5 Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari from Kigali
5 Days – 4 Nights
5 Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari from Kigali
Overview
This 5 Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari from Kigali is perfect for travelers looking to experience the best of East Africa’s primates while minimizing travel time. By starting your journey in Kigali, Rwanda, you’ll enjoy a shorter, more scenic drive into Uganda, leading you to the heart of the great apes’ natural habitat.
You’ll explore two of Uganda’s most iconic primate destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of the world, with a population of over 1,500 wild chimpanzees.
Expect unforgettable wildlife encounters, lush rainforests, scenic drives, and authentic cultural experiences—all wrapped into one enriching 5-day adventure.
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5 Days/ 4 Nights
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Uganda
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Guided, Private Safari
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Airport TransfersCar hireServices of an English-speaking guideRefreshments like waterAll accommodation & MealsAll activitiesAll Taxes /VATA professional driver /guideFuelGorilla & Chimpanzee permitDrinking water
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Tips and gratuitiesAll items of personal natureInternational flightsAlcoholic drinks
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup in Kigali – Drive to Kibale Forest National Park (via Genocide Memorial)
Your safari begins with a morning pick-up from Kigali International Airport or your hotel. Before heading into Uganda, you’ll make a meaningful stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you’ll learn about Rwanda’s powerful history and resilience.
After this reflective experience, your journey continues northward, crossing the Uganda-Rwanda border and heading toward the lush landscapes of Kibale Forest National Park, a biodiversity hotspot that is home to 13 species of primates, including wild chimpanzees.
Drive Time: Approximately 6–7 hours with stops
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House / Kibale Homestay
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Community Walk
After breakfast, head to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for a briefing with your ranger guides. You’ll then embark on your chimpanzee tracking experience, where you’ll walk deep into the tropical forest in search of these intelligent and playful primates. Once found, you’ll spend up to one hour watching the chimps interact, groom, and leap between the trees.
In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-based conservation project known for its vibrant birdlife, monkeys, butterflies, and village charm. Enjoy a guided nature walk, interact with local residents, and learn about traditional life in this rural Ugandan setting.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House / Kibale Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Scenic Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you’ll depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most biologically diverse rainforests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This journey offers breathtaking views of Uganda’s crater lakes, rolling hills, tea plantations, and terraced farms.
Depending on gorilla permit availability, you’ll stay in one of Bwindi’s southern sectors—Rushaga or Nkuringo—both excellent for trekking.
Drive Time: Approximately 6–7 hours
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Today is the highlight of your safari—gorilla trekking! After an early breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing led by park rangers. You’ll then be assigned a gorilla family and set off on a guided trek through thick jungle and mountainous terrain.
The trek may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Once you find them, you’ll spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants up close—watching them eat, play, and care for their young. It’s an emotional and life-changing experience you’ll never forget.
After your trek, receive your official gorilla trekking certificate and return to the lodge for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Return to Kigali – End of Safari
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Uganda’s misty mountains and drive back to Kigali, Rwanda. You’ll enjoy scenic views and make a stop for lunch en route. Your guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport or your hotel, marking the end of your 5-day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari.
Drive Time: 4–6 hours
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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Suggested Gorilla Safari Ideas
The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what’s possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.
