Why This 7-Day Uganda Safari Is the Ultimate Primate & Wildlife Adventure

This 7-day Uganda safari is the ultimate primate and wildlife adventure, carefully designed for travellers who want to experience the very best of Uganda in one seamless journey. Starting in Kampala, you will explore Kibale National Park — the primate capital of East Africa — home to 13 primate species including over 1,500 wild chimpanzees. You will enjoy a Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nature walk, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and sightings of tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. The journey concludes in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s best destination for mountain gorilla trekking, protecting nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Optional cultural encounters with the Batwa pygmies add a rich cultural dimension to this safari.

This itinerary is flexible for budget, mid-range, and luxury travellers, making it perfect for primate lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and first-time Africa safari-goers alike.

Safari Highlights

• 🐒 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park (1-hour encounter with habituated chimps)

• 🌿 Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary nature walk for birds and primates

• 🦁 Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park (lions, elephants, buffaloes)

• 🛶 Kazinga Channel boat cruise with hippos, elephants, and birds

• 🦍 Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (1 magical hour with a gorilla family)

• 👣 Batwa cultural experience (optional)

• 🚙 Scenic drive through the Equator, Fort Portal, and the Great Lakes region

2026/2027 Updated Permit Prices (Uganda Wildlife Authority)

Important note: From January 1, 2027, Kibale chimpanzee permits will increase to $300 per person for standard tracking and $400 for habituation experiences.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park

Your safari begins with a scenic drive from Kampala, with an equator stopover for photos and a lunch break in Mbarara. You will arrive in Kibale in the evening, ready to explore this primate-rich forest.

Accommodation:

• Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

• Mid-range: Kibale Forest Camp / Isunga Lodge

• Luxury: Ndali Safari Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, you will head to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing before your chimpanzee tracking experience. Groups are capped at six people per chimpanzee family, and you will spend one hour with the chimps once located. The trek usually takes one to three hours, and the terrain is relatively flat compared with Bwindi.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run eco-tourism project renowned for its birdlife and primate sightings.

Accommodation: Same as Day 1

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, drive through Fort Portal and the Great Lakes region to Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, enjoy an evening game drive to spot early wildlife activity.

Accommodation:

• Budget: Simba Safari Camp / Pumba Cottages

• Mid-range: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge

• Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge

Day 4: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start your day with a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where you can spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs. After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel — a highlight of any Uganda safari — with close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.

Accommodation: Same as Day 3

Day 5: Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi

After an early breakfast, drive to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. After the game drive, continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Accommodation:

• Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp

• Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp / Engagi Lodge

• Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp / Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

This is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast and a briefing at the ranger station, you will begin your gorilla trekking experience. Treks can last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas have moved overnight, but you are guaranteed one magical hour with a habituated gorilla family. A maximum of 8 people are allowed per gorilla family per day, and the minimum age is 15 years old.

In the afternoon, you may opt for a Batwa cultural visit to learn about the traditional life of Uganda’s indigenous forest people.

Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Day 7: Return to Kampala / Entebbe

Enjoy a scenic drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport, with en-route lunch and photo stops. Your unforgettable 7-day Uganda safari concludes with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.

Safari Inclusions & Exclusions

✅ Includes:

• Gorilla trekking permit ($800 for foreign non-residents)

• Chimpanzee tracking permit ($250 for foreign non-residents)

• Park entrance fees

• Accommodation and meals as per itinerary

• 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide

• Bottled drinking water

• Kazinga Channel boat cruise

❌ Excludes:

• International flights and visas

• Travel insurance

• Tips and personal expenses

• Optional activities (e.g., Batwa cultural visit, gorilla habituation experience)

Best Time to Go on This Uganda Safari

The best time for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking in Uganda is during the dry seasons: June to September and December to February. These months offer firmer trails, clearer views, and better wildlife spotting. The low seasons of March to May and October to November bring lower lodge rates and thinner crowds, though trails can be muddy. Low-season gorilla permits are available at a discounted rate of $600 for foreign non-residents, saving $200 compared with peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Uganda gorilla permit cost in 2026?
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents during high season, and $600 during the low-season months of April, May, and November. Foreign residents pay $700 (high season) or $500 (low season).

How long is the gorilla trekking experience?
Treks vary from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas have moved overnight. You get exactly one hour with the gorillas once found.

What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Bwindi is 15 years old, strictly enforced by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

Can I combine chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking?
Yes, this 7-day safari is specifically designed to combine both experiences, along with wildlife game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

What should I pack for this safari?
Pack sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, a rain jacket, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, binoculars, and a refillable water bottle.

Why Book This 7-Day Uganda Safari?

• Comprehensive experience: Combines chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, and classic wildlife safaris in one trip

• Three top destinations: Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi — Uganda’s premier safari parks

• Flexible accommodation: Budget, mid-range, and luxury options available

• Expert guides: English-speaking driver-guides with deep knowledge of Uganda’s wildlife and culture

• Conservation impact: Your permit fees directly support gorilla and chimpanzee conservation efforts

Ready to Book Your Uganda Safari?

Contact us today to check availability, secure your gorilla and chimpanzee permits, and customise this 7-day Uganda safari to your travel dates and budget. Permits sell out months in advance during peak season, so early booking is essential. Full payment is now required to secure permits, as the Uganda Wildlife Authority no longer holds reservations without payment.

Book your 2026/2027 Uganda gorilla safari now and experience the adventure of a lifetime.