6 Days Uganda Quest with Gorillas and Chimpanzees. Some journeys are holidays. Others are quests. The 6 Days Uganda Quest with Gorillas and Chimpanzees is firmly the second kind: a carefully paced adventure that takes you into the heart of Africa’s great ape country to meet both of our closest living relatives in the wild, with a thrilling Big Game safari in between.

Over six days, you’ll track noisy, energetic chimpanzees through Kibale Forest, the “Primate Capital of the World,” cruise past hundreds of hippos on the Kazinga Channel, search for the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and, finally, spend a quiet, unforgettable hour with a mountain gorilla family in the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Six days is the perfect length for this quest. It’s long enough to enjoy every highlight without rushing, and short enough to fit into a single week of leave. In this guide, the safari team at Kenlink Tours shares the full day-by-day itinerary, route variations, what’s included, permit costs, the best time to travel and our top tips for an unforgettable great ape adventure.

The 6-Day Uganda Quest at a Glance

The quest follows Uganda’s classic western circuit, a logical loop that links the best chimp forest, the most varied savannah park and the most famous gorilla forest in East Africa.

Day	Route	Highlights	Overnight
1	Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale	Fort Portal tea estates, crater lakes	Kibale
2	Kibale Forest National Park	Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Wetland walk	Kibale
3	Kibale to Queen Elizabeth	Equator crossing, Kazinga Channel boat cruise	Queen Elizabeth
4	Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha	Kasenyi game drive, tree-climbing lions	Bwindi
5	Bwindi Impenetrable National Park	Mountain gorilla trekking, community walk	Bwindi
6	Bwindi to Entebbe or Kampala	Lake Mburo stop or domestic flight	End of tour

• Tour style: Private, tailor-made safari in a 4×4 with a pop-up roof
• Start and end: Entebbe or Kampala, with a Kigali option
• Activity level: Moderate, with one more demanding trekking day
• Best for: First-time visitors, couples, photographers, families with teens 15 and over

Highlights of the 6-Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Quest

• Two great apes in one trip: chimpanzees in Kibale and mountain gorillas in Bwindi
• A classic game drive on the Kasenyi plains in search of lions, elephants and buffalo
• The tree-climbing lions of the remote Ishasha sector
• A Kazinga Channel boat cruise among hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife
• Bigodi Wetland, one of Uganda’s best spots for the great blue turaco
• Scenic drives past crater lakes, tea plantations and the Rwenzori foothills

Why Six Days Is the Perfect Length

A five-day trip can cover gorillas, chimps and wildlife, as on our 5 Days Chimps and Gorilla Safari, but it often means early starts and long drives back to back. Adding a sixth day changes the rhythm of the whole journey.

With six days, you get a full, unhurried day in Kibale for chimp tracking and Bigodi, a proper afternoon on the Kazinga Channel, time to linger with the Ishasha lions and a relaxed evening in Bwindi before the gorilla trek. You arrive at each activity rested, which makes a real difference on the more demanding gorilla trekking day.

It also leaves room for flexibility. If the weather slows a drive or the chimps lead you on a longer chase, the itinerary absorbs it easily. For travelers with a little more time, our 7 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Safari adds further breathing space. Learn more about the country on our Uganda destination guide.

Day 1: Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park

Your quest begins with a morning pickup from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala by your Kenlink Tours driver-guide. After a short briefing, you’ll head west along the Fort Portal road, leaving the busy capital behind for rolling farmland, papyrus swamps and roadside villages selling bananas, pineapples and roasted maize.

As you approach Fort Portal, the scenery becomes truly spectacular. Emerald tea plantations stretch across the hills, and on clear days the snow-dusted Rwenzori Mountains, the legendary “Mountains of the Moon,” rise on the horizon. After lunch in Fort Portal, you’ll continue to your lodge near Kibale Forest, many of which overlook beautiful crater lakes.

Spend the late afternoon relaxing, or take an optional crater lake walk with your guide. Over dinner, your guide will brief you on tomorrow’s chimpanzee tracking.

• Driving time: about 5 to 6 hours
• Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Walk

Today you meet the first of your great apes. Kibale Forest National Park shelters around 1,500 chimpanzees, the largest population in Uganda, along with 12 other primate species. Learn more on Pick and Transfer Safaris’ Kibale Forest National Park guide.

After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to the Kanyanchu visitor center for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Your small group then sets off into the forest, following the calls, drumming and fresh signs of a habituated chimp community. When you find them, you’ll spend one exhilarating hour watching the chimps feed, groom, play and call to each other, sometimes crashing through the canopy above, sometimes resting just meters away on the forest floor. You’ll likely also spot red colobus, black-and-white colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

After lunch, enjoy a gentle guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run swamp reserve famous for the great blue turaco and more than 200 other bird species. Fees support local schools and community projects. If chimpanzees are your passion, our 3-Day Chimpanzee Tracking Safari offers a shorter, chimp-focused alternative.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Cruise

After breakfast, you’ll drive south through tea estates and the dramatic Ndali-Kasenda crater field before crossing the equator near Kasese. Stop for photos with one foot in each hemisphere, then descend onto the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with the Rwenzori Mountains behind you.

