
13 Days Classic Uganda Primates Tour
A 13-day Uganda primates safari through Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
Overview
13-day Uganda primates safari
Our 13-day Uganda primates safari links Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, then closes with Lake Mburo, Kampala and Jinja.
Experience the best Uganda can offer by exploring its prime parks and natural landscapes under this tour. You will have close encounters with large and endangered primates in the wild. This tour also brings you to scenic natural landscapes in Uganda from forests, parks, falls, to concrete jungles.
Some of the astonishing destinations included in this adventure are Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Travel logistics
Start / Finish
Start
- Entebbe
- EBBEntebbe International Airport
Finish
- Kampala
- EBBEntebbe International Airport
Highlights
What Makes This Safari Special
Trek to mountain gorillas
Chimpanzee tracking in the forest
Guided walking safari
Wildlife viewing by boat
Explore Murchison Falls National Park
Explore Kibale National Park
Day by Day
13-day Uganda primates safari itinerary
Your arrival will be a warm welcome by our company representative then taken for refreshments and depending on the time of arrival, you will check in at your hotel then acclimatize. There is an option of going for a city tour or staying behind to relax while recovering jet lag. Briefing about your safari is also done today and final payments if any.
Early departure from Kampala to Murchison Falls which is about 5 to 6 hours with lunch en route. We will arrive in the national park in the late afternoon and our first visit will be the magnificent waterfalls called Murchison Falls. This is where the river Nile is being forced into a seven-meter crevice and forms a rainbow. It’s such a spectacular view, allowing you a chance to bird around and take memorable photos. Continue to your lodge for overnight.
*At extra fees there’s an option of stopping over at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking.*
Clients can choose to take an early coffee or tea then head on for the game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, with chances of seeing lots of wildlife in search for food; on list you may find giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest and different species of birds. You will return for breakfast, then relax till lunch and in the afternoon the safari will be continued with a boat cruise on the river Nile for game viewing at close quarters. The Boat cruise takes you till the bottom of the falls which is a nice view and also to see are lots of Nile Crocodiles and Hippos.
Return to dinner and overnight at Paraa Safari Lodge.
*At extra fees there’s an option of boarding off from the bottom of the falls, and hike to the Top of the falls, here you are picked by your driver.*
We depart Murchison Falls and head towards Fort Portal which is about 8 hours, less or more. This long journey will be rewarded with stunning views as you pass small villages and local markets with an en route stop for lunch. Arrive early evening, check in and relax at Kibale National Park.
Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale.
This day is full of exciting walks! In the morning we go in the forest to search for the chimpanzees, also to see are the red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and many other primates in Kibale Forest. The walk in the forest may last for the whole morning, returning only for lunch and then later we can take you for another local but interesting walk in Bigodi Village, we will visit the swamp, known for its rich diversity of birds, butterflies and rare plant species.
Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale.
*At extra fees there’s an option of FULL day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience.*
Get a relaxed breakfast then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A view of the crater lakes is stunning then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on where you are sleeping tonight, a game drive as you enter the park can be rewarding.
Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.
Early coffee then begin your day by heading for the mating ground of the Uganda kobs where we may be lucky to spot some lions and leopards hunting. We will also look out for elephants and other wild animals in their natural habitat. Return for lunch and in the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy some more of the African wildlife. The Kazinga Channel is the place where we find the highest concentration of Hippos in East Africa. It’s a highlight of the safari and a must-do activity as well.
Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.
The morning options are either a forest walk in Maramagambo or a chimp trek in Kyambura Gorge before we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Forest is famous for the Blue Lake, Unique trees and Bat Caves while the Kyambura Gorge is famous for its view and wild Chimpanzees. One can choose to go in and search for the chimpanzees in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve which is a beautiful gorge completely covered with tropical rainforest (this option comes at an extra fee). By late morning we will depart for Bwindi with a packed lunch; arrive at the home of the endangered mountain gorillas early evening then check in for overnight.
Early breakfast, then with packed lunch head for the briefing about your gorilla trekking. This is the highlight of your safari indeed. Today you will meet with the gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable National park! Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas and so you must be physically fit. It’s definitely worthwhile observing the gorillas closely while they feed, play and relax. Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.
Start off a little early after breakfast and head to Lake Mburo National Park arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. The afternoon we go for a boat ride on the lake, this is very interesting with the chances of spotting many water birds and wildlife cooling off. As an option (not included in price), clients can go horse riding, quad biking and much more. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge.
Early breakfast then we take you for the wild nature walk in the park. The walk boosts a lot of wildlife and birds and plant species. Return to check out and drive to Kampala as you enjoy a game drive on your way out of Lake Mburo National Park with your packed lunch. Stop over at the Ugandan Equator, take the water experiments and also do some souvenir shopping. Overnight at Mestil Hotel for luxury.
After breakfast, we drive to Jinja, one of the most interesting destinations with the Source of the Nile. Jinja is situated directly at Lake Victoria, where the Nile finds its origin and en route we will make a stop at Mabira Forest for a nice forest walk with the possibility of seeing different types of primates, birds and colorful butterflies, you will visit the Source of the Nile, where the famous river starts its journey through Africa, and make a stop at the Bujagali Falls which are spectacular waterfalls offering a great challenge for whitewater rafters! The adventurous people can decide to go rafting at the Nile or make a quad bike safari through the local villages (upon payment of supplement fees) and later return to Kampala for overnight.
Overnight at Mestil Hotel for luxury.
This marks the end of the Discover Uganda Safari and the airport transfer of today will be given to you by our friendly drivers at the time of your flight. If the airport transfer is late, then we shall also offer a city tour around Kampala’s famous and historical sites then drop you off to the airport in time for your flight and see you off.
Gallery
Photographs
Where You Stay
Handpicked
Retreats
Every lodge and camp is chosen for its location, character and comfort, so the place you rest is as memorable as the adventure itself.
What's Included
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water on all days
Not Included
- Gorilla Permit
- International flights (from/to home)
- Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Items of a personal nature
Questions
Frequently Asked
The price covers all activities (unless labeled as optional); all accommodation as stated in the itinerary; a professional driver/guide; all transportation (unless labeled as optional); all Taxes/VAT. Budget separately for gorilla Permit; international flights (from/to home); tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day). Your personalized quote confirms the full breakdown line by line.
The prime months for this itinerary are January, February, June, July, August and December. That said, Uganda rewards visitors in every season. Tell us your travel dates and we'll advise exactly what to expect.
This is a private, tailor-made safari for your own party of 2 to 12 guests. You won't be grouped with strangers. The itinerary, vehicle and guide are yours alone.
You'll stay at Biraj Hotel / Mestil Hotel, Paraa Safari Lodge , Paraa Safari Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale, Mweya Safari Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Mihingo Safari Lodge and Mestil Hotel, as laid out in the day-by-day itinerary. If availability requires it, we substitute properties of a similar or better standard and always confirm before you travel.
Send an inquiry through the form on this page and our safari experts will come back with a personalized quote within 24 hours, free and with no obligation. Once the plan feels right, we lock in your dates and lodges.
Absolutely. Treat the 13-day program as a starting point. We can adjust the pace, upgrade or change lodges, add days, or combine it with other destinations. Tell us what your ideal trip looks like and we'll shape it around you.
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