UGANDA PRIMATE SPECIAL

Wildlife

Sightseeing

Active

City Life

Culture

Relax

YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

A 10-day journey into the rainforests and savannas of Uganda, built around three of Africa’s most iconic primate encounters. This is a deep, boots-on-the-ground adventure through Kibale, Mgahinga, and the mist-covered slopes of Bwindi, where you’ll track chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and finally the mountain gorillas themselves. Between treks, we follow classic safari routes through Queen Elizabeth National Park, scanning the plains and riverbanks for elephants, lions, hippos, and the rich wildlife of the Great Lakes region. With expert local rangers, small group size, and lodges chosen for comfort after long days in the field, this is an immersive primate expedition—raw, intimate, and built for travelers who want to experience Uganda’s wild heart up close.

HIGHLIGHTS

Three primate treks in one trip: chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and mountain gorillas
Guaranteed gorilla, chimp, and golden monkey permits included
Small group format for a more personal, low-impact tracking experience
Expert local rangers and guides leading every primate trek
Classic game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park with chances for elephants, lions, and hippos
Kazinga Channel boat safari for close viewing of wildlife along the water
Mid-range lodges selected for comfort and rest between long trekking days
Private 4x4 vehicle and driver-guide throughout the itinerary
Scenic routes across Uganda’s crater lakes, highlands, and tropical forests
All transfers, park fees, and logistics handled end-to-end

DEPARTURE DATES

August 14 to August 23 2026

£3,230.00

3 available

DESIGN YOUR OWN JOURNEY

Different Dates in Mind?

Our listed dates aren’t the only option. Reach out and we’ll help shape the journey around when you can actually travel.

We’d love to talk it through

Get in touch to schedule a call or live chat and explore the trip in detail, shaping it around your timing, interests, and expectations.

Tailor-Made Journeys

We offer luxury upgrades and flexible itinerary options, with 4, 7, or 12-day versions designed around how deeply you want to explore.

CONTACT US

KEY INFORMATION

DAY 1 – Arrival in Entebbe & Transfer to Hotel

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport. After meeting your English-speaking driver-guide and Esploro Travel team leader, you will taken to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will do shoebill tracking in mabamba swamp.

DAY 2 – Rhinos of Ziwa & The Power of Murchison Falls

In the morning, transfer to the northern part of the country, stopping halfway at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where we will take a short trek with the white rhinos, allowing us to observe them up close. We will arrive in Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon. We will visit the falls from their highest point, just a few meters away: here we will have the chance to hear their powerful roar, which makes them the most powerful waterfalls in the world. Afterwards, before checking into our accommodation, we will take a Game drive in the northern sector of the Nile, where the game drives are concentrated and where we will start seeing the first wildlife..

DAY 3 – Savannah Safari

Wake up at dawn for a safari in the northern part of the Nile. Here, you may encounter animals such as Uganda kobs, buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeests, hyenas, hippos, giraffes, various types of monkeys and birds, and if you’re lucky, lions and leopards. You will also enjoy the stunning scenery of the savanna and Lake Albert. Lunch will be a packed meal by the banks of the Nile or at the lodge, depending on your accommodation.

DAY 4 – Murchison Falls by Kibale forest & Craters Region

This day is entirely dedicated to the journey. Departure in the morning towards Fort Portal; lunch will be at a restaurant in fortportal. The journey will be long but absolutely scenic: you will see beautiful views of Lake Albert and the Albertine Rift Valley, tea, coffee, and tobacco plantations, as well as many local villages. Arrival in the afternoon at the lodge for an afternoon crater walk to the top of the world.

DAY 5 – Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel

We drive south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, watching the landscape shift from forest to open savannah. Upon arrival, we take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of East Africa’s best wildlife corridors. Expect hippos, buffalo herds, elephants at the water’s edge, and excellent birdlife. After the cruise, we settle into our lodge on the park’s edge for a relaxed evening.

DAY 6 – Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura or Kalinzu & Afternoon Community Walk

In the morning, we will embark on a chimpanzee trekking adventure in the Kyambura Forest or Kalinzu Forest, two forests within the savanna of the park that offer an incredible variety of vegetation. These biodiverse forests are distinct from those you will encounter later and are home to a large community of chimpanzees, which you will be able to observe up close. Sightings are guaranteed at a 90% rate. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, we will take a community walk to visit a local farmer and then end with a hike to the top of twin lakes.

DAY 7: Game Drive in the Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth NP & Transfer to Bwindi Ruhija Sector

In the morning, we will transfer to the south through Maramagambo Forest and arrive in the Ishasha sector by late morning. With a bit of luck, you may be able to see the “lion climbing”, lions that climb the “fig trees,” which branch out a few meters off the ground and serve as their “personal offices” during the hottest hours of the day. Lunch will be a packed meal or at a restaurant in Kihihi. Afterwards, we will begin to admire the spectacular views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountains; there will be many exciting stops for photo opportunities.

