Details

Kibale & Queen Elizabeth National Park: 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kampala and Transfer to Kibale Forest

Morning:

• 7:00 AM – Depart from Kampala/Entebbe
  Begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, located approximately 5-6 hours from Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside, with opportunities to observe local villages and landscapes along the way.

• 1:00 PM – Arrival and Check-in at Lodge
  Arrive at your lodge near Kibale, such as Kyaninga Lodge or Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, and check-in. Take in the fresh air and tranquil surroundings of the rainforest.

Afternoon:

• 2:30 PM – Optional Nature Walk or Cultural Experience
  After settling in, you can either join a nature walk in the surrounding forest or take part in a cultural experience with the local communities. The Batwa people, the original inhabitants of Kibale, offer fascinating cultural insights into their traditional way of life.

• 6:00 PM – Dinner and Relaxation
  Return to the lodge for dinner. Enjoy a relaxed evening surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Primate Walk

Morning:

• 6:00 AM – Early Breakfast and Briefing
  Start the day with an early breakfast at your lodge, followed by a transfer to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for your chimpanzee trekking briefing.

• 8:00 AM – Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
  Head into Kibale Forest with a guide to track wild chimpanzees. The trek can take 1-4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located. Once you find the group, you'll have one hour to observe their behavior, interactions, and family dynamics. You may also encounter other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and L'Hoest's monkeys.

Afternoon:

• 12:00 PM – Return to Lodge for Lunch
  After your trek, return to the lodge to relax and enjoy a lunch break.

• 2:00 PM – Primate Walk or Visit to Bigodi Wetland
  After lunch, take a primate walk through the forest to spot more monkeys and learn about the park’s biodiversity. Alternatively, you can visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a nearby birdwatching hotspot known for its primates, birds, and reptiles.

• 6:00 PM – Dinner and Relaxation
  Enjoy dinner at your lodge and unwind for the evening.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Afternoon Game Drive

Morning:

• 7:00 AM – Breakfast and Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park
  After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes around 3-4 hours, with scenic views of Uganda's landscape along the way.

• 11:30 AM – Arrival and Check-in at Lodge
  Arrive at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, such as Mweya Safari Lodge or Ishasha Wilderness Camp. After check-in, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful park surroundings.

Afternoon:

• 1:00 PM – Lunch at the Lodge
  Enjoy a delicious lunch at your lodge while taking in the stunning views of the park.

• 3:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth
  After lunch, head out for an exciting afternoon game drive. This is a great time to spot wildlife such as buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. The park is also home to lions, and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha can be seen here.

• 6:00 PM – Return to Lodge for Dinner
  Return to your lodge for dinner and relax after a full day of exploration.

Day 4: Kazinga Channel Boat Safari and Afternoon Game Drive

Morning:

• 6:30 AM – Early Morning Game Drive
  Start the day with an early game drive to spot wildlife while they are most active in the cooler hours. You may encounter hyenas, elephants, and buffaloes, among others.

• 8:30 AM – Return to Lodge for Breakfast
  Head back to the lodge for breakfast.

Afternoon:

• 11:00 AM – Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
  After breakfast, enjoy a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll have the chance to get close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds like African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers. The boat ride is a peaceful way to experience the wildlife of Queen Elizabeth from the water.

• 1:00 PM – Lunch at the Lodge
  Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

• 3:00 PM – Afternoon Game Drive or Optional Cultural Visit
  In the afternoon, you can either embark on another game drive or visit a local community to learn about the region’s culture and traditions.

• 6:00 PM – Dinner and Relaxation
  After a full day of wildlife experiences, enjoy dinner at your lodge and unwind.

Day 5: Ishasha Sector and Departure

Morning:

• 6:00 AM – Early Breakfast and Drive to Ishasha
  After breakfast, check out and head south to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. The drive takes about 1.5-2 hours.

• 8:00 AM – Game Drive in Ishasha Sector
  Embark on a game drive through Ishasha to see the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, as well as other wildlife such as elephants, buffaloes, and topis.

Afternoon:

• 12:00 PM – Lunch at a Lodge in Ishasha
  After your morning game drive, stop for lunch at one of the lodges in Ishasha or picnic in the park.

• 1:00 PM – Depart for Kampala/Entebbe
  After lunch, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, which will take around 6-7 hours.

• 7:00 PM – Arrival in Kampala/Entebbe
  Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the evening, marking the end of your thrilling Kibale & Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari.