Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee

Safari Details

This Uganda Primate Safari highlights gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking as the main activities. This trip will bring you face to face with these great apes in the middle of the rain forests i.e. Kibale Forest and Bwindi impenetrable forest. In addition, you have an opportunity to visit Queen Elizabeth national park for great scenery and wildlife both on a boat safari and during a game drive.

Safari highlights

Chimpanzee trekking
Nature walk in Bigodi Swamp
Game drives
Boat cruise
Crater Lakes
Gorilla tracking

Safari Plans

Day 1 Arrival at Entebbe international Airport
Welcome to the Pearl of Africa On arrival at Entebbe international Airport, a representative of Hear Nature Safaris will receive you and transfer you to your hotel for a restful night.
- Drive time– 20 minutes
Day 2Transfer to the home of Chimpanzees – Kibale National Park
After breakfast, we leave for Kibale Forest – the primate capital of the world. The trip takes you through the countryside arriving in the beautiful Fort portal town for lunch at Gardens restaurant or any other place recommended by your tour guide. After lunch you will proceed to your lodge for check in and overnight.
- Alternatively you can take a scheduled flight from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip and drive for about 1 hour 30 minutes to your lodge.
- Drive time – 5 hours Or Scheduled Flight – 1-hour 35 minutes
Day 3Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
Your naturalist guide will transfer you to the briefing area at Kanyanchu tourism center after breakfast.
- Your experienced ranger guide will lead you as you hike through the tropical forest for an unforgettable and rewarding experience in search of man’s closest relatives the Chimpanzees.
- After lunch, you will take a walk in Bigodi community – proceeds from this help in community development. You can do both the swamp walk and the village walk or one of the two.
- The walk through the wetland might give you sightings of red-tailed monkeys, Mangabeys, butterflies and several bird species. This walk continues on to visit different homes where you will have a coffee experience, banana brewing, basketry and learning about different traditions medicines.
- PS: You have an option of a chimpanzee habituation experience. This activity allows you to spend more time in the forest learning more about the life of chimps, their habitat, food etc.
Day 4 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Uganda Primate Safari
After an exhilarating experience with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, we journey to watch wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- . Drive through the Crater lakes region (depending on road condition) and enjoy views of the Rwenzori Mountain ranges.
- • Drive time – 2 hours
Day 5Game drive and Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
After an early breakfast we leave for a game drive with focus on the predators before they go into hiding. The car is customized for game viewing.
- Enjoy the exotic and rare species which include Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes, and Uganda Kobs etc.
- In the afternoon take boat safari on Kazinga Channel, this water channel connects Lake Edward to Lake George. The banks of the channel often have a variety of animals and beautiful species of birds. This boat takes about 2.5 hours on the water.
Day 6 Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park – Uganda Primate Safari
Today we leave for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the home to half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- You will drive through Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park and on a lucky day you might sight climbing lions by the roadside.
- PS: If you are tracking in Rushaga/Nkuringo you will take a different route not through Ishasha.
- Drive time – 4 hours.
Day 7Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
Gorillas are amazing creatures with so much energy but gentle. Your driver guide will transfer you to the briefing area after an early breakfast. You will carry packed lunch because you are not sure how long the trek will take. After briefing you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek and a ranger guide for the trek.
- After briefing, the ranger guide will lead you on an expedition in the forest. The gorilla trek can take anything from a few minutes to several hours depending on where they nested the previous night.
- Once you locate the gorillas with help of your guide and trackers, you are allowed to stay with them for only one hour after which you start the trek back to the starting area.
Day 8 End of your Uganda Primates Safari – Uganda Primate Safari
Today morning, you will start the journey to Entebbe/Kampala with a stopover at the Equator monument. This marks the end of your Uganda primates Safari.
- Drive time – 9 hours Or Scheduled Flight – 1 hr 50 minutes

Safari Package Includes

Transport on 4WD.
Meals and accommodation.
All park entrance fees to include government taxes.
Service of an English-speaking professional driver/guide.
Complimentary return airport transfers in case you desire after the trip.
Bottled water whilst on safari.
All Taxes.
Support: 24/7 customer support, ensuring you have a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.

Not Included

Personal Expenses: Expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, telephone calls, and additional activities beyond the itinerary are not covered.
Gratuities: Tipping for guides, drivers, and hotel staff is not included and is at the discretion of the traveler.
Optional Activities: Costs associated with optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are the responsibility of the traveler.
Visa Fees: Any fees related to visa processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difficulty level of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi ranges from moderately challenging to strenuous, depending on the gorilla group location. Treks typically last 2-8 hours through steep, dense rainforest terrain at altitudes of 1,500-2,500 meters. Pro Tips: (a)-Start physical preparation (walking/hiking) 2 months prior (b)-Pack lightweight but warm layers as temperatures vary (c)-We provide walking sticks; proper hiking boots are essential
How close will we get to the chimpanzees during habituation?

Our chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale Forest allows observation from 8-10 meters (26-33 feet), the closest permitted distance in Uganda. The process involves following researchers as they document chimp behavior, offering more intimate viewing than standard tracking. NOTE: Timing Matters Morning treks (7:30-11:30) offer best activity views as chimps feed, while afternoon habituation (14:00-17:00) often features nesting behaviors.
What health precautions are required for primate encounters?

REQUIRED VACCINATIONS: Yellow Fever (certificate required), COVID-19 recommended, Hepatitis A & B recommended, Typhoid recommended, CRITICAL RULES DURING TRACKING: 7m minimum distance (gorillas), No coughing/sneezing toward primates, Wearing masks is optional but encouraged, No access if actively sick.
Are there any age restrictions for gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking?

Uganda Wildlife Authority sets strict age limits for primate activities: GORILLA TREKKING: Minimum age: 15 years, No upper age limit if physically fit, CHIMPANZEE TRACKING: Minimum age: 12 years, Children 12-15 require special permission
What essential items should we pack specifically for primate tracking?

CLOTHING ESSENTIALS: Waterproof hiking boots (broken in), Lightweight rain jacket (compact) Long-sleeved shirts (earth tones), Comfortable gaiters. SPECIALIZED GEAR: Portable motion sickness medication, Biodegradable wet wipes, Waterproof dry bags for electronics, Camelbak hydration pack (2L minimum). NOTE: We provide professional porters to carry heavy equipment during treks.