Why book the Primates of Uganda tour?
Thirteen days entirely private, starting and ending in Entebbe, built around one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on earth: spending an hour with habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. But this tour gives you so much more alongside the gorillas. You track chimpanzees twice (Kibale Forest and Kyambura Gorge), take game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park past the Kazinga Channel's hippos and the Kasenyi Plains' lions, walk the Maramagambo Forest, look for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha Plains, and finish with boat trips and guided walks at Lake Mburo. Private 4x4 vehicle throughout, stays at lodges including Primate Lodge Kibale, Jacana Safari Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp and Mihingo Lodge.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors to Uganda?
Yes. Uganda is one of East Africa's friendliest and most welcoming countries and the itinerary is well-structured for first-timers. Your private guide handles logistics throughout, so you can focus entirely on the wildlife experiences. The gorilla tracking is the centrepiece but the variety of primate and wildlife encounters across the 13 days means it never feels like a single-purpose trip.
What is the best time of year to do the Primates of Uganda tour?
Uganda has a relatively steady climate year-round, but the key factor for this tour is avoiding the rainy seasons. Gorilla tracking and forest walks in the rain are very challenging: muddy trails, reduced visibility, and difficult going. The main rainy seasons peak mid-September to November and March to May. The dry seasons (December to February and June to August) are the most popular and recommended times to visit.
What is unique about Uganda for primate tracking compared to other destinations?
Uganda is one of only three countries in the world where mountain gorilla tracking is possible, and it combines this with genuinely accessible chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest (one of the best places on earth for wild chimpanzee viewing) and the isolated Kyambura Gorge population. Very few destinations offer the combination of gorilla, chimpanzee, and diverse savanna wildlife in a single trip.
Why does this tour cost what it does?
We get it, Uganda is not a cheap destination. This is a private tour (just your party, not a joined group), with a dedicated local English-speaking guide in a private 4x4 for all 13 days, stays at quality lodges throughout, all meals included in the itinerary, park and game reserve entrance fees included, all activity fees included, and airport transfers at both ends. The gorilla permit is a significant separate cost (non-refundable once purchased, so it is invoiced at the time of your deposit), but represents a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.
What is actually included in the price?
Included: accommodation at your requested standard throughout; all meals as indicated in the itinerary (12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 dinners); airport transfers at the start and end of the tour; gorilla trekking permit (invoiced separately at cost at time of booking); park and game reserve entrance fees for all included activities; Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walks; Kazinga Channel boat trip; chimpanzee tracking permits for Kibale and Kyambura; Lake Mburo boat trip and guided walks; qualified local guide accompanying you throughout; and private 4x4 vehicle for all road journeys.
What is NOT included and how much extra should I budget?
Not included: international flights; Uganda visa fee (check current rates at the Ugandan directorate of citizenship and immigration control website); departure taxes; travel insurance; tips for your guide and driver; meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary; and any personal shopping. Tips are not arranged in a kitty format; your guide will advise on appropriate amounts.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Pay a deposit to secure your place and the gorilla permit is invoiced with the deposit (as it is non-refundable once purchased). The balance is due eight weeks before departure.
How physically demanding is the Primates of Uganda tour?
Moderate to strenuous, specifically for the gorilla tracking. The hike into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on where the gorilla family is that day. The terrain is steep, muddy and dense in places. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale involves approximately 5 hours of forest hiking. Game drives and boat trips are entirely non-strenuous. You need to be able to hike for several hours on uneven, sometimes steep ground.
What if I am older than the rest of the group?
This is a private tour, so the pace is set for your group specifically. The gorilla tracking is the main physical challenge: it cannot be shortened or skipped (you are limited to 1 hour with the gorillas once located). If you have concerns about the hiking intensity, discuss this with us before booking and we can help you assess whether the exertion level is realistic for your fitness.
What if I have mobility issues or a medical condition?
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi requires a genuine ability to hike uphill on steep, sometimes muddy forest trails for multiple hours. Significant mobility limitations make the gorilla trek unrealistic. The game drives, boat trips and Kazinga Channel cruise sections are accessible. If gorilla tracking is the main motivation, please discuss your mobility situation with us honestly before committing to the permit, which is non-refundable.