DAY 8 – Bwindi: Gorilla Trekking in the Impenetrable Forest

One of the world’s great wildlife experiences. After a ranger briefing, we enter the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. Treks vary in length depending on the group’s location, but the reward is unforgettable: an hour spent quietly observing these powerful, gentle primates in their natural home. After the trekking, we will transfer to Kisoro in the far southwest of the country.

DAY 9 – Mgahinga: Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up at dawn for the transfer to Mgahinga National Park, where the golden monkey trekking will take place. The vegetation and terrain of this park differ from the previous forests and belong to the Ugandan side of the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. You will enjoy a unique view of the peaks of the Volcanoes National Park; be ready to take photos of bird species like the Ruwenzori Turaco, the colobus, and especially the golden monkeys, an endemic primate of this area that you will encounter along the way, living near the bamboo forest. After the trekking, we will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 10 – Return to Entebbe & Departure

Shoebill tracking in Mabamba swamp if it was missed on the first day.In the morning, we will transfer to Entebbe for your return flight, which is expected after 5 PM. We will have lunch along the equator, where you can purchase souvenirs before heading to the airport.

Fly into Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Uganda. Your driver-guide meets you there and the trip starts immediately. If you land late at night or come from a long time zone shift, arriving one day earlier is the simplest option.

Accommodation & Meals

9 nights in comfortable mid-range lodges close to the national parks (shared twin or double rooms)
Full board throughout the trip: breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Day 1 dinner to Day 10 lunch
Drinking water provided during transfers and activities

Transport & Transfers

All ground transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional English-speaking driver-guide
Airport pickup and drop-off at Entebbe International Airport (EBB)
All internal transfers between parks, including Murchison Falls, Kibale National Park, and Entebbe

Activities & Entrances

Gorilla trekking permit (included in the package)
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
Boat safari on the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls
Visits to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
All park entry fees, ranger fees, and government taxes

Guiding & Support

Full guidance from a licensed Ugandan driver-guide
Esploro Travel team leader
Assistance with permits, park logistics, and trekking coordination
On-the-ground support for pace, safety, and comfort during all primate activities

International flights to and from Entebbe (EBB)
Visa fees for Uganda (if applicable)
Mealtime drinks and non-mealtime snacks
Personal purchases and laundry
Tips for guides, trackers, and lodge staff
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Porter fees for gorilla and chimp trekking (optional but recommended)
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Any additional transfers required for arrivals or departures outside the scheduled times

Easy to Moderate

No technical skills are required, but participants must be comfortable with multi-hour forest treks on uneven, sometimes steep terrain while searching for gorillas and chimpanzees. Trek duration varies based on animal movement, from 1 to 6 hours. Humidity can be high and trails can be muddy. A basic level of fitness is essential, and hiring a porter is strongly recommended for support with gear and footing.

Expect warm, humid days ranging from 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), with cooler mornings in the highlands. Brief showers are possible at any time. Forest undergrowth can stay damp, so trails may be muddy, especially after recent rain. Evenings are mild and comfortable, and cloud cover often creates soft, diffused light ideal for photographing primates in their natural habitat.

Clothing & Footwear

Lightweight, breathable clothing for warm and humid days
Long-sleeve shirts and long trousers for insect protection and to reduce scratches from vegetation
Waterproof jacket or poncho (showers are common in the forest)
Fleece or light warm layer for cooler mornings and higher elevations
Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support (essential for steep, muddy trails)
Comfortable shoes or sandals for downtime at the lodges
Gaiters or long socks (useful against mud, thorns, and safari ants)
Hat and sunglasses for sunny hours between treks

Gear & Accessories

Sunscreen and insect repellent (DEET or picaridin recommended)
Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
Lightweight backpack for trekking days
Headlamp (forest lodges often have dim lighting; also useful for early starts)
Gardening or grip gloves for holding branches during steep ascents
Walking stick/trekking poles (can also be rented locally)
Personal toiletries and any required medication
Compact quick-dry towel

Travel Essentials

Travel insurance covering trekking up to 3.000 m and wildlife activities
Passport valid for 6+ months
Power plug adapter for Uganda (Type G sockets, 240 V)
Power bank for long trekking days and areas with limited electricity

Wildlife & Destinations

Q: What kind of wildlife will we see?
A: The focus of this trip is primates. You’ll trek to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. Along the way, expect colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and forest birdlife. During the Queen Elizabeth National Park game drive and boat safari, sightings may include elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, Uganda kob, and, if lucky, tree-climbing lions and leopards.

Q: What regions will we visit?
A: The route covers three major wildlife areas: Kibale Forest for chimp trekking, the Kalinzu/Queen Elizabeth corridor for savannah wildlife, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking. Each region offers a different ecosystem, from tropical forest to open plains.

