The 5 Days Uganda gorilla safari to Kibale forest and Bwindi national parks is a perfect package for primates lovers. One may begin this safari from Kigali airport in Rwanda or Entebbe international airport guided by Gorilla Trek Africa
Trip Summary – 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari
Day 1: Kampala – Kibale Forest
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking – visit Bigodi eco swamp.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi national park.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking – visit Batwa pygmies
Day 5: Departure
Trip Itinerary – 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari
Day 1: Kampala – Kibale Forest
As early as 7:00 am local time, transfer to Kibale National park via Mubende with a stopover at Nakayima “spiritual” tree. Here you will meet a storyteller and introduce you to the traditional culture of the Baganda. Proceed to Fort Portal traversing spectacular tea plantations and local homesteads.
Ensure you arrive in Fort Portal early enough for a hot lunch since there are ideal food points along the way. After lunch visit the traditional cultural site – the “Amabeere ga Nyina Mwiru” (the stalagmite & stalactite). Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of the place and background stories. Dinner and overnight at Chimpundu Lodge / Crater Safari Lodge / Primates Lodge – Kibale / Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge. (Full Board)
Day 2: Chimp Trekking and Nature walk
At 6:30 am, go for your breakfast and immediately transfer to the park headquarters at Kanyanchu for a briefing by the park ranger. At 8:30 am you will transfer to the beginning of the tracking trail. Usually, it takes a minimum of 3 hours tracking the chimps in the forest.
After the chimp trek return to the lodge for a hot lunch as you prepare to go for an evening nature walk in the Bigodi wetland. Expect to see some primates including red-tailed monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys and a plethora of birds including the great blue turaco. Later return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Wake up by 7:00 am for your breakfast and later transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This is a 5 to 6 hours drive sparing an hour for a game drive in Ishasha Wildlife sector of Queen Elizabeth national park in anticipation of tree climbing lions. Later transfer to Savannah Hotel in Kihihi for a hot lunch. Later proceed to Bwindi – Buhoma via tea plantations in Kanungu arriving in the evening and checking in your lodge. Dinner and overnight at Mahogany Springs Lodge / Gorilla Forest Camp (Full Board)
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking
On this day you have a chance to penetrate the impenetrable Bwindi Forest in search for these gentle giants – the Mountain gorillas. The activity takes 2 – 8 hours depending on the movement of these apes.
The navigation through the rugged terrain and the thick vegetation spices up the experience. Along the way you may encounter other primates including black-faced vervet monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys among others. For the visitors doing gorilla habituation, four hours are reserved for them to stay in the presence of gorillas as they carry out various activities including feeding and nestling. Later return to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking certificates. Dinner and overnight at Mahogany Springs Lodge / Gorilla Forest Camp (Full Board)
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy your breakfast and transfer to Kigali airport in Rwanda through the spectacular and picturesque hills of Kigezi popularly known as ‘the Switzerland of Africa‘. This is a 4 to 6 hours drive depending on the time spent at Katuna border post clearing with immigration officials.
Inclusions – 5 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari
- Gorilla Permits
- Chimpanzee permit
- Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
- Canopy walk
- Park entrance fees
- Accommodation & meals
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground Transport
Miscellaneous
- Bottled Drinking water
- Government Taxes
Tour Cost Exclusions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Shopping
- Tips
- Extra activities not in the itinerary
Other 5 Uganda Gorilla Safari options
Alternatively a visitor may have a similar safari experience in Rwanda without necessarily coming to Uganda.
5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Safari
Trip summary
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali- Nyungwe national park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and afternoon Forest Canopy walk.
Day 3: Transfer from Nyungwe to Volcanoes national park
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and cultural visit
Day 5: Departure with an optional city tour
Detailed – 5 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Tour
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe National park
In the morning, after breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali, and you’ll embark on a scenic drive to Nyungwe National Park. On the way, there will be a stopover at King’s Palace Nyanza, a traditional seat for the Rwandan king. Here, you’ll delve into the history of ancient Rwandan royals, their styles, and the authority of pre-colonial Rwandan kings. Get to meet the royal cows and their herders who sing for them. Additionally, you’ll witness the walls of the simple modern home of the country’s last king.
Continue the journey with another stop in Butare town to visit the Ethnographic Museum. Explore its seven galleries showcasing textiles, architecture, hunting weapons, and designs created by the people. After lunch, proceed to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the late afternoon. Nyungwe National Park is home to 13 primate species, including over 500 wild chimpanzees. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Gisakura Guest House (budget), Emeraude Kivu Resort (deluxe/mid-luxury), or One and Only Nyungwe House (high-end).
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and afternoon Forest Canopy walk
After breakfast, you will head to the park head office for a briefing before venturing into the forest for an exciting chimpanzee tracking adventure. The trek typically takes 2-3 hours, guided by a ranger through the lush tropical surroundings. Once you catch up with the chimpanzees, you will have the opportunity to observe them and also search for other primates such as l’hoest, blue, mona, red-tailed, and owl-faced monkeys, as well as black and white colobus, olive baboons, bush babies, along with diverse bird species and unique plants.
Throughout the trek, your guide will provide insights into the behavior of these apes and share information about ongoing conservation efforts. Upon reaching the chimpanzees, you will be allowed to stay and interact with them for a maximum of 1 hour, capturing photos to your heart’s content. Later, you will return to your lodge for a well-deserved lunch.
In the afternoon, you will transfer to the Uwinka Visitor Center for a forest canopy walk adventure in Nyungwe Forest. The canopy walkway provides breathtaking views across the forest, offering an eye-level perspective of monkeys and birds that may not be easily spotted from the ground. After the adventure, return to your lodge for a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes national park
After enjoying a morning breakfast, you will proceed to transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Kinigi via Gisenyi in Ruhengeri. Along the way, you will pass through tea plantations, offering spectacular views of the neighboring communities and beautiful sceneries. The journey will take approximately 3-4 hours, and you are expected to reach your destination in the evening.
For your accommodation, you will have the option of staying at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, or Kinigi Guest House. Dinner and overnight stay will be arranged at your chosen lodging.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and cultural visit
In the early morning, after breakfast, you will embark on a briefing at the park headquarters. At 8 am, a ranger will guide you into the jungle through the volcano forest in search of the mountain gorillas. Gorilla tracking may take 1 to 7 hours, as some gorilla families are elusive, and the tracking process can extend to a full day, especially in wet and muddy conditions. The activity is relatively tiresome and challenging.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the Iby’iwachu cultural village. Here, you can engage with local people and discover their home and heritage treasures, including lifestyles, activities, artifacts, and ways of living. The Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village is dedicated to showcasing traditional ways of living, cultural practices, and dances to tourists.
Day 5: Departure with an optional city tour
Depart for Kigali and, if time allows, enjoy a city tour. Explore local markets and visit genocide memorial sites. Finally, transfer to the airport, marking the end of your safari.
Bookings and payment options
To make gorilla safari bookings with Gorilla Trek Africa, contact our travel consultants through +256-705487517 or +256-776107004 or send us an email at info@gorillatrekafrica.com for detailed tour packages and travel tips.
Our payments are preferred in US Dollars and currency exchange rates vary daily based on the current international banking data available. We accept wire transfers and credit card payments. Payment by credit card is subject to a surcharge of 5%.