How do I prepare physically for the gorilla trek?
Start regular uphill walking training at least 6-8 weeks before departure. The Bwindi trek involves steep, uneven jungle terrain and can take up to 8 hours in humid conditions. Good waterproof hiking boots are essential. Walking poles are permitted and strongly recommended. On the day, porters are available at the ranger station for a fee to carry your pack and provide support on steep sections.
Is Uganda safe to visit right now?
Uganda is one of East Africa's most stable and welcoming countries and is visited safely by thousands of international tourists annually. The national parks and lodges covered on this tour have good security infrastructure. Check the UK Foreign Office or US State Department travel advice before departure.
Is it safe for women travelling solo?
Yes. The private tour format means you travel with your own dedicated guide throughout, which provides an inherently secure framework. Solo female travellers choose this tour regularly.
What happens if I get sick on tour?
Kampala has good private hospitals. In the more remote national parks (Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi), the nearest medical facility may be several hours away. Travel insurance covering medical treatment and emergency evacuation is compulsory. Malaria is present in Uganda; take appropriate prophylactics as recommended by your GP.
Do I need malaria prophylactics?
Yes. Malaria is present throughout Uganda, including in the national park areas covered on this tour. Consult your GP or a travel clinic before departure for advice on the most appropriate prophylactic for you. Use insect repellent and cover up after dark. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is also required for entry to Uganda.
What is the accommodation actually like?
You stay in good-quality wildlife lodges rated approximately 2 to 3-star level at each park. Specific lodges include Primate Lodge Kibale (in the forest, excellent for chimp-watching from the grounds), Jacana Safari Lodge at Queen Elizabeth National Park, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp at Bwindi (inside the forest, immersive and atmospheric), and Mihingo Lodge at Lake Mburo (a beautiful tented lodge). All have en-suite facilities. Accommodation standard can be upgraded for private bookings; contact us to discuss options.
What is Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp like?
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is set within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest itself, meaning you can hear and sometimes see forest wildlife from your tent. It is comfortable rather than luxurious, with en-suite tents that have hot water and private verandas. It is one of the most immersive lodge settings in East Africa, putting you right in the gorillas' habitat the night before your trek.
Will I have Wi-Fi?
Urban hotels in Kampala have Wi-Fi. The wildlife lodges have variable connectivity: some have Wi-Fi in communal areas, others have limited or no reliable internet. Bwindi and remote sections of Queen Elizabeth National Park have very limited mobile coverage. Bring a local SIM card (Uganda's networks are reasonably good along main routes) for connectivity between parks.
Can I upgrade the accommodation?
Yes. As a private tailor-made tour, accommodation can be upgraded throughout to higher-end lodge properties. Contact us to discuss options and pricing for a customised itinerary.
What kind of food will we eat?
Lodge meals across Uganda tend to be a mix of Ugandan and international dishes: fresh vegetables, grilled meats, rice, matoke (cooked plantain), beans and local fish from Lake Mburo. Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth lodges serve good-quality buffet meals. In Kampala, a wide range of cuisines is available at restaurants.
Can you cater for vegetarian vegan or gluten-free diets?
Vegetarian is straightforward at most lodges. Vegan and gluten-free require advance communication: inform us at booking and we will brief the lodges along the route. Remote lodges can accommodate with advance notice; simply relying on the buffet without prior warning is riskier.
Is it safe to drink the water?
Tap water is not reliably safe to drink in Uganda. Use bottled water or bring a filtered water bottle. Lodges typically provide purified drinking water. Carry sufficient water on trekking days, as the gorilla hike can last most of a day in humid conditions.
Is this trip good for solo travellers?
Excellent. The tour is fully private, so a solo traveller has a dedicated guide and vehicle entirely to themselves. There are no other group members to coordinate with. This is one of the most individually tailored wildlife experiences available.
Do I have to share a room?
Accommodation is based on double or twin occupancy. A single supplement is available for solo travellers who want a private room throughout.
