Our 8 days Uganda safari itinerary is suitable for travelers who wish to experience the best that Uganda has to offer – mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, scenery and the big 4. This Uganda safari involves visiting Kibale national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi impenetrable national park. There will also be time set aside to visit the Batwa people and Lake Bunyonyi.
Kibale national park is arguably the best place to track chimpanzees in Africa. The park has 13 species of primates, forest mammals, butterflies, reptiles and over 200 species of birds. Because of the high concentration of primates, Kibale is now known as the primates capital of Africa. The most notable primates found in the park are red-tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking is the most popular activity and is why you will be visiting the park. Chimpanzee are man’s closest relatives (even more than gorillas). They are very playful and intelligent. While visiting Kibale National Park, visitors are also taken to visit the Bigodi Wetlands sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to different species of birds and primates. After observing the wildlife, visitors also take a tour around a tea plantation and the local community.
After Kibale, you will visit Queen Elizabeth national park. This is the most popular national park in Uganda. Volcanic activity has blessed the park with amazing scenery and features. The wildlife to look out for are tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, eland, different antelope species, hyenas and bird. 
Among the amazing features in the park are the Kazinga Channel, the Kyambura Gorge and crater lakes. The popular boat ride along the Kazinga channel offers opportunities to spot aquatic and land animals drinking by the shoreline.
The last park to visit during this amazing tour is Bwindi impenetrable national park. Bwindi is home to half of the total population of mountain gorillas in the world. It is a UNESCO World heritage site. Bwindi was the first park to introduce gorilla trekking and as I write this, there are 17 habituated gorilla groups to choose from. Bwindi is the only park where visitors can take part in the gorilla habituation experience. The park offers the best gorilla tracking experiences and options although that is not always reflected in the press. Because of the rich biodiversity in the park, you can also encounter several other wildlife species including wild chimpanzees.
After gorilla trekking, the driver will take you to visit Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the most visited tourism sites in Uganda. Visitors are attracted to the lake because of the tranquillity, beautiful scenery and the over 28 islands. If you are interested in a longer safari, you should check out our 11 days Uganda tour or the 12 days Uganda wildlife safari package.
Major activities
The main activities during this 8 days Uganda safari are: –
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
- Bigodi wetlands visit
- Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park
- A Boat ride along the Kazinga channel
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
- Batwa cultural encounter
- Relaxation in Lake Bunyonyi.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park – Tour of the Tooro Kingdom
The office Guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe or directly from the airport. After briefing you about the tour, the driver will start the journey to Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park is found in the western part of Uganda. You will pass through the towns of Mityana and Mubende before reaching Fort Portal. By afternoon, you will be in the city of Fort Portal. You will have lunch in one of the fine restaurants in town. After lunch, you will go for a tour of the palace of the King of Tooro. During the tour, you will learn about one of Uganda’s ancient kingdoms and get a chance to buy souvenirs.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Guest House (basic), Primates Lodge (mid-range) and Kyaninga Lodge (Executive).
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale – Visit the Bigodi Wetlands and the local people
Wake up early for breakfast and wait for the company Guide to take you to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. During the briefing, you will be assigned a chimpanzee group and a Park Ranger to lead you into the forest. Chimpanzee tracking takes between 2 to 3 hours. Unlike gorillas, chimps spend half of their time on top of trees. You will need to be more attentive and also willing to follow the chimps for a while even after finding them. Chimpanzees are very playful and intelligent animals. They are also very mobile and do not stay in one place for long. After spending one hour with the chimps, the Park Guide will lead you out of the forest and to the starting point where you will find 
the company driver waiting for you.
After lunch at the hotel, you can go shower and wait for the driver to take you for a visit of the Bigodi wetlands sanctuary. The sanctuary is blessed with remarkable biodiversity and is excellent for observing birds or primates. After the Bigodi Wetlands visit, you will also visit the local people living near the site. There is an organization supporting women by training them to produce art crafts that you should visit.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Guest House (basic), Primates Lodge (mid-range) and Kyaninga Lodge (Executive).
Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park – Katwe explosion crater
Wake up at your own time after yesterday’s demanding activity. The driver will start the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park at around mid-day. As you leave Fort Portal, you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Rwenzori mountains. You will enter Queen Elizabeth national park through Kasese town (where you will have lunch). Before reaching the lodge, you will be taken to spot the amazing explosion craters along the way. These beautiful features will give you a taste of what to expect in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The driver will then take you to your lodge for rest and evening relaxation.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (high-end), Park View Lodge/Ihamba Lodge (mid-range) and Simba Safari Camp (Basic).
Day 4: Wildlife Viewing and afternoon boat ride at the Kazinga Channel
This will be an action-packed day with two great activities. You will start the day with breakfast early in the morning before getting into the vehicle for a game drive in the savanna plains of queen Elizabeth national park. The game drive will start at the Kasenyi plains and end in the areas close to the Kazinga channel. During this morning game drive, you will have a chance to see animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, topis, spotted hyenas, Uganda kobs and so much more. The game drive will take between 3 to 4 hours after which the driver will take you back to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will go for the Kazinga channel boat cruise. This water channel connects two lakes of George and Edward. The boat ride starts from Lake Edward, through the channel before reaching Lake George and then back. While on the boat cruise, you will be able to see marine animals like Nile crocodiles, schools of hippos, flamingos, waterbucks and a variety of bird species. Later in the evening, you will drive back to your lodge for dinner and rest.
Accommodation: Mweya safari Lodge (high-end), Park View Lodge/Ihamba Lodge (mid-range) and Simba Safari Camp (Basic).
