13 Day Uganda Safari with Gorillas, Chimps & Tree climbing lions

This safari is interesting because it strings together three headline primate experiences, gorilla trekking plus chimpanzee tracking, and then adds the rare show of tree-climbing lions. It is a real circuit, not a single-park trip.

I love the way the wildlife changes day to day. You get big-name action in Murchison Falls, then hippos-on-steroids on the Kazinga Channel cruise, and you end with nature time in Lake Mburo. I also like the practical comfort on the road, with the kind of 4×4 setup that includes AC, a roof that pops up, and power options for cameras and phones.

One possible drawback to plan for: the primate days and some activities require stamina. Gorilla tracking can involve long, slippery forest walking, and lion tracking can be weather and luck dependent.

Key highlights from this Uganda safari

• Gorillas in Bwindi with a ranger-led trek and a quiet one-hour viewing window once you find the family
• Chimp tracking in Kibale plus a Bigodi swamp walk for birds and other primates
• Murchison Falls National Park game drives, boat cruise to the falls base, and an optional hike to the top
• Kazinga Channel cruise built around close-up hippo viewing and crocodiles
• Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha (about a 70% chance), plus the special lion tracking option in Kasenyi plains
• Lake Mburo on the last stretch, with a canoe ride and a guided nature walk with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger

Who this 13-day Uganda safari is really for

This is best for you if your priority list is clear: primates first, classic safari wildlife second, and you want it all in one organized loop. The trip is private, meaning it is just your group, and that usually helps the timing feel less chaotic.

This tour is also practical if you like being active but not micromanaging every detail. You have a daily rhythm: transfers, game drives or walks, then the next set of habitats.

The main reason it might not fit you is physical effort. Gorilla trekking can mean hours of forest hiking over rough ground, and lion activities can mean early mornings and lots of waiting for the animals to show up.

Day 1 to Day 2: Landing in Entebbe, then Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls

Day 1 starts simply: you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, get met by your driver or guide from Pamoja Tours and Travel, and head to your hotel for dinner and sleep. There is also an optional Kampala city add-on if you want to stretch your legs the first day.

On Day 2 you move toward Murchison Falls National Park, and you do it with a smart stop on the way. You visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can go for rhino tracking and then have lunch before continuing. That stop is valuable because it gives you a wildlife focus before you even reach the main park.

You end the day at Pakuba Safari Lodge with full board meals. If you are hoping for more adrenaline, there is an optional hot air balloon safari, but it costs extra and depends on availability.

Murchison Falls: sunrise game drive, boat cruise to the base, and the optional top-hike

Murchison Falls is the part of the trip where the “big safari” feeling really takes over. On the early morning game drive, you are out across the rolling plains looking for lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants, among other animals. If you care about birds, this area can also support species like the secretary bird and the black-chested snake eagle.

Later, you switch to the water. The boat cruise takes you toward the base of the falls where hippos, crocodiles, and lots of water birds show up. This is one of those rare safari days where your “wow moment” is split between land animals and river life.

You also have an option to hike to the top of the falls. The walk can be strenuous, so it is a good consideration point for you if you do not love steep, slippery terrain. Still, the reward is the view and the sense of being right there with the power of the falls.

Kibale National Park: chimpanzee tracking plus Bigodi swamp walk

The switch to Kibale National Park is one of the best pacing moves in this itinerary. The drive is described as scenic, with villages, green countryside, and hills dotted with tea plantations, so you transition from savannah style wildlife to a dense forest vibe.

On Day 4, you arrive and get set for the chimp day. On Day 5, the chimpanzee tracking starts with a briefing at Kanyachu park headquarters. Then you head into the forest to track chimps, with guides helping you locate the right area based on signs like movement and calls.

This part matters because chimpanzees are not just “something you see.” You get context for how closely they relate to humans, and that makes the sightings feel more meaningful. After tracking, you return for lunch, then go out for the Bigodi swamp walk, which is built for birding and the chance to see other primates too, not just chimps.

There is also an optional extra-cost activity called chimp habituation, which is a different kind of experience if you want a longer, deeper feel. If you prefer keeping it simple and hitting the main permit-based tracking, you can skip it.

Queen Elizabeth National Park: sunrise drives, Kazinga Channel hippos, and lion tracking in Kasenyi

By Day 6 you are in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited game reserve. The park’s mix of savannah, bushland, wetlands, and forests makes it a strong “variety in one place” stop, and the base of the Rwenzori Mountains can show up on clear days.

The game plan here uses the best wildlife timing. You do morning drives early when animals are more active. Then you shift later to water and channel life, because the Kazinga Channel acts like a magnet for animals.

On Day 7 you have sunrise game viewing, with elephants, buffalo, and antelope often seen, and sometimes lions or leopards. Later comes the Kazinga Channel cruise, and it is specifically set up around the hippo concentration. You also get crocodiles and lots of birds, so even if you are not a hardcore birder, the channel keeps paying off.

Day 8 adds a rare option: lion tracking in the northern sector at Kasenyi plains. The groups are limited to reduce stress and keep the experience high quality. If you go for this, expect a different style of wildlife viewing, not a classic drive with random sightings, but tracking with the goal of finding the lions while you remain respectful of their space.

You also have an optional evening visit to Lake Katwe for salt mining experience, if you want a cultural edge to go with the wildlife.

Ishasha and the tree-climbing lions: planning for a 70% chance

Ishasha is where your itinerary gets extra specific, and that is good for people who like clear goals. This Day 9 stop is aimed at the resident tree-climbing lions, a behavior that is famous enough to be a bucket-list item.

