Primates & Predators explores the most iconic destinations Uganda has to offer. From the endless plains of the Kidepo Valley to the dense montane forests of Bwindi, craters and lakes with Chimps, Gorilla, Elephants, Lion and Leopard – this is a 12 day epic adventure of the best wildlife viewing in Africa.
Exploring the diversity of Uganda with primates & predators, our twelve day adventure, will see you jetting across the country. From the endless horizons of the Kidepo Valley to the dense montane forests of Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park with restful nights in some of the most amazing locations.
Your first night on the shores of Lake Victoria is an excellent location from which to begin your adventure in Uganda. Lake Victoria Hotel became operational in 1948 during the colonial time under Governor Cohen who lived in the current State House. He named it Lake Victoria Hotel, after the lake which was also named after the Queen of England, Queen Victoria.
After a restful night in colonial splendor your guide will collect you in the morning for your flight to the Kidepo Valley. While the distances are large the reward at the end makes it worthwhile. The Kidepo Valley is reminiscent of the plains in Tanzania and Kenya, sweeping savanna grasses, dotted with trees and wildlife grazing in peace. Spend five days game viewing and relaxing amongst endless vistas and luxurious accommodation at Apoka and Semliki Safari Lodges.
The long grasses of the savanna are replaced by dense jungle canopies and lush verdant vegetation, alive with the chattering of primates and birds. Lake Edward, the Western Rift Valley and stunning birding in an area renowned for avian lifers will keep you entertained at Kyaninga Lodge and Kyambura Gorge.
Gorilla trekking at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and witnessing the last remaining gorilla families. These are also the only areas in Africa where Chimps and Gorilla are found together. Sitting amongst a family is a humbling and heartbreaking experience you will never forget.
Queen Elizabeth National Parkconservation efforts seek to connect the local communities with the wildlife they share their homes with, read more about the conservation efforts and consider getting involved or making a donation while you’re there.
On your arrival in Entebbe you will be met by your safari representative who will assist you with luggage and transfer you to your first nights accommodation.
For assistance with any details please Contact Us for travel advice.
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Laico Lake Victoria Hotel
On your arrival in Entebbe you will be met by your safari representative. Your first nights accommodation is at Laico Lake Victoria Hotel. Your stay includes bed and breakfast.
Day 2 – Apoka Safari Lodge
This morning you will be collected by your guide and transferred to Entebbe Airport for a light aircraft flight to the Kidepo Valley. Arriving in the Kidepo National Park you will be met by your guide and driven to Apoka Safari Lodge. You will have time to settle in and relax before your evening game drive.Your stay includes all meals, local drinks and activities.
Day 3 – Apoka Safari Lodge
This morning you can take part in a walking safari or a game drive along dry river beds fringed with palms. Some of the views from the rocky outcrops are incredible. Guides are careful to drive slowly lest a shy leopard is missed.
In the afternoon visit the Karamojong Community with a game drive along the way. The name means “the old men can walk no further” and they are a fascinating tribe said to have migrated from Abyssinia around 1700 AD.
In the afternoon, spend some time chatting with your fellow guests over tea before heading out on your afternoon game drive in the wild plains of the Kidepo Valley.
Day 4 – Semliki Safari Lodge
This morning your guide will drive you back to the Kidepo airstrip for your flight to Semliki airstrip. On arrival you will be met by your guide for the 10 minute game drive to camp.
Semliki Wildlife Reserve is the oldest protected area in Uganda and home to a staggering array of fauna and flora. The reserve is situated in the basin of the Western Rift Valley and is one of the most diverse habitats in Africa. Chimps exist next to Elephant, Lion and Buffalo. The lodge is situated on the crest of the Wassa River Valley with just eight rooms ensuring a very personalised experience.
Your stay is on a Full Board basis including activities. Premium brand drinks are not included.
Day 5 – Semliki Safari Lodge
After an early morning wake up call and tea delivered to your tent enjoy breakfast before you depart for a boat trip on Lake Albert. This excursion is stunning and if luck holds you will get to see the very rare and endangered Shoebill – visually a cross between a Dodo and a dinosaur. Birding on the lake and along the river banks is excellent.
Drive back to the lodge through the palm forests and acacia savanna which is rich in passerines and raptors.
