5 Day Kibale Chimpanzee and Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari

After breakfast, meet your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide and begin your journey towards Kibale Forest National Park.

Travel through Uganda’s beautiful countryside, passing small towns, farms, tea plantations and rolling landscapes.

The drive takes approximately six hours, with stops along the way for lunch, refreshments and photographs.

Arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest and spend the rest of the day relaxing as you prepare for your chimpanzee trekking experience the following morning.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the chimpanzee trekking starting point in Kibale Forest National Park.

Meet your ranger guide for a briefing before entering the rainforest in search of a habituated chimpanzee community.

Walk beneath the forest canopy while listening for chimpanzee calls and watching for movement among the trees.

Once the chimpanzees are located, spend the permitted viewing time observing them as they feed, communicate, groom and interact in their natural habitat.

Your ranger guide will also help you understand more about chimpanzee behaviour and the forest ecosystem.

After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax.

In the afternoon, you may choose an optional visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

The guided walk provides opportunities to see monkeys, colourful birds and other wildlife. You can also learn about life in the surrounding community through experiences such as traditional coffee making and local banana drink preparation.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Chimpanzee Trekking Note

Standard chimpanzee trekking allows you to search for a habituated chimpanzee community and spend the permitted viewing time observing the chimpanzees once they are located.

Travellers looking for a longer experience can request the chimpanzee habituation experience when booking.

The habituation experience allows more time following and observing chimpanzees alongside researchers and guides. It requires a separate permit and is subject to availability.

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Travel through the beautiful landscapes of western and southwestern Uganda, with views of rolling hills, crater areas, tea plantations, farms and rural communities along the way.

Depending on the location of your gorilla trekking sector, the journey may take you through Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Travellers heading towards the northern sector of Bwindi may pass through Ishasha, an area known for its tree-climbing lions. A short game drive may provide an opportunity to see the lions and other wildlife, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing to Bwindi.

Arrive at your lodge in the evening, check in and relax as you prepare for the following day's gorilla trekking experience.

Today is the highlight of your Uganda primate safari — mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch.

Meet your ranger guides for a briefing about the trekking experience and the guidelines to follow while in the forest.

You will then enter Bwindi's rainforest and begin your search for a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas and the conditions of the forest trails.

Once the gorillas are located, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing them in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, rest, play and interact while your ranger guide helps you understand their behaviour and family structure.

After your gorilla encounter, trek back to the starting point and return to your lodge for relaxation.

An optional Batwa community experience can also be arranged for travellers interested in learning more about the history and culture of communities living around Bwindi.

Gorilla Trekking Note

Gorilla trekking involves walking through natural forest terrain, and the length and difficulty of the trek varies depending on the location of the gorilla family.

A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.

Local porters are available to carry backpacks and provide assistance along more challenging sections of the trail. Hiring a porter is also a direct way to support people from communities surrounding Bwindi.

Travellers interested in spending more time observing gorillas can request the gorilla habituation experience when booking. This requires a separate permit and is subject to availability.

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your journey from Bwindi.

If returning to Entebbe, travel through southwestern and central Uganda with stops for lunch, refreshments and photographs.

You can also stop at the Equator for photographs and an opportunity to browse locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Alternatively, the safari can end in Kigali, Rwanda, which offers a shorter road journey from southwestern Uganda.

Travellers choosing the Kigali option should ensure they have the correct travel and immigration documents required for crossing the Uganda–Rwanda border.

Your Kenzi Safaris driver-guide will drop you at your hotel or airport, marking the end of your 5-Day Kibale Chimpanzee & Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari.