Private • Uganda
4 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest meets Kibale — two great ape encounters, one remarkable country
Overview
About this journey
- Region
- Southwestern Uganda
- Duration
- 4 days
- Departures
- All year round
- Party size
- Up to 6
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking Adventure
Safari Overview. Experience the ultimate Uganda primate safari on this unforgettable 4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari. This adventure takes you to two of Uganda's most famous wildlife destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the endangered Mountain Gorillas, and Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the Primate Capital of the World. This safari offers a rare opportunity to encounter Africa's great apes in their natural habitat while exploring Uganda's stunning landscapes, rolling hills, tropical rainforests, and vibrant local cultures. From the thrilling experience of gorilla trekking in Bwindi to the exciting chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kibale Forest, this tour promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Safari Highlights
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, Scenic drive through southwestern Uganda, Equator stop for photography,, Batwa cultural community experience, Spectacular views of the Kigezi Highlands, Bird watching and primate viewing opportunities, Professional English-speaking safari guide, Comfortable safari accommodation options
Highlights
What you'll experience
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Push through dripping undergrowth at 2,200 metres until a wall of black fur materialises two arm-lengths away. Your permitted hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family resets every idea you had about wildness.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Kibale holds one of Africa's densest chimpanzee populations. Guide Francis Byarugaba leads you through red-clay trails at first light, tracking pant-hoots through the canopy until the troop descends to feed at eye level.
Crater Lakes Drive
Between parks the road winds past a string of crater lakes, each a different shade of blue-green. Papyrus sedge lines the banks, fish eagles circle, and grey-crowned cranes step through the shallows — a living gallery for the three hours between Bwindi and Fort Portal.
Night Sounds at Kigezi Highland Camp
Sleep at elevation inside Bwindi's forest buffer zone. Tree hyraxes shriek in shifts from dusk to dawn, a reminder that the mountain forest is working hard even while you rest.
Red-tailed and L'Hoest's Monkeys on the Trail
The forest trails in both parks host red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Your guide can tell each troop's local history — which group lost a dominant male last dry season, which moved range after a storm.
Why choose us
Why choose a Private Journey?
Two ape species, two distinct forest ecosystems, one seamless private itinerary — here is why this safari works.
Guides Who Know the Animals by Name
Our Bwindi and Kibale naturalists have tracked their respective primate communities for over a decade. They read behaviour, not just species, and that difference fills every hour in the forest with context you will not get from a textbook.
Fully Private from Start to Finish
Your vehicle, your pace, your questions. No waiting for another group at the briefing point, no sharing the lodge dining room with a tour coach. The itinerary bends to your fitness level and your curiosity.
Responsible Permit Handling
We secure your Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla and chimpanzee permits well in advance and brief you fully on habituated-group protocols. Conservation fees flow directly to UWA community programmes that protect the corridors these animals depend on.
Itinerary
Your day-by-day journey
Day 1
Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – Return to Kampala
After an early breakfast, your Arrive Africa Safaris driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe and begin the scenic journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The drive takes you through beautiful countryside landscapes, traditional villages, rolling hills, and lush farmlands. Along the way, you will make a stop at the Uganda Equator for photography and refreshments before continuing to Mbarara for lunch. After lunch, proceed through the breathtaking Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Africa," arriving at Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check into your lodge, relax, and enjoy the sounds of the forest as you prepare for the next day's gorilla trekking adventure.
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options
Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas
Mid-Range: Wagtail Safari Camp, Lake Kitandara Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Luxury: Gorilla Resort Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Luxury Plus: Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
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Meals · Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will be assigned a gorilla family and informed about the rules and guidelines for tracking. Venture into the ancient rainforest in search of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Along the way, enjoy sightings of unique bird species, butterflies, forest wildlife, and breathtaking vegetation. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing them as they feed, play, groom, and interact within their family groups. This close encounter with one of the world's most endangered species is truly one of Africa's greatest wildlife experiences. After trekking, return to the lodge for relaxation. In the evening, you may choose to visit the nearby Batwa community to learn about their culture, traditions, music, and historical connection to the forest.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 1
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Enjoy breakfast before departing Bwindi and heading to Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda's premier destination for chimpanzee trekking. The drive offers magnificent views of tea plantations, crater lakes, mountain landscapes, and rural communities. You will pass through the beautiful western region of Uganda while enjoying scenic photography opportunities.
Arrive at Kibale in the late afternoon and check into your lodge. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a guided nature walk or simply relax and prepare for the next day's chimpanzee tracking experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp, Lake Nyamirima Cottages, Turaco Treetops Lodge
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Chimpanzee Tracking — Then the Road Home
After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kibale Forest. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, you will walk through the tropical rainforest searching for habituated chimpanzees. Along the way, you may encounter other primates including: Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys, Red-tailed Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, L'Hoest's Monkeys, Olive Baboons. Once the chimpanzees are located, enjoy watching them feed, play, communicate, and swing through the forest canopy. This fascinating wildlife experience offers incredible photography opportunities and insights into our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch before beginning your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
End of Safari
Safari Inclusions
Gorilla trekking permit, Chimpanzee tracking permit, All park entrance fees, Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle, Professional English-speaking driver-guide, Accommodation as per itinerary, Bottled drinking water, All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Safari Exclusions
International flights, Uganda visa fees, Travel insurance, Tips and gratuities, Personal expenses, Alcoholic and soft drinks.
Meals · Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
What is and isn't included
Included
- All road transfers in a private 4WD safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- 3 nights accommodation as per itinerary (twin/double sharing)
- All meals as listed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- One Uganda Wildlife Authority mountain gorilla trekking permit per person
- One Uganda Wildlife Authority chimpanzee tracking permit per person
- All national park entrance fees
- English-speaking private naturalist guide throughout
- Packed lunches and drinking water in the vehicle daily
- Crater lakes guided stop with ranger-naturalist
- Airport/hotel transfers in Entebbe or Kampala
Not included
- International flights to and from the region
- Entry visas and any transit visas
- Travel and medical insurance, which is mandatory
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry, telephone and other items of a personal nature
- Tips and gratuities for your guide, drivers and lodge staff
- Optional activities not listed in the day-by-day itinerary
Pricing
Available all year round
A private itinerary with no fixed departure dates. Rates are per person in USD.
Journey Details
Essential information
Minimum Age
15 years for gorilla trekking (Uganda Wildlife Authority requirement). Children 12 and above may track chimpanzees with a parent or guardian.
Safari Duffel
A soft-sided bag of no more than 15 kg is recommended for lodge transfers. A small daypack for trekking essentials is essential.
First Group Event
Welcome briefing at your Kampala or Entebbe hotel the evening before Day 1 departure, or 06:00 vehicle pick-up on Day 1.
Last Group Event
Return transfer to Entebbe or Kampala hotel on the afternoon of Day 4. Estimated arrival 19:00–20:00 depending on route conditions.
Guaranteed Departures
All listed departures are guaranteed for a minimum of 1 person travelling privately. Permits are booked exclusively for your group.
Alternate Sightseeing
In the rare event that a habituated gorilla group cannot be located on trekking day, UWA rangers will attempt tracking of an adjacent group. Permit fees are non-refundable per UWA policy but we will work with you on rescheduling where capacity allows.