This 21-Day Mount Rwenzori Primates and Wildlife Safari in Uganda is a comprehensive way to explore the Pearl of Africa.
It combines mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkeys in Mgahinga, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, nature walks in Semuliki Reserve, wildlife viewing, and boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park, along with rest on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
21-Day Rwenzori, Primates and Wildlife Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park and evening boat safari
- Day 2: Game drive and evening cultural tour
- Day 3: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi, sunset canoe cruise
- Day 4: Boat trip and drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 5: Golden monkey trekking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6: Gorilla trekking and evening community walk
- Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha sector
- Day 8: Game drive and boat cruise
- Day 9: Travel to the base of Mount Rwenzori, visit Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center en route
- Day 10: Begin the hike: Nyakalengija (1,600m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m)
- Day 11: Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m) to John Matte Hut (3,380m)
- Day 12: John Matte Camp (3,380m) to Bujuku Camp (3,972m)
- Day 13: Bujuku Hut (3,972m) to Elena Hut (4,541m)
- Day 14: Elena Camp (4,541m) to Margherita Peak (5,109m)
- Day 15: Kitandara Camp (4,023m) to Guy Yeoman Camp (3,261m)
- Day 16: Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m)
- Day 17: Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m) to Nyakalengija base camp
- Day 18: Fort Portal tour and transfer to Semuliki National Park, visit Sempaya Hot Springs and evening nature walks
- Day 19: Nature walks and travel to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 20: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland walk
- Day 21: Return to Kampala or Entebbe Airport
Detailed 21-Day Rwenzori, Primates and Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park and Evening Boat Safari
After breakfast, we’ll pick you up from Kampala for the drive southwest to Lake Mburo National Park, about 240 km away, between Mbarara and Masaka.
Stop at the equator in Kayabwe for photos, then continue to Lake Mburo National Park, entering through either the Nshara or Sanga gate.
Continue to Rwonyo jetty on the lake’s shore. Have lunch at an onsite restaurant ahead of the 2:00 pm boat safari.
Take a 3-hour boat cruise along Lake Mburo, taking in the lake’s scenery, wildlife, and bird life. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Game Drive and Evening Cultural Tour
Have breakfast, then take a 3-hour game drive through Uganda’s smallest savannah park, home to zebra, buffalo, giraffe, antelope, and predators such as lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards.
Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, take a cultural tour to see traditional Ankole life, including grazing and milking. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi, Sunset Canoe Cruise
After breakfast, continue southwest through the hills of Mbarara and Ntungamo, stopping at a local museum for a short cultural visit or lunch.
Lake Bunyonyi sits about 8 km from Kabale town and holds 29 islands, each with its own history. Take a sunset canoe cruise to explore some of the islands and learn about local life on the lake.
Day 4: Boat Trip and Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Have breakfast at the lake shore, or take a pre-breakfast cruise on a traditional motorboat. A sunrise boat trip catches the lake as morning fog lifts and the water clears.
The boat takes you to some of the interior islands for local stories and sightings. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast, then begin the journey to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga, in Kisoro district, is home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Arrive at the lodge to rest ahead of dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Discover Mgahinga’s golden monkeys, an endangered species found only here and in Volcanoes National Park.
The pre-trek briefing runs from 7:00 to 8:00 am, followed by the trek into the forest to find the monkeys, lasting 2 to 5 hours.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the evening, check out and transfer to Ruhija, in eastern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, for an overnight stay ahead of gorilla trekking the next day.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Evening Community Walk
Have an early breakfast, then gather at the Ruhija briefing point for the pre-trek session with the head guide, covering your gorilla family assignment and trekking guidelines.
Begin the trek into the forest to search for the gorillas, lasting 2 to 6 hours through slippery, foggy, rocky terrain. Spend an hour with the gorilla group, watching them feed and interact.
Return to the lodge for lunch. In the evening, join a cultural tour with the Batwa community, the forest’s original inhabitants alongside the mountain gorillas, for traditional songs, performances, and stories from elders.
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Take a short game drive through the Ishasha sector to look for tree-climbing lions and other wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, and antelope.
Continue to your lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Start the morning with a game drive through the Kasenyi plains, known for antelope, elephants, and lions. Visit Lake Katwe for traditional salt mining and the surrounding crater lakes, home to over 500 bird species.
