15 Day Gorilla and Chimps Trekking – Big 5 and Nature Safari

Explore almost 10 best destinations of Uganda with extremely diversified iconic experiences like Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking, Wildlife Game Drives, Cultural Encounters and Boat Cruise.
A Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and overnight in the booked accommodation
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by Arcadia Safaris representative who will welcome you to Uganda – the Pearl of Africa. Thereafter, you will be transferred to your booked accommodation. In case you have had an early landing in Uganda, you may opt to go out for a late afternoon ride around Kampala City. Else, just relax at the accommodation and later enjoy your dinner plus the overnight stay.

Destination: Kampala (City)
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Kaazi Beach Resort or Similar
Mid-Range: Casia Lodge or Similar
Budget: Acactus Hotel or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 2: Transfer to Murchison with Rhino tracking in Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
After breakfast, embark on a journey to Murchison Falls NP. The highlights of this park include; the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. Then surely you will be fascinated by the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts 450 bird species including the elusive shoebill stork, dwarf king fisher, the white-thigh hornbill, and the Goliath heron among others.

Enroute, make a visit to Zziwa Rhino sanctuary for your first Big 5 experience where you will have an hour of rhino tracking. Another stop will be in Masindi in order to enjoy your lunch. Continue to the park and check in to your accommodation to relax for the Evening.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Fort Murchison Lodge or Similar
Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 3: Explore Murchison: Undertake Game drive and boat trip to the base of the falls.
Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the opportunity of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo and elephants among others. For any birder, this area supports the secretary bird and black chested snake eagle to name a few. Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds.

Continue with a hike (if you like) to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Miss it only if you must. Return to your accommodation and have a relaxed evening.

Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Fort Murchison Lodge or Similar
Budget: Hornbill Bush Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 4: Exit Murchison Falls NP and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
After breakfast at your accommodation, drive to the top of the falls (if you didn’t hike) where you will have spectacular view of the falls before departing for Kibale NP. Else, depart right away (after breakfast) for Kibale Forest National Park. The drive is incredibly scenic, passing through villages, lush green countryside and hills dotted with tea plantations which characterize this part of Uganda. Kibale NP is popular for its primates like the chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, grey cheeked Mangabeys and red tailed monkeys. On your chimpanzee trails, these are regularly seen swinging in the forest trees and others feeding on the wild fruits. You will reach and do little but check into your accommodation where you will have dinner and the overnight rest

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Primate Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp or Similar
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 5: Top of the World hike and afternoon ride around Fort Portal town.
Be up early, have your breakfast and proceed for the breathtaking “Top of the World Hike”. The hike is a popular activity with visitors to nearby Kibale Forest and Fort Portal. The most rewarding time to take this hiking trail is early in the morning when the day is still cool. There are two trails that you can take to the top of the world viewpoint (i.e. the easy and the more challenging trail that most take). The hike may be a strenuous one but you will surely be amazed by the spectacular and unforgettable view on reaching the “Top of the World Hike”. Return to the accommodation for rest time and lunch. Later, you may opt to go out for a ride around Fort Portal town and visit places like Tooro Palace, local market among others.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Primate Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp or Similar
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 6: Go Explore Kibale: Chimp tracking and the Bigodi Swamp Walk.
Have breakfast and head to the trekking point where you will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the chimps in the Kibale Forest. An experienced ranger guide will take you chimp tracking and you will be marveled by the sights of primates here. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour with them. Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch. Later go out for the Bigodi swamp walk. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a fascinating area, located in Magombe swamp.

This area is recognized for its extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the baboons, black & white colobus monkeys, vervet monkey and the L’Hoest monkey. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the sanctuary is the grand Blue Turaco

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Primate Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Kibale Forest Camp or Similar
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP and take the Boat Trip on the Kazinga Channel.
After breakfast you will Exit Kibale NP and continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth NP. Queen is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The park’s diverse ecosystem which include sprawling savannah makes it the ideal habitat for classic big game, ten primate species including chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds.

You will reach Queen early enough to rest, have lunch and later go for a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George to Lake Edward. While here, you will surely be fascinated by the concentrations of giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others. Additionally, you will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. Return to the accommodation for dinner and later overnight rest.

