Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Upon your arrival at either Entebbe International Airport or Kigali International Airport, your professional safari Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide before beginning the scenic drive to Kibale National Park, Uganda’s leading destination for chimpanzee trekking. The journey takes you through bustling towns, lush tea plantations, fertile farmlands, and beautiful countryside. Stop for lunch en route before continuing to your lodge, where you can relax and prepare for the exciting chimpanzee trekking experience awaiting you the following day.

• Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation Options: Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse | Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops | Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Optional Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Nature Walk

Rise early for breakfast before heading to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Enter the lush rainforest of Kibale National Park, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. Guided by experienced trackers, search for a habituated chimpanzee community while listening to their distinctive calls echoing through the forest. Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing these intelligent primates as they feed, groom, play, and communicate in their natural habitat.

After lunch at your lodge, you may choose to join the optional Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Nature Walk. This community-managed wetland is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including several monkey species, colorful butterflies, and more than 200 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The guided walk also provides an opportunity to learn about local conservation efforts and interact with the surrounding community. Return to the lodge in the evening to relax after an incredible day in the rainforest.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation Options: Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge | Mid-Range: Turaco Treetops | Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Enjoy breakfast before checking out and setting off on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The journey offers breathtaking views of western Uganda’s rolling hills, tea plantations, rural villages, and terraced landscapes. Stop for lunch along the way before continuing to your lodge near the gorilla trekking sector. Arrive in the evening and relax as you prepare for the highlight of your safari.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation Options: Budget: Gorilla Valley Lodge | Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Optional Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a detailed briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. Venture into the dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Depending on the gorillas’ location, the trek may last between two and seven hours through the forest’s rugged terrain.

Once you find the gorillas, spend one extraordinary hour observing them as they feed, groom, nurture their young, and interact naturally. This close encounter with the world’s most endangered great apes is a truly unforgettable wildlife experience.

After returning from the trek, you may choose to join the optional Batwa Cultural Experience. Meet the indigenous Batwa people, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi, and learn about their traditional hunting techniques, medicinal plants, music, dance, and unique cultural heritage. The experience offers fascinating insights into their history while supporting local community conservation initiatives. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Same as Day 4

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali or Entebbe International Airport

Following breakfast, check out and begin your return journey. Guests departing from Kigali International Airport will enjoy a shorter scenic drive through southwestern Uganda before crossing into Rwanda and continuing to Kigali. Travelers with flights from Entebbe International Airport will drive across Uganda with a lunch stop along the way before arriving later in the day.

Your guide will ensure a timely airport drop-off, bringing your memorable 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari to a successful conclusion.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
• Accommodation: None unless requested