7-Day Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Game Safari

The package includes a mountain gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale National Park, park entrance fees, a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, airport transfers, and private transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide. It also covers six nights of accommodation, meals as listed in your itinerary, bottled drinking water, fuel, ranger-guide fees, and porter service on gorilla trekking day. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, and personal expenses are not included. Your final quotation confirms the exact inclusions for your selected accommodation category.

Day one begins with a drive from Entebbe to the Kibale National Park area. On day two, you track chimpanzees in the forest before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Day three is for game viewing and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. On day four, you travel through the Ishasha sector to the Bwindi area, and day five is dedicated to mountain gorilla trekking, including a ranger briefing and one hour with a habituated family. Days six and seven take you back towards Entebbe, with a stop on the way, for your onward journey or hotel transfer.

Most transfers take between three and eight hours, depending on road conditions, traffic, and the lodges you choose. The longest stretches are usually the drive from Entebbe to Kibale and the journey back to Entebbe at the end of the trip. Your driver-guide plans comfortable stops for meals, photographs, and stretching your legs, and game viewing is often possible along the way. Distances and timings should be confirmed against your final itinerary before departure.

Both permits should be secured before your safari because trekking spaces are limited and availability depends on your travel dates. The gorilla permit allows you to track one habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi, while the chimpanzee permit covers the guided tracking experience in Kibale. We check availability and arrange the permits as part of your booking. Since the two treks take place in different parks several days apart, confirming both permits early helps us coordinate your accommodation, game activities, and transfers.

Moderate fitness is helpful, although the difficulty depends on the terrain, weather, and location of the primates. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale involves walking through forest, often on flat or gently sloping trails that can be muddy. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can take one to six hours or longer, depending on where the family has moved, and the slopes can be steep. Regular walking, stair climbing, and wearing your hiking boots before travelling can help you prepare. Let us know about mobility concerns in advance so we can discuss suitable arrangements.

Once your ranger-guides locate the mountain gorillas, you are allowed one hour with the family. You can observe their behaviour, watch juveniles play, and take photographs without flash while following the ranger’s instructions. Chimpanzee tracking also generally allows one hour with the group after it has been located. Both encounters take place under park regulations designed to protect the animals and their habitat. The time spent searching for each group varies, so the overall trekking duration can differ from one day to another.

Yes. Visitors must generally be at least 15 years old to participate in mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda. The minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale is generally 12 years. These age requirements mean that younger children may not be eligible to join both activities on this itinerary. If you are travelling as a family, tell us the ages of everyone in your group before booking so we can check eligibility and discuss alternative activities where necessary.

The drier months, usually June to September and December to February, are popular because trails are often firmer, trekking conditions can be more comfortable, and wildlife is easier to see around water sources in the savannah. However, Bwindi and Kibale are rainforest environments, so rain can fall at any time of year. The wetter months can bring muddy trails but also lush scenery and good opportunities for photography. Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking operate throughout the year, subject to park conditions and permit availability. Book early if you have fixed travel dates, particularly during busy holiday periods.

Pack waterproof hiking boots with good grip, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, gardening or hiking gloves, a lightweight rain jacket, a hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a small daypack. Neutral-coloured clothing, binoculars, a reusable water bottle, camera with spare batteries, personal medication, and a face mask for the gorilla encounter are also useful. Gaiters can help keep mud and insects away from your legs. Evenings and mornings can be cool, so bring a warm layer. Keep essential trekking items accessible for each activity day.

Yes. Hiring a porter is a practical way to make your gorilla trek more comfortable, even if you are reasonably fit. Porters can carry your daypack, offer a steadying hand on difficult slopes, and help you manage muddy or slippery sections. Their work also provides income to people living near the national park. Porter service is included in this safari package as outlined in the itinerary, but confirm the precise arrangement in your quotation. Additional tips are optional and can be given directly to your porter.

Follow your ranger’s instructions throughout both tracking experiences. Near mountain gorillas, maintain the distance specified by park authorities, speak quietly, avoid flash photography, and never touch or feed the animals. Do not eat, drink, or smoke close to the gorillas, and avoid sudden movements if one approaches. Chimpanzee tracking also requires respectful behaviour and compliance with your guide’s instructions. These primates are vulnerable to human diseases, so visitors must follow the health, hygiene, and wildlife protection rules provided during each briefing.

Tell your driver-guide and park staff if you develop a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea, or another potentially contagious illness before trekking. Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, and park authorities may prevent visitors who are unwell from joining the activity. Any refund or rescheduling will depend on the applicable permit conditions and Uganda Wildlife Authority policy. We recommend suitable travel insurance that covers medical issues and trip interruptions. Follow the ranger’s instructions about face masks and other health precautions during your gorilla encounter.

The primate treks offer good opportunities to observe habituated gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitats, and Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for elephants, buffalo, hippos, and a wide range of birds. However, sightings cannot be guaranteed absolutely because these are wild animals. Trackers and ranger-guides help locate the groups and guide visitors safely, while game drive results depend on the season and conditions. Our team coordinates the itinerary and permits to give you the best practical chance of a rewarding trip, while respecting wildlife welfare and park regulations.

Yes, in some cases. Domestic flights can be arranged as a customised option to reduce long road transfers, for example between Entebbe and the Kisoro or Kihihi area near Bwindi. This would change the route and the order of activities, so it needs to be planned from the start. Flights are subject to schedules, weather, and operational conditions, and baggage restrictions may apply. Confirm your international arrival and departure times with us before booking so that any domestic flights and transfers can be arranged appropriately.

You can choose from budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation, depending on your comfort preferences and budget. Lodges and camps are selected near Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi, and your final overnight stop, and the choices depend on availability and the trekking sector for your gorilla permit. Each category offers a different level of comfort, location, and facilities. We confirm the selected lodges in your final quotation before you pay.

Yes. You can tailor the safari to your travel dates, preferred accommodation category, and transport arrangements, subject to permit and flight availability. The package is organised as a private experience with your own driver-guide and vehicle for ground transfers. Send us your preferred dates, number of travellers, and accommodation preference so we can check the gorilla and chimpanzee permits and prepare a detailed quotation. Once you approve the itinerary and payment terms, we can proceed with the required reservations and coordinate the trip arrangements.