The 7-Day Uganda Safari is a full-week trip that covers three of Uganda’s top national parks. This safari is designed for travelers who want to enjoy both primates and classic wildlife in one journey. During these seven days, you will visit Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
On this 7-day Uganda safari, you will take part in two major primate activities. These include chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will also enjoy a big game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famous for its wildlife and water channels. The safari starts and ends in Kampala or Entebbe.
Day 1: Journey to Kibale National Park from Kampala
After breakfast in Kampala or Entebbe, you will begin the drive to Kibale National Park. The journey takes about six hours and passes through towns such as Mityana, Mubende, Kyenjojo, and Fort Portal. Lunch will be taken along the way or upon arrival.
Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda in Kabarole district. It covers about 795 square kilometers and is known for its tropical forest. The park is home to 13 primate species, including over 1,500 chimpanzees. Because of this, Kibale is often referred to as the primate capital of the world. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, relax, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 2: Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
After an early breakfast, drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Park guides will explain the rules before the activity begins at 8:00 am. Chimpanzee tracking takes between two and four hours, depending on where the chimpanzees are located.
Once you find a chimpanzee group, you will spend one full hour watching them feed, move, and interact in the forest. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This is a community-run area near Kibale Forest. The guided walk takes about two hours and offers chances to see birds such as the Great Blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek. You may also see monkeys like red-tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys, vervets, and baboons. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, leave Kibale National Park and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes about two to three hours. Along the way, enjoy views of crater lakes and the distant Rwenzori Mountains.
Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park and check in at your lodge. Depending on time and energy levels, you may relax at the lodge or take an optional afternoon activity such as a short game drive or a boat cruise. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Wake up early for breakfast and head out for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. This area is known for good wildlife sightings. During the two to three-hour drive, you may see elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, warthogs, waterbucks, and many bird species. Leopards may be seen with some luck.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. At 2:00 pm, take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This natural water channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The cruise lasts about two to three hours and allows you to see hippos, crocodiles, and many water birds along the banks. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha
After breakfast, drive south through Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha sector. Ishasha is known for tree-climbing lions, which are often seen resting in fig trees. Enjoy a short game drive in this area.
Have lunch along the way, then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge in or near the park in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, go to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking rules. Gorilla trekking begins at 8:00 am and is guided by experienced rangers.
The trek can take between two and six hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one hour observing them. You can watch them feed, rest, and interact. After the trek, return to the lodge to relax. Dinner and overnight stay.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about 459 mountain gorillas. The park has several trekking sectors, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
Day 7: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, check out from the lodge and begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. Stop in Mbarara town or at Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch.
Later, stop at the Equator crossing for photos and a short break. Continue to Kampala or Entebbe, marking the end of your 7-Day Uganda Safari.
