Kibale & Queen Elizabeth
Primate Safari
5 Days . Kibale Forest & Queen Elizabeth NP . Chimps & Big Game
Quick Price Estimate
5 Days Kibale & Queen Elizabeth Primate Safari
* Seasonal pricing applies. Excludes international flights & visas.
Get This QuoteUganda
Chimp Trails in Kibale, Big Game on the Kazinga Channel
A 5-day journey through Uganda's most rewarding wildlife country -- beginning with chimpanzee trekking through the lush rainforest of Kibale, then continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park for savannah game drives and a boat cruise along the wildlife-thronged Kazinga Channel. Forest lodges, open plains, and unforgettable close encounters throughout.
- Chimpanzee Trekking, Kibale ForestTrack wild chimpanzees on foot through Uganda's premier primate forest
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary WalkA guided nature walk spotting monkeys, birdlife and forest wetland flora
- Kazinga Channel Boat CruiseCruise past hippo pods, buffalo herds and elephants gathered along the shoreline
- Queen Elizabeth Game DrivesTrack lion, elephant and antelope across the open Kasenyi and Ishasha plains
- Forest Lodges & Savannah CampsComfortable rainforest-edge lodges and open-plains camps with expert local guides
- Scenic Road TransfersOverland drives through Uganda's rolling tea plantations and the Kyambura escarpment
Two Iconic Parks, One Primate Journey
Your safari begins in Kampala, continues west into the rainforests of Kibale for chimpanzee trekking, and finishes with open savannah days in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Kampala, UgandaArrival & Safari BriefingDay 1
- Kibale Forest, UgandaChimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland WalkDays 1-3
- Queen Elizabeth NP, UgandaGame Drives & Kazinga Channel Boat CruiseDays 3-5
Your 5-Day Journey
From your arrival in Kampala to your final game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park -- every day is paced to balance forest trekking with open-plains wildlife viewing.
Arrival and Drive West to Kibale
Depart Kampala or Entebbe and drive west through Uganda's rolling tea plantations and the scenic Fort Portal region, arriving at your forest-edge lodge by late afternoon. Settle in, meet your guide, and enjoy the evening at leisure listening to the forest come alive.
Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
An early start for chimpanzee trekking through the rainforest with an experienced ranger, tracking one of Kibale's habituated chimp communities on foot. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in search of monkeys and forest birdlife.
Onward to the Savannah via Kyambura Escarpment
Drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, pausing at the dramatic Kyambura escarpment viewpoint along the way. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive across the open Kasenyi plains, watching for lion, elephant, buffalo and antelope as the landscape shifts from forest to savannah.
Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise
An early game drive in search of Queen Elizabeth's resident lion prides and elephant herds. In the afternoon, board a launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel, gliding past some of Africa's densest concentrations of hippo and buffalo, with elephants and crocodiles along the shoreline.
Final Morning Game Drive and Departure
Enjoy a final sunrise game drive or a relaxed breakfast overlooking the Kazinga Channel before beginning the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe for your onward flight home, carrying memories of chimps, hippos and open plains.
Handpicked Luxury Stays
Premium en-suite tented camps and lodges positioned along the migration route.
Primate Lodge Kibale
Rainforest-edge lodge set within Kibale National Park itself, with comfortable cottages and tents just steps from the chimp trekking trailhead.
Kibale Forest · Days 1–3
Mweya Lodge
Perched on the Mweya Peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel, with panoramic views, comfortable rooms, and easy access to game drive routes.
Queen Elizabeth NP · Days 3–5Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Road transfers Kampala-Kibale-Queen Elizabeth-Kampala
- 4 nights' accommodation in forest lodge and savannah camp
- Full board throughout the safari
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, arranged per your tier and quotation
- Expert guides throughout Kibale and Queen Elizabeth
- Applicable chimpanzee trekking permit (customer-paid at authority rate) and ranger fees as specified in your quotation
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary guided walk as specified in your quotation
- Applicable Queen Elizabeth National Park entry fees as specified in your quotation
- Daily game drives at a relaxed pace
- Kazinga Channel launch boat cruise as specified in your quotation
- Bottled water on game drives and treks
- All park and lodge transfers
- 24/7 safari concierge service
Excluded
- International flights to/from Entebbe
- Uganda tourist visa (e-visa available)
- Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory)
- Chimpanzee habituation experience and Kyambura chimp trek
- Premium bar tabs and specialty dining at the lodges
- Gratuities for guides, lodge staff and drivers
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Personal items and medications
- Anything not specified under Included
Have questions about what's included? Our specialists are happy to clarify.
Speak to a SpecialistChoose Your Experience Level
Select the accommodation tier that matches your style. All tiers include the same guiding and routing.
- 2 nights Kibale lodge, 2 nights Queen Elizabeth camp
- En-suite rooms with hot showers
- Full board throughout the safari
- All road transfers and applicable park fees as specified in your quotation
- Shared safari guide and vehicle
- Primate Lodge Kibale & Mweya Lodge
- Full board and house drinks (house drinks subject to property policy)
- Applicable trekking permits (customer-paid at authority rate) and park fees as specified in your quotation
- Game drives with an experienced guide (tier-specific arrangement, confirmed at quotation)
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise and Bigodi wetland walk as specified in your quotation
- All road transfers as specified in your quotation
- Ngaga House (Kibale) & Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Queen Elizabeth
- Full-board dining as specified in your quotation (premium drinks subject to property policy)
- Chimpanzee habituation experience (optional, separately quoted) and private Kazinga cruise as specified in your quotation
- Dedicated private guide and vehicle throughout (tier-specific arrangement, confirmed at quotation)
- Priority trekking permits (customer-paid at authority rate) and VIP park entry as specified in your quotation
- All road transfers as specified in your quotation (private arrangements subject to tier confirmation)
What Our Guests Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
Treks typically last 2-4 hours over forest trails that can be uneven and muddy. A reasonable level of fitness helps, but the pace is set by the group and rangers, so most travellers of average fitness manage it comfortably.
On Day 3 you travel by road, a journey of roughly 2-3 hours via the scenic Kyambura escarpment. Our safari vehicle handles the drive directly, with a stop at the viewpoint along the way.
The habituation experience is an optional add-on, separately quoted. It allows several extra hours with a chimp community as researchers habituate them to human presence, offering closer and longer observation than the standard one-hour trek.
For Kibale, pack sturdy closed shoes, long trousers, a rain jacket, gardening gloves and insect repellent for the forest trek. For Queen Elizabeth, bring neutral-coloured clothing, sunscreen, a hat and binoculars for game drives. A small daypack is useful throughout.
Yes, a permit is required; your applicable permit is customer-paid at the authority rate and confirmed at quotation. Permits are limited each day, so we recommend booking your dates well in advance, especially during the June-September and December-February peak seasons.
Absolutely. We regularly extend this itinerary with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, additional nights on the Ishasha plains for tree-climbing lions, or a stop in Murchison Falls. Speak to our specialists about tailoring your trip.
Don't see your question? We're happy to help.
Ask Us AnythingBegin Your Kibale & Queen Elizabeth Primate Safari
Chimpanzee trekking permits are limited and fill quickly during peak season. Contact our specialists today to check availability and begin planning your Uganda primate safari.