7-Day Uganda Safari - Empire of Apes (Gorillas & Chimps)

After breakfast in Kampala, drive west, taking in the scenic views en route to Fort Portal, a town nestled in the shadow of the "Mountains of the Moon." Enjoy a short stop in this charming town before continuing past the idyllic crater lakes to Kibale National Park, where you settle into your lodge for the night.

Distance: Road transfer from Kampala to Kibale, approx. 5-6 hours

Activity: Scenic drive with stops in Fort Portal and the crater lakes

Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest

Meals: Half-Board

The evergreen Kibale Forest holds the widest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. On a guided trek, encounter wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus and more. Return to the lodge for lunch, then head out to Bigodi Swamp, an excellent spot for birdwatching, before returning for dinner.

Distance: Morning chimpanzee trek, afternoon Bigodi Swamp walk

Activity: Chimpanzee trekking and swamp walk

Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest (second night)

Meals: Full Board, drinking water included

Check out and head to Lake Nkuruba for a brief tour, taking in views of the vibrant crater lakes cradled in vegetation and gentle hills. After lunch, continue toward Queen Elizabeth National Park in time for an evening game drive, watching for warthog, buffalo, waterbuck and elephant.

Distance: Drive with crater lake stop, then evening game drive

Activity: Crater lake tour and evening game drive

Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals: Full Board

A morning game drive takes advantage of the hours when animals are most active, before returning for lunch and a rest. The afternoon brings a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippo, crocodile and a wide range of birdlife gather along the shores, before a drive past the crater lakes on the way back to the lodge.

Distance: Morning game drive, afternoon boat cruise

Activity: Game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Accommodation: Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park (second night)

Meals: Full Board

Depart Queen Elizabeth, stopping in the Ishasha sector in search of the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, before crossing stunning landscapes to reach Bwindi National Park, home to the mountain gorilla.

Distance: Drive via Ishasha to Bwindi, approx. 4-5 hours total

Activity: Tree-climbing lion search en route

Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Meals: Half-Board

After breakfast, attend a briefing at the park offices, where you are allocated to a gorilla tracking group and given guidance for the day ahead. Guided by an experienced tracker, trek through the forest, a walk that can take anywhere from minutes to several hours before you set eyes on a dominant silverback and his group. On return, receive your gorilla tracking certificate, then set out for a community walk for a closer look at local culture.

Distance: Full-day gorilla trek, duration varies with gorilla location

Activity: Gorilla trekking and community walk

Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (second night)

Meals: Full Board

After a full week of adventure, check out and begin the journey back toward Kampala or Entebbe. Stop in Mbarara for lunch, then make a final stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs and souvenir shopping.

Distance: Road transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe, approx. 7-8 hours with stops

Activity: Travel day with stops in Mbarara and at the Equator

Accommodation: N/A, end of safari

Meals: Half-Board

Extend your trip

• Short on time? Our 6-Day Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Safari covers the same three parks in a tighter route.
• Want to add Murchison Falls? See our 4-Day Murchison Falls and Chimpanzee Trekking as an extension.