Embark on a rare and unforgettable adventure through Uganda’s rich primate territories with this 5-day chimpanzee and gorilla trekking experience. Designed for small groups seeking close encounters with endangered great apes, this journey takes you deep into the heart of two of Uganda’s most iconic rainforests—Kibale National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With a balance of thrilling treks, scenic road transfers, and immersive cultural visits, this itinerary offers an enriching wildlife experience unlike any other.

WHAT TO CARRY/PACK FOR GORILLA TREKKING

-Bring 2 facemasks; preferably disposable surgical masks. You will need one when tracking and a fresh one when with gorillas.

-Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.

-Put on earplugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.

-Carry packed lunch, some energy snacks and enough drinking water.

-Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.

-A walking stick/staff is essential for trekking the rainforest’s uneven terrain and will keep you upright. You can get a free locally made stick at the trailhead or carry your own.

NECESSARY TRAVEL REQUIREMRNTS

-Travel insurance (it would be good if you have it). However, it is not mandatory to have it.

-Some meds you might need like Anti Malaria tabs and painkillers and other meds

-Copies of your passports

-Printed air ticket

-Yellow fever vaccination certificate (a must have)

-Visa

-Phone

-Phone charger (Uganda is a 3-pin plug, Rwanda is a 2-pin plug)

-Camera

-Headlamp or Torch

-Tooth brush

-Toothpaste

-Masks

-Hand sanitizer

-Body wash or bathing soap

-Moisturizer

-Sun screen

-Insect Repellant

-Light weight rain coat

-Light weight long sleeved shirts

-Light weight t shirts

-Light weight waterproof Hiking shoes

-Sun hat

-Sun glasses

-Light and heavy weight Jackets and sweaters

-Neutral colour clothes

-Long light weight socks

-A pair of hiking gloves

GORILLA TREKKING RULES AND GUIDELINES

-One should be clean and always wash their hands before heading for Gorilla trekking.

-Always keep your voices low during the trek and always observe or keep an eye on the park habitants such as bird life, primates, mammals, geckos, reptiles and many more in the forest.

-You’re not supposed to live rubbish in the park and therefore keep rubbish in your bag & whatever you carry should be taken back with you.

-Early morning you will be briefed about Gorilla trekking rules and regulations and will after be put in groups of 8 people and set off to the forest with a ranger.

-When you approach the mountain Gorillas, the rangers and guides will inform you about them or you will hear the noise in the forest. However, do not make noise out of excitement, remember their friendly primates but also wild animals and they can changer anytime.

-Stand 7 meters away from the mountain Gorillas. When you come into contact with the gorillas observe them but do not look straight into their eyes. The further you stand the more relaxed they are.

-Do not live the group as you are advised to stay together so that you don’t look harmful to the mountain Gorillas.

-Keep your voices as low as possible and remember you’re in the jungle and not at home, though you might ask questions if you must but at a low voice tone.

-Do not smoke, drink or eat in the forest. When anything drops this might increase the risk of transmitting diseases. When it’s time to eat your packed lunch, the rangers will direct you where to have your picnic lunch in the forest.

-When the Gorilla charges, try your best not to run away and when you run, this increases the risk of attacking.

-Flash photographs are not permitted so please take very carefully.

-You’re not allowed to play with the mountain Gorillas or touch them remember these are wild animals.

-Your allowed to spend only one hour with their mountain Gorillas as you watch them play, feed, groom each other and many more to see. However, take note in case the gorillas seam very nervous the guide will command to finish early the trek.

-You should keep your voices low after the encounter not until your 200 meters away from the Gorillas.

-Respect the mountain Gorillas

-Respect the limit of number of visitors that are allowed per day in order to minimize the risk of diseases.

-You’re not allowed to trek the mountain Gorillas in case you have a contagious disease, you can volunteer in community around the park or another visit to be arranged by the Wildlife Authority or refunded your money.

-In case you want to cough or sneezing, do not do it near the Gorillas, turn your head away and cover your mouth and nose to minimize the spread of bacteria or virus.

-Always stay 7 meters away from the Gorillas and protect yourself from catching human diseases.

-Do not leave any rubbish in the park, foreign items, and harbor diseases.

-If you need to ease yourself, ask the ranger to dig a hole with a panga. Make sure its 30 cm deep and fill it with soil after.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

This 5-day Uganda primate safari begins with a scenic drive from Entebbe to Kibale National Park, home to the highest density of chimpanzees in Africa. After trekking through Kibale’s lush forest and engaging in a community wetland walk at Bigodi, the journey continues to the mystical Bwindi Impenetrable Forest—renowned for harboring nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Here, you will take part in a life-changing gorilla trekking expedition, guided by experienced rangers. With comfortable eco-lodge accommodations, full-board meals, a private safari vehicle, and professional guiding, this trip ensures comfort while offering raw encounters with Africa’s wildlife.

Trip Highlights

Enjoy a scenic road transfer from Entebbe to Kibale National Park, the "Primate Capital of the World"
Experience an up-close encounter with chimpanzees during a guided forest trek in Kibale
Explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary on a guided nature and community walk
Drive through western Uganda’s rolling hills en route to the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Track and observe a family of endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat
Receive trekking briefings and support from experienced park rangers and guides
Stay in handpicked eco-lodges that offer comfort, relaxation, and panoramic views of the forest
Travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking professional driver-guide
Visit the Equator and enjoy a lunch stop in Mbarara during your return to Entebbe
All park permits for both chimpanzee and gorilla trekking included in the package

Day 1 :

Transfer from Entebbe to Kibale National Park

Pick up from the Airport (morning arrival) or hotel in Entebbe for a transfer to Kibale National Park, the world’s primate capital as it is popularly known. Reaching in the evening your tour guide ensures, check in to a prior booked accommodation facility. You refresh and have dinner then rest through the night at your lodge. Meals inclusive: Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge

Day 2 :

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest with an evening nature walk in Bigodi wetland/community tour

After breakfast at your lodge get ready for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Carry along your back pack with some drinking water and head out to the park for chimp tracking. The trek starts with briefing on the trekking etiquette then after head out to the jungle. A maximum of 1 hour is spent in the presence of chimpanzees as you watch them playfully interact in the forest. After the trek, you return to your lodge for lunch then after transfer to Bigodi wetland for a nature walk. Bigodi wetland is just a 5-minute drive from Kibale Forest and host to an array of biodiversity including primates and bird species. Some of the bird species include the Great Blue Turaco, White-collard Olive back, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Superb Sunbird and many more. After the nature walk at Bigodi, you then return to your lodging facility where you relax, refresh and have dinner. Meals inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge

Day 3 :

Transfer by road from Kibale to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On this day of your trip, you have breakfast at Turaco Tree Tops Lodge then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arriving in the evening hours, you check in, refresh, have dinner and spend the night at a prior booked accommodation in Bwindi. Meals inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Day 4 :

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early morning, your hotel will provide breakfast such that you get ready for the transfer to the park headquarters. You are expected to be at the park headquarters by 8:00 am local time for briefing on the gorilla trekking etiquette from the park rangers. It is at this time when allocation of a gorilla family for each 8 members to trek is allocated. If you have any specific needs or are unable to hike for further distances communicate during briefing such that you are allocated a gorilla group that isn’t further into the forest. After briefing, you receive your trekking stick and start the walk to the forest for the experience. Trekking to and from is dependent on where the gorillas spent their previous night, the nearer they are the faster you see them and vice versa. However, when you meet the family, you are allowed to spend maximum 1 hour seeing them go along with their daily lifestyle. Take this time to enjoy the experience and record memories using your non flash photography camera. After the one hour you trek back to the park headquarters where you receive a congratulatory certificate and be driven to your hotel by driver. Meals inclusive: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Day 5 :

Return to Entebbe

On the last day, wake up early morning, have breakfast and then embark on a return drive to Entebbe. Please note that this drive is long and takes up to 10hours. You will stop for lunch in Mbarara then have the next stop at the equator line. On arrival in Entebbe, your driver guide will drop you off at the Entebbe International Airport for a departure flight. In case you want to do some shopping then you can do this in Entebbe before drop off. Meals inclusive: Breakfast and Lunch

5 Days Chimpanzee & Gorilla Trekking Experience – Uganda

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

Trip Highlights

Itinerary

Cost Includes

Cost Excludes

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Featured Trips

Lorick Tours & Safaris crafts unforgettable journeys across East Africa, blending thrilling adventures, rich cultural experiences, and relaxing coastal escapes. We are dedicated to delivering personalized, seamless, and inspiring travel experiences.

Quick Links

Top Destinations

Trending Trips

Contact Us