In only 5 days, you can explore both Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Parks for exciting safaris in Uganda. Your safari begins and ends in Kampala or Entebbe. In these two top destinations located within the Albertine Graben, you will trek chimpanzees and also see four members of the Big Five. You will see lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Besides the endangered chimpanzees, Kibale National Park, known as the Primate Capital of the World, offers chances to see 12 other primate species. These include vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Angolan colobus monkeys, L’hoest’s monkeys, and olive baboons. A boat cruise, village tour, and visit to the Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru cultural site are also part of this trip.
5-Day Uganda Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Explosion Craters exploration
- Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon launch cruise
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park, Fort Portal City tour, and Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru caves tour
- Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking adventure and Bigodi Community exploration
- Day 5: Return to Kampala or departure from Entebbe Airport
Detailed 5-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Explosion Craters exploration
On the first day of your 5-day safari, our driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. Start your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. This is a scenic drive covering about 370 km from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kasese.
At Kayabwe on Masaka road, you will stop for an exciting experience at the equator crossing. You can take many photos to remember standing on both sides of the equator. A guide will also show you experiments to explain how the equator works. Enjoy lunch in Mbarara on the way. You will arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon.
Go and explore the Explosion Craters and nearby land features. You will see the escarpment and some animals like birds and mammals. You can also meet local people and learn about their daily life. Take pictures, then go to your lodge, check in, have dinner, and spend the night.
Day 2: Morning game drive and afternoon launch cruise
On day two, have breakfast in the morning. Then head to the open savannahs of Kasenyi for a game drive. This is your chance to see four of Africa’s Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. You may also see other animals like side-striped jackals, topis, warthogs, and bushbucks.
Return to your lodge to freshen up and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, go to the Kazinga Channel for a launch cruise. The cruise starts at about 2:00 p.m. and takes you along the waterway that connects Lake George and Lake Edward. You will see many birds and animals both in the water and along the riverbanks.
Some of the wildlife you may see includes Nile crocodiles, hippos, long-crested eagles, papyrus gonoleks, malachite kingfishers, defassa waterbucks, village weavers, and pink-backed pelicans. Take photos and videos to remember your experience. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park, Fort Portal City tour, and Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru caves tour
After breakfast, get ready for a day full of interesting activities. Check out of your lodge and start the 78 km drive to Kibale National Park from Queen Elizabeth. Stop in Fort Portal and visit the Tooro Palace. This is where King Oyo Iguru Nyimba Kabamba leads the Batooro people.
Learn how the king became a ruler, when the palace was built, and about the history of the Tooro Kingdom. See cultural items from different clans. Enjoy lunch on the way. In the afternoon, visit the Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru caves on Nyakasura Hill.
Take a walk through the caves and hear the stories that make this place special. You will also see the Nyakasura Waterfalls. Outside the caves, you can view three crater lakes, including Lake Saka. There are also many birds and insects at this site. Continue your journey to Kibale National Park. Check in at your lodge, have dinner, and spend the night.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking adventure and Bigodi Community exploration
Wake up early and have breakfast. Drive to the starting point at Kanyanchu. Before the chimpanzee trek begins, you will have a briefing from the ranger. You will learn the best way to trek chimpanzees and get some information about the chimp group you will visit.
Follow the ranger into the forest to find the chimpanzees. When you find them, you will have one hour to observe their behavior and take pictures. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Village to meet the Batooro and Bakiga people. Learn about their history, way of life, and how they help to protect Kibale Forest. You will also meet a women’s group that teaches basket and mat weaving. You can buy these handmade items as souvenirs. Explore the Bigodi Wetland for a quiet nature walk. You might see a great blue turaco, shoebill stork, or sitatunga in the marshes. Return to your lodge to relax. Have dinner and spend the night.
Day 5: Return to Kampala or departure from Entebbe Airport
Wake up at your own time. Have breakfast and check out of your lodge. Begin the road trip of about 6 hours back to Kampala. You will have lunch along the way. When you arrive in Kampala, you will be dropped off at your hotel or Entebbe International Airport if you have a flight. This marks the end of your 5-day Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park safari.
Visit Kibale National Park in Uganda with these recommended Uganda chimpanzee companies or inquire with us below to book your tour directly through this website.
