There are journeys that go far beyond the simple safari. Journeys that profoundly change our relationship with nature, silence and the living. Uganda is undoubtedly one of them.
Still untouched by mass tourism, this fascinating destination reveals a wilder, more intimate and deeply immersive Africa. Between misty rainforests, verdant mountains, encounters with chimpanzees and unforgettable face-to-face encounters with mountain gorillas, this itinerary offers one of the most powerful experiences possible on the African continent.
With this 8-day, 7-night itinerary, we’ve designed a trip focused on Uganda’s incredible primates, while incorporating carefully selected lodges and several stages to discover the country’s diverse landscapes.
As always with Travel With la French, each itinerary can be adjusted to suit your expectations and desires. Itinerary titles can be clicked to give you direct access to full details of the trip, day by day.
This itinerary : Incredible Primates – Uganda
offers an immersive discovery of East Africa’s most beautiful rainforests, between Kibale, Bwindi and Lake Mburo Park.
Entebbe: a gentle arrival on the shores of Lake Victoria
The adventure begins in Entebbe, a peaceful tropical town on the shores of Lake Victoria. The former capital of Uganda, Entebbe offers a very different atmosphere from that of Africa’s great metropolises: here, lush gardens, immense trees and the proximity of the lake immediately create a feeling of calm.
This first stage allows you to recuperate peacefully after the international flight before exploring the wilder regions of the west of the country.
Often dubbed the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda impresses with the diversity of its landscapes: savannahs, mountains, volcanoes, tropical forests and immense lakes follow one another in astonishing harmony. Winston Churchill himself described the country as one of the most beautiful on the African continent.
For this first night, travellers stay at The Boma Hotel Entebbea charming boutique hotel nestled in lush tropical gardens close to the Botanical Gardens and Lake Victoria. Its warm, elegant atmosphere makes it an excellent introduction to travel. With its shaded terraces, swimming pool and tastefully decorated rooms, it’s the ideal setting for your adventure into the heart of Uganda’s forests.
Kibale: in the heart of the chimpanzee forest
After Entebbe, we head for western Uganda and the spectacular scenery of the Albertine Rift Valley. The road passes through incredibly green countryside, dotted with small villages, plantations, hills and scenes of authentic local life.
Kibale National Park is considered one of Africa’s finest primate sanctuaries. This immense rainforest is home to exceptional biodiversity, with thirteen species of primate recorded, over 300 species of bird and dense vegetation offering an almost mystical atmosphere.
But Kibale is best known worldwide for its chimpanzees. One of the highlights of the trip is the organized trek into the forest. After a briefing with the guides and trackers, small groups head off into the jungle in search of chimpanzee families.
The experience is totally different from a traditional safari. Here, it’s all about the sounds of the forest: chimpanzee calls echoing between the trees, branches moving overhead, and then suddenly, the appearance of the group. Watching these primates evolve freely in their natural environment, interacting, playing and communicating with each other is a deeply moving experience.
In the afternoon, the itinerary also includes a walk through the Bigodi marshes, a lush tropical ecosystem particularly renowned for bird and primate watching. This is a gentler, more contemplative way of discovering another facet of the region.
On this stage, travellers stay at the Turaco Treetopsa superb lodge nestled in the heart of the rainforest. Surrounded by over five hectares of jungle, the lodge offers total immersion in nature. Spacious cottages and terraces overlooking the forest allow guests to take full advantage of Kibale’s unique atmosphere, lulled by the sounds of the jungle and birdsong.
Bwindi: an unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas
If there’s one experience that can turn a trip into a lifelong memory, it’s probably this one.
After a long drive through the mountains of south-western Uganda, the route reaches the mythical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This primary forest, considered to be one of the oldest in Africa, is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Its spectacular environment combines dense jungle, deep valleys, waterfalls, streams and steep slopes covered with exuberant vegetation.
The next morning sees the start of the gorilla trek, the highlight of the trip. After a briefing by the rangers, each group is assigned a family of gorillas according to its physical level. The trek can last several hours, through sometimes steep and dense rainforest.
Then comes the moment that many describe as one of the most powerful animal experiences in the world: the encounter with the gorillas.
Watching an imposing Silverback protect its group, seeing the youngsters play with each other or simply meeting the gaze of a gorilla in the silence of the forest provokes an emotion that is extremely difficult to describe. The experience is powerful, deeply intimate and incredibly respectful of the animal.
Only one hour is allowed with the gorillas, but this hour leaves a lasting impression on all those who experience it.
For this exceptional stopover, travellers stay at the Gorilla Leisure Lodgea charming lodge located in the Rushaga area, south of Bwindi. The establishment offers an excellent level of comfort in the heart of spectacular surroundings. Rooms overlooking the forest extend this unique immersion in one of Africa’s last great jungles.
Lake Mburo: a softer, more intimate interlude
After the emotional intensity of Bwindi, the route continues to Lake Mburo National Park, in a totally different atmosphere.
Smaller and less crowded than other East African parks, Lake Mburo captivates visitors with its peaceful atmosphere and rolling landscapes dotted with acacia trees and lakes. This region is particularly renowned for its herbivores: zebras, impalas, Cape elands, buffaloes and giraffes roam the magnificent scenery.
The safari experience here is much quieter and more intimate, a far cry from the big traditional tours. It’s also one of the few places in Uganda where you can take part in activities other than by vehicle: horseback safaris, bike rides, savannah walks or boat excursions on Lake Mburo.
To round off this trip, travellers stay at the magnificent Mihingo Lodgeundoubtedly one of the finest lodges in the country. Set amid impressive rocky outcrops and perfectly integrated with nature, the lodge offers a particularly exclusive and soothing atmosphere.
The tented rooms, built on stilts, offer exceptional views of the surrounding savannah, while the infinity pool allows you to watch the animals drinking on the plains below. With its discreet luxury, omnipresent nature and intimate ambience, Mihingo Lodge is the perfect conclusion to a trip to Uganda.
A profoundly different trip from the classic African safari
This Uganda itinerary is not like a traditional safari focused solely on the big animals of the African plains. Here, the experience is more immersive, more emotional and often much more intense.
Encounters with chimpanzees and gorillas bring humans face to face with a raw and profoundly alive nature. Tropical forests, misty mountains and Rift Valley landscapes offer a more confidential, wilder and incredibly endearing Africa.
This is a trip for lovers of nature, adventure and rare experiences. A trip that sometimes requires a little extra effort, especially on the treks, but which in return offers some of the strongest emotions you can experience in Africa.
And frankly, it’s hard to come away totally unchanged from a gorilla sighting in Bwindi’s impenetrable forest.
