7 Days Uganda Gorillas and Chimpanzee safari

This 7 Days Uganda Gorillas and Chimpanzee Safari is designed for travelers seeking Uganda’s most rewarding primate experiences combined with wildlife viewing and spectacular scenery. The safari takes you to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife encounters, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the unforgettable experience of mountain gorilla trekking.

Along the journey, you will explore tropical rainforests, savannah plains, crater lakes, and the famous Kazinga Channel while searching for chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous bird species.

Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park

Upon arrival or after breakfast at your hotel, meet your driver guide and begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park. The drive takes you through beautiful countryside, tea plantations, local villages, and the scenic landscapes of western Uganda.

Arrive in the Fort Portal area in the afternoon and check into your lodge. Spend the evening relaxing while enjoying views of the surrounding forest and crater lake region.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Turaco Treetops / Kibale Forest Camp / Isunga Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, transfer to Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee tracking adventure.

Kibale is home to over 13 species of primates including chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Once the chimpanzees are located, spend one hour observing their behavior as they feed, groom, communicate, and move through the forest.

After lunch, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. The wetland is renowned for its rich birdlife and primates and offers excellent opportunities for photography and nature observation.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge / Turaco Treetops / Kibale Forest Camp / Isunga Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart Kibale and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, enjoy views of the crater lakes region and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge and have lunch before heading out for an evening game drive. Search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, waterbucks, and other wildlife found within the park.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Twin Lakes Safari Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. This area is one of the best locations in Uganda for wildlife viewing and offers opportunities to spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, antelopes, and numerous bird species.

After lunch, enjoy an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel attracts large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and water birds along its shores.

Return to the lodge in the evening.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Twin Lakes Safari Lodge / Elephant Hab Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Ishasha is famous for its tree climbing lions, and you will have the opportunity to search for these unique predators resting in fig trees. Continue through the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda before arriving at Bwindi in the afternoon.

Check into your lodge and relax ahead of the gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation: Buhoma Community Haven Lodge / Bakiga Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your gorilla trek.

Accompanied by experienced rangers, you will hike through the dense rainforest searching for one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. The trek can take between two and eight hours depending on the location of the gorillas.

Once found, spend one hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat. Watch family interactions, feeding behavior, and the powerful silverback that leads the group.

After the trek, return to the lodge for relaxation and celebration of this remarkable achievement.

Accommodation: Buhoma Community Haven Lodge / Bakiga Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Return to Entebbe or Kampala

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s rolling hills and countryside.

Stop at the Equator crossing for photographs, shopping, and lunch before continuing to your hotel or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.

Accommodation: No Overnight Accommodation

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities

Kibale Forest National Park

• Chimpanzee Habituation Experience
• Crater Lakes Tour
• Bird Watching Excursion
• Coffee Farm Experience
• Community Cultural Walk
• Nature Walk Around Fort Portal

Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Lion Tracking Experience
• Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge
• Maramagambo Forest Walk
• Katwe Salt Lake Experience
• Bird Watching Safari
• Crater Lakes Exploration
• Cultural Community Visit
• Sundowner Experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Batwa Cultural Experience
• Gorilla Habituation Experience
• Guided Forest Nature Walk
• Waterfall Trail Walk
• Bird Watching Excursion
• Community Village Visit