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Chimpanzee

Uganda Luxury Wildlife Safari Tour

Example 9 Day Tour
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Explore Uganda's diverse landscapes and rich wildlife habitats on this 9-day safari adventure. Begin your journey with a picturesque drive to Kibale Lodge, nestled near Kibale National Park. Enjoy thrilling chimpanzee trekking and visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to diverse flora and fauna. Next, journey to Kyambura Gorge Lodge, offering breathtaking views of Queen Elizabeth National Park and opportunities to discover lost chimpanzees and cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Continue your adventure at Bwindi Lodge, overlooking the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you'll embark on a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla tracking experience. Engage in community and conservation activities, including guided rainforest walks and visits to local villages and organizations.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge - ChimpanzeeQueen Elizabeth National ParkKyambura -Gorge-Kibale Lodge LakeChimpanzeeChimpanzee
Highlights
  • Trek through Kibale Forest for thrilling chimpanzee encounters
  • Explore diverse flora and fauna at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
  • Embark on game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Cruise along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe Airport, where you will be met by a team member who will  assist with your transfer to your domestic flight to Kasese airstrip, a short flight of about 1 hour. Upon landing in Kasese, venture on a picturesque drive of about 1.5 hours to reach Kibale Lodge, situated near Kibale National Park. Nestled within a stunning 150-acre site, the lodge offers a unique and luxurious experience amidst nature. It features eight deluxe rooms and a villa, complemented by a spa, sauna, and pool, promising comfort and relaxation. Settle in to your lodging and take in the stunning panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Queen Elizabeth plains.

This evening, enjoy pre-dinner welcome cocktails on the terrace overlooking the magnificent scenery and prepare for your adventures to come. 

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking

With easy access to Kibale Forest, you can explore and discover the wonders of chimpanzee trekking as you spend this morning tracking exuberant chimp families in the Kibale forest. It's exhilarating to follow chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches high above the forest floor. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees, while visitors must navigate across the river using natural bridges to keep up. The trek to locate the chimps can be unpredictable, and though the walk typically lasts only 2-3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges requires agility and fitness.

In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a haven for butterflies, plants, animals, and birds. Birdwatchers revel in spotting magnificent species like the Great Blue Turaco and rare Papyrus Gonolek. The sanctuary also shelters less common animals such as Red Colobus monkeys and Sitatunga antelopes.

The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, nestled within Kibale National Park, boasts the largest chimpanzee population in Uganda. Recognized by UNESCO's Wetlands Sustainable Tourism Projects, it stands as a model community-based tourism initiative. A visit here is a must when exploring Kibale National Park. Managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary aims to distribute tourism benefits to local communities. Its name, derived from the Rutoro word "Kugodya," reflects the weariness of travelers reaching the swamp after a long journey through the forest. Located 6 km south of Kanyanchu, the sanctuary safeguards the 4 square km Magombe swamp.

Day 3: Kyambura Gorge

Today, you will depart for Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This renowned lodge, situated on the park's edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, offers breathtaking views of the rolling savanna, distant mountains, and sunken Kyambura Gorge. With entirely remodeled public areas and gardens, the lodge provides a stunning space converted from a coffee store. The guest bandas feature an afro-chic theme, adorned with local artifacts reimagined in a new context, offering unique views across the savanna or the gorge. Whether staying in one of the four new deluxe bandas or the standard ones, guests can enjoy the lodge's amenities, including a spa and swimming pool. Ideal for tracking lost chimps in Kyambura Gorge and experiencing the park's diverse wildlife, the lodge also offers opportunities to participate in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism project. Explore the dramatic landscapes of Kyambura Gorge and Queen Elizabeth savannah through new walking safaris and contribute to the conservation effort by planting a seedling along the gorge buffer zone.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, known for its varied landscapes and abundant wildlife, offers unforgettable game drives to observe Africa's big cats, lions, and leopards. En route, don't miss the chance to visit the Rwenzori Sculpture Gallery near Kasese Airport, which showcases works inspired by Uganda's culture, wildlife, and landscape.

Settle to your banda and savor pre-dinner cocktails on the veranda, overlooking the savannah plains with the majestic Rwenzori Mountains.

Day 4: Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura

After breakfast, get ready for a day of exploring as you walk directly from the lodge into Kyambura Gorge to search for the 'Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura'. The gorge, contrasting sharply with the surrounding grasslands, offers an extraordinary natural environment where you can track chimpanzees, one of our closest animal relatives. Although viewing these isolated chimps can be unpredictable due to their mobility, the walk itself is both exciting and enchanting.

In the afternoon, venture on a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer waterway linking Lakes Edward and George, rich in wildlife. Departing from Mweya Safari Lodge, about an hour's drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge, the boat trip lasts 3-4 hours and offers opportunities to photograph animals cooling off at the water's edge, including lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard. The channel hosts one of Africa's largest hippo populations, along with herds of elephants and buffalo, while also attracting numerous water birds like pelicans and African fish eagles.

After the cruise, join the Kyambura bee-keeping cooperative to harvest honey, enjoy a performance from the Omumushaka Dance Group, and take a gorge walk to spot birds, monkeys, and other wildlife around Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

Day 5: Kasenyi Plains

After enjoying an early breakfast, head out for a morning game drive to catch the best wildlife sightings in the park. Depending on the season, the wildlife you encounter may vary. The Kasenyi plains offer excellent opportunities to spot lions and large herds of Uganda kob, while the Mweya peninsula is renowned for leopard sightings in dense, scrubby thickets.

