14 Days Uganda Big Five and Primate Tracking Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Kampala City Experience

Your 14-day Uganda safari begins with arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where a representative from Verdant Safaris will meet you and welcome you to Uganda. After your airport transfer, you will have time to settle into your accommodation before beginning a relaxed introduction to Kampala, Uganda’s lively capital. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit selected city attractions such as the Uganda Museum, local craft markets, religious landmarks or other points of interest. You will also have an opportunity to experience the energetic atmosphere of Kampala and learn about the country’s history, culture and contemporary way of life. In the evening, return to your hotel for dinner and a briefing about the safari ahead. This is also a good opportunity to meet your safari guide, discuss the journey and prepare for the early start the following morning.

Accommodation Options:
Speke Hotel Kampala, Cassia Lodge, Latitude 0 Degrees

Meals: (Dinner)

Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, you will depart Kampala and drive towards northern Uganda, enjoying changing landscapes as you leave the capital behind. Your first major wildlife experience will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will participate in a guided rhino tracking experience on foot. This provides an opportunity to observe southern white rhinos in a protected environment while learning about conservation efforts in Uganda. After the sanctuary experience, continue towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, with a picnic or en-route lunch along the way. As you approach the park, the landscape changes into open savannah, woodland and palm-dotted plains, creating the perfect setting for your first taste of northern Uganda’s wilderness. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, relax and prepare for the exciting wildlife experiences planned for the following days.

Accommodation Options:
Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive through the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s premier wildlife-viewing destinations. The morning offers excellent opportunities to search for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, lions and other wildlife as the savannah comes alive. Your guide will carefully explore different tracks and habitats while helping you understand the behaviour and ecology of the animals you encounter. After lunch and some relaxation at the lodge, you will take an afternoon boat cruise along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you may see large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous water birds. The cruise provides a different perspective of the park and culminates with dramatic views of the Nile approaching the narrow gorge where the mighty falls are formed.

Accommodation Options:
Paraa Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Murchison Falls Hike and Transfer to Kibale Forest

After breakfast, you will visit the spectacular Murchison Falls area, where the Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before continuing towards Lake Albert. You will take a guided walk towards a suitable viewpoint, enjoying the powerful sound and spray of the water as it rushes through the gorge. The experience provides excellent photographic opportunities and a memorable final impression of Murchison Falls National Park. After the visit, begin the scenic journey southwards towards the Kibale Forest region. The drive takes you through rural communities, agricultural landscapes and rolling countryside, providing opportunities to observe everyday life away from Uganda’s major cities. Arrive in the Kibale area later in the day, check into your lodge and relax in preparation for your upcoming chimpanzee tracking adventure.

Accommodation Options:
Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Bigodi Wetland Walk and Kibale Forest Primate Experience

Today you will explore the remarkable ecosystem surrounding Kibale Forest, an area renowned for its exceptional primate diversity. Begin with a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you can encounter monkeys, birds, butterflies and other forest and wetland species. The walk also provides insight into local conservation initiatives and the relationship between surrounding communities and the forest. Your guide will identify different species and explain the ecological importance of the wetland and forest habitats. Depending on timing and availability, you may also visit a local community project, craft centre or traditional village to experience aspects of life around Kibale. The afternoon is left relatively relaxed, allowing you to enjoy your lodge, the forest surroundings and the peaceful atmosphere before tomorrow’s main chimpanzee tracking experience.

Accommodation Options:
Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Today is dedicated to one of Uganda’s most exciting primate experiences, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest. After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering the forest with trained guides and trackers. As you walk beneath the dense forest canopy, you will look for chimpanzees while also watching for other primates, forest mammals and colourful bird species. Once chimpanzees are located, you will have an opportunity to observe their natural behaviour from the permitted viewing distance while learning about their social structure and forest environment. The duration of the walk can vary depending on the movements of the chimpanzee community and forest conditions. After returning to the lodge, enjoy lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing or taking part in an optional community activity.