This afternoon you will enjoy an evening activity with sundowners.
Day 6 – Kyaninga Lodge
This morning you will have a road transfer from Semliki via Fort Portal to Kyaninga Lodge. After a 3 hour drive, stretch your legs with a leisurely hike around the lodge and enjoy the stunning views.
With just eight cottages, all built on platforms, the views and luxury are truly remarkable. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge. Your stay here is on a Full Board basis including all meals and local drinks.
Day 7 – Kyaninga Lodge
This morning you will be visiting Kibale Forest National Park and with the aid of experienced trackers and guides go in search of the Chimpanzees.
This 760 square kilometer rain forest is interspersed with grassland and swamps and supports a very rich diversity of fauna with 250 species of animals, over 375 different bird species and 13 different primate species.
In order to ensure the continued preservation of the Chimps, guests are only allowed to spend an hour in their presence.
in the afternoon there is a walk to the Bigodi Swamp. Return to the lodge for dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Day 8 – Kyambura Gorge
This morning you will have a road transfer from Kyaninga Lodge to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Gorge Lodge visiting local community projects on the way.
The park lies across the Equator and is bordered by Lake Edward to the South East and Lake George to the North East with the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. The park has over 100 mammal species and an incredible 606 bird species. The vegetation of this park is incredibly varied from rainforest to open savanna, dense papyrus swamps and crater lakes as well as the vastness of Lake Edward, this is truly diversity on a huge scale.
Tree climbing lions, primates, birding, game drives and walks with cultural activities included. The newest activity is hot air ballooning for those that want to soar in silence over this stunning scenery.
The eight bandas of Kyambura Gorge are on a hilltop giving sweeping views of your surroundings. Your stay here is on a Full Board basis including all meals and local drinks.
Day 9 – Kyambura Gorge
This morning you will enjoy a light breakfast snack before departing the lodge for Kasenyi Plains and your search for lions. This is a game rich environment with the possibility to see Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Kob.
Around lunchtime will see you arriving at Mweya Lodge for lunch and thereafter a relaxing boat ride on the Kazinga Channel.
Return to the lodge in the early evening for a chance to relax before dinner.
Day 10 – Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
This morning you pack a small backpack with what you will need for the day. After breakfast there will be a 4 hour drive to Buhoma and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where your hike will begin.
With a local guide your hike will start through local villages to give you a glimpse of the cultural life the people of Uganda lead in this area. Entering Bwindi Forest you will experience a vast amount of different bird species. This is also the only place in Africa where both Chimps and Gorillas occur in the same area and nearly half of the worlds population of Gorilla are found here. You will spend most of today trekking through the forest in search of both. Between 350 and 400 Chimpanzee occur in this forest so the chances of you encountering them is good.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge has just eight cottages built from the local volcanic stone and have soaring ceilings complimented with luxurious furnishings. Your stay here is on a Full Board basis including all meals and local drinks.
Day 11 -Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Today is a full day of Gorilla trekking. After breakfast you will set out with your guide into the forest to begin tracking the Gorilla families. As they are mobile and move with food supplies the hike can be long or short. A good degree of fitness and good hiking shoes are needed for this days activity.
Once you have found one of the families the guides will instruct you to leave your backpacks a short distance away and you will then slowly move closer. Once the guides direct you sit down on the forest floor and enjoy these gentle giants as they go about their days foraging. This is a humbling experience to hear them gently grumble to themselves while the youngsters play and swing from the vines.
Approaching closer than 5m is strictly forbidden and its important to follow your guides instructions.
Overnight at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Day 12 – Departure
This morning you will transfer to Kisoro Airstrip for your regional flight back to Entebbe and your onward flight arrangements.
Included/Excluded
Includes:
Meals as specified in the itinerary (hotels in Entebbe are B&B)
Local brand drinks
Accommodation as stipulated in the itinerary
Water in the vehicle for overland sectors
Scheduled domestic flights, inclusive of airport taxes where applicable
NB: Baggage restriction of 15 kgs per person (no more) is applicable on all flights in small, soft-sided bags. This includes hand luggage. Extra luggage will incur a charge of $3 per kg, per sector, to be paid directly to the airline upon check-in.
All ground transportation and transfers as indicated, which are inclusive of fuel