You can also visit and engage in the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism Project, managed by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT). Experience coffee roasting with the Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative, go birding in the Kyambura reclaimed wetlands, and contribute to conservation efforts by planting a tree seedling in the wildlife buffer zone.

Day 6: Bwindi Forest

After breakfast at the lodge, your safari continues towards the primeval Bwindi forest. Driving through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may catch sight of the famous tree-climbing lions. The journey through the changing landscape leads you up to the highlands, where Bwindi Lodge awaits on the edge of the impenetrable forest.

Overlooking the primeval Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with stunning views of the canopy and a serene stream, Bwindi Lodge stands as a unique African retreat. With dramatic forest views, the lodge offers opportunities to spot monkeys and birds hidden in the foliage. Recent upgrades include new deluxe bandas, a spa, a sauna, and revamped lounge and library spaces.

The award-winning Bwindi Bar, located in the nearby village, is a vibrant hotspot offering tapas-style meals inspired by Ugandan cuisine. Guests can even make their own 'rolex' wrap and indulge in the signature Gorillini Cocktail, a perfect post-gorilla tracking treat. Established by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, the bar provides hospitality training to local youth. Unwind with pre-dinner cocktails on the veranda, overlooking the dramatic Bwindi Forest with the echoes of over 150 bird species in the distance.

Day 7: Gorilla Tracking

Enjoy an early breakfast, then set off for a gorilla tracking. With only eight visitors allowed per gorilla group each day, maintaining a distance of 10m from the gorillas is crucial to minimize disease transmission. You'll have the opportunity to spend one hour observing these magnificent mountain gorillas as they play, feed, and groom each other. However, if the gorillas appear nervous, your guide may end the trek early for safety. The tracking duration can range from 3 to 8 hours, requiring agility and fitness, though all fitness levels are accommodated for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Trekking through steep, densely forested hills to encounter gorillas hidden in the vegetation is truly inspiring, though be prepared for a challenging trek, especially in wet and muddy conditions.

After your trek, visit the award-winning Bwindi Bar on your way back to the lodge and celebrate with the signature Gorillini cocktail! Bwindi Bar also serves as a hospitality training ground for disadvantaged youth from neighboring communities, initiated by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) in 2015. The program aims to provide practical tourism experience and create job opportunities in the region, equipping trainees with skills for successful employment in the Bwindi hospitality sector. Trainees undergo three months of practical food and service training, followed by internships at nearby lodges. Bwindi Bar offers delicious locally-inspired food and drinks, including the famous Ugandan 'Rolex' wrap and the signature 'Gorillini' cocktail!

Day 8: Community and Conservation Activities

Today, you have the option to venture on a second gorilla trek with additional permits (additional permits required upon payment of supplement and subject to availability) or participate in various community and conservation activities such as the following:
  • Take a guided walk in the rainforest, passing between ferns and orchids before emerging to see three pristine waterfalls. 
  • Enjoy a guided birding walk along the Munyanga River Trail to spot some of the 1,000 bird species found in Uganda.  
  • Visit Buhoma village and learn about community life. 
  • Visit the Bwindi Community Hospital, a beacon of hope to the local communities.  
  • Visit Conservation Through Public Health for a behind-the-scenes tour of gorilla conservation. 
  • Enjoy a demonstration of the local tea processing cooperative at Bwindi Lodge. 
After your activities, unwind with complimentary spa treatments and massages, including the renowned Rungu massage at the Humula Forest Spa.

Day 9: Depart Bwindi

  • 1 Breakfast
For your departure, transfer two hours from Bwindi Lodge to Kihihi airstrip for your 1.5-hour morning or afternoon flight back to Entebbe, ensuring you connect in time for your international flight. Please schedule international flights departing after 8 pm to allow for a smooth transition.

Accommodations

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Bwindi Lodge-Aerial view

Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge

Visit the Bwindi Lodge on an exciting Mountain Gorilla tracking safari in Africa. Newly renovated,, the lodge offers a stylish and comfortable retreat during your Uganda safari experience. Combine a stay here with other Uganda tours to create a full Africa vacation experience.
Bwindi Lodge-Fire Place
Bwindi Lodge-Library
Bwindi Lodge- Lounge

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Kyambura Gorge Lodge-Main Lodge Area

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Enjoy the eight beautifully appointed, spacious bandas that make up the Kyambura Gorge Lodge in Uganda on your African Safari. On the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the lodge offers stunning views of the gorge, the savannah, and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge - Pool
Kyambura Lodge - Gorge
Kyambura Gorge Lodge-Bridge

Kibale Lodge

Kibale Lodge Overview

Kibale Lodge

Kibale Lodge offers deluxe rooms, a villa, spa, sauna, and pool amidst a stunning 150-acre site. Located near Fort Portal and Kasese airstrip, with daily flights to Entebbe, the lodge provides easy access to Volcanoes Safaris' other properties. Additionally, Kibale Forest, renowned for chimpanzee trekking, is just a thirty-minute drive away.
Kibale Lodge Lake View
Kibale Lodge Outside Shower
Kibale Lodge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Free Extra Night 30680
Book the 7-night Uganda Wildlife Safari by 31 March 2026 and receive a free extra night at Bwindi Lodge valued at up to $1,700, plus a complimentary chimpanzee permit worth $100 at Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Offer applies to new bookings only. Terms and condition apply. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Per person starting at
$19,536 2-3 travelers

Notes

Select a Date
Included
  • 6 Breakfasts
  • 8 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Entrance Fee
  • 1 Gorilla Tracking Permit
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Optional Excursions - Additional Gorilla Tracking Permit in PNV

Map

When to Go

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Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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