Accommodation Options:
Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, you will leave Kibale and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying spectacular views of western Uganda along the way. The journey takes you through tea-growing areas, crater landscapes, villages and rolling hills before reaching the park. After checking into your lodge and having lunch, you will set out for an afternoon or evening game drive. The park’s varied habitats support elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, hippos, lions and many bird species, creating an excellent introduction to its wildlife. Your guide will explore the savannah tracks while looking for wildlife and explaining the ecology of the park. As the sun begins to descend, the changing light over the plains creates a memorable safari atmosphere before you return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options:
Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains, an area known for its open savannah and wildlife encounters. You will search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs and other species while your guide tracks animal movements and identifies interesting behaviour. After returning to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is an excellent place to observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and numerous water birds from the water. The cruise provides a peaceful contrast to the morning game drive and gives you excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. Later, return to your lodge and enjoy the evening surrounded by the sights and sounds of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation Options:
Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Ishasha Sector and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will travel through the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park towards the Ishasha sector. This beautiful region is characterised by extensive savannah, woodland and large fig trees, and is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions. You will enjoy a game drive through the area while searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, topi, antelopes and other wildlife. After the game drive, continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, travelling through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda. The landscape gradually changes from savannah to steep hills, terraced farmland and dense forest as you approach Bwindi. Arrive at your selected lodge in the evening, settle in and receive a briefing about the gorilla trekking experience scheduled for the following day.

Accommodation Options:
Buhoma Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today is one of the highlights of your Uganda safari, as you enter Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for mountain gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, you will report to the park headquarters for a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority guides before beginning the forest trek. The trek can involve walking through dense vegetation and across uneven terrain as you follow signs of the gorilla family assigned to your group. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend the permitted viewing period observing their behaviour, interactions and movements in their natural forest environment. Your experience will be accompanied by trained guides and trackers who help you understand the gorillas and the surrounding ecosystem. After completing the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a well-earned afternoon of rest, with the remainder of the evening available for relaxation or a gentle cultural activity.

Accommodation Options:
Buhoma Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Batwa and Local Community Cultural Experience

After breakfast, you will enjoy a more relaxed day around the Bwindi region, focusing on local culture and the communities living near the forest. Depending on the selected experience, you may visit a Batwa cultural initiative, interact with local residents, learn about traditional practices and discover how communities have historically depended on the forest environment. You may also visit local craft groups where handmade products provide an important source of income for families in the area. Your guide will explain the relationship between conservation, tourism and community development around Bwindi. The experience provides an opportunity to appreciate the cultural diversity of southwestern Uganda beyond wildlife encounters. Later, return to your lodge to relax, enjoy the scenery and prepare for the next stage of your safari.

Accommodation Options:
Buhoma Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, you will depart Bwindi and begin the journey towards Lake Mburo National Park. The drive takes you through the changing landscapes of southwestern Uganda, with scenic hills, farmland and local communities along the route. After arriving in the Lake Mburo area and enjoying lunch, you will begin an afternoon game drive through the park. Lake Mburo is known for its populations of zebra, impala, buffaloes, eland, topi and other plains wildlife, making it a pleasant final wildlife destination. You may also encounter warthogs, hippos and numerous bird species as you explore the park’s savannah and woodland habitats. As evening approaches, return to your lodge for dinner and enjoy a peaceful final night surrounded by the sounds of the Ugandan wilderness.

Accommodation Options:
Mihingo Lodge, Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwakobo Rock

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13: Lake Mburo Morning Safari and Return to Kampala

Start your final full safari day with an early morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park, taking advantage of the cooler hours when wildlife is active. You will continue searching for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, eland, topi, warthogs and other species while enjoying the park’s distinctive landscapes. If desired and available, the morning can alternatively be arranged as a guided nature walk or another suitable park activity. After breakfast or lunch, begin your journey towards Kampala, with a stop at the Equator crossing along the way. Here, you can take photographs, browse local crafts and experience the geographical landmark where the Equator crosses Uganda. Continue to Kampala or Entebbe for your final overnight stay, marking the conclusion of your wildlife and primate adventure before departure.

Accommodation Options:
Latitude 0 Degrees, Cassia Lodge, Speke Hotel Kampala

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 14: Departure

Your final day is reserved for departure from Uganda. After breakfast, you will have some free time depending on your international flight schedule. If your departure is later in the day, Verdant Safaris can arrange a short city experience, shopping opportunity or relaxed time at your hotel, subject to available time. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport in good time for check-in and your onward flight. Your guide will assist with the final transfer and ensure that you reach the airport comfortably. As you depart, you will carry memories of Uganda’s savannah wildlife, magnificent forests, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, diverse landscapes and welcoming communities. This marks the end of your 14 Days Uganda Big Five and Primate Tracking Safari with Verdant Safaris.

Meals: (Breakfast)