9 Day Chimps, Gorillas, and Golden Monkeys in Uganda

Our 9 Day Uganda Chimps, Gorillas, and Golden Monkeys tour invites you to explore the vibrant city of Kampala before heading to Kibale Forest National Park to track chimpanzees. Next, you will journey through southern Queen Elizabeth National Park toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for an unforgettable gorilla encounter. Finally, complete your adventure at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where you can observe both mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

Uganda is home to various primates, including half of the world’s mountain gorillas, which live only here, in Rwanda, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This safari offers close encounters with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and the golden monkeys of Mgahinga. You will also enjoy a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park before concluding with a Kigali city tour and your outbound departure.

HIGHLIGHTS

Gorilla tracking
Chimpanzee tracking
Golden monkey tracking
Game drives
Cultural encounters
Bird watching
The tree-climbing lions
Scenic views
Visit Lake Katwe
Visit the Genocide Memorial site
Photos at the Equator

Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to the Hotel | Journey time: 1 Hr.

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, a member of our team will meet you and provide a transfer to your pre-arranged Hotel in Kampala City. Once you arrive, you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Fairway Hotel & Spa/ Speke Resort Munyonyo | Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast

Day 2: Travel to Kibale National Park | Journey time: 5 – 6 Hrs

Early in the morning, after breakfast, around 7:30 am, start your journey for the 9 Day Chimps, Gorillas and Golden Monkeys Uganda to Kibale National Park, said to be home to the highest density of primates in Africa.

Habituated chimpanzees highlight the Park, while several other monkey species bring the treetops to life. Throughout the forest, you can spot red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Additionally, look out for both red colobus and black-and-white colobus monkeys as you explore.

While you aren’t searching for Lodger monkeys, you can discover over 300 bird species and 250 species of butterfly. Afterwards, take an expert tip and enjoy an afternoon tour of Fort Portal Tourism City. Finally, arrive at your Lodge in Kibale National Park to spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight: Primate Lodge Kibale / Papaya Lake Lodge | Meal Plan: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, breakfast, and Lunch, Tea, Coffee, and Soft Drinks Included

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Optional Activities

Today you will do Chimpanzee Tracking alongside a guided nature walk, with an opportunity to see a variety of bird species (including the great blue turaco) & other primates such as the Ugandan mangabey, De Brazza’s monkey & many more.

After lunch, visit Bigodi Community & interact with the locals. Then proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary & watch birds like the African hobby, great blue turaco, Black kite, Swamp flycatcher, Scarlet-chested bird & many more. In the evening, enjoy your dinner & a campfire at the Lodge.

Full Board – Dinner, Bed, breakfast & Lunch, Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks Included.

Day 4: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park | Journey time: 2 – 3 Hrs

Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its diverse ecosystems, which include sprawling savannah, shady humid forests, sparkling lakes, wetlands and amazing craters. Ideal for big game, primate species, including chimps, and over 600 bird species.

It has superb scenic views of Kazinga Channel, the Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes, which are home to a wide variety of birds. After breakfast, travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival, after a stopover at the equator & a visit to Lake Katwe, you will head to the Lodge for lunch. After lunch, head out for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel:

As you cruise, spot several birds like the African fish eagle, pelicans, flamingos, the African fin foot, pied kingfishers, vultures, kites & many more, alongside animals like hippos, buffaloes, warthogs, crocodiles, waterbucks and more with stunning views of the Mweya peninsula and a local fishing village on the lakeshore.

In the evening, feel free to go for a Dusk Game Drive with chances of spotting some nocturnal animals of this unique national Park, such as leopards.

Overnight at Buffalo Safari Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge | Full Board – Dinner, Bed, breakfast, lunch, tea, coffee, and Soft Drinks Included

Day 5: Travel to Bwindi Via Ishasha Sector | Journey time: 4 – 5 Hrs

After eating breakfast, pack your lunch and begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. As you travel through the Ishasha sector, keep a close watch for a chance to spot the famous tree-climbing lions.

Furthermore, Ishasha offers an unforgettable experience in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. While you drive through the area, you will encounter stunning riverine and open savannah landscapes filled with ancient acacia and fig trees.

Spot tree-climbing lions hanging high in large fig trees as they escape ground insects and tsetse flies while enjoying their prey. Afterwards, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an afternoon arrival and the Buhoma Community Village Walk. At approximately 3:30 pm, take a community tour to visit the Batwa people and learn about their traditional way of life.

This walking trail offers you a chance to support the local community while you visit several fascinating sites throughout the village. During the tour, you will encounter a traditional healer, explore a banana brewery, and visit a primary school where you can interact with the children

Overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Trackers Safari Lodge | Meal Plan: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, breakfast, and Lunch

Day 6: Gorilla Tracking with Optional Activities

Covering 331 sq. km, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park shelters half the world’s mountain gorillas alongside hundreds of bird, butterfly, and plant species. While you explore this biodiversity, you can also meet and interact with the Batwa, the shortest people in the mountains.

Eat an early breakfast, then head to the Park headquarters at 8:00 am for registration and a briefing from the Ranger guides. Gorilla tracking begins at 8:30 am and can last from a few hours to an entire day, depending on where the trackers located the gorillas the previous evening.

Overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Trackers Safari Lodge | Meal Plan: Full Board – Dinner, Bed, breakfast and Lunch

Day 7: Depart for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park | Journey time: 3 – 4 Hrs

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with no rush, then travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, arrive at the Lodge, & check in for lunch.

After lunch, you may choose to stay at leisure or join optional activities & explore the surrounding communities. You can also take a canoe trip on either Lake Mulehe or Lake Mutanda.

Day 8: Golden Monkey Tracking In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Another early breakfast today, and then explore the rare Golden Monkeys. Proceed to the Park headquarters by 7:30 am for briefing & the actual trek will commence at 8:00 am. Hiking through the forests to reach the golden monkeys is less tedious because they live in the lower bamboo areas.

Spend an hour with the golden primates to capture superb photos and observe their unique behaviour up close. First, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, and waterproof hiking boots. Additionally, carry a backpack for your lunch and documents, and remember to bring insect repellent.

Inclusives

Full Board Meals
Daily mineral water on safari
8 nights’ Accommodation
All Park entry fees
Gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey, and permits
Game drives & boat cruise
All ground transfers + 2-way airport transfers
Services of an English–speaking driver guide
Fuel for the round trip
4X4 Land Cruiser (Window seat guaranteed)
Optional meals and snacks & En Route–lunches

All optional activities; All drinks, alcoholic & non-alcoholic, not included in the Accommodation, AMREF Medical evacuation cover, Expenses of a personal nature, Flight tickets & visas, Tips & gratuities and Medical and travel insurance

DISCLAIMER:

The journey times stated in the itinerary are estimates and are subject to variation depending on traffic and road conditions.
We list Accommodation options based on availability at the time of booking. In fact, we will provide similar accommodations if your first choice is unavailable.

From: $6810 USD