This 7-day self-drive or driver-guided itinerary connects Uganda’s top primate and savanna wildlife parks. Over one week, you will track wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, conduct savanna game drives and Kazinga Channel boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and trek endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Recommended Vehicles for This 7-Day Route
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado TX ($65/day): Excellent 4×4 capability with pop-up roof or rooftop tent.
- Toyota RAV4 4×4 ($40/day): Budget option for couples with ground pitching tent setups.
- Safari Land Cruiser Extended ($150–$200/day): Recommended for groups desiring 7 window seats and a driver-guide.
Day-by-Day Route Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe Airport Arrival / Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park
Pick up your rental vehicle at Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Kampala / Kajjansi. Drive west through Fort Portal’s tea plantations to Kibale National Park, the primate capital of East Africa hosting 13 primate species. Check in at Primate Lodge, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, or Lake Nkuruba Campsite.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Bigodi Wetland Walk
Assemble at Kanyanchu visitor center at 7:30 AM for a safety briefing before tracking habituated chimpanzees in Kibale forest. Spend 1 hour observing their daily activities. In the afternoon, take a community-guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to view bird species and monkeys.
Day 3: Crater Lakes Drive & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive through the Ndali-Kasenda crater lakes region near Fort Portal before continuing south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive across the Kasenyi plains to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, Engiri Game Lodge Campsite, or Irungu Forest Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Embark on an early morning game drive in Kasenyi for predators and game. In the afternoon, take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, viewing high concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and aquatic birds.
Day 5: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Drive south through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for rare tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. Continue along upcountry roads to your designated Bwindi gorilla tracking sector (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo).
Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Community Encounter
Report to park headquarters at 7:30 AM for verification and briefing by UWA rangers. Enter the rainforest to trek mountain gorillas, spending 1 magical hour with a habituated family once located. In the late afternoon, enjoy cultural music and demonstrations with the local Batwa community.
Day 7: Drive Back to Kampala / Entebbe Airport with Equator Stopover
Drive back east toward Kampala or Entebbe Airport. Stop over at the Kayabwe Equator crossing line for photography and souvenirs before returning your rental car.