What You Need to Know: This 8-day private safari from Kampala covers chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Lake Mburo National Park. It costs from US$4,906 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the chimpanzee and gorilla permits.
Is the 8-Day Uganda Safari Right for You?
It is a balanced primate trip with sensible drives and no flights.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want chimps, gorillas and a walking safari | You want Murchison Falls too: see the 10-day Uganda safari |
| You prefer road travel to light aircraft | You have less time: see the 7-day Uganda safari |
| You start and end in Kampala | You want to add Rwanda: see the Uganda and Rwanda safari |
The 8-Day Uganda Safari Route at a Glance
Two nights each in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, and one at Lake Mburo.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kampala to Kibale | Drive 5–6 hours | Kibale / Fort Portal |
| 2 | Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale | Chimp trek 2–4 hours | Kibale / Fort Portal |
| 3 | Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park | Drive 2–3 hours, game drive | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| 4 | Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise | Game drive and boat cruise | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| 5 | Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi | Drive 4–5 hours with game viewing | Bwindi |
| 6 | Gorilla trekking and community visit | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Bwindi |
| 7 | Bwindi to Lake Mburo | Drive 5–6 hours, game drive | Lake Mburo |
| 8 | Walking safari and return to Kampala | Walk 2 hours, drive 4 hours | — |
8-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
The loop runs west from Kampala and back, with Lake Mburo breaking the long return drive.
-
Day 1: Kampala to Kibale
Pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at about 6:00. Drive west through Mubende to Fort Portal and the crater lakes around Kibale Forest, with tea plantations near the end.
Drive 5–6 hoursKibale / Fort PortalBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Track a habituated chimpanzee community with a park ranger and spend up to an hour with them as they feed, call and move through the canopy. In the afternoon, walk the Bigodi wetland for monkeys and birds such as the great blue turaco.
Chimp trek 2–4 hoursKibale / Fort PortalBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive south past the crater lakes to Queen Elizabeth National Park, between Lakes Edward and George, for an evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains.
Drive 2–3 hours, game driveQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
An early game drive for lions, elephants and Uganda kob, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel among hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles and water birds.
Game drive and boat cruiseQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi
Drive south through the Ishasha sector, where lions often rest in fig trees, and on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Drive 4–5 hours with game viewingBwindiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Gorilla trekking and community visit
Trek to your assigned gorilla family and spend one hour with them; in the afternoon, a walk with a local guide through the villages at the forest edge.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursBwindiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Bwindi to Lake Mburo
Drive east through Kabale and Mbarara to Lake Mburo National Park, the closest savannah park to Kampala, for an afternoon game drive among zebras, impalas, elands and topis, which are rare elsewhere in Uganda.
Drive 5–6 hours, game driveLake MburoBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Walking safari and return to Kampala
A guided walk with a ranger among zebras and impalas at Lake Mburo, then the drive back to Kampala, stopping at the equator line.
Walk 2 hours, drive 4 hoursDepartureBreakfast, lunch
What You Can See on the 8-Day Uganda Safari
- Kibale: chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys
- Queen Elizabeth: hippos, elephants and tree-climbing lions
- Bwindi: mountain gorillas
- Lake Mburo: zebras, elands and topis, seen on foot
How Much Does the 8-Day Uganda Safari Cost?
From US$4,906 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Kibale chimpanzee permit | US$250 |
| Uganda gorilla permit | US$800 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas; Uganda's gorilla permit falls to US$600 in April, May and November
- Flights: the route is by road, so there are no flights to add
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Kibale chimpanzee tracking permit (UWA) | US$250 per person, including park entry (reported to rise to US$300 from January 2027) |
| Queen Elizabeth National Park (UWA) | About US$40 per adult per 24 hours |
| Bwindi gorilla permit (Uganda Wildlife Authority) | US$800 per person, US$600 in April, May and November; includes park entry |
| Lake Mburo National Park (UWA) | About US$40 per adult per 24 hours |
What the 8-Day Uganda Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- 7 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Kibale chimpanzee permit, Uganda gorilla permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
- Visas
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 8-Day Uganda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
Our Uganda safaris compared:
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bwindi gorillas | 3 | US$2,246 | Gorilla trek only |
| Queen Elizabeth and Kibale | 4 | US$2,178 | Chimps and savannah |
| Murchison and Kidepo | 5 | US$2,410 | Remote savannah, no primates |
| Uganda highlights | 7 | US$4,424 | Falls, chimps, savannah, gorillas |
| Kibale to Lake Mburo | 8 | US$4,906 | Chimps, gorillas, Lake Mburo |
| Grand Uganda | 10 | US$5,870 | Everything, at an easier pace |
Add two days for Murchison Falls with the 10-day trip.
How to Book the 8-Day Uganda Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
In Uganda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.
This page covers what is particular to the 8-Day Uganda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Uganda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 8-Day Uganda Safari
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Reasonably fit. Treks last from under an hour to six hours on steep, often muddy slopes at altitude. Porters and walking sticks make a big difference, and rangers try to match groups to fitness. The minimum age is 15.
What is the minimum age for chimps?
12 years in Kibale.
How much does the 8-Day Uganda Safari cost?
From US$4,906 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Eight days for Uganda's primates and a walking safari, all by road. Reserve the permits early.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.