8 Days Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Safari

Enjoy a memorable safari to see the best of Uganda, from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park for chimp trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for an unforgettable game viewing experience, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking tours. This 8-day Adventure begins in Entebbe where you will discover its top tourist spots like Uganda Wildlife Education Center for the country’s rarest wildlife species living in captivity, Mabamba Wetland to sight the shoebill storks, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or the Entebbe Botanical gardens for birding. You will finish this week-long trip in Kampala City.

A lazing chimpanzee in Kibale Forest National Park

Highlights

  • Tour Entebbe Town and try out the country’s delicious local cuisines.
  • Cruise the waters of Kazinga Channel.
  • Enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Visit the chimpanzees in Kibale forest.
  • See the highlights of Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary through a guided walk.
  • Track the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi.
  • Visit the Batwa Pygmies.

Brief Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in the beautiful Entebbe, optional activities.
  • Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, Crater tour and relaxation.
  • Day 3: Kibale Forest discovery; Chimpanzee trekking and wetland walk.
  • Day 4: Crater Tour, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Day 5: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park; Game drives and Boat ride.
  • Day 6: Road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, community walk.
  • Day 7: Bwindi Gorilla Tour & Batwa cultural tour.
  • Day 8: Leave the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kampala.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in the beautiful Entebbe, optional activities

A warm welcome at Entebbe, the gateway into Uganda. Entebbe is set on the Lake Victoria Peninsula, about 36 kilometers from Kampala and is popular for the Israeli Commando raid on the 4th July 1976 for a rescue mission. When you get to the Airport, your private driver will meet and transfer you to the Hotel in Entebbe. Depending on your arrival time, there are a number of optional activities to enjoy.

Accommodation options;

  • Hotel No.5 Boutique Hotel- Luxury.
  • The Boma- Midrange.

Meals: own arrangement.

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, Crater tour and relaxation

Your private safari driver will meet you at the Hotel Lobby at 7:00am, and you will then depart for Kibale Forest national Park. Known as the “Primate Capital of the World”, this Park has about 1500 of the 5000 chimpanzees in the country. You will enjoy views of verdant tea estates, banana plantations, and huge Boulders while heading you’re your safari destination. After checking in at the Lodge, you will enjoy lunch and later go for the Crater tour.

Accommodation options;

  • Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge- Upmarket.
  • Crater Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops- midrange.
  • Kibale Forest Camp or Isunga Lodge- budget.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 3: Kibale Forest discovery; Chimpanzee trekking and wetland walk

After a delicious breakfast at your Lodge around Kibale, you will be driven into Kanyanchu Visitor Center. Afterward, you will get registered and briefed on the guidelines to be followed while tracking these Great Apes. Then at about 7:30am, start the search for the chimpanzees that will last 1-4 hours with rich sights of other primates, birds and butterflies. One hour is all you have to observe and take photos of these Great Apes and you should make good use of it. Later, you will return to the Lodge for Lunch and rest.

In the afternoon, you will head to Bigodi wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk where more primates and birds will be sighted. You will get back to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options;

  • Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge- Upmarket.
  • Crater Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops- midrange.
  • Kibale Forest Camp or Isunga Lodge- budget.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: Crater Tour, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will hop aboard the safari vehicle for a Crater tour while taking the 3-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth national Park. As you continue, simply marvel at the breathtaking landscapes, raw nature that make you fall in love with this country. You will arrive your destination early afternoon to rest.

In the afternoon, you will either relax at the Lodge or take a guided community walk to learn about the local cultures and traditions.

Accommodation;

  • Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Elephant Plains- Upmarket.
  • Buffalo Safari Lodge or Enganzi Lodge- Midrange.
  • Simba Safari Camp or Bush Lodge Tents- Budget.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 5: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park; Game drives and Boat ride

Relish another morning exploring the “Medley of Wonders”- Queen Elizabeth National Park. During the 3-4-hour game drive. You will visit the Northern Plains of Kasenyi and Mweya Peninsula with incredible sights of lions, spotted hyenas, Topis, African bush elephants, leopards, Cape buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Defassa waterbucks and warthogs among others. After working up an appetite, have a break from the adventure for a hearty lunch followed by a refreshing boat cruise on Kazinga Channel.

Your better part of your afternoon will be spent on a boat cruise, which lasts 2-3 hours and is filled with awe-inspiring sights of the Nile crocodiles and Hippos basking in the water or Elephants and buffaloes drinking or grazing along the banks. Also expect lots of birds, then return to your accommodation to dine, unwind and freshen-up.

Accommodation;

  • Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Elephant Plains- Upmarket.
  • Buffalo Safari Lodge or Enganzi Lodge- Midrange.
  • Simba Safari Camp or Bush Lodge Tents- Budget.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 6: Road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, community walk

Today, you will continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is the “ultimate gorilla trekking destination”. First, take a game drive through the Northern Plains, head to the southern plains Ishasha sector) where the tree-climbing lions are found. You could be lucky to see them lazing on the fig tree branches, spot lots of other wildlife species (Topis, elephants, buffaloes and duikers). Lunch will be at Savannah Resort and leave for Bwindi, arriving late afternoon to dine and rest.

Accommodation;

  • Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Bwindi Lodge- Luxury.
  • Silverback Lodge or Engagi Lodge- moderate.
  • Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Ride 4 a woman- basic.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 7: Bwindi Gorilla Tour & Batwa cultural tour

Today, you are in for a treat as you get up-close and personal with the endangered Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Having met your Park guide, enter this UNESCO World Heritage Site and have a briefing at the Park Headquarters. Afterward, start searching for the allocated gorilla family for the next 1-6 hours and later, have one hour to watching them play, groom each other, feed and rest. By the end of the experience, you will return to the Park Headquarters to pick your gorilla permit. Later, transfer to your accommodation for lunch.

Your afternoon will be for discovering culture and traditions of Central African forests’ first inhabitants. Learn how they make fire with sticks, harvest honey, make bamboo cups and others. Afterward, you will retire for dinner, relaxation and rest for the night.

Accommodation;

  • Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp or Bwindi Lodge- Luxury.
  • Silverback Lodge or Engagi Lodge- moderate.
  • Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Ride 4 a woman- basic.

Meal Plan: Full Board.

Day 8: Leave the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kampala

Your 8-day Adventure across Uganda’s top safari destinations has, sadly come to an end. Enjoy breakfast at your Lodge and start the journey to Kampala, where you will be dropped off at your accommodation or proceed to the Airport to catch your flight back home.

8 Day Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi Adventure:

  • Gorilla trekking permit/s
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit/s
  • Park entry fees where required.
  • Boat cruises.
  • Community walks.
  • The Bigodi wetland walk.
  • Road transfers by a 4WD Safari vehicle.
  • Services of our professional private driver.
  • 7 nights’ accommodation.
  • Airport transfers (for the first and last day of safari).
  • Meals per the itinerary.
  • Relevant government taxes and levies.
  • Snacks and bottled water.

Exclusions:

  • Medical and Travel insurance.
  • Accommodation on the last day (if necessary).
  • Airfares
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
  • Cigarettes
  • Souvenirs
  • Laundry fees.
  • Telephone expenses.