10-Day Uganda Apes, Golden Monkeys, Shoebill & Wildlife Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Begin your 10-day Uganda gorilla safari with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, by your Bush Shrike Adventures safari guide. After breakfast, enjoy a guided city tour exploring some of Kigali’s highlights. Depending on your interests and available time, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial or other points of interest around the city.

After the city tour, enjoy lunch in Kigali before continuing towards the Rwanda–Uganda border. Complete the border formalities and proceed into southwestern Uganda, travelling through beautiful countryside towards Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge near the park and spend the remainder of the day relaxing as you prepare for the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking experience.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Day 2 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the most unforgettable experiences of this 10-day Uganda Gorilla Safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by experienced park rangers. Learn about gorilla trekking guidelines and what to expect before setting off into the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Accompanied by experienced trackers and guides, follow the forest trails in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take a few hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and the terrain. Once the family is found, enjoy the permitted viewing time observing these remarkable primates as they feed, interact and move through the forest. You will also have an opportunity to take photographs while following the ranger guidelines.

After the trek, return to the park headquarters and transfer to your lodge. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and reflecting on this memorable wildlife encounter. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Day 3 – Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers before beginning your golden monkey tracking adventure.

Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, enter the bamboo forests of Mgahinga in search of the endangered golden monkeys. These lively and beautiful primates are known for their golden-orange fur, playful behaviour and remarkable agility as they move through the forest.

Once you locate a golden monkey group, enjoy the permitted viewing time observing their natural behaviour, taking photographs and learning more about their habitat and conservation. The tracking experience may take a few hours, depending on the group’s location and the forest conditions.

After the activity, return to the park headquarters and transfer back to your lodge. Enjoy lunch and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and preparing for the following day’s journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Day 4 – Transfer to Ishasha Sector and Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, check out of your lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and begin the scenic journey towards the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda as you travel through rolling hills, local communities and picturesque countryside.

Upon arrival in Ishasha, proceed to your lodge, check in and enjoy lunch. Later in the afternoon, head out for a game drive across the Ishasha plains, an area famous for its tree-climbing lions. Keep your eyes open for these remarkable cats resting in large fig trees, as well as elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, topis and other wildlife.

As the afternoon unfolds, enjoy the park’s beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife before returning to your lodge.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 5 – Morning Game Drive in Ishasha and Transfer to Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, set out for a morning game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the open savannah plains with your experienced safari guide, searching for the famous tree-climbing lions often seen resting in large fig trees. You may also encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, topis, warthogs and a variety of bird species.

After the game drive, begin your journey towards the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive as you pass through different landscapes and wildlife habitats.

Upon arrival, proceed to your lodge, check in and enjoy lunch. Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing at the lodge, enjoying the surroundings and preparing for the following day’s wildlife activities.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6 – Morning Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Evening Game Drive

Rise early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the Kasenyi plains with your experienced safari guide, looking out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. You may also encounter lions and other predators as they hunt or move through the savannah.

After the morning game drive, return to your lodge for some time to relax before lunch or enjoy lunch at the lodge, depending on the day’s schedule.

In the afternoon, head to the Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat cruise connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. As you cruise along the channel, look out for large concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes gathering along the water’s edge. The channel is also home to a rich variety of waterbirds, making it an excellent experience for bird lovers and photographers.

After the boat cruise, continue with an evening game drive, offering another opportunity to explore the park and search for wildlife as the day draws to a close.

Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 7 – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park via the Equator and Crater Lakes Excursion

After breakfast, check out of your lodge in the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and begin your journey towards Kibale Forest National Park. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful countryside and make a stop at the Equator crossing for photographs and a memorable opportunity to stand in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Continue towards the Kibale area, arriving at your lodge in time for check-in and lunch. After some time to settle in, head out for an excursion to explore the beautiful crater lakes around the Kibale region.

Enjoy the scenic views of the volcanic crater lakes, rolling hills, tea plantations and surrounding countryside. Your guide will help you discover the area’s natural beauty and learn about the formation of these remarkable landscapes.

After the excursion, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay near Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 8 – Chimpanzee Tracking, Bigodi Wetland Walk and Community Experience

After an early breakfast, head to Kibale Forest National Park for a briefing by the park rangers before beginning your chimpanzee tracking adventure. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, enter the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees.

As you explore the forest, look out for other primates, colourful birds, butterflies and fascinating plant life. Once the chimpanzees are located, enjoy the permitted viewing time observing their behaviour as they feed, communicate, play and move through the forest canopy. You will also have an opportunity to take photographs while following the park guidelines.

After the chimpanzee tracking experience, proceed to Bigodi Wetland for a guided nature walk. Explore the wetland’s rich biodiversity, looking out for monkeys, birds and other wildlife while learning about the importance of this unique ecosystem.

Later, enjoy a community experience around the Bigodi area, where you can interact with local residents, discover aspects of their daily lives and learn about the area’s culture and traditions.

After these experiences, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay near Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 9 – Transfer from Kibale Forest to Entebbe

After breakfast, check out of your lodge near Kibale Forest National Park and begin your journey towards Entebbe. Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside, passing traditional homesteads, local trading centres, farmlands and beautiful landscapes along the way.

Make a stop along the route for lunch before continuing towards Entebbe. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a brief stop for refreshments or some last-minute shopping.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, check in at your hotel and spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your safari journey. Prepare for the following day’s Shoebill excursion to Mabamba Wetland.

Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Entebbe.

Day 10 – Shoebill Tracking in Mabamba Wetland and Departure

After breakfast, depart for Mabamba Wetland for an exciting Shoebill tracking excursion. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, explore the wetland by traditional motorised canoe as you navigate through the papyrus channels in search of the remarkable Shoebill stork.

Enjoy the peaceful wetland environment while looking out for other waterbirds and wildlife. The Shoebill is one of Uganda’s most sought-after bird species, making this a memorable final experience of your safari.

After the excursion, return to the mainland and meet your safari guide for the transfer to Entebbe International Airport or another agreed drop-off location in Entebbe, depending on your onward travel arrangements.

This marks the end of your 10-day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Shoebill and Wildlife Safari. We thank you for travelling with Bush Shrike Adventures and wish you a safe onward journey.

Customize This Safari

This 10-day Uganda Gorilla safari is a wonderful starting point for exploring the country’s incredible primates, wildlife and natural beauty. Bush Shrike Adventures can tailor the experience to suit your travel style, budget and interests. You can choose from budget, midrange or luxury accommodation, adjust the number of nights, include domestic flights, or add extra time for wildlife viewing, birdwatching and photography. You can also customise your gorilla and golden monkey trekking experience, explore more destinations in Uganda or combine your adventure with Rwanda. Whether you prefer a relaxed journey or a more adventurous safari, we will help create an experience that suits you.