7-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari – Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi
trip overview
Gorillas, chimpanzees and savannah wildlife in one journey.
This 7-day Uganda safari brings together three of the country's best wildlife areas: chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, savannah game drives and a Kazinga Channel cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You'll travel in your own private 4x4 with a professional driver-guide.
Trip Highlights
day-by-day itinerary
Where you go each day, what you'll see, and where you sleep each night.
You'll stay at a lodge near Kibale on Night 1, near Queen Elizabeth National Park on Nights 2 and 3, near Bwindi on Nights 4 and 5, and at a hotel in Entebbe on Night 6. Drive times are approximate and depend on road conditions.
Entebbe to Kibale National Park
After an early start, your guide collects you from your hotel or Entebbe Airport and you'll drive west across Uganda in your private 4x4, passing through rolling tea country near Fort Portal and stopping for lunch along the way.
You'll arrive in the Kibale area in the afternoon, with time to settle in at your lodge and prepare for tomorrow's chimpanzee trek.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale, then to Queen Elizabeth
After an early breakfast, you'll meet your park rangers for a briefing, then set off in a small group to track a family of wild chimpanzees through the forest. Once you find them, you'll spend up to one hour watching them feed, call and play, with a chance of seeing other primates along the way.
After the trek and lunch, you'll drive on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive and Boat Cruise
You'll start with an early morning game drive across the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a chance to see elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob and lions.
In the afternoon you'll take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, buffalo, elephants and birdlife gather along the banks, before returning to your lodge for dinner.
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha
After breakfast, you'll drive south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are often seen resting in the branches of fig trees.
You'll then continue to the Bwindi area, arriving in the evening for dinner and a briefing for tomorrow's gorilla trek.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After an early breakfast, you'll meet your park rangers for a briefing, then set off in a small group with trackers through the dense forest to find a gorilla family. The terrain can be steep and muddy, and the time it takes depends on where the gorillas are that day.
When you find them, you'll spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, watching them feed, play and rest just metres away. You'll then trek back and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your lodge.
Bwindi to Entebbe
After breakfast, you'll begin the long drive back to Entebbe, with stops for lunch and views along the way.
You'll arrive in Entebbe in the evening, where you'll check in to your hotel for dinner and your final night.
Entebbe and Departure — Safari Ends
After a relaxed breakfast, you'll have a free morning in Entebbe. If you'd like, we can arrange an optional visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre at an extra cost.
You'll then be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your departure, marking the end of your Uganda safari.
what's included
Exactly what's covered — and what isn't.
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 6 nights' accommodation: lodge near Kibale (1 night), lodge near Queen Elizabeth (2 nights), lodge near Bwindi (2 nights) and a hotel in Entebbe (1 night)
- All meals during the safari, as listed above
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale
- Queen Elizabeth and Kibale park entrance fees
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise and game drives
- Drinking water during game drives
- Pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe
- International flights
- Travel & medical insurance
- Uganda visa fees
- Tips for your driver-guide, rangers and lodge staff
- Optional porter for the gorilla trek
- Drinks not listed above and personal expenses
- Optional activities such as the Entebbe wildlife centre
- Hotel nights before or after the safari
Important to know before booking
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are limited and sell out well ahead of the season, so book early. The trekking sectors depend on permit availability.
- You must be at least 15 years old to trek gorillas and at least 12 to trek chimpanzees, and trekkers who are unwell, especially with a cold or flu, may be refused to protect the animals.
- Gorilla treks can last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours on steep, muddy forest trails, so a good level of fitness helps. Hiring a porter is recommended.
- Days 1, 4 and 6 involve long drives on Ugandan roads, so allow for a full day of travel.
- Wildlife sightings, including chimpanzees, gorillas and tree-climbing lions, depend on the season and conditions, and cannot be guaranteed.
- A Uganda e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply through the official Uganda e-Visa portal at visas.immigration.go.ug well before travel.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Uganda. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about this and about malaria prevention before you travel.
what to bring
Your packing list for the safari.
The forests are cool, wet and muddy, so layers and sturdy boots are the key. Here's what to pack for the 7 days.
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers for the forest
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Warm fleece for cool forest mornings and evenings
- Quick-dry, neutral-coloured clothes
- Comfortable clothes for travel days
- Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, already broken in
- Light gloves for gripping vegetation
- Wide-brimmed hat or cap
- Long socks to tuck trousers into
- Sandals for the lodge
- Daypack with rain cover
- Binoculars
- Camera with no flash — flash is not allowed near gorillas or chimpanzees
- Walking stick, if you like one
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Personal first aid kit and any prescription medication
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
- Toiletries
- Passport and Uganda e-Visa
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Travel insurance details
- Small US dollar notes for tips and a porter
- Printed or saved copies of your documents
- Light jacket for cool evenings in the highlands
- Smart-casual outfit for dinner
- Earplugs for light sleepers
- A book or journal for downtime
- Zip-lock bags to keep gear dry
Packing tips
- Pack in a soft bag, as space in safari vehicles is limited. We'll confirm any luggage limits when you book.
- Dress in layers and wear long sleeves and trousers on the primate treks, as the forests are damp, muddy and full of vegetation.
- Hiring a porter at the park is recommended: they carry your daypack and help you on steep sections, and your fee supports local families.
pricing
What you'll pay — no hidden extras.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7-day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari 6 nights in lodges and a hotel, all meals, park fees, and gorilla and chimpanzee permits included | $2,850 | Per person |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Additional hotel accommodation before or after the safari can be arranged for an extra cost.
Ready to meet the gorillas?
Reach out and we'll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
Your safari starts in Entebbe on Day 1, with a pick-up from your hotel or the airport, and ends on Day 7 with a transfer to Entebbe Airport for your departure.
You'll stay at a lodge near Kibale on Night 1, near Queen Elizabeth National Park on Nights 2 and 3, near Bwindi on Nights 4 and 5, and at a hotel in Entebbe on Night 6.
Yes, both your gorilla trekking permit and your chimpanzee trekking permit are included in the price. Permits are limited and sell out early, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible.
Chimpanzee treks usually take around 2 to 5 hours, and gorilla treks can last from 1 to 8 hours, on steep, muddy trails at altitude. A reasonable level of fitness helps, and porters are available at the parks.
Most nationalities need a Uganda e-Visa, available through the official portal at visas.immigration.go.ug. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is also required, so check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
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