This 8 Day Fly-In Safari and Primate Trekking Adventure offers an immersive experience in some of the most pristine natural habitats in East Africa. Each day brings new landscapes, cultures, and wildlife encounters, Uganda is truly a paradise for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike. You will explore Murchison Falls National Park for the most magnificent and strongest falls in the world, Kibale National Park renowned for its high population of chimpanzees, and End your Safari with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to more than half of the world’s remaining population of these endangered mountain gorillas.
8 Day Fly-In Safari and Primate Trekking Adventure Highlights:
- Game Drive Through the Savannah plains.
- Boat Safari on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
- Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Batwa Community Visit.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our meet-and-greet lounge host, who will ensure a seamless transition from the airport and aid you through fast-track assistance with visas and luggage collection. After the immigration and baggage collection process, you will be handed over to our driver guide to start your safari journey. You will then be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel Number 5 (Luxury), Protea Hotel by Marriott (Midrange) Airport Guest House.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 2: Scenic Flight to Murchison Falls – Evening Game Drive.
After breakfast at 0600hrs, we’ll transfer you to Entebbe airport and hand you over to Aerolink staff who will assist you with the check-in for your domestic flight to Pakuba Airstrip sanctuary (Depart: 0700 – Arrival: 0810), the gateway to Murchison Falls National Park. This short domestic flight lasting an hour, provides stunning aerial views of Uganda’s lush landscape and winding rivers. Upon arrival at Pakuba, our 4WD safari jeep and seasoned guide will be waiting to whisk you into the heart of the park. After a leisurely check-in at your lodge and a sumptuous lunch, we set out on our first game drive at 1700hrs. Murchison Falls National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, and you’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by sightings of giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, antelopes, and more. With luck, you might catch your first glimpse of the majestic African lion or the elusive leopard. The game drive wraps up as the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue over the savanna, a truly magical start to your safari adventure.
Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 3: Game Drive – Boat Cruise – Hike to the Top of the Falls.
The third day begins with a cup of coffee at 0600hrs before stepping out for an early morning game drive, a perfect time to spot some of Murchison Falls’ iconic animals. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore the Buligi Game Tracks that stretch between the Victoria and Albert tracks. This area is ideal for seeing large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and the occasional predators like lions and leopards. You will also spot numerous giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Jackal, hyenas, oribis, Uganda kobs, etc. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy sightings of species like the Goliath heron, Abyssinian ground hornbill, and African fish eagle. After an exciting morning on the safari, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
A short rest at the lodge allows for a smooth transition to an afternoon boat safari along the Nile at 1400hrs. The boat safari provides stunning views of the Nile River to the bottom of the Murchison Falls, the longest river in the world, and introduces the safari’s first sightings of large schools of hippos, crocodiles, and diverse bird species like rare shoebill stork, Fish Eagle, African Skimmer, Grey-crowned Crane, Black-headed Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Green-winged, Long-toed Plover, Saddle-billed Stork. Avid photographers will love the opportunity to capture these remarkable animals in their natural habitat, backdropped by the park’s lush vegetation.
Optional Activity: $15 Per Person.
For those up for the challenge, a guided hike to the top of the falls reveals awe-inspiring views and an up-close look at the mighty Nile plunging through a narrow 7-meter gorge. The roar of the waterfall and the mist in the air create a memorable and immersive experience of nature’s raw power.
Dinner and overnight at Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Visit the Top of the Falls – Fly to Kibale National Park.
Following breakfast at 06h00, you’ll start your day with a guided tour to the top of Murchison Falls, which provides panoramic views of the Nile as it rushes through the gorge and plunges into the depths below. The Nile cascades with thunderous intensity, a truly breathtaking and humbling experience yet picturesque. After this breathtakingly refreshing activity, we shall head to Pakuba Airstrip for your connecting flight to Kasese Airstrip (Depart: 1400 – Arrival: 1500). Upon arrival and landing, a 2hrs transfer will take you to a luxurious safari lodge near Kibale National Park.
Dinner and overnight at Kibale Lodge/Primate Lodge/ Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking – Community and Cultural Experience.
After a paradisiac breakfast at 06h30, prepare for an exhilarating chimpanzee-tracking adventure in the lush forests of Kibale. Kibale National Park is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees, along with 12 other primate species such as the black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, and grey-cheeked mangabey. You will transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by expert guides and rangers about the park’s rules, tracking techniques, and chimpanzee behaviors. Led by an experienced ranger guide, you will venture into the dense forest looking for chimpanzees. The tracking duration can vary from 1-4 hours depending on the movement of the chimpanzee groups. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you’ll have a precious one-hour window to observe these magnificent animals as you watch them swing through trees, groom one another, and communicate through vocalizations.
After lunch at 14h00, you will go for a village walk to immerse yourself in the interesting cultures of the community. This immersive activity features coffee plantation tours, a traditional healer experience, Basket weaving, and a cultural performance, wrapped by local banana beer/Gin production and tasting.
Dinner and overnight at Kibale Lodge/Primate Lodge/ Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Scenic Flight to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Batwa Cultural Experience.
After breakfast at 0600 hrs., you will be transferred to Kasese airstrip to catch your scheduled domestic flight to Bwindi. This flight will take you directly to a remote Kihihi airstrip near the gorilla sanctuary (Depart: 0700—Arrival: 0810). This scenic flight provides spectacular aerial views of the expansive forests, mountains, and valleys of the Virunga and Bwindi regions. Upon arrival and landing, a short transfer will take you to a luxurious safari lodge.
At 1400hrs, you will visit the Batwa, known as the “Keepers of the Forest,” for a cultural experience. Through a guided cultural experience, you’ll learn about their history, traditions, and lifestyle, which are deeply intertwined with the forest. You’ll enjoy traditional dances, songs, and demonstrations of Batwa hunting, honey, and medicine-gathering techniques, enriching your understanding of the local heritage.
Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge (Luxury) Buhoma Haven Lodge (Midrange).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking Adventure – Afternoon at Leisure.
After a hearty breakfast at 0600hrs, your once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience begins. You’ll transfer to the park reception for a briefing at 0730hrs about gorilla behaviors, family structures, and conservation efforts, making this an educational encounter as well as a thrilling one. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides and following the advance trackers team, you’ll enter Bwindi’s ancient forest in search of a gorilla family. Treks can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas, but each moment is priceless, filled with anticipation and excitement as you follow signs of these gentle giants. Once you reach the gorilla family, you’ll have the rare privilege of spending an hour observing as you capture stunning photos of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. You’ll watch as gorillas groom each other, play, and interact under the watchful gaze of the silverback. After this mind-blowing activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch. You will spend your afternoon at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Lodge (Luxury), Mahogany Springs Lodge (Midrange), Gorilla Bluff Lodge (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8: Return Flight to Entebbe – Departure.
On the final day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before being transferred to the airstrip to board your return flight to Entebbe(Depart: 1000 – Arrival: 1200). This flight allows you to take in the last breathtaking views of Uganda’s diverse landscapes, from rolling hills to dense forests and glistening lakes. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will catch an international flight back home. Enriched with unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the pearl of Africa.
End of the 8 Day Fly-In Safari and Primate Trekking Adventure.
The 8 Day Fly-In Safari and Primate Trekking Adventure includes;
1. All Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking permits.
2. All entrance fees.
3. All ground transportation in a 4WD Vehicle with a pop-up roof for easy game viewing and photography.
4. All Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary.
5. English-speaking Experienced Safari guide.
6. Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
7. Game Drive Through the Savannah plains.
8. Boat Safari on the Nile to the bottom of the falls.
9. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park.
10. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
11. Batwa Community Visit.
12. Refreshments and snacks in the vehicle.
Exclusions.
1. All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide.
2. Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls.
3. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals.
4. International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
5. Visa fees. Visas are available online or upon arrival at all Entry points.