6-Day Uganda Wildlife Safari: Chimpanzees and Mountain Hiking Adventure

6-Day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife Safari: Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, and Rwenzori Mountain Trek.

Explore the Best of Uganda in 6 Days: Wildlife Safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest, and Hiking Mount Rwenzori. Encounter Lions, Elephants, Hippos, Primates, and Over 1000 Bird Species.

• Discover Uganda’s over 1000 bird species
• Chimpanzee tracking with other 12 Primate species in Kibale
• Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park with lions, elephants, hippos, leopard, etc,
• Mountain Rwenzori Hiking.

This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics.

Kibale National Park contains one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau. The park is home to a total of 70 mammal species, most famously 13 species of primate including the chimpanzee.

It also contains over 375 species of birds, Kibale adjoins Queen Elizabeth National Park to the south to create a 180km-long corridor for wildlife between Ishasha, the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale National Park.

Tour Highlights

Day1: Arrive at Entebbe airport and transfer to Kibale National Park for Chimps tracking

Day2: Go Chimpanzee tracking, tracking over 12 other primates in Kibale National Park and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day3: Go for wildlife game drives and boat trip on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day4: Drive to the Ishasha sector to see tree-climbing lions, and transfer to Rwenzori Mountains foothills

Day5: Go for community walks around Rwenzori Mountains.

Day6: Departure and end of 6 Days Best of Uganda Safaris, Wildlife, Chimps & Mountain Hiking tour

Day 1: Uganda Wildlife Safari – Entebbe to Kibale for a Chimpanzee Tracking Adventure

We arrive at Entebbe airport where you will be meet by our company guide and drive westwards towards Fort Portal to the Kibale Forest National Park (about 5 hours). Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you will pass through traditional Ugandan Villages where you will see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provides good photo opportunities. As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you will enter Uganda’s famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed. Arrive at Fort Portal, then continue toward Kibale Forest, one of the great African rainforest. Years of study by scientists (who have cut a grid through the forest) have habituated many of its primates to human observers. This forest is famed for the variety of primates found here and it is a terrific area for birds.

Overnight at  your lodge (Driving time ± 6hrs on mainly surfaced roads)

Luxury Lodges in Kibale National Park:

1. Primate Lodge Kibale: Primate Lodge Kibale is a luxurious eco-friendly lodge located in the heart of Kibale National Park. It offers comfortable cottages and treehouses, excellent dining, and various activities, including chimpanzee tracking and birdwatching.
2. Kyaninga Lodge: This lodge is situated near Kyaninga Crater Lake and offers luxurious accommodation with stunning views of the crater and the Rwenzori Mountains. The lodge features spacious cottages, a swimming pool, and a restaurant serving delicious meals.

Midrange Lodges in Kibale National Park:

1. Isunga Lodge: Isunga Lodge offers comfortable and reasonably priced accommodation options near Kibale National Park. It has cottages and tents with modern amenities and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.
2. Chimps’ Nest: Chimps’ Nest is a midrange lodge located near Kibale Forest. It provides cozy cottages with forest views and is a great base for chimpanzee tracking and forest exploration.

Low-Cost Lodges in Kibale National Park:

1. Kibale Forest Camp: Kibale Forest Camp offers budget-friendly accommodation options for travelers. It has comfortable tents and cottages, and it’s conveniently located near the park entrance.
2. CVK Lakeside Resort: CVK Lakeside Resort is another affordable option near Kibale National Park. It offers basic rooms and camping facilities at budget-friendly rates.

Day 2: Explore Kibale National Park with Chimpanzee Tracking and Encounter Over 12 Primate Species, Followed by a Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Have breakfast early in the morning and assemble at Kanyankyu river camp at 0800hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is Chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzees are man’s closet cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate’s species. More primates like Black and white Columbus monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Grey cheecked Mangabey, Red tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, Little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee eater and mammals like Elephants can also be seen in this walk.
Kibale National park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. It is inhabited by three large “communities” of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.
Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, and socialize with each other, or even, occasionally hunt. Afterwards, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park this morning (about 3 hours driving). Leaving through Fort Portal town, you turn south and early this afternoon enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains-the famed “Mountains of the Moon”. This 767-square-mile conservation area is bordered on the North East by Lake George and on the South West by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Zaire Parc Du Virunga. You will expect to see teeming herds of impala-like Uganda Kob, as well as topi, elephant and lion, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo. There are also several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally.
Overnight at  bush lodges (Driving time to Bush Lodge ± 2½hrs on mainly surfaced and muram roads)

Luxury Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park:

1. Mweya Safari Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge is a luxurious lodge located on a peninsula within the park, offering stunning views of the Kazinga Channel and the park’s wildlife. The lodge features spacious rooms, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and various activities.
2. Kyambura Gorge Lodge: This upscale lodge is located near the Kyambura Gorge, providing excellent opportunities for chimpanzee tracking. It offers luxurious cottages, gourmet dining, and beautiful surroundings.

Midrange Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park:

1. Enganzi Lodge: Enganzi Lodge offers comfortable and midrange accommodation options near Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides cozy cottages, a restaurant serving local and international dishes, and guided safari activities.
2. Kasenyi Safari Camp: Kasenyi Safari Camp is a midrange camp situated near the park’s Kasenyi Plains, known for their abundant wildlife. The camp offers tented accommodation and guided game drives.

Low-Cost Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park:

1. Simba Safari Camp: Simba Safari Camp is a budget-friendly option located within the park. It offers basic rooms and camping facilities, making it an affordable choice for travelers.
2. Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge provides economical accommodation options near the park. It offers budget cottages and tents, as well as guided safari activities.

Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Safari – Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Trip.

Have early breakfast in the morning then we set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes.

This is the best time and opportunity of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda Kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range. In the afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippo’s huff and spray very close from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallow; elephants watering, and many other wildlife. At least 80% of the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth national park can be found along this Channel. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle billed stork and many others.
Overnight at  your lodge (Game Drive takes about  3 hours, boat trip takes 3 hours) 

Luxury Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park:

1. Mweya Safari Lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge is a luxurious lodge located on a peninsula within the park, offering stunning views of the Kazinga Channel and the park’s wildlife. The lodge features spacious rooms, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and various activities.
2. Kyambura Gorge Lodge: This upscale lodge is located near the Kyambura Gorge, providing excellent opportunities for chimpanzee tracking. It offers luxurious cottages, gourmet dining, and beautiful surroundings.

Midrange Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park:

1. Enganzi Lodge: Enganzi Lodge offers comfortable and midrange accommodation options near Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides cozy cottages, a restaurant serving local and international dishes, and guided safari activities.
2. Kasenyi Safari Camp: Kasenyi Safari Camp is a midrange camp situated near the park’s Kasenyi Plains, known for their abundant wildlife. The camp offers tented accommodation and guided game drives.

Low-Cost Lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park:

1. Simba Safari Camp: Simba Safari Camp is a budget-friendly option located within the park. It offers basic rooms and camping facilities, making it an affordable choice for travelers.
2. Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge provides economical accommodation options near the park. It offers budget cottages and tents, as well as guided safari activities.

Day 4: Ishasha for Tree-Climbing Lions, Transfer to Rwenzori Foothills

After early morning breakfast, we drive through the Ishasha sector in search for the tree-climbing lions. Nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig trees of Ishasha. This game drive en route will expose you to some of the animals that you might have missed seeing while on your game drives in Kasenyi and Queens Mile.
Afterwards, we head towards the breathtaking adventures of Rwenzori Mountains, if you wish to have a short activity, other than the central circuit trekking.

Overnight at the mountain lodge
Camping: Here we have to hire camping tents;
Meals Included today: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the camp.

Luxury Lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains:

1. Equator Snow Lodge: This lodge is one of the more upscale options in the Rwenzori Mountains. It offers comfortable and well-appointed rooms with scenic views of the surrounding area. The lodge provides guided trekking experiences into the mountains, making it a convenient choice for those seeking a luxurious trekking experience.

Midrange Lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains:

1. Rwenzori Turaco View Camp: This camp offers midrange accommodation options for trekkers exploring the Rwenzori Mountains. It provides comfortable rooms and camping facilities, along with guided trekking opportunities.
2. Ruboni Community Camp: Located near the park entrance, this camp offers midrange lodging options for trekkers. It features basic but comfortable rooms and camping facilities. The camp is run by the local community and provides guided treks into the mountains.