Day 5: Tree climbing lions in Ishasha – Transfer to Bwindi national park
Wake up early, take breakfast and wait for the driver to start the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable forest. As you leave for Bwindi, you will have a final game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha sector is one of the last strongholds for tree climbing lions. The lions here do not rest on the ground but on top of trees to avoid biting insects and also get aerial views of their prey. Take as many photos of them as they rest on fig trees and then continue to Kihihi for lunch. After lunch, you will continue the journey to Bwindi forest and to your lodge.
Accommodation: Tarvan Trekkers Bwindi (basic), Bakiga Lodge (standard) and Chameleon Hill Lodge (Executive).
Day 6: Bwindi gorilla trekking – Batwa Cultural Encounter
Wake up earlier for one of the most memorable days of your time in Uganda. Take breakfast and request for packed lunch from your hotel. The driver will come to pick you up and take you to the park headquarters for briefing. During the briefing, your gorilla permit and passport will be verified. You will also be briefed about the requirements and rules for gorilla trekking. You will then be assigned to a group of people following the same gorilla family. The Park Ranger will lead you to the starting point and then into the thick forests of Bwindi to track the primates. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes between 2 to 6 hours depending on your gorilla family. When you meet the gorillas, you will be able to observe them for strictly one hour. In that one hour, you will observe the primates feed, play around, communicate, groom and mate. You are allowed to take as many photos and videos as you like in the one hour.
At the end of the trek, you will come out of the forest where you will find the driver waiting to take you back to the lodge for lunch. As the evening approaches, you will go to the local villages close to the park 
to meet the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa lived in the forests of East and Central African for thousands of years. Most have now been driven away from their natural homes in the forest to a new unfamiliar world. They were not compensated and most live in abject poverty having failed to adapt to the modern world. During your visit, you will learn about their traditional culture and how they are coping in a money-driven world. After learning about the sad plight of the Batwa, you will also watch their performances through music, dance and drama.
Accommodation: Tarvan Trekkers Bwindi (basic), Bakiga Lodge (standard) and Chameleon Hill Lodge (Executive).
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Canoeing, birdwatching, relaxation, nature walks and island Hopping
Wake you at your own time considering you had gorilla trekking on Day 6. The driver will come and pick you after breakfast to begin the journey to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is one of the top travel destinations in Uganda. It is popular with honeymooners and lovers who want a calm place for relaxation. Other activities in Lake Bunyonyi are canoeing, island hopping, nature walks, cultural experiences and birding as its name suggests. Lake Bunyonyi is the perfect place for you to unwind, relax and recharge your batteries as you also reflect on your safari.
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Resort (Executive), Bunyonyi Safari camp/Bunyonyi birdnest (mid-range) and Bunyonyi Overland Resort (budget).
Day 8: Transfer to Entebbe for departure with a stop at Equator crossing
Wake up at your own time depending on your flight details and take breakfast. The driver will start the journey to Kampala or Entebbe international airport with stops at the Igongo Cultural Centre and the Equator crossing. The Equator crossing is where the northern and southern hemispheres meet. It is also where you will have lunch after taking photos of yourself at the site. If time permits, you may also stop at the Buganda Royal drum makers to see some of the largest drums you will ever see being made. The driver will drop you at your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala or at the airport for departure.
End of safari
Important Information
Consider packing two layer clothes, a weather jacket and hiking boats. Do not forget to travel with small money (tip) to appreciate the services of the Guides, driver, porters, hotel staff and Park Rangers only if they do an outstanding job.
It is important to hire a porter to carry your heavy luggage or camera during gorilla trekking. Remember to be in good shape and prepare mentally to deal with the challenges of gorilla trekking. Remember to have enough drinking water, energy drinks and packed food if you go out for long activities like gorilla trekking.
The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years while for chimpanzee tracking is 13 years
Ensure that you have your visa and other travel requirements with you at all times
You must have a yellow fever immunization card when traveling to Uganda
Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
The 8 days Uganda safari quote includes: –
- Gorilla permit fees
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
- Park entrances
- Game drives and a boat cruise
- Lake Bunyonyi activities
- Batwa Cultural Encounter
- Park ranger fees
- A Full time safari driver
- Ground transportation and fuel
- Accommodations and meals
Safari exclusions: Air ticket fares, visa fees and personal insurance. The tour price also excludes individual expenses on liquor, extra drinks/ foods, craft items and tips to service personnel.
Hotels and Lodges
Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge: This mid-range lodge lies on the margins of Lake George (East of Queen Elizabeth national park). It has both single and double rooms with warm showers and modern toilets. Guests have access to free wireless internet around the premises and digital Television in each room. The exterior is very serene, eye catching and will make you feel like you are really out there in the wilderness. There is even a swimming pool available for guest to recuperate after a long day of activities.
Chameleon Hill Lodge: This lodge is nestled on one of the hills overlooking the dense forests of Bwindi. It is an ideal location for guests who are interested in beautiful scenery and sights (Lake Mutanda or the Virunga range of mountains). As a luxury lodge, you can expect world class services including excellent food and drinks. The lodge is characterized by a rare tranquillity, clean air and beautiful sounds of birds.
Kyaninga Lodge: Kyaninga Lodge is one of the best safari lodges in Uganda. It is a luxury lodge located in Kibale national park. It was built on the shores of Lake Kyaninga and overlooks the mountains of the moon (Rwenzori). Kyaninga Lodge is built with local material and grass thatched roofs with an intention of offering guests that jungle aura. There are nine self-contained chalets for guests – each with a single, twin or double bed. Each chalet has a fireplace and they use solar energy to power up the rooms. Book with this lodge if you want a high quality lodge that also offers stunning views and beautiful scenery.
