The 5 days Kibale and gorilla trek takes you on an unforgettable primate encounter in Uganda’s tropical jungles. This unusual itinerary introduces you to Kibale National Park, home to 13 primate species including over 1500 chimpanzees. It is here where you will get the best of chimpanzee tracking.

The gorilla trek will be enjoyed while in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is found in the extreme Southwestern part of Uganda and holds 22 habituated gorilla families. All gorilla treks in Bwindi are done in any of the 4 sectors or regions that is Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale via Fort Portal tourism city

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland tour

Day 3: Travel by road from Kibale to Bwindi

Day 4: Gorilla trekking with an expert & cultural visit

Day 5: Pick up at the lodge and drive back to Kampala/Entebbe

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale via Fort Portal tourism city

After a hefty cup of tea/coffee, you will meet our company driver guide for briefing and later, have your luggage packed into the car. At around 8:00am, you will depart from the hotel in Kampala city to Kibale National Park. You will access the park on Kampala-Mityana –Fort Portal tourism city and your journey will cover about 5-6 hours. At Fort Portal tourism city, you will have an en-route lunch and some relaxation then proceed to the lodge.

Accommodation options

  • Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge
  • Midrange: Primates Lodge
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland tour

Leave your respective lodges for briefing at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre which starts from around 6:30. At Kanyanchu, you will be cleared at the reception desk then join other visitors in the briefing room. The park official will be available to take you through the guidelines for chimpanzee tracking and also allocate to you the park ranger guide.

Start your trek through Kibale forest at around 8:00am and you will be searching for the habituated chimpanzee community. This primate trek will run for 2-4 hours which also covers an hour of up close and personal encounter with chimpanzees.

Your chimp trek also allows you encounter other primates like the red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and mangabeys, etc. For those keen enough, you will also sight some interesting birds.

After the entire trek, you will be at the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you will be visiting Bigodi wetland. A guided Bigodi wetland walk allows you look for more primates, birds and other mammals.

Accommodation options

  • Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Papaya Lake Lodge
  • Midrange: Primates Lodge
  • Budget: Isunga Lodge

Day 3: Travel by road from Kibale to Bwindi

A delicious breakfast will be provided to you early morning and after, have your luggage packed in the car. Today, you will be transferred up to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, driving via Queen Elizabeth National Park. At around Ishasha area in the Southern Queen Elizabeth Park, you will have a short game drive. On a game drive, you may chance to see the tree climbing lions plus other mammals. Have a picnic lunch then continue to the lodge at Bwindi.

Accommodation options

  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
  • Midrange: Silverback Lodge or Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Camp

Day 4: Gorilla trekking with an expert & cultural visit

After the hot cup of tea or coffee at your respective lodges, you will report to Buhoma area for briefing about gorilla trekking regulations. The gorilla families plus park ranger guides will be allocated to you during the briefing session. At around 8:00am, you will be led by the park ranger guide on a search for mountain gorillas and expect to spend 2-6 hours in the wild.

The 2-6 hours’ trek also covers an hour for you to take pictures and observing how these primates. After, you will walk back and the park official will give you a gorilla trekking certificate. You will also drop your comment about your adventure in the suggestion box.

Accommodation options

  • Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs
  • Midrange: Silverback Lodge or Engagi Lodge
  • Budget: Buhoma Community Camp

Day 5: Pick up at the lodge and drive back to Kampala/Entebbe

Have a delicious breakfast at leisure and later, the driver guide will have your luggage packed into the car. Today, you will return from Bwindi to Kampala and en-route, you will make a stopover at Mbarara/Igongo for lunch. Photography and leg stretching will be had at the Equator crossing then you proceed up to Kampala.

End of safari

Safari cost inclusions

  • Gorilla permits
  • Chimp trek permits
  • Park entrance fees
  • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
  • Travel by car and a professional driver guide services
  • A bottle of water

Safari cost exclusions

  • Tips
  • Cigarettes
  • Laundry service fees
  • Optional activities
  • International flight expenses
  • Passports
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance