Kampala, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park & Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
On this unforgettable trip, meet one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom—chimpanzees! We’ll have the chance to track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, see the abundant wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park (think elephants, buffalo, lions, plus some 600 bird species!), and meet the rare mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, we’ll experience the warmth of Ugandan hospitality and learn more about their vibrant traditions firsthand through community-driven cultural experiences that give back directly to local communities. We’ll visit a women’s coop in Bwindi, meet with one of the oldest surviving indigenous tribes of Africa, and learn about the lives of the Ugandan youth during a visit to a school.
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options
for groups of 15 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 1 night Kampala
- 2 nights Kibale Forest
- 2 nights Queen Elizabeth National Park
- 3 nights Bwindi
- 1 night Kampala
Tour Highlights
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
- Bigodi Wetlands
- "Mountains of the Moon" scenic drive
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Batwa Cultural Visit
- Kampala School Exchange
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Flight from Bwindi to Entebbe
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned motorcoach
- Accommodations at first class hotels and safari lodges
- Porterage (1 bag per person)
- 25 Meals: 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 9 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and park entrance fees as per itinerary
- Game-viewing drives and wildlife trekking (including trekking permits) as per itinerary
- Experienced, English-speaking Safari Guide/Game Spotter
Max Group Size: 18 travelers
Activity Level: Strenuous
Expect most included touring to require walking, standing, and hiking periods of 4+ hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature hikes, stairs, and/or climbs which may be on uneven terrain at potentially high altitudes. Learn More
Pacing Level: Moderate
Expect full-day tours most days with some limited free time at specific sites, for meals, and/or in the evenings. You can expect several early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 2+ nights (with limited 1-night stays). Learn More
Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. There are entry requirements for U.S. passport holders. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.
Most of the days on this safari do not include extended walking/standing, but might instead include game drives that require an early start to the day, or driving on uneven terrain. The most strenuous activity on this tour is gorilla trekking in Bwindi, followed by chimp trekking in Kibale Forest in terms of the level of difficulty. These hikes do not require any technical training, and more moderate gorilla treks may be available upon request for clients who need it. (While we cannot guarantee this, we are always happy to make the request of park authorities.) Primate trekking does have a minimum age of 15 (no maximum) and it is recommended that guests are generally in good health to do the hike.
Guests who would prefer slower pacing might opt to skip one of the game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park to relax at the lodge, or might not opt for the second gorilla trek while in Bwindi.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Karibu, or welcome, to Uganda! After checking into our Kampala hotel, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.
Accommodations: Latitude 0° Kampala or similar
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast this morning, we'll depart for Kibale Forest, stopping en route for lunch. Kibale is widely considered to offer some of the best chimpanzee tracking in Uganda and is home to at least thirteen primate species earning its reputation as "the Primate Capital of the World." Within its borders, Kibale Forest is also home to over three hundred bird species, four of which can't be found in any other park, and large mammals like elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, and warthog though spotting these mammals is often a bigger challenge than the forest's primates and birds. During our trek in Kibale Forest, we'll rely on the expertise of our game spotter guide to increase our chances of animal sightings.
Accommodations: Turaco Treetops or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast this morning, we'll set out on our chimpanzee trek in the rainforest. Our trek, which may last 2–4 hours, offers the chance to watch chimps in their natural habitat as they swing from the rainforest's fruiting trees.
After lunch at our hotel, we'll set out for a nature walk (up to 3 hours) through the Bigodi Wetlands, a wildlife corridor and sanctuary rich in bird life. In addition to the 200 bird species, eight species of primates also call the Bigodi Wetlands home. The Bigodi Conservation Project began as a local environmental effort and beyond conserving the wetlands and wildlife, the project has also supported the building of a local school, safe drinking water for residents, and local health efforts.
