7-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi

If you are looking for the definitive African adventure, a Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari offers a diversity of life that simply cannot be matched elsewhere on the continent

This specific 7-day circuit, spanning the lush rainforests of Kibale, the golden savannahs of Queen Elizabeth, and the ancient mists of Bwindi, is meticulously designed to showcase the “Big Three” of Ugandan travel: Primates, Predators, and Prolific landscapes.

PEAK SEASON

JULY – OCT

IDEAL TRIP LENGTH

7 DAYS

Trip Highlights

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale: Immerse yourself in the “Primate Capital of the World,” home to over 1,500 chimpanzees.
The Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise: Drift past one of the world’s highest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha: Scan the ancient fig trees for the rare sight of lions lounging high above the ground.
The Life-Changing Gorilla Trek: Embark on a soul-stirring hike through Bwindi’s ancient ferns to sit just meters away from a Mountain Gorilla family.
Bigodi Wetland Walk: Discover a bird-watcher’s paradise and spot up to eight different primate species in this community-led sanctuary.

Equator Photo Opportunity: Stand in two hemispheres at once for a classic Ugandan travel milestone.
Breathtaking Kigezi Highlands: Experience the “Switzerland of Africa,” where emerald-green terraced hills roll as far as the eye can see.
Classic Savannah Game Drives: Spot the “Big Four” (lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes) across the Kasenyi plains.
Batwa Cultural Encounter: Learn the ancient forest secrets of the Batwa Pygmies, the original inhabitants of Bwindi.

7-Day Uganda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: The Gateway to the Primates – Journey to Kibale

Your Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari begins with a scenic drive from Entebbe or Kampala toward the lush western region. As the urban sprawl fades, it is replaced by vibrant tea plantations and the jagged peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains (the “Mountains of the Moon”). You will arrive at Kibale Forest National Park in time for a late afternoon nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-run project is essential for spotting the Great Blue Turaco and the rare Sitatunga antelope. Spend your first night listening to the nocturnal symphony of the jungle.
Day 2-3: The Wilderness Wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an exhilarating morning of chimpanzee tracking—where you’ll watch our closest cousins swing through the branches—you will head south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is a “medley of wonders.”

On Day 3, the focus of your Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari shifts to the savannah. An early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains offers the chance to see lions on the hunt and massive herds of Cape buffalo. In the afternoon, the Kazinga Channel boat cruise provides a unique vantage point to see elephants bathing and hippos jostling for space in the water. The birdlife here is staggering, with over 600 species recorded.
Day 4: The Legends of Ishasha

Before heading to the gorillas, you will traverse the Ishasha Sector in the southern part of the park. This area is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions. Unlike their cousins elsewhere in Africa, these lions spend their afternoons draped over the limbs of sycamore-fig trees. It is a surreal sight that adds a layer of magic to any Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari. After the game drive, you will continue your ascent into the cooler, mist-shrouded Kigezi Highlands, arriving at the edge of Bwindi.
Day 5-6: The Heart of the Jungle – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This is the pinnacle of your Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

The Trek: Led by expert UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) rangers, you will push through thick undergrowth and climb steep ridges. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, but the moment you lock eyes with a 400-pound Silverback, the effort vanishes.

The Encounter: You are permitted one hour of quiet observation. Watching the juveniles play and the mothers groom their young is a profound, almost spiritual experience.

Day 6 Relaxation: Use this day for a second trek (optional) or a community visit to the Batwa people. Their stories of forest life provide deep context to the conservation efforts protecting this “impenetrable” haven.
Day 7: The Journey Home

As your Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari comes to an end, you will enjoy one last breakfast overlooking the forest canopy before the drive back to Entebbe. You will stop at the Equator for souvenirs and a final photo. While the physical journey ends, the memories of the misty forests and the gentle giants you met there will stay with you forever.

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Trip Highlights

Each journey is tailored to your specific needs and desires, and so our prices vary depending on the number of people
traveling, level of accommodations desired, and activities included, among other factors.

Our travel designers will curate a journey specifically for you. If you have a budget you want us to work with, please let
us know, and we will do our best to achieve it.