The stated chance of seeing them is about 70%, which is a useful number for you to keep realistic expectations. Even with that odds estimate, the main wildlife rule applies: lions can be harder to spot than you think, especially when they choose the most comfortable angles and heights.

Your drive in the Ishasha area also targets other wildlife like Uganda kob, Cape buffaloes, elephants, and warthogs. So even if the tree-climbing moment is not immediate, you are not stuck watching nothing.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: gorilla trekking through slippery forest and quiet viewing

Bwindi is the emotional center of this tour. On Day 10 you transfer into the forest area, relax at Gorilla Mist Camp, and take the edge off before your tracking day.

On Day 11 the trek starts after breakfast, and the walk can be challenging. You move through forested slopes, and yes, the route can be muddy and slippery, with vines and thick vegetation. The ranger plays a big role here, pointing out signs of previous gorilla activity like dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.

Once your group finds the family, you get about one hour to quietly observe them. The tracking time can vary from around 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are. That variability is not a flaw, it is part of how gorilla trekking works, and it is why good physical preparation matters.

If you want the practical tip from this itinerary: treat this day as your “no rush” day. You cannot time it like a city walk. You plan to go slow, keep your group together, and focus on the moment you find the gorillas.

Lake Mburo National Park: canoe time and a slower end to the circuit

After the intensity of primates and big forest hiking, Day 12 shifts gears. You go for a canoe ride around Lake Mburo to view the islands that make up Lake Bunyonyi, which is often called the little Switzerland of Africa. Even if you are not seeking romance, it is a nice change of pace after days of trekking and drives.

Then you drive into Lake Mburo National Park, with lunch en route. This is a good day for you if you want wildlife without the same level of physical challenge as the earlier primate days.

You stay at Eagles Nest Camp with full board meals. The value here is that you end on wildlife and scenery without rushing straight back to a packed city day.

Lake Mburo nature walk, hilltop views, and the equator stop to Entebbe

Day 13 uses the early morning for a guided nature walk with an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. That detail matters because it signals a proper conservation and safety framework for the walk.

You can often encounter zebras, giraffes, eland, topis, other antelopes, and even Cape buffaloes. The walk includes a trail to higher ground, giving a view of the lake and beyond, and you get the chance to see nine of the twelve lakes that surround Lake Mburo.

After the walk, you check out and travel back to Entebbe. There is a stopover at the equator for lunch and souvenirs before your drop off at the airport.

This is a nice way to close the safari loop, because it mixes a final dose of nature with a practical way to stretch the drive.

Price and what $5,500 per person really buys you

At $5,500 per person for 13 days, the price only feels fair if the inclusions reduce your stress and add real value. Here, the included items you should focus on are the park fees for non-residents and the gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits. Those permits are often the most expensive line items in Uganda primate safaris.

The tour also includes all transportation unless labeled optional, plus drinking water each day. Meals are covered too, with breakfast and lunch listed for 12 days, and dinner listed for 12 days, with dinner on Day 1.

What is not included: international flights, any extra accommodation before or after the safari, tips, and personal items. Tips are suggested as US$10 per person per day, which is a simple number to plan around.

One more practical note: your “included” list does not explicitly call out accommodation. The day-by-day plan names lodges and camps, so you should confirm whether lodging is fully covered in the package price or if that part is handled separately.

Comfort and organization on the ground with Pamoja Tours and Travel

A safari can fall apart on logistics. This one seems built to keep you comfortable and moving. In the feedback tied to this trip, people highlight the vehicles and the on-the-road comforts, including AC, 4×4 wheel drive, a roof that pops up for viewing, and charge ports for computers and cameras. There is also mention of a fridge and free WiFi on board, plus drinking water during the day.

That comfort is not just a perk. It matters when you have early mornings and long drives, because you arrive less tired and you can actually enjoy the next wildlife moment.

This is also set up as a private tour for your group only, not a mixed-group scramble. Your base is Kampala, but the route starts with arrival handling at Entebbe International Airport, with pickup offered.

If you are sensitive to timing flexibility: this experience requires a minimum number of travelers, and if it does not meet that number you may be offered another date or a refund. That is worth knowing if your travel dates are fixed.

Should you book this gorillas, chimps, and tree-lions safari?

If you want one trip that hits gorillas, chimps, and tree-climbing lions without hopping countries or planning permits yourself, this safari fits your goals. The price gets much more reasonable when you see that permits and park fees are part of the package and that the day plan includes multiple major ecosystems: river falls, dense primate forest, channel wetlands, and lake savannah habitat.

Skip it or consider a lighter version if you know you struggle with long hikes or slippery terrain. Gorilla trekking can take hours, and the animal sightings are not guaranteed, even when odds are stated for tree-climbing lions.

My honest call: book it if primates are your main mission and you like a structured itinerary that moves efficiently between Uganda’s top wildlife zones.

FAQ

What is the duration of this Uganda safari?

It is listed as 13 days (approx.).

Where does the safari start?

The route begins with arrival handling at Entebbe International Airport, with a driver or guide transfer to your hotel.

How much does it cost?

The price is $5,500.00 per person.

What is included in the price?

Included items are park fees (for non-residents), gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits, all transportation (unless labeled optional), drinking water, and meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included?

Yes. The package includes gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is described as a private tour/activity, with only your group participating.

What optional activities cost extra?

The itinerary lists optional extras such as a hot air balloon safari, chimpanzee habituation, and options related to Lake Katwe (including salt mining) and Kampala city.

What is the suggested tipping guideline?

The provided guideline is US$10 per person per day.

What can I cancel and still get a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, it states the amount is not refunded.

Is there a minimum number of travelers?

Yes. The experience requires a minimum number of travelers, and if it is canceled for not meeting that minimum you may be offered another date or a full refund.