Tour Overview
A compact but high-impact safari that pairs Uganda's two flagship primate experiences: tracking habituated chimpanzee communities in Kibale Forest National Park and trekking endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a scenic drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park along the way. This itinerary is built around realistic Uganda road-travel times and the official trekking schedules used by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Day by Day Itinerary
Depart Entebbe or Kampala early in the morning and drive southwest through the Rift Valley escarpment, with views over Lake Mburo's rolling hills and (weather permitting) the distant Rwenzori Mountains. The drive takes roughly 6–7 hours, broken up with a stop for lunch en route (commonly at Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara, a good spot to sample Ankole cultural exhibits and local cuisine).
Arrive in Fort Portal / Kibale area in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and relax. Many lodges here sit at the edge of the forest, so evening primate sounds (and sometimes visiting black-and-white colobus monkeys) are common even before the official trek begins.
Arrive in Fort Portal / Kibale area in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and relax. Many lodges here sit at the edge of the forest, so evening primate sounds (and sometimes visiting black-and-white colobus monkeys) are common even before the official trek begins.
Meals: Break fast, Lunch and Dinner
Early breakfast, then report to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre by 7:30 AM for briefing ahead of the chimpanzee trek. Kibale holds Uganda's highest population density of primates, including roughly 1,500 chimpanzees, and the guided trek typically lasts 2–4 hours through tropical rainforest depending on how far the habituated community has moved that morning.
Tracking on foot through the forest, you'll follow guides as they use calls and movement patterns to locate the troop, then spend up to an hour observing chimps feeding, grooming, and interacting at close range. Eleven other primate species are found in the same forest, so red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and l'Hoest's monkeys are common bonus sightings.
After the trek and a late lunch, drive roughly 2–3 hours south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, entering via the Kazinga Channel area. Depending on arrival time, an optional late-afternoon game drive or boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel can be added the channel is known for dense hippo pods, buffalo, and a wide variety of waterbirds.
Tracking on foot through the forest, you'll follow guides as they use calls and movement patterns to locate the troop, then spend up to an hour observing chimps feeding, grooming, and interacting at close range. Eleven other primate species are found in the same forest, so red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and l'Hoest's monkeys are common bonus sightings.
After the trek and a late lunch, drive roughly 2–3 hours south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, entering via the Kazinga Channel area. Depending on arrival time, an optional late-afternoon game drive or boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel can be added the channel is known for dense hippo pods, buffalo, and a wide variety of waterbirds.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set out for an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains or Ishasha sector, where Queen Elizabeth's tree-climbing lions are occasionally spotted resting in fig trees a behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. Elephants, Ugandan kob, buffalo, warthogs, and various antelope species are common across the open savannah.
After the drive, begin the journey south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the gorilla trekking hub in southwestern Uganda. The route (commonly via Ishasha) takes around 4–5 hours over partly unpaved roads, descending into increasingly dense, hilly forest terrain as you approach Bwindi. The landscape shift from open savannah to thick montane rainforest is one of the more memorable parts of the trip.
Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your lodge, with time to rest ahead of the gorilla trek.
After the drive, begin the journey south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the gorilla trekking hub in southwestern Uganda. The route (commonly via Ishasha) takes around 4–5 hours over partly unpaved roads, descending into increasingly dense, hilly forest terrain as you approach Bwindi. The landscape shift from open savannah to thick montane rainforest is one of the more memorable parts of the trip.
Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your lodge, with time to rest ahead of the gorilla trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This is the centerpiece day. After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo sector, depending on which gorilla family you're assigned) by 7:30 AM for a briefing on trekking etiquette and safety.
Bwindi is home to roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorilla population, spread across more than a dozen habituated families. Trekking time varies significantly anywhere from 1 to 6+ hours of hiking through dense, often steep and muddy forest depending on where the assigned family was last located. Porters can be hired locally to carry packs and assist on the steeper sections, which is worth budgeting for given the terrain.
Once the family is located, visitors are permitted one hour of observation time, watching gorillas feed, play, and move through the forest at close range under the supervision of armed rangers and trackers. This is strictly regulated by UWA to protect both visitor safety and the gorillas' wellbeing.
After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up, have lunch, and then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, roughly 1.5–2 hours away. Often called the "Switzerland of Africa," Bunyonyi is one of the few East African lakes considered free of bilharzia and crocodiles, making it a relaxing, swimmable spot to unwind after the physical demands of trekking. The lake is dotted with 29 islands and surrounded by terraced hills, and most lodges sit right on the shoreline. Arrive in the early evening with time to relax, take a short dugout canoe ride, or simply enjoy the sunset over the water.
Bwindi is home to roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorilla population, spread across more than a dozen habituated families. Trekking time varies significantly anywhere from 1 to 6+ hours of hiking through dense, often steep and muddy forest depending on where the assigned family was last located. Porters can be hired locally to carry packs and assist on the steeper sections, which is worth budgeting for given the terrain.
Once the family is located, visitors are permitted one hour of observation time, watching gorillas feed, play, and move through the forest at close range under the supervision of armed rangers and trackers. This is strictly regulated by UWA to protect both visitor safety and the gorillas' wellbeing.
After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up, have lunch, and then transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, roughly 1.5–2 hours away. Often called the "Switzerland of Africa," Bunyonyi is one of the few East African lakes considered free of bilharzia and crocodiles, making it a relaxing, swimmable spot to unwind after the physical demands of trekking. The lake is dotted with 29 islands and surrounded by terraced hills, and most lodges sit right on the shoreline. Arrive in the early evening with time to relax, take a short dugout canoe ride, or simply enjoy the sunset over the water.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Wake up to views over the lake and enjoy a relaxed breakfast, with time for an optional early canoe paddle or short walk around the lodge grounds before checking out.
Begin the return drive to Entebbe or Kampala by mid-morning. The journey takes approximately 8–9 hours via Mbarara, so a prompt departure is recommended. A stop is typically made along the way for lunch and to stretch your legs Lake Mburo National Park's edge or Igongo Cultural Centre are common waypoints.
Arrive back in Entebbe in time for an evening flight, or transfer to your Kampala accommodation if extending your stay.
Begin the return drive to Entebbe or Kampala by mid-morning. The journey takes approximately 8–9 hours via Mbarara, so a prompt departure is recommended. A stop is typically made along the way for lunch and to stretch your legs Lake Mburo National Park's edge or Igongo Cultural Centre are common waypoints.
Arrive back in Entebbe in time for an evening flight, or transfer to your Kampala accommodation if extending your stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
What's Included
- All ground transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- 1 chimpanzee trekking permit (Kibale Forest National Park)
- 1 gorilla trekking permit (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park)
- Park entrance fees for Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi National Parks
- 4 nights' accommodation as per itinerary (Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi)
- All meals as specified (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from Day 1 dinner through Day 5 lunch
- Bottled drinking water during transfers and game drives
- Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- All activities listed in the itinerary
What's Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Uganda visa fees / East Africa visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and porters
- Porter fees for gorilla/chimp trekking (optional, paid locally)
- Alcoholic and bottled beverages outside of plain drinking water
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.)
- Optional activities not listed (e.g., Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Bunyonyi canoe excursions, cultural village visits)
- Any costs arising from itinerary changes due to weather, road conditions, or park authority decisions
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Quick Info
5 Days Tour
Adventure and Gorilla Trekking
Kibale Forest NP, Queen Elizabeth Np, Bwindi Impenartable, lake Bunyonyi
Budget
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