12 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Expedition

Day 1: Arrival – Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet our Safari Drive Uganda representative. Collect your 4x4 vehicle and receive a detailed briefing about your route, road conditions, and safety tips.

Enjoy the day at leisure around Entebbe—visit the botanical gardens, the lakeshore, or relax at your guesthouse.

Overnight: Entebbe

Day 2: Entebbe → Lake Mburo National Park

Start your journey westwards (approx. 6 hrs, 265 km). Stop at the Equator for photos and a coffee break before entering Lake Mburo National Park, a compact gem filled with zebra, impala, eland, and hippos.

Evening game drive or sunset boat ride on Lake Mburo.

Overnight: Lodge or camp inside Lake Mburo NP

Day 3: Explore Lake Mburo National Park

Enjoy a relaxed morning on a walking or biking safari—one of Uganda’s few parks allowing such adventures. Optional night drive to look for nocturnal species like hyenas and civets.

Overnight: Lake Mburo NP

Day 4: Lake Mburo → Lake Mutanda (via Kisoro)

Drive through the picturesque rolling hills of southwestern Uganda towards Lake Mutanda, nestled in the Kigezi Highlands near Bwindi (approx. 7 hrs, 310 km). The scenery is among the most stunning in East Africa.

Overnight: Lodge overlooking Lake Mutanda

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

An early start for your once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After a pre-trek briefing, follow your ranger guide into the dense jungle to encounter one of Uganda’s habituated gorilla families.

Return to your lodge and unwind with lakeside views.

Overnight: Lake Mutanda / Bwindi area

Day 6: Relaxation at Lake Mutanda

After an intense day of trekking, take time to rest. Optional activities include canoeing, birdwatching, or hiking through the local villages.

Overnight: Lake Mutanda

Day 7: Lake Mutanda → Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive north via the scenic road to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 6–7 hrs, 280 km). Enter through the southern Ishasha sector—home of the famous tree-climbing lions.

Overnight: Lodge or camp inside Queen Elizabeth NP

Day 8: Game Drives & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains for lions, elephants, buffalo, and antelopes. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos and crocodiles bask in the sun.

Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth → Kibale National Park

Drive north to Kibale National Park via Fort Portal (approx. 3 hrs, 150 km). The region is known for its crater lakes and scenic tea plantations.

Overnight: Lodge near Kibale

Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Join a guided trek to find wild chimpanzees in the lush rainforest of Kibale—home to 13 species of primates. Afternoon options include a Bigodi Swamp walk or Crater Lake hike.

Overnight: Kibale area

Day 11: Kibale → Entebbe

Drive back to Entebbe (approx. 7 hrs, 355 km), passing through rural villages, markets, and green hills. Return your vehicle and enjoy a final evening on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Overnight: Entebbe

Day 12: Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, explore Entebbe’s craft markets or relax before your airport transfer.

Day	Route	Approx. Distance (km)	Estimated Drive Time
1	Arrival – Entebbe	0 km	—
2	Entebbe → Lake Mburo National Park	265 km	6 hrs
3	Explore Lake Mburo National Park	0–30 km (within park)	1–2 hrs
4	Lake Mburo → Lake Mutanda (via Kisoro)	310 km	7 hrs
5	Around Bwindi / Lake Mutanda (gorilla trekking)	0–40 km (local transfers)	1–2 hrs
6	Relaxation at Lake Mutanda	0–10 km	Minimal
7	Lake Mutanda → Queen Elizabeth National Park (via Ishasha)	280 km	6–7 hrs
8	Within Queen Elizabeth National Park	0–50 km	2–3 hrs
9	Queen Elizabeth → Kibale National Park (via Fort Portal)	150 km	3 hrs
10	Around Kibale Forest (chimp tracking & crater lakes)	0–40 km	1–2 hrs
11	Kibale → Entebbe	355 km	7 hrs
12	Entebbe (Departure)	0 km	—

Total Driving Distance (approx. Days 2–11): 1,430 km

Total Estimated Drive Time: 39–42 hours (excluding game drives and local transfers)

General Travel Tips

• Driving side: Uganda drives on the left-hand side. Always keep left and overtake on the right.
• Speed limits: 50 km/h in towns and 80 km/h on highways; inside national parks, limit to 40 km/h to protect wildlife.
• Navigation: Use Google Maps or Maps.me offline. Always confirm directions with locals when entering park gates or remote lodges.
• Fuel: Fill up in major towns like Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Fort Portal, and Kasese—fuel stations are scarce near parks.
• Road conditions: Expect a mix of tarmac and dirt roads; 4x4 vehicles are essential, especially during the rainy season (March–May, Oct–Nov).
• Driving hours: Aim to reach your next destination before 5:30 p.m., as driving after dark is not advised due to livestock and poor lighting.

 

Park Entry & Activities

• Park fees: Payable at the entrance (cash or card). Always carry your passport for verification.
• Permits: Book your gorilla trekking and chimp tracking permits in advance through UWA or your tour operator.
• Guides: For game drives or nature walks, hiring a local UWA ranger enhances your experience and supports conservation.
• Park timings: Most parks open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

 

Accommodation & Safety

• Choose lodges or camps inside or near parks for convenience and a better wilderness experience.
• Always lock your car and keep valuables out of sight in towns and trading centers.
• In national parks, never walk outside your lodge or camp at night without a guide—wild animals roam freely.
• Carry insect repellent, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit for minor emergencies.

 

Health & Documents

• A valid driver’s license (international or national) and vehicle insurance are mandatory.
• Carry yellow fever vaccination proof for park or border entry if needed.
• Stay hydrated and pack snacks for long drives between destinations.
• Malaria prevention is recommended—use mosquito nets and take prophylactic medication if advised by your doctor.

 

Money & Connectivity

• ATMs are available in towns, but carry cash in UGX (Ugandan Shillings) for park gates and rural purchases.
• Mobile network coverage is generally good; MTN and Airtel provide the best nationwide service.
• Many lodges have Wi-Fi, though speeds vary, especially in remote areas.

Best Time to Travel

• June–September and December–February are ideal months—dry seasons with excellent wildlife viewing and road conditions.
• The wet seasons (March–May & Oct–Nov) bring lush landscapes but can make dirt roads slippery.