Day notes
Today you arrive into Entebbe. After clearing immigration and collecting your bags, you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to Karibu Guest House.
Karibu is an ideal place to settle in and ease into the rhythm of Uganda. It’s calm, welcoming and set away from the busy centre of Entebbe. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the chance to explore a little (see our Expert Tips). If not, simply relax, unwind and enjoy a gentle first afternoon or evening in Africa.
Transfer from Entebbe International Airport [EBB] to Karibu Entebbe
Transfer
Entebbe International Airport [EBB]
Karibu Entebbe
Check-in to Karibu Entebbe
Expert tips:
Things to do in Entebbe
Entebbe is located on a small peninsula in Lake Victoria around 40kms from the capital city of Uganda – Kampala. All major international flights come through Entebbe airport, however, there is more to do here than just catch a flight! Karibu can advise on, organise, or book all of the following activities, please contact us if you would like more information:
Entebbe Botanical Gardens
Just 5 minutes from Karibu, the Botanical Gardens were established in 1898 and are home to over 300 varieties of exotic plant species as well as an abundance of birdlife, Black and White Colobus and Vervet Monkeys.
The rainforest zone in the gardens was used as a backdrop during the filming of the original “Tarzan” film in 1940. Entry is a few dollars in local currency (additional charges if you have a camera or take a guide).
Day notes
Today after an early breakfast, before setting of with your driver-guide on a drive to Eco Lodge in Budongo.
Along the way, we will visit the Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The Rhino re-introduction project is a project of Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Presently the sanctuary is home to twenty-two (22) southern white rhinos. We will enter the territory of these southern white rhinos on foot. Well-trained rangers will guide us through the bush to where the rhinos are on the day of our visit.
Budongo Forest is located on the southern side of Murchinson Falls National Park and is protected within the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserves.
Budongo Forest feels like an extremely enchanting place, probably in large part to it having one of the most varied forest faunas in the whole of East Africa. The 790km² forest reserve has over 465plant species recorded, more than 250 butterfly species, a large variety of mammals, including the largest population of chimpanzees anyway in Uganda (roughly 800 individuals).
Other common primates include Red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus, blue monkey, potto and various forest galago (Bushbaby)species. Budongo Forest is also of great ornithological significance with more than 366 bird species recorded, including 60 West or Central African birds which inhabit less than 5 locations in East Africa.
Check-out from Karibu Entebbe
Transfer from Karibu Entebbe to Elephant Plains Lodge
Classic Africa Safaris / Busanga
Transfer
4x4
Karibu Entebbe
Elephant Plains Lodge
Check-in to Elephant Plains Lodge
Expert tips:
Busanga Safaris partners in Uganda bring a total of over 75 years combined experience to planning and running this safari for you . Your satisfaction and safety are our priorities, and our in‐country staff work hard to ensure that every safari runs smoothly. Your guide will pay attention to detail, and you will find is very flexible whenever possible to accommodate you to help get the most from your safari .
Please remember though, that you are in Africa, and no matter how capable we are, things don’t always work or operate in the manner to which you may be accustomed. Patience and a sense of humor should be brought with you.
Day notes
Today is an extraordinary day. You will spend the whole day following a family group from the time they wake until they begin to nest again in the late afternoon.
The opportunity to spend the whole day observing and photographing the Chimps is an extraordinary privilege.
The terrain encountered during the trek through the forest in search of the chimpanzees is fairly tough going with some steep and long inclines to be tackled. However, the beauty of the forest engulfs you entirely as you observe the Chimps exhibiting completely natural behaviour, and as you listen to the huge variety of bird song and animal calls that surround you
Chimpanzee trekking takes place in the Kaniyo Pabidi forest reserve. Chimp habituation started officially in 1992 and guided chimp walks leave at 0800hrs and 1500hrs, however , the guides are extremely accommodating and flexible. The success of sighting the chimps is high, although it depends greatly on the fruiting seasons, with increased likelihood of good viewings of the chimps between the months of May and August. The terrain encountered during the trek through the forest in search of the chimpanzees is fairly tough going with some steep and long inclines to be tackled. However, the beauty of the forest engulfs you entirely as you walk along the paths listening to the huge variety of bird song and animal calls. The informative guide will talk to you about the history of the forest and help you to identify the rich flora and fauna. You will be asked to observe the group in relative quiet and to not use flash photography when capturing this breathtaking moment on film.
Day notes
The next chapter of your safari takes you to Kibale Forest. The drive itself is rewarding — Uganda is an exceptionally scenic country, shaped by volcanic activity and marked by green hills, crater lakes and wide, open views. Once at your lodge, you’ll have time to settle in, relax or explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
Kibale Forest is one of East Africa’s most important primate habitats, home to 13 species. These include vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and olive baboon — and of course, the best known of them all, the chimpanzee.
This region offers a very different forest experience to Budongo, and the contrast between the two locations adds real depth to the primate journey.
Check-out from Elephant Plains Lodge
Transfer from Elephant Plains Lodge to Primate Lodge Kibale
Transfer
Elephant Plains Lodge
Primate Lodge Kibale
Bush Breakfast is served on the banks of the Sand River
Shared Game Drive or simply relax at Camp
Lunch at Camp
Road Transfer to restaurant in Nairobi for Dinner
Check-in to Primate Lodge Kibale
Expert tips:
The walking is fairly easy due to the well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain.
Day notes
After breakfast, you head into the forest for your chimpanzee trek. You’ll be accompanied by specialists in chimp behaviour, giving you valuable insight into the dynamics of the Kibale population and how this community interacts with its environment.
While sightings can never be guaranteed, Kibale is one of the most reliable places in Africa to see chimpanzees, with success rates of over 90%. As you move through the deep, green forest, you’ll be surrounded by bird calls and are likely to encounter several other primate species — often grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey among them.
