This 17-Day Uganda Hiking Safari & Primates Trekking Adventure is a great way to explore the wonders of Uganda, ranging from Mount Rwenzori, the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, wildlife expeditions in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks, as well as leisure at Lake Bunyonyi.
17-Day Uganda Primates & Hiking Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon Boat Trip
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Cultural Excursion
- Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Evening Canoe Experience
- Day 4: Early Boat Cruise and Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Evening Community Walk
- Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
- Day 8: Morning Game Safari and Afternoon Boat Cruise along the Kazinga Channel
- Day 9: Transfer to the Foothills of Rwenzori Mountains via Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center
- Day 10: Start of the Trek: Nyakalengija (1600m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2650m)
- Day 11: Hike from Nyabitaba Hut (2650 meters) to John Matte Hut (3380 meters)
- Day 12: John Matte Hut (3380m) – Bujuku Hut (3972m)
- Day 13: Bujuku Hut (3900m) to Elena Hut (4541m)
- Day 14: Elena Hut 4,541 meters – Margherita Peak 5,109 meters
- Day 15: Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261 meters)
- Day 16: Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyabitaba Hut
- Day 17: Nyabitaba – Nyakalengija Base Camp
Detailed 17-Day Uganda Primates & Hiking Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon Boat Trip
Morning pick-up after breakfast at the lodge in Kampala, and off you travel to the southwest of Uganda. Lake Mburo National Park is located along the Masaka – Mbarara highway, only 240km from Kampala, making it the most accessible national park in Uganda.
The journey is soon interrupted by a stop at the equator monument in Mpigi district, where you have a chance to take pictures, have a cup of coffee, and experience the world divided into two hemispheres – northern and southern.
Proceed for another 3 hours until you reach Lake Mburo National Park for lunch and immediately start the afternoon boat cruise. The boat trip along Lake Mburo allows you to enjoy scenic views of the clear waters, dotted with hippos, crocs, birds, and numerous mammals along its banks.
The boat trip lasts for approximately 3-4 hours. After the cruise, drive back to the lodge to check in, relax, and overnight stay.
Day 2: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Cultural Excursion
Early morning, go on a 3-4 hour game safari within Uganda’s Savannah-rich national park. During this excursion, you have the opportunity to encounter some of Uganda’s finest Savannah mammal species, flora, and the resident kopje and other ancient Precambrian rocks.
Animals here include impala antelopes, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, topis, bushbucks, waterbucks, elephants, lions, and more. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and spend the entire afternoon relaxing.
In the evening, visit a local homestead to experience an authentic Ankole cultural lifestyle and the day-to-day activities carried out by the locals.
You can participate in activities like milking, grazing, making simple crafts, or attending “ekitaramo” – a traditional night discussion/campfire where ancient tales are told by elders.
Retreat from this experience and travel back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Evening Canoe Experience
Following your breakfast, the driver will pick you up to begin the journey to the magnificent Lake Bunyonyi; Uganda’s deepest and Africa’s second deepest lake. Drive through Mbarara town, the largest in southwestern Uganda, take a short city tour here, and continue the drive through Ntungamo with its rolling hills and plains.
Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi just in time for lunch, relax on the shores of the lake as you prepare for an evening canoe experience.
At sunset, embark on a dugout canoe adventure to explore the lake’s historical islands and encounter the numerous islanders who have lived in the interior of this lake for centuries. Retire for dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 4: Early Boat Cruise and Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Breakfast lakeside and proceed on a sunrise cruise with a motorboat. A boat trip is the best and quickest way to explore this magical lake, exposing visitors to up to 29 islands spread across it, along with viewing local fishermen casting their nets, neighboring communities, birds, and terraced hills on the outskirts of Lake Bunyonyi.
The boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi lasts for about 3-4 hours but can be extended depending on visitors’ intentions. Return to the lodge after the boat cruise, have lunch, and drive further southwestwards to Kisoro district, the home of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Overnight stay and dinner at your pre-booked lodge.
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today is a day of exploring Mgahinga’s unique residents; the golden monkeys. These critically endangered monkeys are only found in the Virunga region spanning Uganda, Rwanda, and the D.R. Congo.
Briefing will be done at 7:30 am and by 8:00 am, trekkers head into the forest to search for these elusive species that inhabit the bamboo zone of Mgahinga forest.
After the excursion, return to the starting point, back to the lodge for lunch, check out, and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Evening Community Walk
In the morning, gather at the park headquarters for a briefing from the park rangers about the do’s and don’ts while trekking the mountain gorillas.
It is during this briefing that you will be allocated a gorilla family to track. Proceed to the trailhead and begin the search for these magical primates that inhabit the Bwindi forest and parts of East-Central Africa.
This adventure lasts between 2 – 6 hours, depending on the movement of the specific gorilla group. Upon meeting them, you are allowed to spend up to 1 hour observing them as they feed, move through the foliage, and the giant silverback offers protection to the group.
