5 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Tracking

Discover two of Uganda’s most extraordinary primate experiences on this best 5 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Tracking Safari with Arcadia Safaris. This private safari combines chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, a cultural encounter with the Batwa community, and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Travel through Uganda’s beautiful countryside with a professional English-speaking guide-driver, enjoying forest landscapes, local communities, and opportunities to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to experience Uganda’s famous great apes within five days, with private transport and accommodation options to suit different budgets. Since the first and final days involve long road transfers, your arrival and departure flight times should be carefully planned.

Safari Highlights:

Pickup from Entebbe International Airport

Scenic transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Bigodi wetlands nature walks and community visit

Scenic Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Batwa Cultural Experience in Bwindi Forest

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Transfer back to Entebbe International Airport

A Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our seasoned Arcadia Safaris representative and begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s best destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Travel through scenic countryside, traditional villages, tea plantations, and the foothills of the Rwenzori region, with suitable stops for refreshments, photographs, and lunch along the way. The drive generally takes around five to seven hours, depending on traffic, road conditions, and your starting point.

Arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest, check in, and enjoy the surrounding natural environment before dinner and an overnight stay. As the transfer is relatively long, we recommend arriving in Uganda early enough to travel comfortably to Kibale on the same day. If your international flight arrives late, an overnight stay near Entebbe or Kampala may be necessary, with the itinerary adjusted accordingly. Best 5 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee tracking safari

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetlands Nature Walk

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before entering Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Accompanied by experienced guides, follow forest trails in search of habituated chimpanzees and learn about their behavior, communication, feeding habits, and social interactions. Kibale is renowned for its rich primate diversity, and the forest also supports numerous bird species, butterflies, and other wildlife. Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed, as the animals move freely through their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary for a guided nature walk through a community-managed wetland known for its birdlife, vegetation, and primates. Your local guide will introduce you to the area’s ecological importance and community conservation initiatives, while helping you look for birds and wildlife along the trails. After the walk, return to your lodge near Kibale Forest for dinner and an overnight stay, preparing for the journey to Bwindi the following day.

Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Batwa Cultural Experience

After breakfast, check out and begin your scenic transfer from Kibale Forest towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to a significant population of endangered mountain gorillas. The journey takes you through the landscapes of southwestern Uganda, with rolling hills, rural settlements, cultivated countryside, and mountain scenery along the way. Driving time varies according to your chosen gorilla trekking sector, road conditions, and stops, so this day should be planned as a substantial transfer rather than a short excursion.

Depending on your arrival time and the location of your lodge, enjoy a Batwa cultural experience near Bwindi. The Batwa are Indigenous forest people whose traditional lives were closely connected to the forest ecosystem. Through a community-led visit, learn about aspects of their history, cultural practices, and relationship with the forest. If the transfer takes longer than expected, the cultural visit may need to be rescheduled or omitted. Check in at your lodge, enjoy dinner, and rest ahead of the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking adventure.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Rise early for breakfast before travelling to the relevant gorilla trekking briefing point in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. After registration and a briefing by park rangers, set off on a guided trek through dense vegetation, forest trails, and sometimes steep or muddy terrain in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Trekking duration varies according to the gorillas’ location and movement, and a reasonable level of physical fitness is recommended. When the gorillas are located, visitors are generally allowed up to one hour observing them, subject to current park regulations and ranger instructions. Best 5 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

Spend this remarkable time watching the gorillas feed, rest, interact, and move through their forest habitat while maintaining the required distance and following all conservation guidelines. Your ranger will help you understand their behavior and the importance of protecting these endangered primates. After the trek, return to the lodge to relax and reflect on the experience. Depending on the package and availability, additional activities may be arranged at an extra cost. Enjoy dinner and your final overnight stay near Bwindi before the return journey to Entebbe.

Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation Options:

• Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

Day 5: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport and Departure

After breakfast, check out and begin the return journey to Entebbe International Airport. Travel through the countryside of southwestern and central Uganda, with a lunch stop and suitable breaks along the way, preferably at Kayabwe with an equator experiment and photo moments. The drive is long and may take approximately eight to ten hours or more, depending on the location of your lodge, traffic, road conditions, and stops. Your guide will help coordinate the journey according to your international flight schedule.

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport for your onward departure, bringing your five-day Uganda gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking safari to an end. Because the transfer can be lengthy, we strongly recommend booking a late-evening international flight or arranging an additional overnight stay near Entebbe if your flight departs earlier in the day. Arcadia Safaris can help adjust the final arrangements to make your departure more comfortable and practical.

Destination: Entebbe International Airport
Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

• Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
• Drinking Water, Fruits and Wi-Fi throughout the journey

PRICE INCLUDES

• Round Trip Airport Transfers (pick-up and drop-off)
• Private Transportation in 4×4 Safari Cars
• Meals Specified on a Full Board basis
• Accommodation with Ensuite Facilities
• Applicable Park Entrance and Activities Fees
• English Speaking Professional Driver-Guide
• Chimpanzee Tracking Permit Fees
• Gorilla Trekking Permit Fees
• All Hotel and Lodge Pickups and Drop-off
• All Applicable Taxes
• Bottled drinking water and Fruits while on safari
• Activities as stipulated in the Itinerary (except those stated as “optional”)

PRICE EXCLUDES

• Activities not mentioned in the Itinerary
• International Flight Fares (unless requested)
• Country Entry Visa
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Telephone Charges
• Laundry Services
• Bar bills and all Alcoholic drinks
• Souvenirs, Gifts and Tips
• Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
• All related medical tests and vaccinations

SAFARI COST: (Rates are Per Person)

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