For those who want a deeper experience, Kibale also offers the option of an extended full-day habituation trek. This is an exceptional opportunity for anyone with a strong interest in primates. You stay with the chimps from morning until evening, observing their routines, relationships and individual personalities as the day unfolds. It’s a rare chance to develop a real understanding of the group and to gain some hands-on awareness of what behavioural fieldwork looks like in practice.
Both experiences offer something memorable, but the full-day habituation stands out as one of the most immersive primate encounters available anywhere.
Day notes
Today you continue your journey with a drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The change in habitat is immediate — from dense forest to wide, open savannah — and with it comes a shift in the species you’ll encounter. East African plains wildlife becomes far more prominent here, adding new variety to the trip.
You’ll begin with a game drive in the northern sector of the park.
The Channel Drive Circuit follows the shoreline of the Kazinga Channel, winding through thickets and stands of euphorbia trees. This area supports a good mix of wildlife: warthog, bushbuck, waterbuck, elephant, hippo and, frequently, lion. Leopards are also seen regularly and are unusually relaxed around vehicles, making close observation possible. This is also one of the few places in Africa where giant forest hogs are reliably seen during daylight.
You may also explore the Kasenyi Plains, which stretch toward Lake George. This is classic African savannah and holds some of the highest concentrations of game in the park. It’s widely regarded as the most reliable place in Uganda to see lions. The plains also offer strong birding, with species such as grey-crowned crane, red-throated spurfowl and yellow-throated longclaw commonly recorded. Your guide will choose the best routes based on conditions and recent sightings.
In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel, one of the park’s standout activities. It’s a relaxed way to observe wildlife as it gathers at the water’s edge. Elephants, buffalo, waterbuck and Ugandan kob are often encountered, along with large pods of hippo. Occasional sightings of giant forest hog, leopard and lion add to the excitement. Birdlife along the channel is excellent, with regular sightings of water thick-knee, yellow-billed stork, plovers, pink-backed pelican and white-bellied cormorant.
It’s a full and varied day, offering a completely different side of Uganda’s wildlife.
Check-out from Primate Lodge Kibale
Transfer from Primate Lodge Kibale to Mazike Valley Lodge
Classic Africa Safaris / Busanga
Transfer
4x4
Primate Lodge Kibale
Mazike Valley Lodge
Check-in to Mazike Valley Lodge
Day notes
Any time spent with chimpanzees is remarkable, and each location adds its own layer of understanding. Behaviour and social structure are often shaped by habitat, and Kyambura Gorge is a perfect example. The chimp community here lives in a completely enclosed, isolated environment, and this has influenced their routines, movements and feeding behaviour in noticeable ways.
Kyambura Gorge sits on the eastern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It stretches for roughly 16km and drops to about 100 metres at its deepest point. Formed by the Kyambura River, the gorge cuts sharply through open savannah, revealing a band of riverine forest that eventually transitions into papyrus wetlands as it approaches the Kazinga Channel.
This dramatic setting supports a habituated chimpanzee group along with several other primate species and a rich mix of both forest and plains birds. Morning is generally the best time for a trek, with cooler temperatures and more reliable chimp movement, although afternoon trekking is also available.
Kyambura offers something very different from Budongo and Kibale — a concentrated, self-contained population living in a striking geological formation — and it completes the picture of how chimps adapt to the environments they inhabit.
Expert tips:
Trekking chimpanzees at Kyambura Gorge is considered to be slightly harder than at Kibale Forest National Park. The trails are maintained and once inside the Gorge the inclinations are relatively easy going, however, the climb back out of the Gorge can be difficult if you are not prepared for it .
Day notes
Today we head back to Entebbe but before going to the airport we have planned a most exciting excursion giving you the chance to see the magnificent Shoebill Stork.
Mabamba swamp is now possibly the most reliable place to see this rare and most sought after bird. This large accessible wetland near the village of Mabamba on the shores of Lake Victoria is 2hrs drive from Entebbe. We will head into the swamps at Mabamba using a motorized canoe this takes about 45minutes each way.
The swamp is laced with navigable channels which you explore in dugout canoes with the excellent help of a local guide.(on arrival at Mabamba swamp we disembark and we get on to a dugout canoe which can easily manoeuvre in the navigable channels and the papyrus).
Eventually, we head back to the edge of the Entebbe waterfront to continue to drive back to Entebbe airport to connect without homeward flight.
Domestic flights (weight limits: 85 Kgs per person, body weight and luggage limit, 15 Kgs per person)
Check-out from Mazike Valley Lodge
Expert tips:
(weight limits: 85 Kgs per person, body weight and luggage limit, 15 Kgs per person)
Day notes
Breakfast before checking you have packed everything before being taken by your guide to catch a morning flight, from Kihihi back to EBB
Back in Entebbe subject to time available before flying home , we can plan plan a most exciting excursion giving you the chance to see the magnificent Shoebill Stork .
Mabamba swamp is now possibly the most reliable place to see this rare and most sought after bird.This large accessible wetland near the village of Mabamba on the shores of Lake Victoria is 2hrs drive from Entebbe. We will head in to the swamps at Mabamba using a motorised canoe this takes about 45minutes each way .
The swamp is laced with navigable channels which you explore in dugout canoes with the excellent help of a local guide.(on arrival at Mabamba swamp we disembark and we get on to a dugout canoe which can easily maneuver in the navigable channels and the papyrus).
Expert tips:
todays flight has weight limits, 85 Kgs per person and luggage limit, 15 Kgs per person.
Excluded:
- Insurance
- Gratuities
- Beverages (however, bottled water is included in the vehicles only)
- Items of Personal nature
- international flights unless quoted