Q: What makes this itinerary special?
A: You experience Uganda’s three flagship wildlife encounters in one week: rhinos, gorillas and chimps. The trip combines forest trekking, a classic safari, and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, giving you close-range wildlife viewing across three distinct habitats.

Accommodation & Comfort

Q: What is the accommodation like?
A: You will stay in comfortable mid-range lodges close to each park, typically with ensuite rooms, hot showers, mosquito nets, and scenic forest or savannah views. The quality is above basic but not luxury, offering an ideal balance of comfort and immersion.

Q: Is the trip physically demanding?
A: Gorilla and chimp treks require moderate fitness. Trails can be steep, muddy, and humid, and trekking times range from 2 to 6 hours depending on the animals’ location. Porters are available and highly recommended. Game drives and boat safaris are not physically demanding.

Q: Will I have Wi-Fi or charging points?
A: Most lodges offer Wi-Fi in common areas, though speeds vary and outages happen. All lodges provide regular electricity for charging batteries, though in remote forests power may run on generators during set hours.

Q: Will I share a room?
A: Rooms are on a double/twin-share basis. A single supplement is available on request, subject to lodge availability.

Travel & Logistics

Q: How do I get to the starting point?
A: Fly into Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Airport pickup is included. The itinerary begins in Entebbe, continues west toward Kibale, and ends in Bwindi before returning to Entebbe.

Q: Do I need a visa for Uganda?
A: Most nationalities require an e-visa. Applications are submitted online and usually processed within a few days. A passport valid for at least 6 months is required.

Q: Do I need travel insurance?
A: Yes. Your policy must cover trekking up to 3 000 m, medical evacuation, and wildlife activities. This is mandatory for gorilla permits.

Q: Is it safe to travel to Uganda given the current Ebola outbreak?
A: We understand this is a concern, and we want to be transparent about the situation.
The current Ebola outbreak is centred in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, with a small number of cases confirmed in Uganda linked to travel from the DRC. Ituri Province is located over 1,000 kilometres from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where our gorilla trekking takes place: on the other side of the country.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has not proposed travel restrictions for Uganda, in contrast to the US which has placed entry restrictions on non-US passport holders who recently travelled to Uganda. Most European governments have issued elevated health advisories for the specific affected provinces in the DRC, but have stopped short of restricting travel to Uganda as a whole. The US has issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Uganda, which is worth noting as a signal of how seriously international health authorities are treating this situation, even though it does not directly affect European and Asian travellers.
We are monitoring the situation daily. Our August trip departs with the geographic distance from the outbreak firmly in mind, and we will cancel or postpone if the situation changes materially. To give our clients added peace of mind, we have updated our cancellation policy specifically for this trip: you can request a full refund (minus a 7% administrative fee) up to 31 days before departure. If you need to cancel after that date due to flight disruptions or the health situation, we will issue a full credit to be used on the same expedition in the future.
We will keep all registered participants updated as the situation develops. If you have specific questions or concerns, please get in touch directly.

Food & Special Requirements

Q: Are meals included?
A: Yes. Lodges provide full board: breakfast, lunch (packed on trekking days), and dinner. Meals are typically a mix of local and international dishes, with fresh produce, stews, grilled meats, and vegetarian options.

Q: Can dietary needs be accommodated?
A: Vegetarian diets are easily handled. Vegan, gluten-free, or other restrictions should be communicated in advance, as remote lodges have limited supplies.

Q: Are drinks included?
A: Drinking water is provided. Soft drinks and alcohol are available at lodge bars for purchase.

Before & After the Trip

Q: Can I arrive early or extend my stay?
A: Yes. Entebbe and Kampala offer good hotels, and extensions to Murchison Falls, Lake Mburo, or Rwanda can be arranged.

Q: Will there be a group chat or shared folder?
A: Yes. We’ll set up a WhatsApp group for pre-trip coordination.

Travel With

GABRIELE SEGHIZZI

Gabriele Seghizzi

His life is a constant exercise in observation. As a Sport & Action photographer, Gabriele is used to chasing speed and adrenaline, yet it is in the silence of wide-open spaces and the immersion in new cultures that he finds his creative recharge. Whenever he’s not on set, he’s off on a new adventure with his backpack ready and camera in hand. On this expedition, he brings his versatility and storytelling expertise, ensuring high-quality imagery even in the most unpredictable conditions.
Ready to shoot by his side?

BOOKING & CANCELLATION

To confirm your spot, a deposit is required. The remaining balance is due 60 days before departure. Given the current Middle East situation and its potential impact on flight routes, we're offering more flexible cancellation terms for this trip. You can request a full refund (minus a 7% fee) up to 31 days before departure. If you need to cancel after that window specifically due to flight disruptions or war-related issues, we'll issue a full credit to use toward the same expedition in the future. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and adventure activities is required. Full details in Terms & Conditions