What is the group size?
This is a fully private tour with no fixed group size. The pricing given is based on 2 travellers; solo travellers or larger groups receive a customised quotation. Even during the gorilla tracking itself, you will be assigned to a gorilla family group and may share the trek with a small number of other visitors (conservation rules limit visitor numbers per gorilla family per day).
Can I customise the itinerary?
Yes, completely. This is a sample tailor-made itinerary. You can extend or shorten any section, upgrade accommodation, add bird-watching days, or adjust pacing. Contact us with your group size, preferred dates and any specific interests.
Is this tour suitable for kids?
Gorilla tracking requires participants to be in reasonable physical condition for a multi-hour hike in demanding terrain. Children are permitted on gorilla treks but must be of sufficient age and fitness. Consult us before booking if you plan to bring children, and check current park minimum age requirements.
Do I need a visa for Uganda?
Most nationalities require a Uganda tourist visa, available online in advance or on arrival at Entebbe airport. Check current fees and requirements on the official Ugandan directorate of citizenship website before departure.
What should I pack?
Waterproof hiking boots (essential for Bwindi); long trousers and long sleeves for forest trekking (protection from insects and vegetation); lightweight layers; a lightweight waterproof jacket; walking poles (strongly recommended for the gorilla trek, available locally but bring your own if possible); insect repellent with DEET; sunscreen; a daypack for trekking days; binoculars for game drives; and a camera with a good zoom. Clothing should be in subdued colours.
Are any vaccinations required?
Recommended vaccinations for Uganda include Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry to Uganda. Malaria prophylactics are required. Consult your GP or a travel clinic for current and personalised advice.
Do I need to book international flights through you?
No. International flights are not included. Your arrival and departure airport is Entebbe International Airport (EBB), near Kampala. If you would like help with flight options, our team can advise.
What about tipping?
Tipping for your guide and driver is expected and appreciated. Your guide will advise on current appropriate amounts at the start of the tour. In Uganda, hard currency (US Dollars) is the most practical for tips; Ugandan Shillings are also accepted.
Can I add an extra day in Kampala?
Yes. An extra day in Kampala is available as a pre- or post-tour addition. Kampala has a growing food and arts scene and an optional visit to the National Museum of Uganda (one of the best and oldest in East Africa) is available.
Can I do an afternoon game drive in Lake Mburo?
Yes. An optional afternoon game drive in Lake Mburo National Park is available in addition to the included boat trip and guided walking. Lake Mburo supports good populations of Zebra, Impala, Topi and Waterbuck.
Can I upgrade the lodge accommodation?
Yes. The standard itinerary uses comfortable 2-3-star lodges. Upgrades to higher-end properties are available throughout. Contact us for a customised quotation based on your preferred accommodation level.
How far ahead should I book?
Gorilla permits are strictly limited in number per day per gorilla family at Bwindi. During the dry season peak (December to February and June to August), permits sell out many months in advance. Booking 6-9 months ahead for peak dates is strongly recommended. The permit is purchased and paid for at the time of your deposit and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
How does booking work?
Contact us with your preferred dates and group size for a customised quotation. Once agreed, you pay a deposit and the gorilla permit is purchased immediately (as permits are non-refundable, it is invoiced at cost at the time of your deposit). The tour balance is due eight weeks before departure.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory and must cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. Given the remote locations covered, medical evacuation coverage is particularly important. The gorilla permit is non-refundable; ensure your policy covers cancellation of non-refundable permit costs if you need to cancel the tour. World Nomads Travel Insurance is a recommended starting point.
What is your cancellation policy?
A sliding scale of cancellation charges applies. Full terms are in our booking conditions. Note that the gorilla permit cost is non-refundable regardless of when you cancel, so your travel insurance should cover this specific risk. Encounters Travel is UK-registered and customer funds are protected by Trust My Travel's financial protection scheme.
What if my dates do not work?
As a fully tailor-made private tour, the dates are entirely flexible. Contact us with your preferred timing and we will check gorilla permit availability for those dates.