Set Departure Date: 14th September 2025
Price: USD 3,689 per person - x6 participants
Overview
Embark on an 8-day Primates Safari through the captivating landscapes of Uganda, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and primate lovers. This expertly curated group tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter Africa's rainforest giants—the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park—and track the Kanyanchu chimpanzee community in Kibale National Park. With set departure dates, this safari ensures a seamless and enriching experience, allowing you to connect with fellow travelers who share your passion for primates and wildlife.
Beyond primate encounters, this safari unveils the natural beauty of the Pearl of Africa. Traverse scenic landscapes, embark on thrilling game drives, and glide along serene waterways, creating a symphony of unforgettable moments. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of local communities, adding a touch of human connection to your wildlife adventure.
Who is this Primates Safari For?
This Africa primates safari is perfect for:
- Avid nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers
- Primate enthusiasts eager to meet gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat
- Adventurous souls seeking authentic African wilderness experiences
- Those who appreciate the camaraderie and shared experiences of a group tour
- Travelers who prefer a well-structured itinerary with set departure dates
Inclusions
- Accommodation in comfortable eco-lodges and guesthouses
- Meals, as specified in the itinerary, to your dietary requirements.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits
- Park and forest entrance fees
- Shared boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
- All excursions and activities led by an expert English-speaking guide
- Transportation in a private 4x4 safari jeep with large windows
- Drinking water on game drives and transfers
- AMREF Evacuation Insurance
- Government taxes
Pricing
The cost of this 8-day Classic Primates Safari varies based on the number of participants a shown in the pricing table below:
| Participants | Price in USD |
|---|---|
| 6 | $3,689 per person |
| 5 | $3,796 per person |
| 4 | $3,975 per person |
| 3 | $4,274 per person |
| 2 | $4,871 per person |
Single Room Supplement: $550
Trip Inquiry Form
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed and transferred to the tranquil Papyrus Guest House. Nestled amidst lush gardens, this charming guesthouse offers a serene retreat after your long journey. Unwind in your comfortable room and savor a delicious meal as you prepare for the adventures ahead.
Optional: Take an afternoon excursion to Mabamba Swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria to spot the elusive shoebill stork and other bird species.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House (Garden Room)
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 2: Journey to Lake Mburo National Park
After a hearty breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Lake Mburo National Park. En route, make a stop at the Equator for a memorable photo opportunity and witness the fascinating art of traditional drum-making at a local village.
Arrive at the picturesque Rwakobo Rock Lodge, perched on ancient rock formations overlooking the park.
In the afternoon, set off on a thrilling game drive, encountering zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and a myriad of bird species. As the day winds down, relish a delectable dinner under the starlit African sky.
Optional activities:
- A 1-2hour boat safari on the lake to spot crocodiles, hippos, and plenty of water birds ($30 pp)
- Cycling in the park accompanied by a guide ($25) for 1-2 hrs
- Nature walk in the park accompanied by an armed ranger ($15)
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge (Cottage)
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: From Lake Mburo To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Rise early for a final game drive in Lake Mburo, savoring the sights and sounds of the African savanna at dawn. After breakfast, journey towards the misty mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the two best places to see wild mountain gorillas in Africa. Settle into the cozy embrace of Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and immerse yourslef in the breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes. Spend the afternoon relaxing or opt for an optional activity, such as a guided nature walk or a visit to a local community.
Optional:
- Nombe Pocket Forest for a hike and bird watching ($46 pp).
- Walk around Nkuringo community to visit the black smith, the traditional herbalist etc ($46 pp).
- Walk through Buninga Forest on cultural trail with the Batwa Pygmy natives ($50 pp):
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Cottage - 2nd Night)
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today's highlight is the exhilarating gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. After an early breakfast, you'll be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette and safety protocols. Depending on your gorilla permit allocation, the tracking may commence around 7:45 am for the Nkuringo group or 6:30 am for the Rushaga group. Equipped with a packed lunch and drinking water, you'll venture into the verdant depths of the rainforest.
