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Wildlife Experiences

At OliveSafari, our wildlife experiences immerse you deeply into the natural rhythms of East Africa. From misty mountain forests echoing with primate calls to vast savannahs alive with the thunder of migrating herds, we craft intimate, expertly guided journeys that reveal the true soul of Africa’s wilderness. Whether you dream of tracking mountain gorillas, witnessing the Great Migration, or gliding along wildlife-rich rivers, every experience is curated for authenticity, comfort, and conservation impact. Operating across Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, we combine local expertise, professional guiding, and carefully selected eco-lodges to ensure that every wildlife safari with us is meaningful, responsible, and unforgettable.

Top Wildlife Experience Safaris in Uganda

Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Experiences

In Uganda and Rwanda, you journey into ancient rainforests where endangered mountain gorillas and wild chimpanzees live in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking takes you deep into the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes N.P, where groups track carefully habituated gorilla families.

Chimpanzee trekking unfolds in forest ecosystems such as Kibale National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park, offering exhilarating encounters with energetic primates in their complex social groups.

Big Game Safaris & Classic Wildlife Drives

In Tanzania, the plains of Serengeti N.P. offer the ultimate big-game experience, with year-round sightings of lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, giraffes, and more. The legendary Ngorongoro Crater delivers one of the highest wildlife densities on Earth, offering dramatic predator-prey interactions.

In Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers diverse ecosystems where tree-climbing lions, hippos, giant elephants, and abundant antelope species thrive across savannah and wetland landscapes.

The Great Wildebeest Migration Experience

The Great Migration is nature’s most powerful spectacle, with over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles moving in a continuous cycle through northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. This dramatic journey is marked by thrilling river crossings, intense predator action, and vast moving horizons of life.

With Olive, you can witness the migration during: Calving season (southern Serengeti), Grumeti River crossings (western Serengeti), and Mara River crossings (northern Serengeti). Each season offers a different dramatic chapter, making the migration a dynamic safari experience unlike any other on Earth.

Boat Safaris & Water-Based Wildlife Encounters

Our boat safaris reveal animals at close range as they drink, feed, and cool along riverbanks. The Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth N.P. delivers one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles, alongside elephants, buffalo, and countless bird species. Boat-based wildlife viewing in areas like Lake Manyara and select river systems adds a peaceful yet powerful perspective to classic game drives.

Birding Experiences for Enthusiasts & Professionals

East Africa is one of the world’s premier birding regions, hosting over 1,500 recorded species across diverse habitats. From Albertine Rift endemics in Uganda and Rwanda to flamingo-filled soda lakes in Tanzania, our birding safaris are customized for both beginner and expert birders.

Key birding hotspots include:  Mabamba Swamp for the rare shoebill stork, Nyungwe Forest for montane forest species, Lake Manyara for flamingos, pelicans, and raptors, and Serengeti for raptors and open grassland species. Each safari is guided by specialized birding experts, who use field scopes and detailed species checklists.

Walking Safaris & Nature Hikes

For travelers seeking immersive wildlife encounters beyond vehicles, our guided walking safaris deliver a deeper sensory connection with nature. Accompanied by trained armed rangers, you explore animal tracks, insects, medicinal plants, and ecosystems at ground level. These experiences are available in selected zones across Uganda and Tanzania, offering safe yet thrilling encounters with wildlife in open spaces.

Night Game Drives & Nocturnal Wildlife

Night safaris unlock a hidden world of predators and nocturnal animals rarely seen during daytime. Using filtered spotlights, you may encounter leopards hunting, civets crossing tracks, hyenas calling across the plains, and bush babies leaping through the trees. Night drives are available in select private conservancies and permitted national parks in Uganda and Tanzania, adding a dramatic extension to your safari adventure.

Cultural & Conservation-Based Wildlife Encounters

Wildlife in East Africa thrives alongside deeply rooted indigenous cultures. You can combine wildlife experiences with authentic cultural visits to local communities living around protected areas.

