5 Days – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Book a chimpanzee and gorilla safari in Uganda. Track chimps in Kibale and gorillas in Bwindi forest for the ultimate primate adventure.
Planning a chimpanzee and gorilla safari? This 5 day journey takes you to two of Uganda most famous primate destinations. Kibale National Park is known as the primate capital of East Africa, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to approximately half of the world remaining mountain gorillas. A chimpanzee and gorilla safari offers the unique opportunity to track both species in a single trip.
The Kibale chimpanzee tracking destination has the highest density of primates in Africa, with 13 primate species including red colobus, LHoest monkeys, and black and white colobus. A chimpanzee and gorilla safari includes chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, where you will spend one hour with a habituated chimpanzee community.
The Bwindi gorilla trekking destination is home to 19 habituated gorilla families. A chimpanzee and gorilla safari includes one gorilla trek in Bwindi, where you will spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family. The contrast between the active chimpanzees and the calm gorillas makes this combination safari truly special.
This 5 day primate safari is specifically designed for travelers who want to experience both of Uganda incredible primates. The tour starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala, with a drive to Kibale on the first day. You will spend one day chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, then drive to Bwindi for gorilla trekking. A chimpanzee and gorilla safari includes park entry fees, accommodation, meals, chimpanzee permit, gorilla permit, and professional guiding.
Kibale National Park covers 795 square kilometers and protects a large tract of tropical rainforest. The park has the highest density of primates in Africa, with over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. A chimpanzee and gorilla safari offers excellent chances of seeing chimpanzees, with a success rate of over 90 percent.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers 331 square kilometers of dense rainforest. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to approximately half of the world remaining mountain gorillas. A chimpanzee and gorilla safari offers excellent chances of seeing gorillas, with a success rate of over 98 percent.
A chimpanzee and gorilla safari offers the best of both worlds for primate enthusiasts. Chimpanzees are highly active, vocal, and social. They move quickly through the forest canopy, use tools, and have complex social hierarchies. Observing them is exciting and dynamic, with constant action and interaction.
Gorillas, in contrast, are calm, deliberate, and gentle. They spend most of their time feeding on vegetation, resting, and caring for their young. A silverback presence is commanding yet peaceful, and watching a mother cradle her infant is deeply moving. By doing both treks, you gain a complete understanding of primate behavior and evolution.
This tour is ideal for photographers who want to capture images of both chimpanzees and gorillas. The chimpanzees offer action shots of animals moving through the trees, while the gorillas offer intimate portraits of our closest relatives. The different habitats, from the semi deciduous forest of Kibale to the dense rainforest of Bwindi, provide variety in your images.
The wild chimpanzee tracking safari and mountain gorilla trekking experience are the highlights of this tour.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or from your hotel in Kampala, you will be met by our representative and briefed on your safari. You will then drive to Kibale National Park, a journey of approximately 5 to 6 hours from Kampala or 6 to 7 hours from Entebbe. The drive passes through the Equator, where you can stop for photos and watch the water demonstration showing how water drains differently on either side of the Equator.
You will continue through the towns of Fort Portal, known as the tourist capital of western Uganda, with its beautiful crater lakes and views of the Rwenzori Mountains. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the forest views. Your guide will brief you on the next day activities. Overnight at a lodge near Kibale National Park.
After an early breakfast at 6:00 AM, you will drive to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing on chimpanzee etiquette. The briefing covers important rules: stay at least 10 meters away from the chimpanzees, avoid direct eye contact, never use flash photography, do not eat or drink near the chimpanzees, and if you are sick with a cold or flu, do not track as chimpanzees are susceptible to human diseases.
You will then be assigned to a specific chimpanzee community based on their location from the previous evening. Kibale has several habituated chimpanzee communities, and the trackers go out at dawn to locate them. The trek through the semi deciduous forest can take 1 to 4 hours depending on where the chimpanzees slept and how far they moved overnight.
Chimpanzees are highly active and vocal. You will likely hear their loud pant hoot calls echoing through the forest long before you see them. The calls are used to communicate with other group members and to defend territory. Your guide will help you interpret the different calls.
