5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking safari

Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari – 5-Day Tour

Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari is a 5-day primate adventure that takes you to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking. This Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari offers unforgettable wildlife encounters, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences.

5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking safari

Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

You will be met and warmly received at your hotel in Entebbe or at Entebbe airport by your safari guide from Salt Holidays who will brief you and begin the scenic drive to Kibale National Park. The journey takes approximately 6 hours, passing through lush countryside, tea plantations, and rural villages. You will have lunch enroute before arriving at your lodge in the afternoon. Depending on the time, you may choose to take a guided nature walk around the lodge to explore the beautiful surroundings.

Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Day 2: Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale

After breakfast at 7:00 am, you will be transferred to the chimpanzee tracking visitors centre for a briefing by park rangers. Kibale is a prime destination for chimpanzee tracking, often referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World.” During the trek, you will have the opportunity to observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat at very close range. The experience is both thrilling and educational, as your lead guide provides insights into the behaviour and ecology of these fascinating primates. Trekking typically lasts 3–4 hours, including the time spent with the chimpanzees once you locate them. Lunch will be at the lodge especially if you’re doing normal tracking.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project. This walk is slower and more relaxed, with chances to see more primates like black-and-white colobus monkeys, birds like the Great Blue Turaco, and interact with the local community.

Chimpanzee Tracking Vs Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
Unlike normal chimpanzee tracking that allows a maximum of 6 people per chimpanzee community to view a habituated group for up to 1 hour, chimpanzee habituation is a research-based experience where you spend up to 4 hours with a semi-habituated group learning their behaviour. This permit costs more—please inform us at booking if interested.

Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

Day 3: Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, you will embark on a scenic journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes approximately 6–7 hours offering breathtaking views of rolling hills, crater lakes and the Virunga Mountains. You will stop for lunch enroute before continuing through small villages and tea plantations. Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and relax in preparation for the next day’s gorilla trekking experience.

Overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Buhoma Haven Lodge

Day 4: Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari Gorilla Tracking Experience

After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your gorilla trek. Guided by experienced rangers, you will hike through dense forest until you locate a gorilla family. The trek can take a few hours depending on their location.

Spending one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat is a truly humbling and unforgettable experience. Afterward, return to the lodge to relax or optionally visit the Batwa community to learn about their culture.

Gorilla Tracking Vs Gorilla Habituation Experience:
Gorilla tracking allows up to 8 people per group for 1 hour with a habituated family, while habituation allows only 4 people and up to 4 hours with gorillas still getting used to human presence. The habituation permit is more expensive.

Dinner and overnight at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Buhoma Haven Lodge

Day 5: End of Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari – Transfer Back

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe or Kigali.

If returning to Entebbe, enjoy scenic stopovers including the Equator for photos and lunch.
If exiting via Kigali, enjoy a shorter drive with views of Rwanda’s terraced hills.

During your Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari, you will have experienced Uganda’s most iconic wildlife encounters.

Your guide will drop you off at the airport or hotel, marking the end of your safari.

End of the Safari

Safari Budget (USD)

Cost per person: $2,887.6

Please Note: Based on a minimum of 2 pax sharing a double/twin room occupancy.

Includes

• 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
• 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
• Accommodation as indicated
• All meals as indicated
• Experienced driver/guide
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with A/C and fridge
• Bottled drinking water throughout the trip