5 Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
5 Days – 4 Nights
5 Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Overview
This 5 day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari offers a rare opportunity to encounter two of Africa’s great apes—the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the playful chimpanzees of Kibale Forest National Park.
This tour is perfect for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts looking to combine two premier primate trekking experiences in one journey. Starting and ending in Entebbe or Kampala, this all-inclusive safari covers transportation, accommodation, permits, and meals. It can also be customized to match your travel style and budget.
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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 permitChimpanzee permitDrinking water
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Tips and gratuitiesAll items of personal natureInternational flightsAlcoholic drinks
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Your safari begins with a warm welcome from your professional driver-guide who will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe—or directly from Entebbe International Airport. From here, begin your scenic drive to the southwestern corner of Uganda, home to the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Uganda’s countryside, rolling hills, tea plantations, and vibrant roadside markets. You’ll stop at the equator for photos and lunch en route. Optional stops to explore local crafts or communities can be made on request.
Drive Time: Approximately 8–9 hours
Accommodation Options:
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Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
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Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch (if en route) & Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today is the highlight of your safari! After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You’ll be grouped (maximum 8 people per group) and assigned a gorilla family to track.
Accompanied by experienced ranger guides and trackers, set off into the dense rainforest. The trek may take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas, but the reward is worth every step. Once you find the gorilla family, you’ll spend a magical hour observing them in their natural habitat—watching juveniles play, adults forage, and the silverback keeping watch.
After this unforgettable encounter, return to the headquarters to receive your Gorilla Trekking Certificate.
Evening: Relax at the lodge, enjoy a warm meal, and take in the sounds of the forest.
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, begin your journey north to Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the Primate Capital of the World. Depending on your route, you may pass through Queen Elizabeth National Park—offering optional detours for game viewing or a stop at Katwe Salt Lakes.
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Kibale and enjoy a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run conservation area is known for its incredible biodiversity, including monkeys, butterflies, and over 200 bird species.
Drive Time: 5–6 hours
Accommodation Options:
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Mid-range: Turaco Treetops
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Budget: Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Swamp Walk
Rise early for a hearty breakfast before heading to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking etiquette. With the help of guides and trackers, venture into the forest to search for habituated chimpanzee communities. You’ll likely hear their loud calls before you spot them swinging through the treetops or foraging on the ground.
Kibale is also home to 12 other primate species, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys—making the trek even more exciting.
In the afternoon, enjoy a second walk or relax at the lodge.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops or Chimpanzee Guest House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Return to Entebbe or Kampala
After breakfast, begin your drive back to Kampala or Entebbe, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel or at Entebbe International Airport for your flight home. Reflect on your once-in-a-lifetime encounters with mountain gorillas and wild chimpanzees—an adventure you’ll never forget!
Drive Time: 5–6 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast & 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.
