5 Days Primate Safari – Chimpanzees, Monkeys & Wildlife
This 5-day Uganda primate safari combines some of the country's most rewarding primate experiences with wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes in western Uganda. The journey takes you to Kibale Forest National Park, widely known for its exceptional primate diversity, where you will track chimpanzees and encounter several species of monkeys in the forest.
Your adventure continues to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk before heading to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, a cruise along the Kazinga Channel offers opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and waterbirds. You will also visit Kyambura Gorge for another chimpanzee tracking experience before continuing to the Ishasha sector to search for tree-climbing lions and other wildlife. The safari ends with a visit to the Katwe Crater Lakes before returning to Kampala.
Who This Safari Is Ideal For
This safari is ideal for primate enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, birdwatchers, photographers, first-time Uganda visitors and travelers who want a short but active wildlife experience.
It is especially suited to travelers interested in chimpanzees and monkeys who also want to include Uganda's savannah wildlife and scenic crater lakes within a five-day itinerary.
Why This Safari Is Best
- Track Chimpanzees Twice – Experience chimpanzee tracking in both Kibale and Kyambura Gorge.
- Explore Primate-Rich Kibale – Search for several monkey species and forest birds.
- Walk Through Bigodi Wetland – Combine primate viewing with birding and community-based nature exploration.
- Cruise the Kazinga Channel – Look for hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and waterbirds.
- Explore Ishasha – Search for tree-climbing lions and other savannah wildlife.
- Discover Katwe Crater Lakes – Explore a volcanic landscape shaped by ancient geological activity.
- Combine Primates & Wildlife – Experience forest, wetland and savannah environments in one journey.
Tour Highlights
Tour Map
Tour Features
Day 1
Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda, a region renowned for its exceptional diversity of primates. Upon arrival in the Kibale area, you will have lunch before visiting Nkuruba Nature Reserve, where you can observe monkeys including black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and vervet monkeys in the surrounding forest environment.
After the nature experience, you will continue to your accommodation and settle in for the evening. You will have dinner and overnight at your hotel, preparing for the following day's chimpanzee tracking adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle; transfer to the Kibale area and local transfer to Nkuruba Nature Reserve.
Day 2
Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Nature Walk
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the UWA visitors' information centre for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. As you explore the forest with your ranger guide, you may encounter chimpanzees alongside L'Hoest's monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys and numerous bird species.
After chimpanzee tracking, you will continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. The wetland offers opportunities to observe additional primates, birds, butterflies and other wildlife while learning about the surrounding ecosystem and community before returning to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle for transfers; guided chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi nature walk on foot.
Day 3
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth & Kazinga Channel Cruise
After breakfast, you will leave the Kibale area and travel toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival, you will continue to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise, one of the park's most rewarding ways to observe wildlife from the water.
During the cruise, you may see large concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles and buffaloes along the waterbanks, together with elephants and numerous waterbirds. After the cruise, you will enjoy a guided birding excursion before transferring to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle; boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and guided birding walk.
Day 4
Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking & Ishasha Game Drive
The day begins with an early breakfast before heading to Kyambura Gorge for a guided chimpanzee trekking excursion. The forested gorge provides another opportunity to search for chimpanzees, while olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys may also be encountered during the trek.
Later, you will continue toward the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. During an afternoon or evening game drive, you will search for tree-climbing lions, topis, buffaloes, waterbucks and other wildlife inhabiting this distinctive part of the park before heading to your accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle; guided chimpanzee trek and Ishasha game drive.
Day 5
Katwe Crater Lakes & Transfer to Kampala
After breakfast, you will explore the Katwe Crater Lakes region, an area shaped by ancient volcanic activity. The landscape is characterized by a collection of crater lakes and surrounding communities, offering a scenic and geological contrast to the forests and savannahs experienced earlier in the safari.
After the excursion, you will begin your journey back to Kampala with lunch en route. Upon arrival in Kampala, your 5-day Uganda primate safari will come to an end.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Transport: Private 4x4 safari vehicle; transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kampala with lunch en route.
Important to know
The prices below are per person and are approximate for 2026.
There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.
Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary.
Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.