Uganda Wildlife & Primate Habituation 15-Day Safari

Welcome to Uganda—the Pearl of Africa! Your 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari begins the moment you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where a professional safari guide from Deks Safaris and Tours Ltd will warmly receive you. After a quick briefing and luggage assistance, you’ll be transferred to your booked hotel in Entebbe to freshen up and relax after your journey. Depending on your time of arrival and energy levels, we offer an optional visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), commonly known as the Entebbe Zoo.

This facility provides a behind-the-scenes experience with rescued and endangered wildlife that are being rehabilitated or protected. You may encounter lions, leopards, shoebill storks, chimpanzees, and more. This activity is ideal for first-time travelers to Uganda, families, or anyone wanting to kick off the safari with educational and fun interactions. The UWEC also plays a critical role in wildlife conservation education in Uganda.

After your time at the zoo, return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to rest and prepare mentally and physically for the incredible journey ahead.

Accommodation Options: Protea Hotel Entebbe, Boma Guesthouse, or Airport View Hotel.

Meals Included: Dinner

After an early breakfast, depart from Entebbe and begin your scenic drive northwards towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District. This sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where wild rhinos can be seen and is a key part of the country’s Big Five conservation initiative. The drive offers panoramic views of Uganda’s lush countryside, dotted with traditional homesteads and rolling farmlands.

On arrival at Ziwa, you will be briefed by a professional ranger before heading into the bush on foot for a rhino tracking experience. Accompanied by experienced 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari guides and armed rangers, you will observe the rhinos from a safe distance in their natural environment. This thrilling and intimate experience allows you to appreciate the size, power, and grace of these endangered creatures up close.

In addition to rhinos, Ziwa is also home to a variety of birdlife, antelopes, and reptiles, making it a delightful stopover for nature lovers. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at the sanctuary’s restaurant before continuing to your accommodation for the night.

Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge, surrounded by the serene African wilderness, and reflect on your incredible first full day in Uganda.

Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge or equivalent

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you embark on a long but incredibly scenic drive to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Africa’s most isolated and breathtaking safari destinations. You will pass through Gulu town and the rugged terrain of northern Uganda before reaching the northeastern region where the park is located. Upon arrival, you’ll experience a warm welcome from the Karimojong community, known for their vibrant culture and warrior heritage.

Enjoy a guided cultural encounter that includes traditional dance, storytelling, homestead visits, and a demonstration of Karimojong craftsmanship. This cultural immersion gives you rare insight into one of Uganda’s most unique ethnic groups, who have maintained their nomadic and pastoralist lifestyles for centuries.

Later, check in at your safari lodge nestled within or near the park and enjoy the spectacular vistas of the savannah plains, Mount Morungole, and distant mountain ranges bordering South Sudan.

Accommodation: Apoka Safari Lodge, Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a restful night in the heart of the Karamoja region, Day 4 of 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari unfolds with exhilarating game drives in the majestic Kidepo Valley National Park. Known as Uganda’s most remote and untouched park, Kidepo Valley is a haven for wildlife lovers and adventure seekers. With its golden grasslands, sweeping savannah plains, rugged mountains, and semi-arid climate, this park offers a safari experience that rivals the great savannahs of East Africa.

The day begins early with a hearty breakfast, followed by a morning game drive through the Narus Valley. This area is known for its abundant wildlife, including African elephants, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and oryxes. As your safari vehicle navigates the valley floor, you’ll witness an incredible display of biodiversity. The elusive cheetah, one of Africa’s most endangered predators, is also occasionally sighted here. The morning hours are ideal for photography and observation, as the animals are most active before the heat of the day sets in.

After lunch at the lodge, the adventure continues with an afternoon drive into the Kidepo Valley itself, where dramatic landscapes and rare bird species await. You may encounter ostriches, bat-eared foxes, and even lions lounging on the rocks. The day ends with a sundowner, where you can soak in the sweeping views of the Morungole Mountains and reflect on the wild beauty of Kidepo. Dinner and overnight stay will be at your selected lodge in or near the park.

Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

On Day 5, the expedition moves southwards through the vast northern landscape of Uganda to Murchison Falls National Park, the country’s oldest and largest protected area. After breakfast in Kidepo, you embark on a road journey that not only transitions you from one stunning landscape to another but also offers cultural insights and photographic opportunities through northern Uganda’s rural heartlands.

The drive will take most of the day, but the changing scenery—from arid savannahs to lush woodlands—will keep you engaged. En route, you’ll pass through Gulu and other small towns where you’ll stop for refreshments, local crafts, or a casual interaction with friendly Ugandan communities. Your destination, Murchison Falls National Park, awaits with its sprawling plains, dense forests, and the legendary Nile River crashing through a narrow gorge at the mighty Murchison Falls.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge for a relaxing evening. If time permits, you may enjoy a sunset view over the Nile or a short nature walk guided by a ranger. This is the perfect prelude to your 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari adventures that lie ahead. Dinner and overnight stay in or near the park.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

Prepare for a day packed with awe-inspiring wildlife encounters and riverine adventures. Day 6 starts with an early morning game drive on the northern banks of the park, where the rolling plains are teeming with animals. Here, you may spot elephants, lions, Rothschild’s giraffes, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, and even leopards. With the help of your experienced 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari guide, you’ll learn about the ecology, habits, and conservation status of each species.

