5 Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
5 Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Overview
The 5 Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekkking Safari is an exciting primate adventure that takes you to two of Uganda’s most famous national parks — Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park. This safari offers the perfect opportunity to combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, allowing you to encounter two of our closest relatives in the wild.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making it one of the best places on earth to see these incredible animals in their natural habitat. Kibale National Park, on the other hand, is widely known as one of the best places in Africa to observe wild chimpanzees, with several habituated communities that can be visited during guided treks.
This all-inclusive safari starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala and includes comfortable accommodation, transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle, park activities, and airport transfers. Along the way, you will enjoy scenic drives through Uganda’s countryside and experience the beauty of the country’s diverse landscapes.
Safari Highlights
- Visit Uganda, the Pearl of Africa
- The safari starts and ends in Entebbe
- Explore Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Park
- Experience gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking
- Travel in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari can be arranged at an extra cost
Trip Itinerary
Your safari begins with an early morning pickup at around 7:00 AM from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala by your professional safari guide. After a short briefing about the journey ahead, you will start the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.
Along the way, you will stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, where you can take photos and watch a short demonstration showing how water behaves differently on the northern and southern hemispheres.
The journey continues toward Mbarara town, where you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, the drive becomes even more scenic as you travel through banana plantations, rural farms, and the rolling hills of the Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.”
You will arrive at your lodge near Bwindi in the evening where you can relax, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the gorilla trekking experience the following day.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options
Budget
- Rushaga Havens Lodge
- Ride 4 A Woman
Mid-range
- Four Gorillas Lodge
- Orugano Bwindi Lodge
Luxury
- Buhoma Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After an early breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the park headquarters for the gorilla trekking briefing conducted by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. During the briefing, you will learn about the trekking guidelines and safety rules.
You will then head into the forest with experienced rangers and trackers in search of a mountain gorilla family. The trekking time can vary from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas on that particular day.
Once the gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural environment. This is the highlight of the safari and a rare opportunity to watch the gorillas feed, interact, and move through the forest.
After the trek, you will return to the park headquarters where you will receive a gorilla trekking certificate before heading back to the lodge. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the lodge.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Options
Budget
- Rushaga Havens Lodge
- Ride 4 A Woman
Mid-range
- Four Gorillas Lodge
- Orugano Bwindi Lodge
Luxury
- Buhoma Lodge
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After breakfast, you will begin the journey from Bwindi to Kibale National Park, located in western Uganda. The drive takes you through parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you may have the chance to spot wildlife along the way.
During the journey, you will cross the Equator again at Kikorongo and enjoy views of rivers flowing from the Rwenzori Mountains. The drive continues through Kasese district before reaching the beautiful town of Fort Portal, known for its scenic crater lakes and tea plantations.
You will stop in Fort Portal for lunch before continuing to your lodge near Kibale National Park.
Upon arrival, check in and relax at your lodge while enjoying dinner.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park
Accommodation Options
Budget
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Mid-range
Luxury
- Chimpundu Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After breakfast, transfer to Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. Kibale is home to over 13 species of primates, including large communities of wild chimpanzees.
You will join a small group led by an experienced guide and head into the forest in search of a chimpanzee community. Chimpanzees live in large groups but often split into smaller feeding groups during the day.
Once located, you will spend one hour observing them as they feed, groom, communicate, and move through the forest.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch before heading out for an afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk. This community-run wetland sanctuary is rich in birdlife and primates and offers an excellent opportunity to learn about local culture and conservation.
In the evening, return to your lodge to relax and enjoy dinner.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park
Accommodation
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
- Chimpundu Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drinks: Drinking Water
After breakfast, begin the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. The return journey follows a scenic route through Uganda’s countryside, offering beautiful views of villages, farms, and forests.
You will stop for lunch along the way in Mubende before continuing the drive to Entebbe.
You will arrive in the evening where you will either be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Main Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation: End of tour
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Drinks: Mineral Water
Tour Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Park entrance fees
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary visit
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and telephone calls
- Alcoholic and soft drinks not included in meals
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
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