6-Day Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Begin your 6-day Uganda gorilla & chimpanzee safari with a scenic drive from Entebbe towards Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s best destinations for chimpanzee tracking. Travel through the countryside, passing traditional villages, tea plantations, rolling hills and beautiful crater lake scenery along the way.

Enjoy suitable stops for refreshments, photographs and lunch before continuing to your lodge near Kibale Forest. Your guide will brief you about the journey and the activities planned for the following day.

Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax in preparation for your chimpanzee tracking experience. Accommodation and meals will be arranged according to your selected safari category and confirmed quotation.

Meal plan: As specified in your confirmed package.

Day 2 – Chimpanzee Tracking, Bigodi Wetland Walk & Community Experience

After breakfast, head to Kibale Forest National Park for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience. Following a briefing from the park rangers, enter the forest with your guide to search for wild chimpanzees. Listen for their calls, observe their movements through the trees and learn about their behaviour and forest habitat.

After chimpanzee tracking, or before it if the schedule and permit arrangements require, enjoy a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This rich wetland habitat offers opportunities to spot birds, monkeys and other wildlife while learning about the area’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.

You can also enjoy a community experience near Kibale, where you learn about local traditions, daily life and the relationship between surrounding communities and the forest. These activities add a cultural dimension to your 6-day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari.

The order of chimpanzee tracking, the wetland walk and the community visit will depend on permit availability, activity schedules and the time available. Your guide will help coordinate the day’s programme.

Return to your lodge to relax and enjoy dinner.

Meal plan: As specified in your confirmed package.

Day 3 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Evening Game Drive

After breakfast, depart from Kibale Forest and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying scenic views of Uganda’s countryside along the way. Stop at the Equator landmark for photographs and a short break before continuing to the park.

On arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch before heading out for a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a variety of waterbirds along the channel’s banks.

Later, enjoy an evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the savannah in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and, with luck, lions. As the day draws to a close, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lodge in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.

Day 4 – Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha

After breakfast, depart from Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel south through the Ishasha sector, enjoying views of open savannah plains, woodland and rural communities along the way.

Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Your guide will look out for these remarkable animals during the journey, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. You may also spot elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and a variety of bird species.

Continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, passing through Uganda’s beautiful highlands and forested hills. The scenery changes as you approach the region surrounding the mountain gorillas.

Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax. Your guide will brief you on the arrangements for the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking experience, including the departure time and the importance of following the park rangers’ instructions.

Meal plan: As specified in your confirmed package.

Day 5 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

After an early breakfast, head to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point for registration and a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will then enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with experienced trackers and guides to search for a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek can take several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas and the terrain. Along the forest trails, enjoy the rich biodiversity of Bwindi, including ancient trees, birds, butterflies and other forest wildlife.

Once the gorillas are located, you will spend up to one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch as they feed, groom, rest and interact with one another, while following your ranger’s instructions and taking photographs.

After the trek, return to the starting point and transfer back to your lodge to relax and reflect on this remarkable wildlife encounter.

Important: Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding, so comfortable hiking shoes, suitable clothing, drinking water and a walking stick are recommended. Your gorilla trekking permit must be secured in advance and is subject to availability.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to your confirmed package.

Day 6 – Return to Entebbe

After breakfast at your lodge, bid farewell to the beautiful Bwindi highlands and begin the journey back to Entebbe. Travel through Uganda’s scenic countryside, passing rolling hills, rural communities and changing landscapes along the way.

Depending on your route and schedule, you may stop for refreshments, lunch or photographs along the journey. Your guide will help coordinate suitable stops while keeping your onward travel plans in mind.

The drive from Bwindi to Entebbe is long and can take approximately 8–10 hours or more, depending on your starting sector, road conditions and stops. If you have an international flight on the same day, please share your flight details in advance so the transfer can be planned carefully. An overnight stay may be advisable for late or uncertain flight connections.

Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to the airport or your agreed drop-off point, bringing your memorable 6-day Uganda gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safari to an end.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch, according to your confirmed package.

Customize This Safari

Make this 6-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari your own. At Bush Shrike Adventures, we understand that every traveler has different interests, travel plans and budgets. We can tailor your safari to create an experience that suits you.

Choose your accommodation: Select budget, mid-range or luxury lodges according to your comfort and budget.

Add more experiences: Request a Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk or a local community experience near Kibale Forest, subject to your schedule and availability.

Personalize your wildlife adventure: Spend more time exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park, with opportunities to look for wildlife in the Ishasha sector, including its famous tree-climbing lions.

Plan your gorilla trek: We can help you select suitable accommodation based on your Bwindi trekking sector and permit availability.

Adjust your travel arrangements: Discuss alternative pick-up or drop-off locations, additional nights or domestic flights where practical.

Travel at your budget: We will prepare a quotation based on your preferred accommodation, activities, group size and travel dates.

Whether you are looking for an affordable adventure or a more comfortable wildlife holiday, our team will help you plan a safari that matches your expectations.

Contact Bush Shrike Adventures to customize your itinerary and receive a quotation tailored to your travel plans.

Looking for a shorter trip combining gorilla trekking and savannah wildlife? Explore our 5-Day Gorilla & Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari.