13 Days Great Apes of Uganda Safari

Day 1: Full Day with Chimpanzees at Ngamba Island Sanctuary

After breakfast at your Entebbe hotel, your guide will pick you up and transfer you to the lakeshore for your boat trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Situated about 23 kilometers across Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island is a 100-acre tropical forest reserve set aside exclusively for orphaned and rescued chimpanzees that cannot be returned to the wild. As your boat skims over the calm waters of Africa’s largest lake, you’ll get your first taste of Uganda’s natural beauty.

Upon arrival, you will spend the day immersed in the world of chimpanzees. Ngamba is unique because it offers the rare chance to observe these great apes in a semi-wild environment — the chimps roam freely in the island’s lush forest but return during feeding times, providing close yet ethical viewing opportunities. Watch as they emerge from the trees to receive their meals, showcasing their distinct personalities, social structures, and cleverness. You’ll also learn from the sanctuary staff about the critical conservation work being done here, including veterinary care, community education, and anti-poaching efforts.

In the late afternoon, you will board the boat back to Entebbe, returning to your hotel in time to relax, enjoy a fine dinner, and prepare for the grand overland primate adventure that begins tomorrow.

Day 2: Entebbe to Murchison Falls — Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Top of the Falls

After breakfast, depart by road northwards to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s oldest and largest protected area. En route, you’ll stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an unforgettable on-foot tracking experience with white rhinos — the only place in Uganda where these magnificent animals are found in the wild.

Continue the journey into Murchison Falls, stopping to witness the power of the Nile River as it forces through a narrow gorge at the Top of the Falls. Marvel at the roaring cascade and dramatic spray before proceeding to your elegant lodge along the Nile. Settle in for a sunset dinner overlooking the riverbanks teeming with wildlife.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Budongo Forest & Afternoon Game Drive

Today is dedicated to your first chimpanzee trek in the lush Budongo Forest, part of the greater Murchison Falls ecosystem. Budongo is known for its large, habituated chimpanzee community and impressive mahogany trees. Accompanied by expert guides, you’ll trek through the tropical rainforest, following the calls and signs until you find the chimps. Spend an exhilarating hour observing their natural behavior: feeding, grooming, and playing high in the canopy.

In the afternoon, return to the savannah plains for a classic game drive. Search for elephants, giraffes, lions, and buffaloes as the golden light illuminates the landscape. Return to your lodge for a restful evening and recount your dual primate and big game adventures over dinner.

Day 4: Fly to Kibale Forest — The Primate Capital of the World

After breakfast, transfer to the park airstrip for your scheduled flight southwards to Kibale Forest National Park. Soar over the rift valley and patchwork of farms before landing near Fort Portal. Upon arrival, transfer to your luxury rainforest lodge nestled on the edge of Kibale.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at the lodge or take an optional guided walk around the local tea plantations and crater lakes. The area is rich in birdlife and primates, and you’ll feel fully immersed in the serenity of Uganda’s primate kingdom.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale & Bigodi Wetland Walk

Today offers your second chimpanzee trek, this time in Kibale’s dense tropical rainforest, which boasts the highest density of primates in Africa. Trek through towering trees and tangled vines until you hear the hoots and drumming of wild chimpanzees. Spend an awe-inspiring hour with these charismatic apes as they feed, climb, and care for their young.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area. Spot colorful birds like the great blue turaco, monkeys leaping through the trees, and meet locals who share stories about their traditions and efforts to protect this unique ecosystem.

Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park — Crater Lakes & Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, admire the striking crater lakes and panoramic views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at your luxury lodge in time for lunch, nestled in the heart of the savannah plains.

In the evening, set out for a game drive across the KasenyI Plains, home to herds of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. Watch for predators like lions and leopards that begin to stir as the sun dips toward the horizon. Return to the lodge for dinner and stargazing by the campfire.

Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari

Start with an early morning game drive, when wildlife is most active. Queen Elizabeth’s diverse ecosystems host an incredible array of species, from warthogs and hippos to top predators. Keep your eyes peeled for tree-climbing lions and rare sightings of hyenas or serval cats.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its dense concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and abundant birdlife. Glide past elephants cooling off in the water and buffaloes wallowing in the shallows. This boat trip offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Uganda.

Day 8: Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha’s Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, journey south through the remote Ishasha sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions that lounge in fig trees. With luck, you’ll catch sight of these iconic predators against the backdrop of the savannah. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your journey into the highlands.

Arrive at the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to over half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Check into your luxury lodge perched on the forest edge and unwind with views of the ancient jungle canopy as you prepare for the ultimate wildlife encounter tomorrow.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi — Life-Changing Encounter

Today is the crown jewel of your safari — gorilla trekking. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing, then embark on your trek through Bwindi’s tangled vines and rugged terrain. The trek can be challenging but deeply rewarding, as you come face-to-face with a family of endangered mountain gorillas in their natural home. Spend a magical hour observing their powerful yet gentle behavior — from playful youngsters to the mighty silverback.

Return to your lodge for lunch and spend the afternoon at leisure. Some guests enjoy a massage or spa treatment, while others simply relax and reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Celebrate your achievement over a special dinner surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This morning, you have two incredible options to choose from, depending on your energy and interest:

Option 1: Second Gorilla Trekking Experience
For those who wish to deepen their connection with the mountain gorillas, today offers the rare chance to go on a second gorilla trek — perhaps visiting a different family group with unique dynamics and behaviors. This is a fantastic way to witness more of their complex social structures and to capture even more memorable moments with your camera. Each gorilla family has its own personality, and trekkers often find the second encounter even more rewarding as they become more attuned to the forest and its inhabitants. Once again, you will hike through Bwindi’s rugged and mystical jungle, guided by expert trackers until you find your assigned group. Spend another magical hour with these gentle giants before returning to your lodge to relax.

Option 2: Waterfalls Nature Hike & Batwa Cultural Visit
Alternatively, you may choose a guided nature hike through Bwindi’s rainforest trails that lead to a scenic hidden waterfall. Along the way, the forest comes alive with the songs of tropical birds, colorful butterflies fluttering through the undergrowth, and sightings of playful monkeys like the black-and-white colobus. As you arrive at the waterfall, take in the peaceful ambiance and the cool spray — it’s a tranquil jungle retreat and a perfect moment for nature lovers and photographers alike.

In the afternoon, dive into Uganda’s rich human heritage with a visit to a Batwa pygmy community. These indigenous forest people are the original inhabitants of Bwindi, with deep ancestral ties to the land. Through their songs, vibrant dances, and ancient storytelling, you’ll learn about their former life as forest dwellers and hunters before the park was established. This cultural exchange offers not only a deeper understanding of the region’s history but also supports the Batwa in preserving their traditions and livelihoods. Return to your lodge in the evening, filled with new insights and unforgettable encounters.

Day 11: Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After an early breakfast, drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest but stunning park, set against the backdrop of the Virunga volcanoes. Today you’ll track the playful and endangered golden monkeys, which live in the bamboo forests.

Spend an hour watching these energetic monkeys leap between trees and forage for bamboo shoots. The bright golden-orange fur makes them a joy to photograph, and the scenery of towering volcanoes and lush bamboo creates a magical setting. Return to your lodge in Bwindi for your final evening in the forest.

Day 12: Fly to Entebbe — Connect to International Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the Kihihi airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Entebbe. Soar over terraced hills and the patchwork of Ugandan landscapes during your flight. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you’ll be assisted to connect directly to your evening international flight home.

Your unforgettable13 days Great Apes of Uganda Safari concludes today — with treasured memories of gorillas, chimps, golden monkeys, and Uganda’s wild beauty to carry with you forever.