasenyi Plains, where we’ll explore in search of wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, and a variety of bird species. Here, you’ll have the chance to spot four of Africa’s Big Five, excluding the white rhinos. Dinner and overnight stay at the edge of the park.

Accommodations: Marafiki Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Four: Morning game drive and afternoon community boat tour

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a morning drive to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is home to over 90 species of mammals and 600 bird species, making it a prime destination for big game sightings. To maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, we begin our game drives at 06:30 AM, in search of lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffaloes, and more.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, renowned for its high density of hippos. This is also an excellent opportunity to discover various water species and see wildlife as they come to relax or drink in the afternoon. Later, we’ll transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodations: Marafiki Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day Five: Morning game drive transfer to Ishasha sector – Tree climbing Lions

After breakfast, we’ll set off for a thrilling morning game drive across the vast Kasenyi Plains, renowned for its rich wildlife. Our journey then takes us to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. Spending the night here provides a fantastic opportunity to witness these incredible lions lounging in the trees—a rare and unforgettable sight.

In the evening, enjoy a leisurely dinner at the lodge, where you can unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures. For a truly magical experience, we can arrange an evening sundowner at an additional cost, offering stunning views of the park as the sun sets over the savannah. Your overnight stay will be in Ishasha, where you’ll fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the African wilderness.

Accommodation: Embogo Safari Lodge

Meal plan: Full board

Day Six: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, enjoy one final game drive through the Ishasha sector, where you’ll search for a variety of wildlife, including elephants, leopards, herds of topi, Cape buffaloes, and lions, among others. This is a fantastic opportunity to capture those last memorable moments in the wild.

Following the game drive, we’ll transfer to Bwindi, with lunch en route, depending on where your gorilla permits have been booked. Upon arrival, check into your lodge at the edge of the forest, where you’ll unwind and prepare for the incredible gorilla trekking experience ahead. Spend the evening relaxing in this peaceful setting, surrounded by the sounds of the forest, as you look forward to the adventure that awaits.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal plan: Full board

Day Seven: Iconic Gorilla Tracking and Community Walk

After a delicious breakfast, embark on a short scenic short drive to the UWA Briefing Center, where you’ll receive a thorough briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. Once you’ve been assigned to a gorilla family in a group of up to 8 participants, your expert ranger guides will lead you through the forest in search of these incredible creatures. The trek may vary in difficulty depending on the location of the gorillas, but the reward is worth every step. Once located, you’ll enjoy a full hour of observing the gorillas at a respectful distance of 7-10 meters, watching them engage in their daily activities in their natural habitat.

After your unforgettable gorilla experience, return to your lodge for a relaxing afternoon. Later, enjoy an enriching evening community walk, where you’ll visit the Batwaa people to learn about their traditions and how they coexist with the forest. The walk will also introduce you to the local communities, offering a unique opportunity to experience the culture that thrives in this stunning region.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal Plan: Full board

Day Eight: Transfer from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, with a hot Rolex stop in Mbarara Town. Uganda is renowned for its variety of local dishes, and the Rolex (a popular street food) is a must-try! We’ll stop at a local vendor for a chance to taste this delicious snack before continuing our journey.

Upon entering the park, we’ll enjoy a game drive as we make our way to your lodge, located just outside the park. Lake Mburo National Park is well-known for its high diversity of antelope species and is one of the few places in Uganda where you can see zebras and giraffes together during your safari.

Dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge, offering stunning views overlooking the plains of the park.

Accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge

Meal: Full Board

Day Nine: Walking Safari and transfer to Entebbe for your international flight.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on a walking safari to explore the park on foot, immersing ourselves in its natural beauty. Lake Mburo National Park is known for its diverse antelope species and zebras, along with over 340 recorded bird species—all of which you’ll have the chance to observe during your walk.

Later, we’ll drive back to Entebbe, making a photographic stop at the equator for a memorable picture. This will mark the end of our unforgettable safari adventure.

Accommodation: None (a day room use can be booked on request – Not part of the cost)

Meal Plan: Lunch en route

END OF SAFARI

Please note that the price is per person based on 9 Day Uganda Mid range and luxury safari that includes gorillas and chimpanzees and wildlife for 2 people per person sharing a twin or double

Included in the above quote:

  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary.
  • Drinking water
  • Gorilla permits 800$
  • Chimpanzee Permits 250 (Kibale)
  • All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary
  • Support of a private 4×4 vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide,
  • All transfers
  • Government taxes

 

Excluded from the above quote:

  • Uganda Entry Visa fee
  • International air flights
  • Any optional activity not indicated in above program