The beauty of this ancient rainforest is awe-inspiring. The terrain is dramatically steep and densely forested, yet crisscrossed with animal trails that allow access to intrepid trekkers. The duration and difficulty of the trek can vary depending on the movements of these elusive primates. The thrill of encountering these gentle giants in their natural habitat is an experience that will stay with you forever. Observing their social dynamics, playful antics, and sheer majesty up close is a rare and humbling privilege.
Upon your return to the lodge, take some time to relax and reflect on your extraordinary encounter. In the late afternoon, you have the option to embark on a leisurely stroll through the nearby community or take a scenic drive to the "Top of the World," a vantage point offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and forests. It's the perfect way to unwind after your trek and soak in the beauty of the Bwindi landscape.
Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Cottage - 2nd Night)
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: From Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Bid farewell to the gorillas and embark on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a wildlife haven teeming with diverse species. Arrive at the tranquil Katara Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Kazinga Channel. In the afternoon, set off on a game drive, keeping your eyes peeled for elephants, lions, and the elusive tree-climbing lions.
Optional:
For a deeper immersion in Bwindi's wonders, an optional hike across the Impenetrable Forest awaits. After an early breakfast, you'll drive along the scenic Nteko Ridge before embarking on an unforgettable 13km trek through the heart of the forest. This 4-5 hour journey is more than just a hike; it's an opportunity to witness Bwindi's rich biodiversity, with possible sightings of monkeys, duikers, bush pigs, and a symphony of birdlife. With luck, you might even encounter gorillas! Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into the forest's ecology and its vital role in conservation. The trail itself is a lifeline for local communities, connecting villages and serving as a vital route on market days. At the trail's end in Buhoma, your driver will be waiting to whisk you away to the Ishasha plains, where you may witness the remarkable sight of tree-climbing lions.
Please note that this nature hike requires the agreement and participation of all group members.
Accommodation: Katara Lodge (Cottage).
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Game Drive, Boat Safari - Transfer to Kibale Forest
Start your day with an exhilarating morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Then, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, where you'll witness an abundance of hippos, crocodiles, and colorful birdlife. Continue your journey to Kibale National Park, renowned for its chimpanzee population. Arrive at the enchanting Turaco Treetops Lodge, nestled amidst the forest canopy. If time permits, hike to the "Top of the World" for panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge (Luxury Cottage).
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Today's highlight is an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest. Trek through the verdant jungle, following the calls and trails of these playful primates. Witness their fascinating social interactions and acrobatic displays in their natural habitat. Return to the lodge for a leisurely afternoon or opt for a visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a haven for birdwatchers and primate enthusiasts.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Lodge (Luxury Cottage).
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Leave Kibale Forest for Entebbe
After a final breakfast amidst the tranquil forest setting, bid farewell to Kibale and journey back to Entebbe, arriving at 17:00. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for some last-minute souvenir shopping or simply relax before your departure.
Accommodation: No accommodation but can be arranged on individual basis.
Meal Plan: Full Board - Breakfast, packed Lunch
Safari Reviews
EXCELLENT
255 reviewsPosted on Tripadvisor
Gabriel B3 unforgettable Weeks in Uganda We spent three weeks travelling around Uganda. It was a wonderful trip with so many incredible moments. A big shout-out to our fantastic driver and guide, Emanuell. We laughed, discussed, learned and enjoyed ourselves so much. Thank you so much, Emanuell, it was a real pleasure. We highly recommend Nkuringo. The people there take great care of their guests. We felt we were in the best of hands at all times and can highly recommend the company.Posted on Tripadvisor
Mary Carol WExceeded our expectations! We just returned from a customized fly-in safari and primate-trekking trip with Nkuringo Safaris. This trip was an A++ experience!! Our travel manager, Catherine, did a fantastic job of planning every detail. Our guide, Patrick Yiga, was superb. His knowledge, driving abilities (not easy roads!), and communication skills were all excellent. He paid attention to every detail. We already miss him a lot! Our experiences, accommodations, and food were all exceptional. Nkuringo Safaris showed us why Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa.Posted on Tripadvisor
