This tour covers western Uganda, the most scenic region of the country that also possesses plenty of unique wildlife including the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The region lies within the Albertine Rift valley that is remarkable for her sprawling lush highlands, rich forests, sparkling lakes and cool weather. This phenomenal landscape is often compared to remarkable Switzerland. The region has 8 of Uganda's 10 National parks, making it biologically more diverse than any other. The combination of birdlife, endemic primates, scenic landscapes and savannah wildlife forms an enduring spectacle of life forms that offer both nature and pleasure.

The tour sets off with Kibale Forest National Park to track the Chimpanzees and observe plenty of primates, continues to Queen Elizabeth National park for big game safaris, thereafter proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the ultimate Gorilla experience after which you will wind up with a relaxing safari in Lake Mburo National Park where plenty of herbivores are observed grazing in the beautiful savannah grasslands. While in Kibale National Park (the primate capital of the world,) you have a chance to see the 13 primate species that are found within the area as well as an array of birdlife. On reaching Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will have scenic views of wildlife and nature with the highlight of the tree climbing lions as well as a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. There after, you will be welcomed by the mist blanketed forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National park that are home to 459 mountain gorillas. Shortly after that, you will do gorilla trekking after which you will be transferred to Lake Mburo National Park for more scenic views of wildlife.

This 9 Day Best of Uganda Safari Western Region offers ultimate adrenaline activities ranging from chimp trekking, game viewing, boat cruises and most importantly gorilla trekking. You will have cultural experiences during which you will have a taste of the tradtional African man's activities. Be sure to take photos on this primate and wildlife safari!

We give you a range of accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget, moderate to luxury.

Activities

  1. Kibale Forest National Park
  2. Queen Elizabeth National Park
  3. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  4. Lake Mburo National Park

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport & Transfer to your Hotel in Entebbe

  • Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2 Friends Beach Hotel or Boma Hotel (Midrange), Papyrus Guesthouse (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

  • On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you shall meet your tour guide who will welcome you and transfer to your hotel in Entebbe town. Spend the evening unwinding at the lodge which is located by the shores of Lake Victoria or in the green heart of Entebbe town.

Day 2

Bigodi Swamp Walk

Transfer from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park & Nature Walk through Bigodi Wetlands in the Afternoon

  • Journey Time: 7 - 8 hours
  • Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge (Luxury), Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breafast, Lunch (en-route), Dinner

  • Your tour guide shall pick you up from the hotel at 7am to start the tour. Leave for Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda, driving through Uganda's capital Kampala and taking the Mityana road. After approximately five hours you shall reach Fort Portal which is located in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains. Stopover in the town to have lunch, thereafter drive to the park. Check into the lodge which is located just outside the Kibale Forest or on the shores of one of the beautiful crater lakes of the area. In the late afternoon you shall go to the Bigodi Wetlands for a walk to observe nature. Bigodi is located at the edge of Kibale Forest and hosts an array of primates, birds, butterflies, reptiles, wetlands mammals, trees and shrubs. Likely sightings of monkeys include Black-and-white Colobus, Red Colobus, Mangabey, Vervet, Red-tailed and L'Hoest Monkeys. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

  • Journey time: 2 - 3 hours
  • Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge (Midrange), Marafiki Safari Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner

  • Have early breakfast and transfer to the visitors' information center of Kibale Forest National Park at 7.30am. Meet the rangers for briefing after which you shall start the trek into Kibale Forest to track one of the three habituated communities of Chimpanzees in the forest. Their loud pant hoots and screams can be heard from far away making it easy to find the Chimps. Once you reach them, you will spend one hour with Chimps which will be observed high up in the forest canopy or on the ground, mating, hunting monkeys, grooming each other by of screaming, pant hoots and hitting the tree barks. We return from the forest and transfer to the lodge for lunch after which you shall check out and travel to Queen Elizabeth National park.

Day 4

Game Drive

 Boat Cruise

Crater Drive

Morning Game Drive through Kasenyi Savannah Plains, Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel in the Afternoon & Scenic Crater Drive

  • Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge (Midrange), Marafiki Safari Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After an early cup of tea, we set out for the game drive into the park. Standard time to start the game drives is 7am, however an earlier start increases the chance to find the nocturnal animals like Hyenas as well as the big cats such as Leopards and Lions. The main game viewing area is the Kasenyi plains which are the mating groups for antelopes and thus a favorable ground for the predators such as the lions are rarely missed. Herds of buffalo, elephants, Uganda kob, and waterbuck are a common sight. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you drive though the game tracks. After enjoying the amazing wildlife sightings drive through scenic crater lakes area. Thereafter return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. In the afternoon you shall set out for yet another exciting adventure, the boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. The 2 hour boat cruise offers a great chance to observe plenty of wildlife at very close range. The channel hosts many Hippos and Crocodiles. Plenty of other animals come to drink and cool off at the channel such as Elephants, Buffaloes, and Antelopes. Hundreds of bird species congregate along the river bank. On the way back from the boat cruise, you will do a loop through one of the most scenic part of Uganda: the carters of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Take your time and make a few stops for photos when driving through this spectacular landscape and enjoy the sundowner.Thereafter return to the lodge for dinner and overnight..

Day 5

Game Drive


Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a Stopover at the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park & Game Drive on the Look-Out for the famous "Tree-Climbing Lions" 

  • Journey time: 2 hours to Ishasha Sector & 2 hours to Buhoma Sector or 4 - 5 hours to Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable NP
  • Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After breakfast check out of the lodge, travel to southern area of the park to catch the famous Tree-Climbing Lions and observe plenty of big game before continuing out of the park going to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On your way to Bwindi you shall make a stop near Kihihi town for lunch at Savannah International Resort. We reach Bwindi in the evening, check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6

Gorilla Tracking

Leisure Time

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Afternoon at Leisure

  • Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodeg, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Today's schedule will take us through the impenetrable Jungle of Bwindi National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable NP occupies the size of about 321 sq km and it is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. The park is divided into 4 gorilla tracking sectors including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. After an early breakfast, we will be heading to the briefing point, where we will meet the ranger guide. The time taken to trek the gorilla family depends on their location, but once we have reached them, we have an hour time to observe and admire these gentle giants - a surely fascinating experience. Afterwards we will return to the starting point and drive back to our accommodation where we can relax for the rest of the afternoon. Do not forget to carry a lunch box which is provided by the lodge, rain jacket, hiking shoes, and at least one liter of drinking water. You are advised to hire a porter to carry your bag and will also offer assistance by a pull or push you may come across very challenging terrain. 

Day 7

Boat Cruise

Game Drive

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park, Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo & Game Drive in the Afternoon

  • Journey time:  4 - 5 hours
  • Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge (Luxury), Rwakobo Rock (Midrange), Eagles Nest (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After breakfast, we check out and leave for Lake Mburo National Park. You shall have lunch at the Igongo Cultural Center located just out of the park, thereafter proceed into the park, driving through the game trails as you head to the lodge. You shall observe Giraffes, Zebras, Impalas, Waterbucks and other wildlife. Check into the lodge for relaxation. Later transfer to Lake Mburo for a boat safari for sighting of more wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 8

Bush Walk

Uganda Equator

Morning Game Walk & Transfer to Entebbe with a Stopover at the Equator Line

  • Journey time:  4 - 5 hours
  • Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2 Friends Beach Hotel or The Boma Hotel (Midrange), Papyrus Guesthouse (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


  • Escorted by an armed ranger, you shall set out for an early morning walk into the park to observe nature at close encounter. Watch the Zebras, Giraffes, Waterbucks, Impalas, Elands and other beautiful wildlife and scenery. Return to the lodge for breakfast, check out and travel to Kampala. You shall make a stopover at the Uganda Equator for some picture moments. Continue to Kampala and transfer to your accommodation for lunch.

Day 9

Departure

Airport Transfer & Departure

  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

  • After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to the Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home. In your flight shall be in the evening, you will do a tour of Kampala City to visit some important cultural, religious, and economic landmarks.

General Tips:

  • Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for gorilla tracking.
  • Book your permits well in advance as only 8 permits are issued per gorilla group in a day. There are 14 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi.
  • You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flue which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 98% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
  • Every participant has the chance to hire a trekking assistance (porter) who will help carrying the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assistant an additional fee of US$ 15 is charged.
  • OPTIONAL: Are you interested in getting a close-up experience with the Lions? Then book the LION EXPERIENTIAL at Queen Elizabeth National Park and get closer to the big cats than anyone else, as you will leave the main tracks and drive on unbeaten tracks through the park accompanied by the Cat Doctor.

What to bring:

  • Walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through Bwindi Forest.
  • Sun screen is recommended.
  • Mosquito repellant is advisable.
  • At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.
  • Binoculars are always useful, especially when booking the Hot Air Balloon Safari.