10 Days Uganda Forest Primates and Savannah Safari
About This 10-Day Safari
Put Uganda’s forest primates at the centre of a ten-day journey that also allows time for wildlife on the plains. Starting with an arrival night, the itinerary travels to Kibale for chimpanzees before continuing through Queen Elizabeth and Ishasha. Bwindi provides the gorilla trekking experience, and Lake Mburo breaks the return journey. Crater scenery and locally led cultural encounters broaden the trip beyond the headline wildlife activities.
- Kibale chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi visit
- Western Uganda crater lake scenery
- Queen Elizabeth game drive and Kazinga boat safari
- An overnight in the Ishasha region
- Bwindi gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural visit
- Lake Mburo wildlife outing and Equator stop
Where You Will Go
The places this safari visits, in the order you will reach them.
The “primate capital of the world”, famous for chimpanzee trekking and 13 primate species.
Savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel, with hippos, elephants and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest in south-western Uganda and home to around half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
Uganda’s smallest savannah park, walkable and home to zebras, giraffes, elands and buffalo.
A green, hilly region of crater lakes, tea estates and the lowland forest of Semuliki.
The “Mountains of the Moon”: snow-capped peaks, alpine moorland and Uganda’s toughest trekking.
Day By Day Itinerary
Every day is planned by our local team and can be adjusted to your pace.
Arrive and settle into Entebbe
Meet your guide at the airport and travel to your hotel. There is no demanding sightseeing programme on the arrival day. Use the evening to rest and review the journey with your guide. Depending on your landing time, dinner can be arranged at the hotel or another agreed location.
The road to Kibale and crater country
Travel west from Entebbe towards the Fort Portal region. Stops for lunch and a stretch make the road journey more comfortable. A crater lake viewpoint or short local visit is planned before reaching your Kibale accommodation, subject to arrival time. Spend the evening preparing for an early forest departure.
Chimpanzees and the Bigodi landscape
Set out for chimpanzee trekking with the forest guides after the morning briefing. Watching the canopy and listening for calls are part of the experience, alongside the eventual encounter with the group. Return for a break before visiting Bigodi later in the day. The wetland walk adds birdlife and a community perspective to the day’s forest focus.
To Queen Elizabeth National Park
Depart Kibale and continue south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive passes through crater landscapes and the foothills around Kasese. After checking in, take an introductory game drive if the agreed schedule allows. The evening provides time to rest before a full day in the park.
Plains wildlife and a channel cruise
A morning drive explores Queen Elizabeth’s grassland habitats and the animals that use them. Watch for Uganda kob, buffaloes and elephants, with big-cat sightings dependent on the day’s conditions. After lunch, board a scheduled Kazinga Channel boat excursion. The shoreline offers a close view of hippos and birds while the vessel keeps an appropriate distance from wildlife.
Community visit and Ishasha wildlife
Begin with an arranged community visit around Queen Elizabeth, meeting local hosts and learning about their livelihoods. Continue south towards Ishasha after the morning programme. A wildlife drive searches for tree-climbing lions and other animals across the sector. Staying in the area gives you time to enjoy the landscape without combining every stop with an immediate onward transfer.
Bwindi and a Batwa cultural encounter
Leave Ishasha and travel towards your confirmed Bwindi sector. On arrival, settle into the lodge and discuss the following day’s gorilla briefing. A locally led Batwa visit is planned in the afternoon where timing allows. Listen to your hosts’ accounts of their heritage and ask permission before taking portraits or photographs of demonstrations.
Gorilla trekking and time to reflect
The day begins at the park office, where rangers allocate groups and explain the trekking rules. Walk into the forest with your guide team to search for the assigned family. The terrain and length of the search vary, so carry the clothing and supplies recommended in your pre-departure information. Afterwards, return to the lodge and keep the remainder of the day restful.
Travel to Lake Mburo
Drive east from Bwindi towards Lake Mburo, with breaks among the agricultural landscapes of southwestern Uganda. Arrive at the lodge and take the afternoon activity specified in your quotation. A boat trip explores the lake edge, while a guided walk offers a different way to experience the woodland and savannah. These are alternatives for this day, rather than two automatically included excursions.
Lake Mburo wildlife and return journey
Enjoy a morning drive before leaving the park for Kampala or Entebbe. Zebras, impalas and other grazers may be encountered along the tracks. Stop at the Equator crossing for lunch and photographs. Your guide continues to the agreed drop-off point, allowing for traffic and the timing of any onward flight.
Where You Will Stay
Lodges are subject to availability. If a lodge is full we replace it with one of an equal standard. For gorilla trekking, the lodge is matched to the sector of your confirmed permit.
K Travel Hotel
Primates Lodge
Elephant Hab Lodge
Topi Lodge
Bakiga Lodge
Rwakobo Rock
Practical Planning
Things worth knowing before you book.
This route does not include Murchison Falls or Ziwa, leaving more time in the western and southwestern regions.
The Bwindi lodge and arrival route depend on the allocated trekking sector.
A Lake Mburo boat excursion or guided walk can be selected for the arrival afternoon; the chosen activity must be specified in your quotation.
Best Time To Go
Dry seasons run from December to February and June to September: easiest trails and best game viewing. March to May and October to November are wetter, greener and quieter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the 10 Days Uganda Forest Primates and Savannah Safari?
The package includes Scheduled road transfers and guiding for the agreed itinerary; accommodation for the scheduled nights; meals shown in the confirmed meal plan; entry fees and scheduled core activities confirmed in the quotation; one gorilla trekking permit and one standard chimpanzee trekking permit per eligible participant, subject to confirmation and availability. It does not include international flights and any travel before or after the agreed programme; visa costs and personal travel insurance; tips, laundry, personal purchases and drinks not expressly included; optional activities, upgrades and additional nights; meals outside the confirmed meal plan; personal porter hire for the gorilla trek unless expressly included.
Where does the 10 Days Uganda Forest Primates and Savannah Safari start and end?
The journey starts with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport and finishes with your transfer back to the airport for your departure flight.
Do I need a gorilla permit?
Yes. Mountain gorilla trekking requires a permit and the number of permits is limited each day, so we recommend booking as early as you can, especially for the dry months of June to September and December to February. Giravex reserves your permit once your dates are confirmed.
Do I need a visa for Uganda?
Most visitors need a visa. Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda are covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa, which allows travel between all three on one visa. We will confirm exactly what applies to your passport when you book.
When is the best time to take this safari?
Dry seasons run from December to February and June to September: easiest trails and best game viewing. March to May and October to November are wetter, greener and quieter.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every Giravex itinerary can be adjusted to your dates, pace, budget and interests. Tell us what you would like to change and a trip specialist will tailor it for you.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send a quote request or message us on WhatsApp. A trip specialist will reply with availability and a detailed quote for your group size and dates.
Ask About This Tour
Send your dates and group size and we will reply with availability and a quote within one business day.
Plan the 10 Days Uganda Forest Primates and Savannah Safari with Giravex
Tell us your dates and group size and we will send a detailed quote within one working day.