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Elephant Plains or Similar
Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari or Similar
Budget: Kyangabi Safari Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 8: Queen’s Morning Game Drive and the afternoon Explosion Crater Drive.
Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the park, along the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Lions, Elephants, Leopards (though hard to spot), Bushbucks, Cape Buffaloes, Waterbucks, Giant Forest Hogs, Uganda Kob among others. Return to your accommodation for some rest time and lunch.
In the afternoon you will go for the explosion crater drive. The drive is basically sightseeing with very spectacular view of the breathtaking scenery in and around Queen. There is also plenty of wildlife to see along the drive although commonest are sights of Cape Buffaloes plus Elephants. Return to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and the overnight stay

Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Elephant Plains or Similar
Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari or Similar
Budget: Kyangabi Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 9: Proceed to the Southern part of Queen – to the Ishasha Sector.
Have breakfast then set off for a breathtaking game viewing experience in the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its resident tree-climbing lions. The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are really hard to spot (most especially when they’re down in the grassland looking for prey). Hoping you get the chance to spot them, the sight will be spectacular! You will also be able to see other wildlife such as the Uganda Kob, Cape buffalos, elephants and warthogs in addition to the tree-climbing lions. Thereafter, head to the accommodation for relaxation, dinner and later overnight.

Destination: Ishasha Sector Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Enjojo Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Similar
Budget: Topi Lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 10: More Ishasha game viewing and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP.
Be up and have your breakfast served. Go for more tree-climbing lions’ sighting and thereafter transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a big habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda (harboring an estimated 400 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population), including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. With a strenuous day ahead, you will do less on arrival but just check-in your accommodation, relax as you prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Ichumbi Gorilla lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Similar
Budget: Bweza Safari lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 11: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest.
After an early breakfast and a briefing by a ranger guide, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you locate a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Return to your lodge for some rest time and lunch, dinner and overnight stay.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Ichumbi Gorilla lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Similar
Budget: Bweza Safari lodge or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 12: Undertake the Batwa Trail experience and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation:
Have breakfast and proceed out for the Batwa trail experience. After breakfast, we shall start our journey to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabaale District. Lake Bunyonyi is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) with 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical — you could admire them all day. You shall have an exciting boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. In the afternoon you may have optional activities; a Canoe boat ride, a swim in the Bilharzia free lake, you may also explore a nearby village. Residents are happy for you visit and are open to explain their daily lives

Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Arcadia Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Heritage Lodge (Habuharo Island) or Similar
Budget: Itambira Island Resort or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 13: Go explore Lake Bunyonyi: Enjoy Canoe Ride, interact with the community and sight birds.
After breakfast, you will have the option of visiting the Orugano rain Forest which has diverse plants and animals or spend some time interacting with the Batwa (pygmies) community who inhabit parts of the forest and its surrounding areas. Birders will treat themselves with well over 300 bird species recorded. Alternatively, you could opt for a canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi which will introduce you to the major islands and their rich history but also there will be some great time spent in traditional dugout canoe. Return to your accommodation for lunch and relaxation probably reflecting on your trip so far….

Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Arcadia Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Heritage Lodge (Habuharo Island) or Similar
Budget: Itambira Island Resort or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 14: Transfer to Lake Mburo NP and enjoy afternoon (evening) Game Viewing.
Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo NP. Drive past the intensely terraced Kigezi hill slopes into Mbarara town and finally Lake Mburo NP. Arrive in the park in the early afternoon and take some rest before proceeding out for the late afternoon (evening) game viewing. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras in big numbers, Topis, impalas, warthogs, Uganda Kob and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night

Destination: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge or Similar
Mid-Range: Kigambira Safari Lodge or Similar
Budget: Lake Mburo Camp or Similar
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey



Day 15: Lake Mburo National Park (Nature) walk and transfer to Entebbe Airport for your flight out.
Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park/nature walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger/guide. On this early morning guided walk, you often encounter hyenas that are returning to their dens after a night of being on the prowl. Also, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): Zebras, Giraffes and Eland, Topi and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others.

Take the Trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo NP. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe airport for your flight out.

Thank you for choosing Arcadia Safaris and we hope to see you (or any referral) when you next visit!!!

Destination: Kampala (Entebbe)
Accommodation Option: No (Unless on request)
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch - Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

Cancellation is not possible. If you cancel it anyway or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity and the money you paid will not be refunded.