8 Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimp & Wildlife Safari from Kigali

Rise early for breakfast before heading to the park headquarters, where you’ll join fellow trekkers for a briefing by expert guides and rangers. You’ll then venture into the dense, ancient rainforest in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. The trek can vary in length depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward is an awe-inspiring hour in their presence—a rare and humbling wildlife experience.

You’ll enjoy a packed lunch in the forest before returning to your lodge to unwind. In the evening, there’s an optional opportunity to visit a nearby community project or cultural group to learn more about the people who live around the forest.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 1

After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll journey north through Uganda’s picturesque southwestern highlands toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most biodiverse protected areas in East Africa. Along the way, you’ll pass banana plantations, crater lakes, and rolling hills, stopping for lunch before continuing to your lodge near the park.

Later in the afternoon, head out for a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, an area renowned for its concentration of elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and—if you’re lucky—lions or elusive leopards hunting in the golden evening light.

Drive time: 5–6 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: The Bush Lodge

• Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge / Parkview Safari Lodge

• Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge / Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Today begins with an early morning game drive to catch wildlife at its most active. You’ll explore more of Queen Elizabeth’s vast savannah, searching for hyenas, warthogs, and a variety of birdlife.

After lunch back at the lodge, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometer natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This is one of the best spots in Uganda for wildlife photography, offering close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and hundreds of waterbirds.

Return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful evening under the stars.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 3

Enjoy one final game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park to increase your chances of spotting species you may have missed. Afterward, depart for Fort Portal, a charming town nestled in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Stop for lunch in town before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, which harbors the highest density of primates in East Africa, including over 1,500 chimpanzees.

Check into your forest lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by the sounds of the tropical rainforest.

Drive time: 2–3 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Kibale Forest Camp / Isunga Lodge

• Mid-range: Turaco Treetops Lodge

• Luxury: Primate Lodge / Tabebuia Hotel

After an early breakfast, head to Kibale Park headquarters for a chimpanzee tracking briefing. Accompanied by a ranger, you’ll hike into the forest to locate one of the habituated chimpanzee troops. Once found, spend a captivating hour watching them groom, feed, and interact in their natural habitat—an experience both thrilling and educational.

Return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run ecotourism project that’s excellent for birdwatching, especially species like the great blue turaco. You’ll also learn about local conservation efforts and community development initiatives.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 5

Depart Kibale after breakfast and embark on a scenic drive southward to the breathtaking Lake Bunyonyi, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its terraced hills and serene waters. This beautiful volcanic lake is dotted with 29 islands and is free of hippos and crocodiles, making it ideal for swimming and canoeing.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the lakeshore. It’s a perfect spot to unwind after days of tracking primates.

Drive time: 6–7 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation Options:

• Budget: Bunyonyi Rock Resort

• Mid-range: Birdnest Resort

Wake up to the peaceful sounds of Lake Bunyonyi and enjoy an optional morning canoe ride, gliding across the calm waters to explore some of its islands, including the haunting Punishment Island, where women once faced exile. Alternatively, opt for a hike up a surrounding hill for panoramic views, or visit a local community project.

After lunch, begin the return journey to Kigali, crossing the Katuna border once again. Depending on your flight time, you’ll be dropped off at the airport or at your hotel in Kigali for a post-tour stay.

Drive time: 4–5 hours
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch