A deliberately balanced itinerary giving equal weight to Uganda’s Big Five game viewing (lion, elephant, buffalo and, with luck, leopard) and its two headline primates, gorillas and chimpanzees, across an eight-day loop through Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale.
Detailed Itinerary
Entebbe to Bwindi
Transfer to your Bwindi sector lodge, evening trekking briefing.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Briefing, family assignment, the trek itself, one hour with the family.
As above
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha
Drive through Ishasha’s tree-climbing lion territory to your lodge, with an evening game drive on arrival.
Full Big Five Game Drive Day
A dedicated full day across the Kasenyi plains and Ishasha, tracking lion, elephant, buffalo and, with luck, leopard, plus the Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
As above
Transfer to Kibale Forest
Drive to Kibale, Africa’s primate capital, arriving with time to settle in.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Morning chimp tracking permit, afternoon at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
As above
Free Day at Leisure
A relaxed day to rest, with optional activities like a cultural visit or additional forest walk available on request.
Return to Entebbe
Road transfer back to Entebbe, timed against your onward flight.
Permits & Costs
| Gorilla trekking permit | $800 per person |
| Chimpanzee tracking permit | ~$250 per person |
| Boat cruise & park entry | Included in tour price |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Travellers who want neither primates nor Big Five game viewing to feel secondary — this itinerary gives both a genuinely dedicated full day rather than squeezing one in around the other.
Tour Includes
- Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permits
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance
Balancing Two Priorities
Itineraries that combine primates and Big Five game viewing sometimes let one crowd out the other — a rushed half-day game drive squeezed around a transfer, or a primate trek treated as an afterthought. We built this one specifically to avoid that, giving both a genuinely dedicated full day rather than compromising either.
What to Pack
Sturdy hiking boots and rain gear for the gorilla trek, plus comfortable layered clothing for the game-drive and boat-cruise days — early mornings on the Kasenyi plains can be genuinely cool before the day warms up.
Is leopard sighting likely?
Less predictable than lion, elephant or buffalo — leopards are naturally elusive throughout the region, though Queen Elizabeth does have an established population.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Big Five guaranteed?
No sighting is ever guaranteed in the wild, though lion, elephant and buffalo sightings are consistently reliable in Queen Elizabeth; leopard is the least predictable of the four we typically see.
How is this different from the 7-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari?
This itinerary dedicates a full extra day specifically to game driving rather than combining it with a transfer day, giving noticeably more time in the park itself.
Ready to Plan This Trip?
Tell us your dates and we’ll confirm permits and lodges within one business day. Get in touch to start planning.