5-Day Uganda Primate Tour | Gorillas & Chimps Adventure

Overview

5 Days Uganda Primates Tour – The 5-day Uganda Primates Safari takes you to two national parks renowned for unforgettable primate experiences: Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for mountain gorilla trekking.

Along the way, pass through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can enjoy a short game drive and spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and warthogs.

Other primates you may encounter include olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

You will spend an hour with each primate group during the respective activities.

Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with Cultural Entertainment

You will be welcomed by your tour driver-guide at Entebbe International Airport and will head straight to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda.

The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, featuring beautiful landscapes with tea plantations and rocky hills.

Enjoy a stop in Mubende for snacks and have lunch in Fort Portal town.

Upon arrival, settle in at your lodge and experience cultural entertainment from the Isunga Cultural Community Association, showcasing Bakiga and Batooro traditions.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Community Experience

Begin the day at Kanyanchu Visitors Center, where you’ll attend a briefing on chimpanzee trekking etiquette, chimpanzee behavior, and forest information.

Afterward, head into the forest to track chimpanzees and spend an hour observing them—a truly memorable experience.

Return to the lodge for a delicious lunch, followed by a guided community tour of Isunga Village.

A local guide from the Isunga Cultural Community Association will take you to visit tea plantations, communities, and crater lakes such as Lake Nyabikere.

End the day with coffee and dinner back at the lodge.

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through the Ndali-Kasenda Crater area to see the twin lakes of Kifuruka and Nyinambuga.

Continue through Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll enjoy a short game drive and spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and possibly tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.

Arrive in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park, where you will stay for two nights.

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience

This highly anticipated experience begins with a briefing at the park offices, covering crucial trekking rules and regulations, such as not using a flash camera, keeping at least 8 meters away from gorillas, and not littering the park.

Follow your armed park ranger guide into the forest and spend an hour observing the gorillas up close.

Capture memorable photos and return to the lodge afterward for lunch and leisure time.

Day 5: Return to Kampala with Stopover at the Uganda Equator

Drive back to Kampala, stopping at the Uganda Equator in Kayabwe for lunch, photos, and a unique experience.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the journey, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

You will be dropped off at the airport for your departure, marking the end of your Uganda primates tour.

Questions about this tour

Is the gorilla permit included in the price?

Yes. The gorilla trekking permit is part of the tour price, and we buy it for you as soon as you confirm, so your trekking date is secured.

Can you change this itinerary?

Yes. We can change the dates, add or remove days, switch the trekking sector and pick budget, mid-range or luxury lodges. We adjust the plan until you are happy with it.

How do I pay?

You pay a 60% deposit to confirm, and the balance is due a month before you arrive. You pay us once; we handle the permits, lodges and transport.

Is it a private tour or a group?

Either. You can travel privately or with a small group, whichever suits you.

How fit do I need to be?

A gorilla trek takes 2 to 7 hours depending on where the family is. Rangers place trekkers in groups by age and fitness, and porters can carry your bag.

When should I book?

Only 8 people can visit each gorilla family per day, so permits for the dry seasons sell out. We recommend booking at least three months ahead.

Aqram Ssalima

Just amazing experience that we need individually

BACAMUVYUMA Eraste

The Buhoma Visitor Center is where our incredible gorilla trekking journey began. The morning briefing was clear, professional, and built up the excitement perfectly. The rangers here are walking encyclopedias of forest knowledge! They made us feel safe and prepared for the hike ahead. Watching the traditional dance performance by the local women’s group while we waited was a beautiful cultural touch. An experience I will never forget!

Ralph Barber

Very nice welcome center and friendly staff...they have local dancers and crafts prior to your activity

Tony Easterby

Amazing experience a must do go see the gorillas how they should be wild not in a cage

Niwagaba Isaiah

Visit the place and discover the experience

Sam Travel Agent Uganda

Watching these gentle giants up close, seeing their expressions, their family bonds, and their calm strength was truly humbling. The hour spent with them passed so quickly, yet it left memories that will last forever. The trek itself was challenging but rewarding, and the guides ensured everyone felt safe and supported throughout the journey.

Alex M

Spent 3 nights at Forrest Gorilla Lodge and did gorilla tracking 2 times. The first tracking was rather hard for me and I am quite fit. So do let them know if you want easy-moderate-hard trail. We saw a large family of 13 gorilla including 3 little ones. The round trip time including 30 min drive each way was about 5 hours. The second tracking was ultra easy. About 2 hours round trip. We saw a smaller family of 8 gorillas with 2 little gorillas.

5-Day Uganda Primates Tour – Gorillas, Chimpanzees & Wildlife

Overview

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with Cultural Entertainment

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Community Experience

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience

Day 5: Return to Kampala with Stopover at the Uganda Equator

What's included

Questions about this tour

Ready to meet the gorillas?

Overview

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with Cultural Entertainment

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Community Experience

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience

Day 5: Return to Kampala with Stopover at the Uganda Equator

What's included

Questions about this tour

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Ready to meet the gorillas?