Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Your adventure begins at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your nearby hotel. After settling in, venture out after dark with a spotlight to a nearby forest patch in search of the diminutive Senegal galago (Galago senegalensis) before returning for a welcome dinner.
Days 2–3: Mabira Central Forest Reserve
On Day 2, depart Kampala for the lush Guineo-Congolian rainforests of Mabira. Over the next two days, guided walks along nature trails and early-morning birding circuits introduce you to red-tailed monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius), black-and-white colobus (Colobus guereza), and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). After dusk, a nocturnal spotlighting excursion may reveal the elusive potto (Perodicticus potto). Evenings are spent at a comfortable forest lodge, where you can review photos and plan the next day’s explorations.
Days 4–5: Murchison Falls National Park
Travel north across the Nile’s southern plains to Murchison Falls National Park. On Day 4 afternoon, embark on a game drive along riverine floodplains in search of olive baboons (Papio anubis), vervet monkeys, and patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas). The following morning’s boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls reveals vast hippo pods and Nile crocodiles; you’ll then hike the “Devil’s Cauldron” trail to view the Nile’s raw power. Late-day game drives may once again spotlight galagos at forest margins.
Day 6: Transit to Kibale Forest National Park
Set out on a scenic 6–7-hour drive back south over the Rift Valley escarpment and through tea plantations. Along the way, pause for sightings of vervet monkeys and baboons. Arrive at Kibale by evening for a briefing on tomorrow’s chimpanzee trek.
Days 7–8: Kibale National Park
Rise at dawn on Day 7 for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale’s canopy—home to Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii). In the afternoons, guided forest walks may reveal Ugandan red colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles), grey-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena), and L’Hoest’s monkeys (Cercopithecus lhoesti). Return each evening to a cozy forest camp.
Day 9: Semliki Forest Reserve
Drive northwest into the lowland rainforests of Semliki on Day 9. Spend the afternoon and following dawn exploring riverine trails for the rare Semliki red colobus (Piliocolobus semlikiensis), potto, blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis), and greater galagos (Otolemur crassicaudatus), with local guides who understand the forest’s hidden wildlife corridors.
Days 10–11: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park along the Albertine Rift’s savanna-woodland transition zone. On Day 10, cruise the Kazinga Channel at sunrise to see hippos and waterbirds, then game-drive the Kasenyi Plains for baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and vervets. Day 11 includes an afternoon trek into Kyambura Gorge—the “Valley of Apes”—where you may meet another community of wild chimpanzees.
Days 12–13: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Journey southwest into the Virunga Volcano foothills to Mgahinga. Day 12’s bamboo-forest trek delivers a thrilling encounter with golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti) and Stuhlmann’s blue monkeys (C. stuhlmanni). On Day 13, with a local Batwa guide, you’ll learn traditional forest-living techniques before keeping watch for Uganda mangabeys (L. a. ugandae) and, if time and permit allow, your first glimpse of a mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) family.
Day 14: Lake Mburo National Park
Head east to Lake Mburo for a change of scene: open acacia woodland. A morning canoe safari on the lake reveals hippos and waterfowl, followed by a walking safari among grazing impala and zebras. Look for vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and nocturnal potto during an evening spotlight walk.
Day 15: Return to Entebbe & Departure
On your final morning, drive 5–6 hours back to Entebbe, stopping for final photos of rural scenery. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a leisurely lunch or last-minute craft shopping before transferring to the airport, where you’ll depart with memories of 20 primate species and Uganda’s incomparable wildlife diversity.
