Where does the 4-day gorilla and chimpanzee safari start and end?

The safari starts and ends in Kampala, with visits to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking.

Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included in the safari price?

Yes. When stated in your confirmed quotation, the package includes one Uganda gorilla trekking permit and one Kibale chimpanzee trekking permit per traveler.

How difficult is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

Gorilla trekking can be moderately to physically demanding because of steep slopes, thick vegetation and potentially muddy trails. Comfortable hiking boots, long trousers, rain protection and adequate drinking water are recommended.

How much time do we spend with the gorillas and chimpanzees?

For standard trekking, visitors generally spend up to one hour with the habituated gorilla family and up to one hour with the chimpanzees once they are located.

What should I pack for this 4-day primate safari?

Bring sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, a lightweight rain jacket, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, a small backpack, reusable water bottle and a camera.

Best 4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda

4-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda Description

This 4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda from Kampala offers an exciting journey into two of Uganda’s most remarkable primate destinations. Travel from Kampala to Kibale National Park for a guided chimpanzee trekking experience before continuing through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here, trek through the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family and spend an unforgettable hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat. The safari combines close primate encounters, tropical forests, rolling countryside and scenic road journeys within a compact four-day itinerary. After your gorilla trekking experience, return to Kampala with a stop at the Uganda Equator, completing an ideal short Uganda primate safari for travelers with limited time.

Highlights

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One hour with chimpanzees once located
One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family
Scenic drive through western and southwestern Uganda
Views of tea plantations, forests, hills and rural communities
Equator photo stop on the return journey
Start and finish in Kampala

4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda Description

Expand all

4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda Description

This 4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda from Kampala offers an exciting journey into two of Uganda’s most remarkable primate destinations. Travel from Kampala to Kibale National Park for a guided chimpanzee trekking experience before continuing through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Here, trek through the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family and spend an unforgettable hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat. The safari combines close primate encounters, tropical forests, rolling countryside and scenic road journeys within a compact four-day itinerary. After your gorilla trekking experience, return to Kampala with a stop at the Uganda Equator, completing an ideal short Uganda primate safari for travelers with limited time.

Day 01 :

Kampala → Kibale National Park

Your 4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari Uganda begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel or preferred location in Kampala. Meet your Safari Vacations and Travel Services driver-guide and start the journey west toward Kibale National Park.

Travel through Uganda's countryside toward Fort Portal, passing small towns, farms, tea-growing areas and the beautiful landscapes of western Uganda.

Stop for lunch along the way before continuing toward Kibale. Depending on arrival time, you can relax at the lodge or take an optional walk around the surrounding crater-lake or community area.

Destination: Kibale National Park
Activity: Scenic transfer
Overnight: Kibale area
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 02 :

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale → Transfer to Bwindi

After an early breakfast, transfer to the chimpanzee trekking starting point for registration and a briefing from the ranger guides.

Enter Kibale's tropical rainforest in search of a habituated chimpanzee community. Besides chimpanzees, the forest supports several other primates, and sightings may include red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and other forest wildlife.

Once the chimpanzees are located, the standard trekking experience allows up to one hour with them.

After trekking, meet your driver-guide and begin the journey south toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is one of the longest days of the safari, so an early chimpanzee session is preferable.

Arrive at your lodge near your assigned gorilla trekking sector in the evening for dinner and preparation for the following day's adventure.

Destination: Kibale → Bwindi
Activities: Chimpanzee trekking & scenic transfer
Overnight: Bwindi
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03 :

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the appropriate Bwindi park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing.

You will be allocated a habituated mountain gorilla family and accompanied into the forest by professional ranger guides and trackers. The trek can involve steep, muddy and uneven forest terrain, and the time required to locate the gorillas varies according to their movements.

Finding the gorillas is the highlight of the journey. Once your allocated family is located, you normally spend one hour observing them—watching the gorillas feed, rest, groom and interact in their natural forest environment.

Return to the park headquarters after the trek and transfer back to your lodge. The remainder of the afternoon can be kept free for relaxation. An optional Batwa/community experience can be arranged if trekking finishes early enough.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activity: Mountain gorilla trekking
Overnight: Bwindi
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04 :

Bwindi → Kampala

Enjoy breakfast before beginning the return journey to Kampala.

Travel through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda before continuing through Mbarara and toward central Uganda. Stop for lunch along the way.

A short stop can be made at the Uganda Equator for photographs, refreshments and souvenir shopping before completing the journey to Kampala.

Arrival will normally be in the evening, depending on road and traffic conditions.

Route: Bwindi → Mbarara → Equator → Kampala
Activity: Scenic transfer & Equator stop
Meal plan: Breakfast & Lunch