7 Days Uganda Wildlife and Primate Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Your Uganda wildlife and primate safari begins with arrival at Entebbe International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your Verdant Safaris representative and briefed about the journey ahead. After meeting your safari guide, you will begin the scenic drive towards western Uganda and the beautiful region surrounding Kibale National Park. The journey takes you through changing landscapes, from busy urban surroundings to green countryside, plantations, rolling hills and traditional communities. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy lunch along the way before continuing towards Fort Portal and the Kibale forest area. Kibale is famous for its primate population and is one of Uganda’s principal destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge, relax and prepare for the following day’s forest experience. The evening can be spent enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the forest before dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp.

Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Experience

After an early breakfast, you will head to the designated chimpanzee tracking area for a briefing before entering the forest with experienced guides and trackers. Kibale’s chimpanzee tracking experience takes you along forest trails where you may encounter habituated chimpanzees as well as other primates, birds and forest wildlife. The chimpanzees can move through the forest at different speeds, so your experience may involve walking along several trails while following signs of their presence. Uganda Wildlife Authority states that chimpanzee tracking takes place throughout the year, with tracking opportunities centred around designated areas such as Kanyanchu. After returning from the forest, you will have lunch and some time to relax at the lodge. In the afternoon, you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk through a community-managed wetland environment, where you can look for monkeys, birds, butterflies and other species. The experience gives you an opportunity to appreciate both Kibale’s natural environment and the role of surrounding communities in tourism and conservation.

Accommodation options: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kibale Forest Camp.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will begin the morning with breakfast before leaving Kibale and continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes you through some of western Uganda’s most attractive scenery, including tea-growing areas, crater lakes, rolling countryside and communities along the route. As you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park, the landscape gradually changes from forest and cultivated areas to open savannah and woodland. After entering the park, you will have the opportunity to begin your wildlife experience with an afternoon game drive if time permits. Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s major national parks and supports a wide range of wildlife and more than 600 recorded bird species. You may encounter elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, Uganda kob and other antelope species as you explore the park tracks with your guide. After the game drive, you will proceed to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Morning Game Drive

Rise early for breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive across the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The early hours are particularly rewarding for wildlife viewing because many animals are active before the heat of the day becomes intense. With your experienced guide carefully reading tracks and observing animal behaviour, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs, waterbucks and other wildlife. Depending on the area explored and the day’s sightings, you may also have opportunities to observe predators such as lions. Queen Elizabeth supports a diverse range of wildlife and is recognised by Uganda Wildlife Authority as an important destination for predator and bird sightings. You will return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation during the warmer part of the afternoon. The rest of the afternoon can be spent enjoying the lodge facilities or taking in views of the surrounding landscape before dinner and another peaceful night in the park.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Wildlife Experience

After breakfast, you will have a relaxed start before preparing for one of the highlights of your Queen Elizabeth safari, the boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is renowned for the concentration of wildlife that gathers around its shores. From the boat, you can observe hippos in the water, crocodiles along the banks, elephants and buffaloes coming to drink, as well as a variety of water birds. The cruise provides a different perspective from a game drive and allows you to appreciate the relationship between the park’s waterways and its wildlife. After the boat experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, you can enjoy another short game drive or a scenic excursion depending on the available time and your preferred pace. You will then return to your accommodation for dinner and your final overnight stay in the Queen Elizabeth area.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Entebbe or Kampala

After an early breakfast, you will begin your journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park towards Kampala or Entebbe. Before leaving the park, you may enjoy a short morning wildlife drive, giving you one final opportunity to see animals in their natural surroundings. The journey then continues through the scenic countryside of western and central Uganda, with opportunities to stop for refreshments and photographs along the way. Depending on the route and timing, you may make a stop at the Equator crossing, where you can take photographs and explore the small craft and souvenir shops around the site. You will continue towards Entebbe, arriving later in the afternoon or evening depending on road conditions and stopovers. On arrival, you will check into your accommodation and have time to relax after the long journey. This final evening provides an opportunity to reflect on the chimpanzee tracking, forest experience and wildlife encounters enjoyed during your Uganda safari.

Accommodation options: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Papyrus Guest House, Best Western Premier Entebbe Hotel.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Departure

After breakfast, you will have a relaxed morning depending on your flight departure time. You may use the remaining time to rest at your accommodation or take a short walk around the surrounding area if your schedule allows. Your Verdant Safaris driver will then transfer you to Entebbe International Airport in good time for your departure flight. Before leaving Uganda, you will have an opportunity to review your safari memories, from the forests of Kibale to the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This journey combines some of Uganda’s most rewarding wildlife and primate experiences within a compact seven-day itinerary. Uganda Wildlife Authority manages both Kibale and Queen Elizabeth among the country’s national parks, highlighting their importance within Uganda’s protected-area network. Your safari officially ends upon arrival at the airport, marking the conclusion of your 7 Days Uganda Wildlife and Primate Safari with Verdant Safaris.

Meals: (Breakfast)