The drive lasts 3 to 4 hours, covering savannah, woodland, and wetland habitats.
In the afternoon, take a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, known for hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and strong bird life. Return to Mweya jetty, with game viewing along the drive back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Travel to the Base of Mount Rwenzori, Visit Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center En Route
Have breakfast, then drive at a relaxed pace to the Rwenzoris, west of Kasese town. Stop at the equator monument for photos, with an optional tour of Kasese town and a visit to the Rwenzori Bronze Casting Center for bronze artifacts.
Day 10: Begin the Hike: Nyakalengija (1,600m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m)
Start the trek from Nyakalengija, Rwenzori Mountains National Park’s ranger station, with a pre-hike briefing at 7:30 am. Hiking gear and porters can be arranged here if needed.
The trail passes local villages and farmland belonging to the Bakonzo people, following the Mubuku River to Nyabitaba Camp at 2,652 meters, through open fern slopes and podocarpus forest.
This stretch takes 5 to 6 hours, with views of Mount Kyniangoma and the Portal Peaks, along with chances to see chimpanzees, the Rwenzori turaco, and other monkeys.
Day 11: Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m) to John Matte Hut (3,380m)
Trek from Nyabitaba to John Matte Camp at 3,380 meters, a 4 to 5 hour trek. Descend along a ridge to the Mubuku River, then climb through bamboo forest to John Matte Camp.
Day 12: John Matte Camp (3,380m) to Bujuku Camp (3,972m)
Trek from John Matte Hut to Bujuku Camp at 3,972 meters, crossing the bogs the Ugandan route is known for.
The trail passes through Bigo Bog and along Lake Bujuku, home to the “everlasting flower.” Overnight at Bujuku Camp.
Day 13: Bujuku Hut (3,972m) to Elena Hut (4,541m)
Depart Bujuku Camp for Scott Elliot Pass at 4,372 meters, then continue to Elena Camp. The trail crosses moss-covered groundsel vegetation between Mount Stanley and Mount Baker. Overnight at Elena Camp.
Day 14: Elena Camp (4,541m) to Margherita Peak (5,109m)
Rise early for the climb to Margherita Peak, Uganda’s highest point, at 5,109 meters. The route crosses the Elena Glacier to the Stanley Plateau, where crampons are required.
The climb along the Margherita Glacier takes about 3 hours. Take photos at the summit, then descend to Elena Camp and continue to Upper Kitandara Lake, at 4,023 meters, for the overnight stay.
Day 15: Kitandara Camp (4,023m) to Guy Yeoman Camp (3,261m)
Trek from Kitandara Hut through high alpine mossy terrain, descending to Guy Yeoman Camp at 3,261 meters. The 6-hour trek passes views of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker, and the Savoy glaciers.
Day 16: Guy Yeoman Hut (3,261m) to Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m)
Trek about 3 hours from Guy Yeoman to Nyabitaba Camp, descending steeply along the Mubuku River. Overnight at Nyabitaba Camp.
Day 17: Nyabitaba Camp (2,650m) to Nyakalengija Base Camp
Descend steeply from Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija base camp, a 2-hour trek through montane forest. Meet your guide and drive to Fort Portal for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 18: Fort Portal Tour and Transfer to Semuliki National Park, Visit Sempaya Hot Springs and Evening Nature Walks
After breakfast, tour Fort Portal town, the Toro Kingdom palace, local markets, and the Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves. Continue to Semuliki National Park to visit the Sempaya Hot Springs, learning about their formation, followed by evening nature walks.
Day 19: Nature Walks and Travel to Kibale Forest National Park
Take a morning nature walk in Semuliki National Park, looking for buffalo, forest elephants, and bird species such as the shoebill stork. Drive to Kibale Forest National Park for an overnight stay.
Day 20: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Set out early for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, watching these primates in their natural habitat.
Along the way, look for other primates and mammals, including forest elephants and forest hogs. Return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi community to learn about community-based tourism and local craft work.
Day 21: Return to Kampala or Entebbe Airport
Check out of your lodge for the 6-hour drive back to Kampala, with a stop at the equator for photos.
You’ll be dropped at Entebbe International Airport for departure, or at your hotel for an overnight stay.
End of 21-Day Mount Rwenzori Primates and Wildlife Safari in Uganda.