After a satisfying bush breakfast or return to the lodge for a late breakfast, relax before the next highlight of the day: a boat safari on the Nile River. The afternoon boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls is one of the park’s top experiences. You’ll sail past hippos, Nile crocodiles, and water birds like fish eagles, shoebill storks, and kingfishers. The boat edges close to the foot of the thunderous falls, offering a surreal view of the Nile squeezing through a 7-meter-wide gorge and plunging into the river below—a raw display of nature’s force.

After returning from the boat cruise, unwind at the lodge with stories of the day’s encounters. Dinner and overnight stay in the park.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

Departing from Murchison Falls, Day 7 takes you on a scenic road transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, a lush tropical rainforest located in western Uganda. This park is globally recognized for having the highest density of primates in Africa and is famously known as the “Primate Capital of the World.”

Your journey will pass through Hoima and Fort Portal, offering a chance to witness Uganda’s central countryside, tea plantations, crater lakes, and glimpses of the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance. Lunch will be served en route, and there may be a stopover at a crater lake viewpoint for panoramic photography and storytelling from your 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari guide.

Upon arrival at Kibale, check in at your forest lodge and enjoy a relaxing evening. Depending on arrival time, you might opt for a short walk around Bigodi Wetlands or the nearby community trails to stretch your legs and soak in the forest ambiance. Dinner and overnight at a lodge in or near Kibale.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

This is one of the most intimate wildlife experiences you’ll ever encounter. Unlike regular chimp tracking, the chimpanzee habituation experience allows you to spend an entire day following a group of wild chimpanzees as they go about their daily routine in Kibale Forest.

Your day begins at dawn with a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and researchers. You then head into the jungle before the chimps leave their nests. Throughout the day, you’ll observe their feeding, grooming, hunting, nesting, and interactions within their groups. With time, the chimps become more comfortable with human presence, allowing for closer and more natural interactions.

Kibale Forest is not only home to chimps but also 12 other primate species including red colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. The forest canopy is alive with birds, butterflies, and small mammals, making it a biodiversity hotspot. Packed meals are enjoyed in the forest during breaks, and photography is permitted without flash.

Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

After breakfast, you leave Kibale behind and set out for Queen Elizabeth National Park. This journey is a spectacle in itself, as it offers views of the mystical Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon), volcanic crater lakes, and rolling hills.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most famous parks, known for its diverse ecosystems including savannah, wetlands, forests, and lakes. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch. The afternoon is reserved for a leisure drive or sightseeing tour around the crater lakes or the salt mining areas of Lake Katwe. Expect to spot buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, and a variety of antelope species.

Your evening is spent at the lodge, where you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, prepare for the next day’s activities, and enjoy a traditional Ugandan dinner.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

Wake up early for an exciting game drive through the Kasenyi Plains. This area is particularly good for spotting lions, especially during the specialized lion tracking experience where researchers guide you with radio collars to locate the big cats.

Other wildlife you’re likely to encounter include hyenas, leopards, kob antelopes, elephants, and warthogs. After the morning safari, return to the lodge for breakfast and rest.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and hosts one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. You’ll also see Nile crocodiles, buffaloes wallowing on the shores, elephants quenching their thirst, and flocks of birds including pelicans, storks, and African fish eagles.

After the cruise, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Aardvark Safari Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

After an early breakfast, begin your 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This region is renowned for its tree-climbing lions—a unique population that often rests in fig trees to escape the heat or look for prey.

Enjoy a game drive in Ishasha before continuing to Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. The drive through the mountainous terrain offers scenic views, terraced farmlands, and lush greenery.

Arrive at your lodge in Bwindi in the late afternoon. Relax, dine, and prepare for one of the most anticipated experiences of the entire 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

Unlike standard gorilla trekking, the gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend up to 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorilla group. Begin your day with an early breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing.

The trek into the forest can be physically demanding, but the reward is beyond words. You will follow researchers and guides as they monitor and help accustom the gorillas to human presence. This rare opportunity provides deep insights into gorilla behavior—how they forage, interact, play, and respond to observers.

You’ll get ample time for observation, photography, and understanding the delicate balance of conservation and tourism. Return to the lodge in the afternoon to rest, share your stories, and celebrate the day with a hearty dinner.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge

Meals: Full Board Basis

Early morning, transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for the golden monkey habituation experience. These playful and endangered monkeys live in the bamboo forests at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes.

The habituation process helps researchers better understand these monkeys while also preparing them for sustainable tourism. Spend up to four hours in their presence, observing their social structure, foraging patterns, and interactions.

After the tracking experience, return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation: Kisoro Traveller’s Inn

Meals: Full Board Basis

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, a compact and scenic park known for its zebras, impalas, elands, and rich birdlife. The journey passes through rolling hills, banana plantations, and local communities.

Arrive in the park by afternoon and enjoy a guided walking safari—a unique opportunity to explore the park on foot alongside a ranger. Alternatively, you can go for a short game drive.

Dinner and overnight at your lodge inside or near the park.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Resort

Meals: Full Board Basis

Start the final day with a morning game drive to spot animals like giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, and bushbucks. Afterward, enjoy a peaceful canoe ride on Lake Mburo, observing hippos and birds in their natural habitat.

After a relaxing brunch, begin your drive back to Entebbe. A stopover at the Uganda Equator line in Kayabwe offers a great opportunity for souvenir shopping and photo-taking.

Arrive in Entebbe in time for your evening or late-night flight, marking the end of a thrilling 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari with Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd

End of 15-Day Uganda Wildlife & Primate habituation safari