Accommodations: Turaco Treetops
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at our lodge, we'll depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, watching the incredible scenery of the "Mountains of the Moon" unfold before us. Upon arrival, we'll have a chance to settle into our new accommodations before setting off on an afternoon game drive in one of Uganda's most popular parks. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to approximately 95 mammal species—the highest of any Ugandan national park—and around 600 bird species, a figure that competes for the highest number of any park in Africa. The park is also home to elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, topi, lions, and waterbuck.
Accommodations: Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge Uganda or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll embark on a game drive for a chance to see lions at hunt and hyenas before they retreat into the woods. After lunch at the lodge, we'll set sail on the Kazinga Channel, which is known for its various bird species and hippo population. We'll keep our eyes peeled for elephants, as they often head to the waterway at this hour to drink from its shores.
Accommodations: Mweya Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Before we leave Queen Elizabeth National Park for Bwindi, we'll enjoy a game drive in Ishasha with a chance to spot tree-climbing lions. Bwindi is an ancient forest unfolding over the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, providing breathtaking views and home to approximately half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. In addition to 18 gorilla groups for trekking, Bwindi is also home to 11 types of primates, 350 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and an incredible variety of flora. Time permitting, we'll visit the local women's co-op, Ride4aWoman, which benefits the local community and gives us a chance to learn firsthand about Uganda's culture.
Accommodations: Silverback Lodge or Trackers Safari Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The hike of a lifetime begins today after an early breakfast. We'll head out to the park headquarters to meet our park rangers who will serve as our guides for today's excursion. On average, gorilla trekking can last 3–8 hours total, but once we meet the gorillas we'll be able to spend an unforgettable hour with them in their native habitat. Depending on the length of our trek, we might enjoy a picnic lunch in the midst of the forest or return to our lodge for lunch.
Accommodations: Silverback Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll take a walking tour of the Batwa cultural trail and the surrounding community. Relocated outside of the park as a part of wildlife conservation efforts, this ancient hunter-gatherer tribe now shares their stories, songs, and traditions with visitors. This afternoon, we'll have some free time to take a nature hike, or simply rest and relax at our lodge.
Travelers also have the option to pre-book a gorilla trekking permit for this day. This optional tour is a full-day tour and any travelers who purchase the second gorilla trekking permit optional will not be able to participate in the visit to the Batwa community.
Accommodations: Silverback Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll transfer to the Kihihi airstrip for our flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival, we'll continue to Kampala with a stop at a local school for a chance to see firsthand a day in the life of the Ugandan youth. Our visit also helps to support the school which provides education to at-risk youth in Uganda. Pack for a Purpose invites travelers to dedicate a little room in their suitcase for some much-needed school supplies for students like the ones you'll meet today. After our visit, we'll continue to our hotel in Kampala. This evening, we'll enjoy a farewell dinner.
Accommodations: Latitude 0° Kampala or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we say weeraba, or goodbye, to Uganda. After breakfast, travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will depart for Entebbe International Airport in time for our outbound international flight back to the U.S.
Meals: Breakfast
We are working diligently to secure future tour dates and pricing for
this itinerary. Please fill out the "Request a Future Date" form
linked below, and we will notify you once dates are available.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
Day 4 Evening Tour
Dine in the midst of the African landscape with a bush dinner at Queen Elizabeth National Park. After the day's activities, you'll be guided to an exclusive open-air spot, where a table is set for you to enjoy a hot meal and local hospitality under the evening sky.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as
it is not available to book in-destination.
Day 8 Full-Day Tour
Subject to availability at time of booking
The day holds another chance to track the famed mountain gorillas of Uganda. After breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for your pre-trek briefing, followed by a trek into the forest's depths in search of the endangered, habituated mountain gorillas. Every trek is unique—there are multiple gorilla families in the park, and they are free to move about their wild habitat from day to day. As a result, each day holds a new experience. Once the gorilla family you're tracking is found, you'll have the opportunity to spend an hour observing them in the wild before starting your return journey to the trailhead.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as
it is not available to book in-destination.
Featured Accommodations
Bunyaruguru, 2X3V+39, Katunguru, Uganda
Website
Bwindi, Near UWA Gate in Buhoma
Website