5-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Safari

Your journey begins with a scenic drive west from Entebbe, leaving the shores of Lake Victoria for the lush, rolling countryside and tea plantations surrounding Fort Portal. Continue to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Africa’s premier destinations for primate encounters.

After arriving and settling into your lodge, prepare for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience in the tropical rainforest. Accompanied by an experienced ranger-guide, you will venture beneath the forest canopy in search of habituated chimpanzee communities, while also keeping an eye out for other primates, colorful forest birds, and the remarkable biodiversity that makes Kibale so special.

After breakfast, depart Kibale Forest and journey south toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, descending through the scenic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley. Along the way, enjoy views of rolling hills, crater lakes, and the dramatic Rwenzori Mountains before arriving at one of Uganda’s most diverse and celebrated wildlife destinations.

In the afternoon, embark on a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. Cruise past large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and an impressive variety of waterbirds gathering along the shoreline. After the cruise, continue to your lodge to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Start your day with a sunrise game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, a prime hunting ground for lions and leopards. You’ll encounter herds of elephants, Cape buffalo, and the elegant Uganda Kob against the stunning backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Following the safari, you will begin the climb into the "Switzerland of Africa"—the Kigezi Highlands. By late afternoon, the savannah gives way to the dense, mist-covered ridges of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest , a UNESCO World Heritage site and your base for the upcoming gorilla encounter.

This is the heart of your adventure. After a morning briefing, you will enter the ancient rainforest to track one of the world’s last remaining mountain gorilla families.

The trek can be physically demanding, leading you through thick undergrowth and over steep ridges, but the reward is life-changing: one hour of quiet observation as these gentle giants feed, groom, and play just meters away.

Following the trek, you will transfer to the serene Lake Bunyonyi, where the calm, island-dotted waters provide the ultimate setting for post-trek recovery and reflection.

On your final day, enjoy breakfast overlooking the "Lake of a Thousand Islands" before beginning the return journey to Entebbe. You will make a ceremonial stop at the Uganda Equator for photographs and a fascinating demonstration of the Coriolis effect.

After a final lunch and an opportunity to browse local handicraft markets for souvenirs, you will continue to Entebbe for your evening departure flight, carrying with you the unforgettable memories of Uganda’s most iconic primates and landscapes.