5-Day Discounted Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Trekking Safari

Period : April, May & Nov
Pickup : Entebbe Airport
Drop-off : Entebbe Airport

Tour Overview

If you’re looking for an affordable way to experience two of Africa’s greatest wildlife encounters, this 5-Day Discounted Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Trekking safari was built for you. During April, May, and November, Uganda Wildlife Authority opens up discounted gorilla and chimpanzee permits, making this the smartest time of year to plan a Uganda gorilla trekking safari without stretching your budget.

In five unforgettable days, you’ll journey through two of Uganda’s most celebrated national parks. The trip begins in Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Africa’s largest chimpanzee populations, where you’ll track wild chimps through dense, birdsong-filled rainforest. From there, you’ll head south to the world-famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a close, unforgettable encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Cost Includes

Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
Sabyinyo Hike Fees
Bottled Drinking Water
Government Taxes

Cost Excludes

International Flights
Accommodation Before and After your Trip
Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Sourvenirs
Tips & Porter Hiring

Travel Plan

Day 1: Airport Pickup and Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

Your Iconic Africa Safaris guide will be waiting for you at Entebbe International Airport (or your hotel), ready to load your bags into a comfortable, private 4×4 Land Cruiser. From there, you’ll set off on a scenic drive northwest toward Kibale Forest National Park — the gateway to Uganda’s best chimpanzee trekking experience.

The drive itself is part of the adventure. You’ll pass through rolling green hills, sprawling tea plantations, and small, lively trading towns that offer a genuine glimpse into everyday Ugandan life long before you reach the forest.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Comfortable Budget Lodge)

Meal Plan: Half-Board

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Optional Bigodi Nature Walk

Kibale Forest wakes up early, and so will you. A 5:30 AM start gets you ready for breakfast and a strong cup of Ugandan coffee before a short drive to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your 7:30 AM ranger briefing — the official start of your chimpanzee trekking permit experience.

Trekking groups are kept small, just six visitors per group, to protect the chimps and keep the encounter personal. As you enter the thick rainforest, you’ll likely hear the chimps calling out long before you see them, followed by the thrill of spotting them swinging through the canopy, grooming one another, and feeding just overhead. Kibale is home to more than 1,500 chimpanzees, and treks typically last between two and five hours depending on how the group moves that day.

After returning to the lodge to rest and review your photos, the afternoon brings an optional different kind of walk. Around 3:00 PM, a local guide takes you through the papyrus wetlands on the Bigodi Nature Walk, a highlight often overlooked by travellers rushing straight to gorilla trekking. Here, you’ll spot some of Uganda’s 200+ recorded bird species, including turacos and hornbills, plus red colobus and black-and-white colobus monkeys moving through the trees above. Your guide will also share local knowledge about plants traditionally used for cooking and medicine. The walk runs 2–3 hours and rounds out a full, rewarding day in Kibale.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge (Comfortable Budget Lodge)
Meal Plan: Full-Board

Day 3: Drive South to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast, you’ll begin the drive south toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The route winds through some of Uganda’s most dramatic scenery, including crater lakes, ancient forest patches, and terraced hillsides, with plenty of stops along the way for photos.

By evening, you’ll arrive at your lodge as Bwindi’s cool, misty forest settles in for the night — a fitting welcome ahead of tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

Accommodation: Gorilla Bluff Lodge (Comfortable Budget Lodge)
Meal Plan: Full-Board

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience

This is the day most travellers are always counting down to. You’ll wake between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, have breakfast, and head to park headquarters by 7:30 AM for a briefing on trekking rules and safety guidelines — an essential part of every responsible gorilla trekking experience.

From there, you’ll enter Bwindi’s ancient forest in a small group of up to eight trekkers, accompanied by armed rangers and experienced guides. As you climb through the dense vegetation, birds call overhead and other forest wildlife occasionally appears between the trees. Then, often without much warning, your guide signals that the gorilla family has been found.

What follows is one hour with a wild mountain gorilla family — watching mothers tend to their young, silverbacks resting peacefully, and juveniles playing and tumbling nearby. It’s widely regarded as one of the most moving wildlife encounters anywhere on Earth, and it’s the centerpiece of this Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari.

Accommodation: Gorilla Bluff Lodge (Comfortable Budget Lodge)

Meal Plan: Full-Board

Day 4: Return Drive to Entebbe

After breakfast, you’ll set off on the scenic 9–10 hour return drive to Entebbe. It’s a long day on the road, but your guide will help pass the time with stories and highlights from the trip while Uganda’s countryside rolls by one last time. You’ll arrive back in Entebbe by evening, taking home memories of gorillas, chimpanzees, and Uganda’s wild landscapes that will last a lifetime.

Accommodation: None unless requested

Meal Plan: Half-Board

Answered FAQs

What is the cost per person and can this cost change?

The cost per person is $1,820 per person. This price is based on two people sharing accommodation and covers transport, meals, lodging, and both trekking permits. Groups larger than two typically pay less per person, since costs like the vehicle and guide are shared across more travellers.

When is the right time to book this discounted Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking safari?

The discounted rates apply specifically in April, May, and November, which fall within Uganda’s low seasons. These months still offer excellent trekking conditions, and the lower visitor numbers even make gorilla and chimpanzee encounters feel more private.

How physically demanding is gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda?

Both treks involve walking on uneven forest terrain, sometimes uphill, for anywhere between two and five hours depending on where the primates are found that day. A reasonable level of fitness helps, but porters are available in Bwindi to carry bags and offer support if needed.

What should I pack for this Uganda gorilla and chimp trekking trip?

Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, face-mask, gardening-style gloves, a rain jacket, long trousers, and a hat are essentials, since both forests can be muddy and thick with vegetation. A daypack, insect repellent, and a good camera or phone with extra battery are also worth bringing for the trekking days.

Are the lodges on this itinerary suitable for budget-conscious travellers?

Yes. Chimpanzee Forest Lodge and Gorilla Bluff Lodge are both comfortable budget lodges. They offer clean, private rooms and good meals without the higher price tag of luxury properties — which fits well with the overall discounted nature of this itinerary.