lisvelasco2001Amazing Custom Ugandan Trip How do I rate our 12 day trip through Uganda? AMAZING. My travel consultant who I use to put together our Africa trips worked in conjunction with Nkuringo to put together an amazing trip for us. There were 8 of us - my husband (active 72 year old) and I (62 years old), 4 travel friends (56-72) and our 2 nephews (30 years old). It was an active adventure with a primate focus. We took two internal flights to minimize our time on the bumpy roads. In putting the trip together, I had the opportunity to review all the accommodations and suggested activities. We did two hikes, two mountain bike rides, Chimp/Gorilla/Golden Monkey Tracking and some boating.It’s hard to say what the best/favorite thing was. Each was special in it’s own way. The unexpected PRIVATE boat ride on the Kazinga Channel was amazing in itself? Having a great guide for the Chimp tracking? Hike through the Bwindi Forest on the Ivy Trail?Accommodations were incredible - all staffed by very special people. None of us will ever forget Innocent (our butler) at the Primate Lodge. I will never forget Issac’s (Nkuringo Lodge) attention to our nephews who wanted to visit a local bar - who willingly took them and then hike to the Top of the World with them. It was really nice to have our laundry done and boots cleaned at some of the lodges.But the best part of the entire trip (besides traveling with friends and family) was our guides: Jack and Oscar. The two of them worked hand in hand for a seamless trip seeing to our every want and teaching us all about the country. My husband and I travel extensively and these two men rank up there as two of the best guides ever. I will never forget Oscar mountain biking with me as I slowly went downhill, gripping the brakes while my husband and nephews ripped ahead with the bike guide. For that I will be forever grateful. Or the day that the nephews wanted to go into town/Kisoro and see a bar and walk around. Jack and Oscar took them while Jack walked around with them. My husband and I never had to worry about their safety.The Land Cruisers were in top notch condition and spotless at the beginning of the trip. They were cleaned again when Jack and Oscar had a break from us. When available they even provided WIFI in the vehicles as well as water.Kudos to Lydia, the owner of the company, for running a top notch organization.Posted on Tripadvisor
Simone CGreat Uganda experience with a perfect guide! We had an amazing vacation full of everything you can dream about: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Leopard, Rhinos,…and some hiking. We had the best guide you can have, driving perfectly through every terrain, always flexible, perfectly organised and always a smile on his face: Bob Magezi! We felt safe and in great hands all the time! Uganda is a very diversified country that exceeded our expectations, with awesome people, green nature and lots of animals.Posted on Tripadvisor
MLAn unforgettable Uganda Experience with Bob and Nkuringo Two weeks of an amazing Uganda experience are behind us. From Entebbe over Ziwa Rhino to Murchison Falls, Kibale (Chimps), Ruwenzori, QE National Park, Bwindi and Lake Mutanda.The trip was extremely well organized and full of great experiences.We thank our great Guide Bob for a tremendous job and guidance through beautiful Uganda.Thank you Bob and Nkuringo, Iris&MarvinPosted on Tripadvisor
Laura PAmazing tour Everything about this 5 day experience was top notch. Remmy was an incredible guide - great energy, good vibes, helpful, knowledgeable, & always kept us feeling safe. Lodges were beautiful with great service & of course the animals/wild life did not disappoint. Added some optional hikes/walks to keep us active. Incredible trip - definitely recommend Remmy & Nkuringo!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Devon GIncredible trip to Uganda The trip was unbelievable. The itinerary was thoughtfully packed with amazing activities and beautiful scenic drives that made travel time enjoyable. The gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences were truly once-in-a-lifetime moments that we will never forget. Our guide Remmy was the best tour guide we could have asked for during our trip to Uganda. He was always prompt, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He truly made the entire experience special. We felt comfortable with him right away, and by the end of the trip, it honestly felt like we were traveling with family. We can’t recommend Remmy highly enough!Posted on Tripadvisor
Joanna WA Memorable Safari Marked by Care, Presence, and Expertise This was an exceptional safari experience from start to finish, beautifully designed and flawlessly delivered. As a solo traveler, I felt supported, well looked after, and genuinely welcomed throughout the entire journey.Diana was a joy to work with from the very beginning. She was warm, friendly, and highly responsive, while at the same time extremely attentive to my individual needs. Her advice on the different elements of the safari was thoughtful and well-balanced, helping shape an itinerary that felt both exciting and perfectly suited to me. I truly appreciated her guidance, flexibility, and care at every stage of the planning process.Patrick is an outstanding guide and professional. His competence, calm presence, and deep knowledge made the journey feel effortless and safe at all times. He has a rare ability to read situations and respond intuitively, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere while remaining discreet and respectful. His attentiveness, sense of humor, and genuine care made long days on the road and in the parks deeply enjoyable and memorable, adding a very special quality to this trip.I was fortunate to do my gorilla trek on my birthday, which made this already extraordinary experience even more meaningful. I was lucky to trek solo and spend precious time with a gorilla family — an unforgettable and deeply moving encounter. The guide Emos, together with the rangers and trackers, were kind, supportive, and incredibly professional, and most importantly made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire half-day experience.The game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat safari were exceptional. I was lucky to see the Big Four, with unforgettable sightings of elephants, lions, and a leopard I had especially hoped to observe. I was deeply impressed by Patrick’s knowledge of wildlife, nature, and local culture, and by his thoughtful responses to all my questions, which enriched every experience.At one point I felt uncomfortable with the initially booked boat experience, and both Patrick and Diana addressed this immediately by moving me to a larger, more comfortable boat. I truly appreciated this level of flexibility, responsiveness, and seamless logistics management.The chimpanzee trek in Kibale and the local community activities were equally rewarding. I was guided by Leo, whose warmth, hospitality, and excellent knowledge of local nature and culture helped me connect more deeply with the environment and the people, adding meaningful depth to the journey.The accommodations were impeccable. Nkuringo, Elephant Plains, and Turaco Treetops lodges were all very different in style, yet equally excellent in design, hospitality, quality of service, and delicious food. I was especially touched when Nkuringo Lodge organized a small birthday celebration with a cake — a thoughtful gesture that made me feel truly welcome.Overall, this safari exceeded my expectations in every way. My sincere thanks to Diana, Patrick, and the entire team for creating such a beautifully curated, professional, and memorable experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this journey to anyone seeking something truly special.Posted on Tripadvisor
Clare NDream trip to Uganda! I cannot recommend Nkuringo Safari’s highly enough. From start to finish, my trip to Uganda exceeded every expectation - especially as I was a solo woman travelling on my first safari. Massively made by Moreen, who organised everything, and Remmy, my guide! From the beginning, Moreen was my first point of contact, and she was so great. Started with an enquiry about the 12 day safari & she helped turn it into an 18 day dream trip! She handled endless emails, questions, and changes — from where I wanted to stay, to adding extra nights and fine-tuning every detail. She made everything so easy & gave me complete confidence from the start and made the planning process stress-free. Each destination and lodge were so special. The settings were stunning, the accommodation perfect, and the hospitality at each place was so welcoming. Falling asleep to the sounds of nature, a lot of the time grumbling hippos and waking up to stunning sunrises & beautiful scenery doesn’t get old.Remmy - my guide, what a guy! Not just an outstanding safari guide — he is someone truly special. He has such a vast knowledge of wildlife, the land, and the Ugandan culture, I learnt so much from him. He knew spots where we could get great sightings of wildlife. He really looked after me, he was kind, caring and attentive. He made me feel completely safe & comfortable. By the end of the trip, Remmy felt more like a friend than a guide. And always making sure I had a cold beer in my hand after an activity. An absolute LEGEND!If you’re considering a safari in Uganda Nkuringo are the company to book with — and if you’re lucky enough to have Remmy as your guide, you’re in for a treat!Thank you Remmy, and thank you Moreen and Nkuringo Safaris for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime! Already thinking about my next adventure to Uganda.Posted on Tripadvisor
Alexandra GMountaingorillas and luxury It was a wonderful and amazing experience to see the mountaingorillas and everything went well, especially because my guide Remmy gave me good advices and answered to all my questions. I would highly recommend his guidance.Apart from that the stay in the Lodge near the Nationalpark was very luxurious.Load more