These visits highlight: Traditional conservation practices, Community-led tourism projects, Indigenous storytelling and forest knowledge, Local crafts, dances, and food.

Your participation directly supports sustainable livelihoods and conservation resilience across the region.

Top Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Uganda

Serengeti National Park

Dubbed Africa’s most iconic wildlife sanctuary, famed for its vast open plains, dramatic predator action, and the legendary Great Wildebeest Migration. This endless wilderness hosts over two million migrating animals alongside resident populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and countless antelope species.  Wildlife viewing in Serengeti is exceptional year-round, with each season offering unique highlights. Game drives here are cinematic, often revealing dramatic hunts and large predator prides in action.

Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda’s crown jewel of primate adventure, located in the mist-covered Virunga Mountains along the Uganda and DR Congo borders. The park is world-famous for its endangered mountain gorilla trekking, where travellers hike through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes to meet gorilla families in their natural habitat. Beyond gorillas, Volcanoes also shelters golden monkeys, forest elephants, and over 200 bird species, all framed by dramatic volcanic peaks.

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park is Africa’s leading destination for chimpanzee trekking, protecting one of the highest densities of primates on the continent. Its lush tropical rainforest is home to 13 primate species, including red colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and baboons, alongside forest elephants, butterflies, and over 375 bird species. The park’s rich biodiversity, combined with nearby crater lakes and community experiences, makes Kibale a perfect primate-focused wildlife destination in western Uganda.

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Director/Sales & Marketing: Tusiime Cheryl Myra

Cheryl, the eldest daughter of Olive, has embraced the responsibility of carrying forward her mother’s legacy with resilience and determination. After losing her father at the age of six, she was raised by her mother, Olive, with the support of Christer. Olive’s passing in 2017, when Cheryl was just 19, became a defining moment in her journey.

Having been involved in the foundations of Sunset Hotel Entebbe and Olive Safari Uganda from a young age, Cheryl stepped up to manage the businesses alongside Christer. Under his mentorship, she navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship and discovered her passion for tourism.

With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and hands-on leadership, Cheryl has been instrumental in maintaining loyal clientele at Sunset Hotel Entebbe, adapting it to post-COVID standards, and expanding Olive Safari Uganda. As a certified tour guide for Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar, she remains committed to upholding her mother’s vision of exceptional service and unforgettable travel experiences.

Founder & CEO: Christer Torstensson

Christer, a Swedish education consultant with over 40 years of experience guiding travelers across Africa, co-founded Olive Safari Uganda with a deep passion for the continent’s wonders. His extensive journeying, particularly through Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, enriched his understanding of Africa’s landscapes and cultures. As a consultant, he also contributed to education and development, notably establishing an automotive school in Zimbabwe. His work with the Global Journey program brought him to Uganda, where he collaborated with municipalities and fell in love with the country’s heritage.

During this time, he met Olive, whose exceptional leadership and organizational skills later turned their professional relationship into a personal one. Their shared vision led to the creation of Olive Safari Uganda in the early 2000s, followed later by Sunset Hotel Entebbe. While Christer split his time in Sweden managing the Global Journey program, Olive oversaw daily operations. Today, Olive Safari Uganda embodies Christer’s seasoned expertise as a guide and strategic insight, paired with Olive’s dedication, delivering outstanding safaris that showcase Uganda’s beauty and beyond.

Founder & CEO: Ayebale Olive

Ayebale Olive, co-founder of Olive Safari Uganda, brought over 20 years of community service experience into the world of tourism. As secretary to Entebbe’s Mayor, she honed her skills in program management and international partnerships, playing a key role in the Global Journey program that linked Uganda and Sweden.

It was through this program that she met Christer—three years after the passing of her first husband, while raising three children. United by a shared passion for travel and discovery, they founded Olive Safari Uganda in the early 2000s. Their commitment to exceptional service quickly set the company apart.

As demand grew, they expanded their vision by establishing Sunset Hotel Entebbe, creating a welcoming space for travelers exploring Uganda. Olive’s legacy lives on, shaping the company’s dedication to authentic and unforgettable safari experiences