Once you find the chimpanzees, you will spend one hour observing them. You will see them feeding on fruits, leaves, and sometimes small mammals. You may see them grooming each other to remove parasites and strengthen social bonds. You may see mothers carrying infants, juveniles playing, and adult males displaying dominance. The chimpanzees are constantly moving, so you need to be attentive to follow them.
After the trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you have the option to take a nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is famous for bird watching and primate viewing. The sanctuary is home to red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and numerous bird species. The walk takes 2 to 3 hours and costs 20 dollars. Overnight at your lodge near Kibale.
After breakfast, you will drive from Kibale to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours through beautiful countryside. You will pass through the town of Kabale, known as the Switzerland of Africa for its hilly terrain, and the scenic Lake Bunyonyi, one of the deepest lakes in Africa.
You will arrive at your lodge in Bwindi in the late afternoon. The lodge is located near the sector where you will do your gorilla trek. Your guide will brief you on what to expect for the next day trek. You will have time to relax, enjoy the forest views, and prepare your gear. Overnight at a lodge near Bwindi.
After an early breakfast at 5:30 AM, you will drive to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla etiquette. The briefing covers important rules: stay at least 7 meters away from the gorillas, avoid direct eye contact with silverbacks, never use flash photography, do not eat or drink within 200 meters of the gorillas, and if you are sick with a cold or flu, do not trek.
You will then be assigned to a specific gorilla family based on your fitness level and preferences. Bwindi has 19 habituated families across four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each sector offers different trekking experiences. The Buhoma sector is the most popular and has the widest range of lodges. The Ruhija sector is best for bird watchers. The Rushaga sector is home to the gorilla habituation experience. The Nkuringo sector offers the most challenging terrain with stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes.
The trek through the dense rainforest can take 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas slept and how far they moved overnight. You will be accompanied by experienced guides, trackers who communicate by radio, and armed rangers who protect against forest elephants and buffalo. The terrain is steep and can be muddy, especially during the rainy season.
Porters are available for hire at 20 dollars to carry your daypack and assist with difficult sections. Hiring a porter is highly recommended regardless of your fitness level, as it supports the local economy and makes the trek much more enjoyable. Porters are strong, experienced, and incredibly helpful on steep, slippery sections.
Once you find the gorillas, you will spend one magical hour observing them. You will see silverbacks, the dominant males who protect the family, weighing up to 200 kilograms. You will see mothers cradling infants, juveniles playing in the vegetation, and blackbacks practicing their silverback behaviors. The experience is intimate and profound, bringing you face to face with our closest relatives.
After the trek, you will return to your lodge for a well deserved dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe or Kampala. The drive takes approximately 8 to 9 hours. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or shop for souvenirs at the local markets. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your chimpanzee and gorilla safari. You will leave with incredible memories of two of the world most remarkable primates.
The best time for a chimpanzee and gorilla safari is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During these months, the forest trails are less muddy, and the animals are easier to track. The dry season also offers better photography conditions with clearer skies.
The wet seasons from March to May and October to November bring heavier rains that make trails slippery. However, the forest is incredibly lush and green during these months, and you will encounter fewer tourists. The chimpanzees and gorillas are still active, and the bird watching is excellent.
Both chimpanzee and gorilla tracking are possible year round, but the dry season offers the most comfortable conditions.
The success rate for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is over 90 percent. The chimpanzees are habituated and stay in a predictable area. Your guide will communicate with trackers who monitor the chimpanzees overnight to determine their location for the morning.
The success rate is over 98 percent. Trackers monitor the gorillas overnight, so guides know exactly where to go each morning. If you do not see gorillas (extremely rare), the Uganda Wildlife Authority may refund your permit.
The minimum age for chimpanzee tracking is 12 years. The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years. There are no exceptions to these rules.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is moderate, with trails that are generally flat. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is more strenuous, with steep, slippery trails. Porters are available for both treks to assist with difficult sections.
Yes, most nationalities require a visa for Uganda. Visas can be obtained online before travel or on arrival at Entebbe International Airport. The East African Tourist Visa (100 dollars) allows entry to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya.
A chimpanzee and gorilla safari offers the ultimate primate experience in Uganda. From the active, vocal chimpanzees of Kibale to the gentle, majestic gorillas of Bwindi, you will see two of our closest relatives in their natural habitats. Book your chimpanzee and gorilla safari today and experience the best of Uganda primates.
