The classic western circuit in five days: chimpanzees, a launch cruise and game drives, then mountain gorillas, and a flight home.
Most first visits to Uganda follow this line, because it puts the best wildlife experiences of the west on one road: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, the Kazinga Channel and Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth, and gorillas in Bwindi.
We keep the driving days short by splitting the route with a night at Kyambura Gorge Lodge, and a scheduled flight from Kihihi brings you home without a ten-hour road day.
Uganda
Luxury safari
Handpicked luxury lodges and camps, chosen for their setting, service and guiding.
Private safari
Your own vehicle and guide for the whole journey, never shared with other travellers.
Made to measure
Change the pace, a lodge or an activity and we rebuild the itinerary around you.
Start any day
Travel on the dates that suit you, subject to lodge and permit availability.
Solo travellers welcome
Priced for one on request, with the single supplement shown under Rates.
Minimum age 15
Gorilla permits are only issued to visitors aged 15 and over.
Pace and fitness
Balanced, fitness: active.
Drive west from Entebbe through tea country to Fort Portal and Kibale Forest, reaching Primate Lodge in the afternoon. There is time for a short forest walk before dinner, listening for the first calls of the forest.
Overnight
Primate Lodge Kibale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The only lodge inside Kibale Forest, a short walk from the chimpanzee briefing.
Track chimpanzees in the morning with a ranger, then drive south through the crater-lake country to Kyambura Gorge Lodge, arriving in time for sunset over the plains.
Overnight
Kyambura Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Converted coffee-store bandas overlooking the Kyambura Gorge and the Rwenzoris.
Take the morning launch along the Kazinga Channel, then drive south through Ishasha, where lions sometimes rest in the fig trees, to Bwindi Lodge in time for dinner.
Overnight
Bwindi Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Eight bandas facing the forest in Buhoma, a short walk from the gorilla trek briefing point.
Walk from the lodge to the briefing and set off with your trackers to find your gorilla family. You spend an hour with them in the forest. Afterwards the afternoon is yours, with a massage, a village walk or the terrace.
Overnight
Bwindi Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Eight bandas facing the forest in Buhoma, a short walk from the gorilla trek briefing point.
After a slow breakfast, drive to Kihihi airstrip for the scheduled flight to Entebbe, landing in time for your onward connection.
Primate Lodge Kibale (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
The only lodge inside Kibale Forest, a short walk from the chimpanzee briefing.
Lunch & dinner
Kyambura Gorge Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Converted coffee-store bandas overlooking the Kyambura Gorge and the Rwenzoris.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Bwindi Lodge (opens the property’s website in a new tab)
Eight bandas facing the forest in Buhoma, a short walk from the gorilla trek briefing point.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Important to know
Rates per person
| Season | Solo | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7+ people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High season (Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb) | US$6,050 | US$5,130 | US$4,822 | US$4,822 | US$4,822 | US$4,822 | Get quote |
| Low season (Mar to May, Nov) | US$5,310 | US$4,500 | US$4,230 | US$4,230 | US$4,230 | US$4,230 | Get quote |
Prices are per person, in US dollars, and depend on the number of travellers sharing the vehicle and guide. They are sample rates for planning and will be confirmed when you enquire, as lodge and permit prices change each year. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are included at the current government rate and are subject to availability.
Best time for this trip Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb
For gorilla and chimp treks, bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers you can tuck into your socks, a long-sleeved shirt, a light rain jacket and gardening gloves for grabbing vines. Porters are available at the trailhead and we recommend hiring one: it helps your trek and supports the local community.
Pack light, neutral colours for game drives, a warm fleece for early mornings, a sun hat and good sunscreen. Light aircraft have a soft-bag limit of 15 kg per person including hand luggage, so leave the hard suitcases at home.
Made to measure
Every Uwera safari is private. Slow the pace, add a night by a lake, swap a lodge or bring the children: tell us in your request and we will rebuild the itinerary around you.
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