Low-Cost Lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains:

1. Trekkers Hostel: Trekkers Hostel is a budget-friendly option for those looking to explore the Rwenzori Mountains on a tight budget. It offers basic accommodation and is a popular choice for backpackers and independent travelers.
2. Kilembe Community Guesthouse: Situated in the town of Kilembe, near the park entrance, this guesthouse provides affordable lodging options. It’s a good choice for budget travelers and offers basic amenities.

Day 5: Community Walks Around Rwenzori Mountains:

Have a quick snuck early in the morning, then from the Ruboni Community Camp you can book a guide to take you in the surrounding areas of the Ruboni and Mihunga villages. The slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, just before the border of the national Park, are fertile lands where communities of Bakonjo people live. It is interesting and rewarding to take a walk and see the traditional works still present in this area, like the blacksmith and production of iron spears and knives or the handicraft productions like craft weaver and basket making. Some Bakonjo elders will be enthusiastic to spend time with you and to tell stories and legends of the ancient time, which have been passed on by word of mouth up today. Another interesting encounter is the traditional healers or traditional doctors, the ones who used and still use today the power given to them by the gods of the traditional religion.

You can go for a Forest walk in and around the Rwenzori region. The area just approaching the national park along the Mubuku Valley is much cultivated but at the same time is rich of pristine nature and vegetation. Some of the hills are covered by forest. You can book a guide from the Ruboni Community Camp and he will take you for a 3 or 4 hours short excursion through forested areas outside the national park. Expect to see and learn from the nature, the species of trees, the small animals like chameleons and lizards, which are still so common here, plus you can also see black and white colobus monkeys and other monkeys. Birding is also interesting, as you might spot the typical Rwenzori Turaco, common boubou and African wagtail.

Overnight at our camping site;
Meals Included today: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the camp.

Luxury Lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains:

1. Equator Snow Lodge: This lodge is one of the more upscale options in the Rwenzori Mountains. It offers comfortable and well-appointed rooms with scenic views of the surrounding area. The lodge provides guided trekking experiences into the mountains, making it a convenient choice for those seeking a luxurious trekking experience.

Midrange Lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains:

1. Rwenzori Turaco View Camp: This camp offers midrange accommodation options for trekkers exploring the Rwenzori Mountains. It provides comfortable rooms and camping facilities, along with guided trekking opportunities.
2. Ruboni Community Camp: Located near the park entrance, this camp offers midrange lodging options for trekkers. It features basic but comfortable rooms and camping facilities. The camp is run by the local community and provides guided treks into the mountains.

Low-Cost Lodges in the Rwenzori Mountains:

1. Trekkers Hostel: Trekkers Hostel is a budget-friendly option for those looking to explore the Rwenzori Mountains on a tight budget. It offers basic accommodation and is a popular choice for backpackers and independent travelers.
2. Kilembe Community Guesthouse: Situated in the town of Kilembe, near the park entrance, this guesthouse provides affordable lodging options. It’s a good choice for budget travelers and offers basic amenities.

Day 6: Departure – Drive from Rwenzori Wildlife Safari National Park to Kampala/Entebbe Airport

Have early breakfast before embarking on your return to Kampala, driving down the grassed and terraced escarpments of southwestern Uganda while taking in the breathtaking sights of the hills of the region dubbed ‘the little Switzerland of Africa’. This area is a highly fertile, mountainous region with steep sided hills covered from top to bottom in neatly terraced cultivated rows. Not to miss as we traverse Mbarara are the impressing long horn Ankole cattle. A remarkable highlight of this journey is the Equator line and surely you will cross it as we have a brief stop here. We will be in Kampala in the evening before for your flight back home from Entebbe airport and end of 6 Days Uganda wildlife Safari, Chimpanzees & Mountain Hiking adventure.

Our Other safari Itineraries Apart from 6 day Uganda wildlife Safari

• 3 Day Gorilla Tour: Fly-in
• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari: Drive
• 3 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
• 3 Day Murchison Falls Safari
• 3 Day Queen Elizabeth Safari
• 6 Day Gorillas & Wildlife Safari