Kampala → Kibale Forest → Queen Elizabeth NP → Bwindi → Kampala
This 6 days Uganda safari offers the best of Uganda by combining the most thrilling activities: chimpanzee trekking at Kibale forest national park, wildlife viewing on game drives at Queen Elizabeth national park, and the unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience at Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Kampala → Kibale Forest → Queen Elizabeth NP → Bwindi → Kampala
Parks and places: Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kampala.
After breakfast, we drive westwards towards Fort Portal to Kibale Forest National Park (around 5 hours). Going on both black-top and unpaved roads, you pass through customary Ugandan villages where you see people tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills provide excellent photo opportunities. As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda’s famous tea plantation region. In the afternoon we visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary at the eastern edge of Kibale Forest, maintained by the local community. Expect to see birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks and bush pigs.
Gather at Kanyankyu River camp at 08:00 for the most popular activity in the park — chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins and are one of the most sought-after primate species. More primates like black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys and many bird species can be found on this walk. After the chimpanzee encounter, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (around 3 hours), entering through the northern border dominated by the Rwenzori Mountains. You will expect to see herds of Uganda kob, topi, elephant, buffalo and lion.
We set out early in the morning for a scenic game drive in the northern side of the park along the Kasenyi Track looking for lions, elephants, antelopes and cape buffaloes. This is the best time for chances of viewing the cats in action due to the large population of Uganda Kobs. Towards the afternoon we go for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the chance to see wildlife up close: hippos snort and splash mere feet away from the boat, while buffaloes linger in the shallows. The shores are also home to an array of birds including pink-backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, and saddle-billed storks.
After breakfast we drive further south through stunning savannah plains towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. We will pass through the Ishasha sector, a remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for its tree-climbing lions seen lounging in the large low-limbed fig trees. After the game drive in Ishasha, we continue to Bwindi with stunning views of terraced hills and plantations. Upon arrival, check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip — gorilla trekking. We trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When located, you will spend one full hour with the gorillas, observing their behavior and taking photos. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A good physical condition is recommended.
Early breakfast before departing to Kampala, driving down the grassed and terraced ledges of southwestern Uganda while taking in the stunning sights of the hills of the region known as "the little Switzerland of Africa". As we cross Mbarara, look out for the impressive longhorn Ankole cattle. A highlight of this journey is crossing the Equator along the Kampala-Masaka highway, where we will have a short stop for photos. Arrive in Kampala in the early evening for your flight back home or transfer to your hotel.
Lodges are subject to availability; we confirm them, or equivalents of the same standard, in your quote.
Meals are listed for each day in the itinerary above. Activities on this trip include game drives in Kibale Forest, game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP, game drives in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, game drives in Kampala.
Yes. You can follow this itinerary as written or change the length, the lodges, the parks or the pace. Tell us what you would like and we will send an adjusted itinerary and price.
Tell us which you prefer. A private safari gives you your own vehicle and driver-guide; a shared safari lowers the cost. We will quote the option you choose for your dates.
Gorilla trekking: possible all year; trails are easier in the drier months (June to August, December to February).
Not included: International flights; Uganda visa fees; Travel insurance; Personal expenses (tips, souvenirs, drinks, laundry); Optional activities not included in itinerary.
A 30% deposit confirms your booking and the balance is due 60 days before arrival (full payment if you book within 60 days). Accepted payment methods are listed on your written quote. See our Booking Terms for full details. Cancellations must be made in writing. More than 60 days before departure: full refund minus a 10% administrative fee. 31–60 days: 50% refund. 15–30 days: 25% refund. Less than 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend travel insurance. Full details are in our Booking Terms.
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