11-Day Great Rift Valley Primate Safari Uganda Experience

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Arrival in Uganda – Entebbe

Discover Uganda’s ultimate primate adventure on this 11-day safari through the Great Rift Valley. Journey with PrideMark Safaris from Entebbe to Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and the Virunga Mountains for unforgettable encounters with chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and golden monkeys. Enjoy game drives, a Kazinga Channel cruise, and stunning Rift Valley scenery, blending wildlife, primates, culture, and breathtaking landscapes into one remarkable journey.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

Protea Hotel Entebbe

• Mid-range hotel located in Entebbe (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

From the Skies to the Mountains

After breakfast, begin your scenic journey from Entebbe to Kibale National Park, with an optional flight upgrade available for those seeking faster travel. The drive is a beautiful introduction to Uganda’s countryside, passing through lush green hills, rural communities, and stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park plains.

Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by nature. As the sun sets, relax on the terrace with sunset cocktails, taking in the breathtaking scenery that defines this part of the Great Rift Valley.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Chimp trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather January to February and June to July (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LionVery Rare

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

Show more

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

Kibale Lodge

• Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Kibale NP (Chimps)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest

Today, you venture deep into Kibale Forest, known as the primate capital of the world, for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Walking through this ancient rainforest, you will track and observe chimpanzees as they feed, play, and interact in their natural habitat, offering a rare and intimate wildlife encounter.

In the afternoon, you may choose to visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed ecosystem rich in birdlife and home to species such as the sitatunga antelope, colobus monkeys, and other primates. This combination of forest and wetland exploration makes for a rewarding and immersive day in nature.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Kibale Lodge

• Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kibale Activities

Spend the day exploring Kibale National Park at your own pace, with a range of optional activities available. You may choose to embark on an additional chimpanzee trekking experience, guided forest walks, or birdwatching excursions, all offering deeper insight into this rich and diverse ecosystem.

This flexible day allows you to fully appreciate Kibale’s extraordinary biodiversity while enjoying the tranquility of the forest surroundings. It is a perfect opportunity to slow down and connect with Uganda’s natural beauty.

Main Destination:

Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Kibale Lodge

• Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Kibale NP (Chimps)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Journey at Kyambura

After breakfast, depart Kibale and journey toward Kyambura Gorge, famously known as the Valley of Apes. En route, enjoy a scenic cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, elephants, buffalo, and abundant birdlife gather along the water’s edge, creating one of Uganda’s most rewarding wildlife experiences.

Continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving at your lodge in the evening. The dramatic Rift Valley landscapes and shifting scenery make this a memorable travel day across western Uganda.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

Show more

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

+13 Photos

+12 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimp Trekking in Kyambura

Today you descend into the dramatic Kyambura Gorge for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. This lush underground rainforest offers a completely different ecosystem from the surrounding savannah, creating a unique and adventurous tracking experience.

Guided by expert rangers, you will search for Kyambura’s isolated chimpanzee community while enjoying the gorge’s incredible scenery. Even when chimp sightings are elusive, the beauty, sounds, and biodiversity of this hidden forest make the experience deeply rewarding.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the day exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park on exciting game drives across its diverse ecosystems. From open savannahs to wetlands and crater lakes, the park offers excellent opportunities to spot elephants, buffalo, lions, hyenas, antelopes, and a wide variety of bird species.

In the Ishasha sector, you may also encounter the famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. Every game drive reveals something new, making this one of Uganda’s most rewarding safari destinations.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation:

Kyambura Gorge Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Arrival at Mount Gahinga Lodge

Today, you travel southwest through scenic landscapes to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. This region is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, volcanic peaks, and rich cultural heritage shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC.

In the afternoon, you may visit the Batwa community to learn about their ancient forest traditions and way of life, offering a meaningful cultural connection to the region before settling in for the evening at your lodge.

Main Destination:

Virunga Mountains (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Mount Gahinga Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Today is the highlight of your journey as you embark on an extraordinary gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga. After a briefing, you will hike through dense forest and rugged terrain in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Once located, you will spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, interact, and move through the forest. This rare encounter is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in the world, leaving lasting memories.

Main Destination:

Virunga Mountains (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Mount Gahinga Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Exploring the Virunga Mountains

Begin the day with a trek into the bamboo forests of Mgahinga in search of the rare and playful golden monkeys. These energetic primates are known for their striking golden fur and lively behavior, making for an exciting wildlife encounter.

In the afternoon, you may relax at the lodge or revisit the Batwa cultural experience. The stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes provide a peaceful and scenic backdrop to your final full day in Uganda.

Main Destination:

Virunga Mountains (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Mount Gahinga Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Departure Home

After breakfast, transfer to Kisoro Airstrip for your scheduled flight to Entebbe. As you fly over Uganda’s rolling hills, crater lakes, and volcanoes, you will reflect on an unforgettable journey through the Great Rift Valley and its incredible primate habitats.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, connect with your international flight back home, carrying with you lifelong memories of Uganda’s wildlife, landscapes, and warm hospitality.

Main Destination:

Entebbe (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.