Wild Primate Encounters
Uganda
October 12 to 23, 2026
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
Venture deep into Uganda’s mountainous jungles, where elusive mountain gorillas and chimpanzee families thrive in their natural habitat. Follow in the footsteps of legendary primatologists Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey as you experience intimate wildlife encounters with these intelligent primates. With full-day chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, observe as they groom, forage, and play, offering incredible wildlife photography opportunities. Then, embark on a trekking adventure, spending three unforgettable days with the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Watch as they navigate dense foliage, nurture their young, and interact within their family groups. Along the way, take in Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes and spot some of the 13 primate species that call this diverse ecosystem home. This immersive Uganda safari promises awe-inspiring wildlife moments and a deeper appreciation for why Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa.
WHY CHOOSE THIS TRIP?
- Intimate Gorilla Encounters: Observe mountain gorillas up close during exclusive one-hour visits each day, immersing yourself in their world over three days in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Wild Chimpanzee Trekking: Enjoy two full days in Kibale National Park, witnessing and photographing wild chimpanzees and their natural behaviors.
- Small-Group Luxury Safari: Limited to just seven travelers, ensuring exclusive wildlife experiences and personalized guidance.
- Professional Photography Mentorship: Elevate your wildlife photography skills with biologist-turned-photographer Scott Davis.
- Rare Birdwatching Opportunity: Canoe through Mabamba Swamp in search of the elusive Shoebill Stork, one of Africa’s most sought-after birds.
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
 |  |  |
Itinerary Updated: July 2025
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12 | Travel to Entebbe, Uganda. | ||
| Oct 13 | Arrive in Entebbe. Relax and enjoy a welcome dinner with the group. | Protea Hotel, Entebbe | D |
| Oct 14 | Shoebill Stork Day Trip. Boat across Lake Victoria to Mabamba Swamp to witness the famed Shoebill Storks. | Protea Hotel, Entebbe | B, L, D |
| Oct 15-17 | Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale. Drive to Kibale National Park and spend two days tracking and observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. | Ndali Lodge, Ndali | B, L, D |
| Oct 18 | Kazinga Channel and Transfer to Bwindi. Enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel before continuing on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi | B, L, D |
| Oct 19-21 | Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi. Spend three days trekking into Bwindi’s dense jungle to observe and photograph mountain gorilla families | Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi | B, L, D |
| Oct 22 | Return to Entebbe and Depart. Fly back to Entebbe and relax before your flights home. | Protea Hotel, Entebbe (Dayroom) | B |
| Oct 23 | Arrive home. |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Scott Davis
Scott DavisScott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Accommodations
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $15,000 |
| Single Supplement | $2,000 |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for one-way flight from Bwindi to Entebbe), singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
If you are a single traveler, we will try to find a roommate for you, but if we cannot pair you with a roommate, we may charge you a single supplement. Single rooms cost extra and are subject to availability.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $3,000 |
| Final | May 5, 2026 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, payments are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $2,750 per person ($2,600 for the pre-purchased, non-refundable and non-transferable chimpanzee and gorilla trekking permits); $150 per person of the cancellation fee can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the canceled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, and park entry fees for all activities unless listed as optional.
- Permits for two full days of tracking chimpanzees in Kibale National Park (non-refundable and non-transferable).
- Permits for three one-hour gorilla visits in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (non-refundable and non-transferable).
- One-way flight from Bwindi to Entebbe.
- Accommodations for the nights of October 13 through October 21 and a dayroom on October 22.
- Meals from dinner on October 13 through breakfast on October 22.
- Bottled water while trekking and in vehicles.
- Transfers between Entebbe International Airport and Protea Hotel, regardless of arrival or departure day.
- English-speaking drivers, park rangers, and trackers.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
- Short-term AMREF Flying Doctor emergency evacuation insurance. This does not include hospital or treatment costs.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Extra hotel nights (we can arrange for an extra cost).
- Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we suggest budgeting about $540 per participant for your drivers/guides, trackers, and rangers.
- Optional hiring of local porters to carry your gear during chimpanzee and gorilla treks.
- Optional, additional emergency evacuation insurance.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
Uganda’s temperatures generally stay the same year-round. Daytime temperatures range from 65 to 85°F, and nighttime temperatures are in the mid-50s°F, but with climate change, weather is more variable, so prepare for varying climate conditions. September through November are the transitional months between the rainy and dry seasons in Uganda, so expect some rain. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is rainy and fairly damp year-round.
Fitness Level
You may hike to search for gorillas and chimpanzees for two to six miles per day (typically spending more than four to eight hours) in steep, uneven, and muddy terrain. You’ll hike regardless of the weather conditions. Plan to hire a local porter to carry your gear during the hikes so that you can focus on photography and the rugged terrain. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda (EBB) by 11:59pm on October 13.
- Depart from Entebbe, Uganda (EBB) after 8:00pm on October 22.
Flights we book
- The one-way flight from Bwindi to Entebbe is included in the trip cost.
FAQ
Accommodations
In Entebbe, you will overnight at a modern hotel. While elsewhere, your lodging is in luxurious cottages. All rooms have private baths. After a long day of hiking to find the apes, you will appreciate the niceties of a warm shower, sunset views at the bar, good food, and a comfortable bed. If you are concerned about the standard of accommodations being below your expectations, please ask us before booking.
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Ecotourism and Conservation for Uganda
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. Use this tool to calculate your emissions and purchase your carbon offset today through Sustainable Travel International, or through your favorite carbon offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.