15-Day Uganda Mammal Safari

Uganda is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts. From tropical rainforests to savannahs and wetlands, this 15-day adventure will take you through the country’s most iconic habitats, offering opportunities to see primates, big cats, elephants, and countless other fascinating mammals.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

• Arrive at Entebbe International Airport.

• Transfer to your hotel for rest and preparation.

Overnight: Entebbe (mid-range or luxury options available).

Days 2-4: Kibale National Park – Chimpanzees & Primate Watching

Day 2: Travel to Kibale

• Drive from Entebbe to Kibale National Park.

• Evening expedition in search of the elusive African Golden Cat, a nocturnal forest predator.

Overnight: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge or similar.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetlands

• Morning: Trek through Kibale’s dense forest to observe chimpanzees—one of the highest concentrations in the world.

• Afternoon: Explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to spot primates like red colobus, black-and-white colobus, and blue monkeys, as well as bushbucks.

Day 4: Forest Trails & Night Walk

• Search for primates such as grey-cheeked mangabeys and L’Hoest’s monkeys, plus forest antelopes like duikers.

• Evening: Night walk in Bigodi Wetland to spot nocturnal mammals including Eastern Common potto, bush babies, bats, palm civet, Janet cats, and possibly the golden cat.

Days 5–7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Savannah & Wildlife

Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth

• 3-4 hours’ drive to the park, known for its mix of savannah, wetlands, and forest.

Overnight: Lodge in or near the park.

Day 6: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise

• Morning: Game drive to spot elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and hyenas.

• Afternoon: Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel to see hippos, crocodiles, and antelopes like waterbuck and kob.

Day 7: Ishasha – Tree-Climbing Lions

• Morning game drive, then transfer to Ishasha in southern Queen Elizabeth.

• Spot tree-climbing lions, topis, warthogs, baboons, leopards, jackals, and monkeys.

Days 8–10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Mountain Gorillas & Golden Monkeys

Day 8: Travel to Bwindi

• 5–6 hours’ drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a sanctuary for mountain gorillas and diverse forest wildlife.

Overnight: Lodge near the park.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking

• Early morning trek to see critically endangered mountain gorillas—a truly unforgettable experience.

• Afternoon: Visit local communities or explore forest trails for other primates and small antelopes like duikers.

Day 10: Golden Monkey Trekking

• Visit nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for golden monkeys and forest elephants.

• Optional: Continue forest wildlife exploration or Batwa cultural experience.

Days 11-12: Lake Mburo National Park – Savannah Wildlife

Day 11: Travel to Lake Mburo

• 4–5 hours’ drive to this smaller park with beautiful savannah landscapes.

• Spot zebras, impalas, topis, elands, and warthogs.

Overnight: Lodge near the park.

Day 12: Game Drive & Lake Cruise

• Morning: Game drive for buffalo, eland, zebra, and antelopes.

• Afternoon: Boat cruise on Lake Mburo to see hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.

Days 13-15: Murchison Falls National Park-Big Game & River Mammals

Day 13: Travel to Murchison Falls

• 7–8 hours’ drive from Lake Mburo.

• Overnight in the park, home to elephants, lions, giraffes, leopards, baboons, and buffaloes.

Day 14: Full Day in Murchison Falls

• Morning: Game drive to spot elephants, hippos, buffaloes, lions, and leopards.

• Afternoon: Boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls for hippos, crocodiles, and riverbank monkeys and baboons.

• Evening: Return journey to Entebbe (5–6 hours).

Day 15: Departure

• Depending on flight time, visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe.

• Depart for home in the evening or the following day.

Mammals You Might Encounter

Primates: Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, black-and-white colobus.
Big Mammals: Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, warthogs, zebras.
Antelopes & Others: Uganda kob, topi, impala, duiker, waterbuck, bushbuck, oribi, eland, civets, genets, mongooses.
Carnivores: Spotted hyenas, jackals, African wild dogs, leopards.