Kyaninga Lodge
Thatched log cottages on the rim of a crater lake outside Fort Portal, within reach of Kibale Forest.
Ask about this lodge# LTM-UG-GW8|8 days, 7 nights
8-Day Uganda Luxury Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
Starts & endsEntebbeRouteEntebbe › Lake MburoA private trip: it starts on any day you choose, and every quote is all-inclusive.
A private safari, 8 days, 7 nights
This private safari covers the classic western Uganda circuit in eight days. You track chimpanzees in Kibale, cruise the Kazinga Channel, look for lions in Ishasha, trek to a gorilla family in Bwindi and finish with a walking safari among zebra at Lake Mburo.
Two nights in each of the key places keep the pace comfortable, and Lake Mburo breaks the long drive back to Entebbe.
Highlights
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
- The Kazinga Channel cruise and Kasenyi plains
- Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
- One hour with a mountain gorilla family
- A walking safari at Lake Mburo
Day by day
- Entebbe
- Kibale
- Queen Elizabeth
- Bwindi
- Lake Mburo
- Entebbe
Day 1Entebbe › Fort Portal
Entebbe to Kibale
A morning drive west through Mubende and the tea estates around Fort Portal, arriving at the crater lakes for a late lunch and an evening on the lodge terrace.
Day 2Kibale Forest
Chimpanzees and Bigodi
A morning trek from Kanyanchu to find the chimpanzee community and spend an hour in its company. In the afternoon, a guided walk around the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for great blue turaco, red colobus and other primates.
Day 3Kibale › Queen Elizabeth
To Queen Elizabeth
South past the crater lakes and down the Rift escarpment into Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, a two-hour cruise on the Kazinga Channel among hippos, buffalo and water birds.
Day 4Queen Elizabeth › Ishasha
Kasenyi and Ishasha
An early game drive on the Kasenyi plains for kob, buffalo and lion, then south to the Ishasha sector to look for lions resting in the fig trees.
Day 5Ishasha › Buhoma
To Bwindi
A last game drive in Ishasha, then the short drive to Buhoma on the edge of Bwindi. In the afternoon, a guided walk through the village on the forest edge.
Day 6Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla trekking
The 8:00 briefing at the park office, then the trek with rangers and trackers to your assigned gorilla family and one hour in their company. The afternoon is free.
Day 7Bwindi › Lake Mburo
To Lake Mburo
East through the hills of Kigezi and Ankole to Lake Mburo, with an evening boat trip or game drive among zebra, eland and impala.
Day 8Lake Mburo › Entebbe
Walking safari and back to Entebbe
A morning walking safari with a ranger among zebra and impala, then the drive back to Entebbe, arriving in the late afternoon.
Lodges are confirmed in writing when you book, and timings are adjusted to your dates and pace.
Where you stay
These lodges, or ones of the same standard if they are full on your dates.
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
A Volcanoes Safaris lodge above the Kyambura Gorge, where chimpanzees live in the forest below.
Ask about this lodgeIshasha Wilderness Camp
A tented camp on the Ntungwe River in the Ishasha sector, the base for finding tree-climbing lions.
Ask about this lodge
Bwindi Lodge
A Volcanoes Safaris lodge at Buhoma, its bandas facing the forest edge.
Ask about this lodge
Mihingo Lodge
Tents built around a rocky outcrop, with horseback safaris among zebra and eland.
Ask about this lodgeThe Mavens difference
Private vehicle and guide
A 4x4 with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide, for you alone.
Luxury lodges
Every night at a lodge chosen for its position and its standards.
Fees and permits included
Park entry, permits and the activities in the itinerary are in the price.
Flexible by design
Lengthen, upgrade or combine the trip before you pay.
Included
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Walking safari at Lake Mburo
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- 7 nights at luxury lodges, full board
- Park entry fees
- Airport transfers
- Bottled water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Drinks at lodges other than water, tea and coffee
- Tips for your guide and lodge staff
- Travel insurance
Good to know
Fitness
Moderate overall, with one strenuous day for the gorilla trek.
Best time
June to September and December to February.
Pace
Two nights in most places, with drive days of three to six hours.
Make it shorter
Fly from Kihihi to Entebbe after Bwindi and skip Lake Mburo.
Dates & availability
This is a private trip, so it starts on any day you choose. Choose a month to carry it into the quote request.
What every quote includes
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Walking safari at Lake Mburo
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- 7 nights at luxury lodges, full board
Quotes depend on your dates, the size of your group and the lodges you choose. Green-season months are often better value, and Christmas and New Year can carry lodge supplements.
Reviews from this trip
Verified reviews appear here once guests are home.
Questions travellers ask
Can we fly part of the way?
Yes. A flight from Kihihi to Entebbe after Bwindi replaces the last two days, if you'd rather skip Lake Mburo.
Is this safari suitable for a first visit to Uganda?
Yes. It covers the country's best-known primates and parks at a comfortable pace.
Can we add a second gorilla trek?
Yes, with an extra night in Bwindi and a second permit.
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Something made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.