5-Day Uganda Safari — Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking
The 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari is the ultimate primate adventure — a deeply immersive journey into two of Africa’s most extraordinary rainforests to encounter the continent’s most fascinating and intelligent wildlife in their natural habitat.
Beginning in the lush canopies of Kibale Forest National Park, the world’s finest destination for chimpanzee trekking, the safari then sweeps south to the ancient, mist-wrapped valleys of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — home to more than half of every mountain gorilla remaining on earth.
Along the way, Uganda’s stunning landscapes unfold around you; rolling green hills, crater lakes, and traditional villages painting a picture of a country as beautiful as it is wild. This is not simply a wildlife safari. This is an encounter with our closest living relatives that will move you, humble you, and stay with you forever.
Day 1 — Arrival & Transfer to Kibale Forest Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and meet your professional driver guide. Depart for Kibale Forest National Park, travelling through Uganda’s scenic countryside with a stop for lunch en route. Check in to your lodge in the late afternoon, enjoy a welcome dinner, and prepare for your chimpanzee trek the following morning. Overnight at Kibale.
Day 2 — Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk Rise early for breakfast before heading to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for your morning briefing. Enter the ancient forest with an experienced ranger guide and begin tracking one of Kibale’s habituated chimpanzee communities — listening for their calls echoing through the canopy before coming face to face with these remarkable creatures in their natural world. Spend an unforgettable hour observing their behaviour, social interactions, and playful energy. Return to lodge for lunch, then join an afternoon guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary — a community-managed reserve rich in birds, primates, and plant life. Overnight at Kibale.
Day 3 — Scenic Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park After breakfast, depart Kibale and begin the scenic drive south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through the verdant hills and tea plantations of southwestern Uganda. Stop along the way to visit a local community and experience traditional Ugandan culture, crafts, and village life. Arrive at Bwindi in the late afternoon, check in to your forest lodge, and enjoy dinner as the sounds of the ancient jungle settle around you. Overnight at Bwindi.
Day 4 — Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi This is the day that defines the entire journey. Rise before dawn for an early breakfast before transferring to your designated trekking sector headquarters — Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, or Nkuringo. Register, receive your trekking briefing, then enter the dense forest with your ranger guide and begin your search for a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take one hour or several — through tangled undergrowth, across steep ridges, and beneath a canopy of ancient trees — but every step is worth it. When you find them, you will spend one full, extraordinary hour in their presence, watching a silverback command his family with quiet authority while youngsters play and mothers tend to their young. Return to park headquarters to receive your Gorilla Tracking Certificate. Celebrate at lodge with dinner and overnight at Bwindi.
Day 5 — Return to Entebbe & Departure Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a final morning walk in the forest before departing Bwindi for the scenic drive back to Entebbe. Arrive by early evening in time for your international departure, carrying with you memories that no photograph could ever fully capture.
| Package | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Budget | From $1,933 |
| Mid-range | From $2,500 |
| Luxury | From $4,000 |
Prices are per person based on double occupancy sharing. Solo traveller supplements apply. International flights and Uganda e-visa not included. Gorilla trekking permits must be secured at least 6 months in advance, particularly for peak season travel between June and September. Low season discounts available March to May and October to November.
Tour Price Includes
- 4 nights accommodation (budget, mid-range, or luxury lodge options)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit ($150 per person)
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary guided walk
- Community village visit
- All national park entry fees
- Private 4WD safari vehicle with professional driver guide
- Gorilla Tracking Certificate
- Drinking water throughout
Not Included In the Tour Price
- International flights
- Uganda e-visa ($50 USD)
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional porter hire at Bwindi (~$15–20 recommended)
- Any personal expenses