5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari
Uganda's two signature primate encounters in one itinerary: a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, followed by chimpanzee tracking in Kibale — the forest with the highest primate density in Africa, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees. Scenic road transfer between the two connects the Ishasha sector's tree-climbing lions along the way.
This is our most requested Uganda itinerary, and for good reason: gorillas and chimpanzees are genuinely different experiences — one hour of quiet, profound eye contact with a silverback versus following a noisy, fast-moving chimp community through the canopy — and five days is enough to do both properly without feeling rushed.
Lo más destacado
- ◆One gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- ◆One chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale National Park — 13 primate species, 1,500+ chimpanzees
- ◆Queen Elizabeth NP's Ishasha sector en route — tree-climbing lions in fig trees
- ◆Optional Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary community walk near Kibale
- ◆Two distinct rainforest ecosystems in a single itinerary
- ◆Luxury or boutique forest-edge lodges throughout
Itinerario día a día
Day 1Entebbe/Kampala → Bwindi Impenetrable ForestDía1Entebbe/Kampala → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Road transfer or scenic flight to Bwindi (road: ~8–9hrs via Lake Mburo; air: ~1hr 20min). Afternoon at leisure at your forest-edge lodge. Trekking briefing for the following morning.
- Día2
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Full day gorilla trek — registration at 06:00, trek departs 08:00, one hour with your allocated habituated family once located. Celebratory dinner back at the lodge.
Day 3Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth NP (Ishasha) → KibaleDía3Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth NP (Ishasha) → Kibale
Morning drive north through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park — a game drive en route in search of the sector's famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig and sausage trees. Continue to Kibale Forest, arriving by evening. Dinner and overnight.
- Día4
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
06:00 briefing at Kanyanchu visitor centre. Trek departs 07:30 into forest holding Uganda's largest chimpanzee population — expect noisy, fast-moving encounters very different from the gorillas' calm. One hour with the community once found. Afternoon: optional guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run reserve known for eight primate species and rich birdlife.
Day 5Kibale → Entebbe/Kampala DepartureDía5Kibale → Entebbe/Kampala Departure
Optional final morning nature walk. Breakfast, check-out, and return road transfer or flight to Entebbe/Kampala, connecting with onward international flights.
Qué incluye
- ✓All road transfers in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-roof
- ✓Professional driver-guide throughout
- ✓One gorilla permit (USD 800) and one chimpanzee permit (USD 200)
- ✓Full board accommodation, 4 nights
- ✓Queen Elizabeth National Park game drive (Ishasha sector)
- ✓Bottled water daily
No incluido
- ·International flights to/from Entebbe
- ·Uganda visa fees
- ·Bigodi Wetland community walk fee (optional, ~USD 15 pp)
- ·Tips and gratuities
- ·Travel and medical insurance
Uganda — la perla de África
Uganda —la «perla de África», según Winston Churchill— es un país compacto de una riqueza biológica excepcional. Alberga algo menos de la mitad de los gorilas de montaña que quedan en el mundo, en el bosque primario del Parque Nacional Impenetrable de Bwindi, además de una de las mayores poblaciones de chimpancés del planeta, en el bosque de Kibale.
Descubrir Uganda a fondo →Preguntas frecuentes
Can I really do gorillas and chimps in 5 days?
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Yes — this itinerary is built specifically for that. One trekking day per primate, a comfortable travel day between the two parks (with the Ishasha tree-climbing lions as a bonus stop), and no rushed connections. It's our most-booked Uganda itinerary for exactly this reason.
Which is more difficult — gorilla trekking or chimp tracking?
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Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is generally the more physically demanding of the two, with steeper, denser terrain. Kibale's chimp tracking involves less elevation but the chimps move fast through the canopy, so you may cover more ground on foot trying to keep pace with the community.
Do I need two separate permits?
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Yes — a gorilla permit (USD 800) for Bwindi and a separate chimpanzee permit (USD 200) for Kibale. Both are included in this itinerary and booked several months ahead on your behalf.
Can this be extended with a classic savanna safari?
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Absolutely — Queen Elizabeth National Park, which you pass through between the two forests, is worth a dedicated 1–2 night stop for boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel and further game drives. Let us know when you enquire and we'll extend the itinerary around it.