Descend from the jungle to the trailhead, meet up with your guide, drive to the lodge for lunch, and brief relaxation.
In the evening, head out to encounter the resident Batwa pygmies, the ancient inhabitants of this forest along with the mountain gorillas. Enjoy their traditional performances, songs, history, and tales. Overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
Begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning after breakfast.
En route, undertake a short game safari within Ishasha sector to explore numerous animals inhabiting this region, including the famous tree-climbing lions. Ishasha boasts a reasonable number of tree-climbing lions, highlighting Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After this encounter, drive to your booked lodge for overnight stay and dinner.
Day 8: Morning Game Safari and Afternoon Boat Cruise along the Kazinga Channel
Today’s game drive starts early morning to maximize your chances of seeing elusive park residents such as leopards, lions, and dotted hyena.
The safari traverses the sweeping Kasenyi plains, Katwe salty lake, other surrounding crater lakes, and the Queen’s Pavilion.
This game experience lasts about 3-4 hours, with abundant fauna including elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, topis, warthogs, kobs, and predators like lions, leopards, and jackals. Numerous bird species can also be spotted during this activity.
Return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. After lunch, continue to Mweya jetty for a boat trip starting at 2:00 pm.
A two-hour boat trip along the Kazinga Channel is a park highlight, offering close encounters with abundant wildlife.
The shores of Kazinga Channel teem with wild game including buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.
Return from this boat trip around 4 pm, meet your guide at the jetty, and proceed to the lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to the Foothills of Rwenzori Mountains via Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center
Have breakfast at your lodge and leisurely transfer to the Rwenzori ranges, passing through the equator in Kikorongo for memorable photos.
Stop in Kasese town for a short town tour and visit the Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center, the only one of its kind in East Africa.
Day 10: Start of the Trek: Nyakalengija (1600m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2650m)
Begin the trek from Rwenzori Mountains National Park headquarters at Nyakalengija. Attend a pre-hike briefing from the mountain guides and rent hiking equipment here.
Start the trek, passing through communities and plantations of the resident Bakonzho people. Follow River Mobuku, cross through Mahoma River, and trail through open fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest to Nyabitaba Hut (2,652 meters), your accommodation for the day.
This trek takes approximately 5 to 6 hours and offers views of peaks including portal peaks (4,627 meters) and Mount Kyniangoma. Wildlife encounters may include monkeys, Rwenzori Turaco, and chimpanzees.
Day 11: Hike from Nyabitaba Hut (2650 meters) to John Matte Hut (3380 meters)
Trek for about 4-5 hours, descending along a ridge to Mubuku River, then ascending through bamboo forest to John Matte Hut at 3,380 meters. Spend the afternoon trekking northwards along Bujuku River amidst extensive heather forest.
Day 12: John Matte Hut (3380m) – Bujuku Hut (3972m)
Climb to Bujuku Hut (3,977m) from John Matte Hut (3,380m). During this trek, encounter the notorious bogs for which the Uganda approach to the peaks is famous.
Climb through Bigo Bog, along Lake Bujuku, and see the ‘everlasting flower’ known to stay on plants for 40 years.
Day 13: Bujuku Hut (3900m) to Elena Hut (4541m)
Leave Bujuku Hut and climb through moss-draped groundsel vegetation to Scott Elliot Pass (4,372 meters) between Mount Stanley and Mount Baker.
At 4,540 meters, divert to Elena Hut where you will spend the night before climbing further to Mount Stanley.
Day 14: Elena Hut 4,541 meters – Margherita Peak 5,109 meters
Wake up to conquer Uganda’s highest peak. Start from Elena Hut, traverse Elena glacier to Stanley plateau, and use crampons for safety.
Spend 3 hours hiking along Margherita glacier to the summit at 5,109 meters.
Return to Elena Hut and descend to upper Kitandara Lake, where Kitandara Hut is located at 4,023 meters. Complete the descent in another 3 hours.
Optionally, climb Mount Baker, Mount Luigi di Savoia, and peak Vittorio Sella.
Day 15: Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261 meters)
Ascend to Freshfield Pass (4,282 meters) from Kitandara Hut, traverse high alpine mossy glades, descend through marshlands and rocks. Enjoy views of Mountains Stanley, Baker, and Savoy glaciers.
A muddy trail leads to Bujongolo, Akendahi, and Kabamba rock shelters, traverse Kabamba valley to Guy Yeoman Hut at 3,261 meters. This trek takes up to 6 hours.
Day 16: Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyabitaba Hut
A steep descent along Mubuku River, past Kichuchu rock shelter, joins the original route near Bujuku River confluence. This trek takes about 2-3 hours.
Day 17: Nyabitaba – Nyakalengija Base Camp
Descend from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija camp in about 2 hours. It’s a steep descent through warm alpine forest, home to tropical forest birds and numerous primates like monkeys and baboons.
Arrive at the base camp, transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe airport for a return flight or overnight stay.
End of 17-Day Uganda Hiking Safari & Primates Trekking Adventure.
