5 Days Safari in Uganda: Explore Primates, Wildlife & Cultural Encounters with Star Wilderness Safaris

Journey into the Primate Capital of East Africa

Your 5-Day Safari in Uganda begins with a scenic road trip from Kampala or Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park, a journey of approximately 5 to 6 hours. As you pass through Uganda’s picturesque countryside—featuring rolling hills, tea plantations, and bustling rural towns—you’ll feel the allure of the wild begin to take hold. A lunch stop in Fort Portal Tourism City adds a cultural layer to your experience, allowing you to enjoy local cuisine and stretch your legs.

Kibale Forest National Park is renowned as the “primate capital of the world,” housing 13 primate species, including more than 1500 chimpanzees. Upon arrival, check in at one of the premier Uganda lodges, ranging from luxury options like Kyaninga Lodge to mid-range and budget choices like Kibale Forest Camp and Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse. These Uganda safari lodges offer comfort and a great base for exploring the nearby Budongo Forest Reserve.

As the day winds down, you’ll enjoy the serenity of the surrounding forest. The first day of the 5-day safari in Uganda sets the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary wildlife safari adventure. You may opt to combine this leg with an optional detour to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for early rhino tracking, paving the way for a complete Uganda Big Five Safari in the future.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Up Close with Our Closest Relatives

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast before heading to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, the starting point for chimpanzee tracking. After a comprehensive briefing, you’ll enter Kibale Forest in search of our closest relatives. The highlight of this day on your 5-Day Safari in Uganda is a guided chimpanzee trek that lasts between 2 to 4 hours, depending on where the chimps are located. Once you encounter them, you’ll be given a magical one-hour interaction window to observe, photograph, and learn about their social behaviour.

The forest teems with other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and colobus monkeys. This rich biodiversity makes chimpanzee tracking a truly rewarding part of any Uganda wildlife safari.

In the afternoon, venture into the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. This eco-tourism gem is not only a hotspot for birding, boasting 138 avian species, but also another opportunity to see primates and unique flora. It’s also a community-driven conservation success story, enriching your 5-day safari in Uganda with meaningful cultural engagement.

End your day back at your lodge, where you can reflect on the day’s incredible wildlife sightings while planning the next phase of your Uganda safari experience. The combination of chimpanzee tracking, cultural tourism, and tranquil Uganda lodges makes this day truly unforgettable.

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Journey Through Uganda’s Iconic Savannah

Day three of your 5-Day Safari in Uganda ushers you into the heart of Uganda’s savannah landscapes as you journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This route offers one of the most exciting Uganda big game drives, as it is the only place in the country—and one of only two globally—where you can observe the rare tree-climbing lions lounging in fig trees.

The drive also offers a spectacular backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains and verdant savannahs dotted with acacia trees and antelope. A lunch stop at the Savanna Resort provides refreshment and a cultural encounter with the local communities.

By late afternoon, arrive in the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the premier destination for Uganda Gorilla Trekking. Check into your Uganda safari lodge—whether it’s the luxurious Gorilla Forest Camp, mid-range Ichumbi Lodge, or budget-friendly Buhoma Community Rest Camp. These lodges provide both proximity to the gorilla trailheads and comfort for the weary traveller.

This leg of your 5-Day Safari in Uganda not only bridges the lowland savannah with the highland rainforests but also teases your upcoming gorilla trekking experience. Wildlife safaris in Uganda rarely get more dramatic than this.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

A Day of Majesty and Heritage

This is the most anticipated day of your 5-day safari in Uganda. Wake up early for a briefing session with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers who will provide guidelines on gorilla trekking ethics and assign you to a specific gorilla family. The trek can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the group’s location, but the reward is unmatched: an intimate, one-hour experience with a habituated mountain gorilla family.

Bwindi is home to over 459 gorillas and 20 habituated groups, making it the ultimate Uganda Gorilla Trekking destination. The dense forest, towering trees, and biodiversity provide a cinematic setting for your encounter.

After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest before heading to the Batwa community. These indigenous forest dwellers share captivating stories, dances, and demonstrations of traditional survival skills, offering you a profound cultural experience that enriches your Uganda safari. Their history of coexistence with gorillas adds a deeply human element to your wildlife adventure.

The combination of gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural interaction makes this day not only the highlight of the 5-Day Safari in Uganda but also a poignant reminder of the harmony between conservation and community.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

The Road Back Home – With Memories and More

The final day of your 5-Day Safari in Uganda begins with a relaxed breakfast before embarking on the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. While it’s a long drive, the day is punctuated with culturally enriching stops. Have lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre, a renowned heritage site that offers insights into the Ankole culture and traditional Ugandan cuisines.

Later, pause at the Equator Crossing for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity and a fun demonstration of the Coriolis effect. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs from Mpambire Drum Makers—a place where Uganda’s famous handmade drums come to life.

This concluding leg of your 5-Day Safari in Uganda is not merely a return trip; it’s a reflective journey that ties together your wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, and the natural beauty that defines Uganda safaris. While your trip may be ending, the door remains open for future adventures—perhaps a boat cruise along the Nile at Murchison Falls, Ziwa Rhino Tracking, or a hike to the top of Murchison Falls. Better still, you can combine this itinerary with other Uganda wildlife safaris or extend it to include Rwanda gorilla trekking for a more expansive East African safari.

End of 5-Day Safari in Uganda