After lunch at your lodge, you’ll head to the Mweya Peninsula for a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel hosts one of the largest concentrations of hippos in Africa, plus huge Nile crocodiles, elephants and buffalo cooling off at the water’s edge and a dazzling variety of birds, from pied kingfishers to African fish eagles and pelicans. It’s a relaxing contrast to yesterday’s forest trek and a photographer’s dream.

You can read more about the park on the Queen Elizabeth National Park destination guide, or see our 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park safari if you’d like more time here.

• Driving time: about 2.5 to 3 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Kasenyi Game Drive, Ishasha Lions and Transfer to Bwindi

Rise before dawn for a morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, when predators are most active. Large herds of Uganda kob graze here, attracting lions and occasionally leopards. You’ll also look for elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, warthogs and spotted hyenas, as well as birds such as grey crowned cranes and martial eagles.

After breakfast, you’ll travel south into the remote Ishasha sector, home of Uganda’s famous tree-climbing lions. These lions have a rare habit of resting in the branches of large fig and acacia trees, possibly to escape the heat and biting insects, and spotting a pride draped across a fig tree is one of the most iconic sights in Africa. The quiet Ishasha plains also host topi, buffalo and elephants.

After a picnic lunch, you’ll continue through farmland and forested hills to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the late afternoon. Check in to your lodge, listen to the evening chorus of the rainforest and prepare your gear for tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

• Driving time: about 3 to 4 hours, plus game viewing
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today is the climax of your quest. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Learn more on the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park guide from Pick and Transfer Safaris.

After an early breakfast, you’ll report to the park headquarters for a briefing. Groups of up to eight visitors are each assigned a habituated gorilla family. With a ranger guide, trackers and armed escorts, you’ll set off into the forest, sometimes along trails, sometimes pushing through dense vegetation and up steep, muddy slopes. Treks can last from one to six hours, depending on where the gorillas have moved.

Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for. Emerging into a clearing, you find the family: a massive silverback feeding calmly, mothers cradling infants and youngsters tumbling through the leaves. You’ll spend one magical hour with them, watching, photographing and simply taking it in. Most travelers describe it as the most moving wildlife experience of their lives.

After the trek, you’ll receive your gorilla trekking certificate. In the afternoon, you can join an optional community walk or visit the Batwa, the forest’s original inhabitants, to learn about their traditions. Combining culture and gorillas is also the focus of our 4 Days Uganda Cultural and Gorilla Tour.

• Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner

Day 6: Return to Entebbe or Kampala

After breakfast, you’ll begin the journey back through the terraced hills of Kigezi, often called the “Switzerland of Africa.” If time allows, you can stop at Lake Mburo National Park for a short game drive to see zebras, impalas and eland, species you won’t have seen earlier in the trip.

You’ll make a final stop at the equator for souvenirs before arriving in Entebbe or Kampala in the evening, where your guide drops you at your hotel or the airport.

If you’d prefer to skip the long drive, you can take a scheduled domestic flight from Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip to Entebbe in about an hour, giving you a relaxed morning in Bwindi before you leave.

• Driving time: about 8 to 10 hours, or 1 hour by air
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Variation: Start Your 6-Day Quest in Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali International Airport is closer to Bwindi’s southern sectors and Mgahinga than Entebbe is, so many travelers run this quest in reverse. A Kigali-based version looks like this:

• Day 1: Kigali to Bwindi’s southern sector via the Katuna or Cyanika border
• Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
• Day 3: Drive north through Ishasha to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 4: Morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga Channel cruise and transfer to Kibale
• Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland walk
• Day 6: Drive to Entebbe for your flight home

This “open-jaw” route, arriving in Kigali and leaving from Entebbe, avoids backtracking entirely. Our 5-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali to Uganda and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimps Safari starting from Rwanda follow similar routes. Travelers starting in Kigali can also trek gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where golden monkeys add an extra primate to the quest.

Upgrade Options for Your Great Ape Quest

To make your quest even more special, consider these upgrades:

• Gorilla Habituation Experience: spend up to four hours with a gorilla family in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector instead of one, accompanying researchers and trackers. Only four visitors per day can join.
• Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: stay with a Kibale chimp community from early morning until late afternoon.
• Golden monkey tracking: add a day in Mgahinga to see these striking orange-gold monkeys.
• Fly-in return: replace the final drive with a domestic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe.
• Luxury lodges: upgrade to exclusive forest and savannah lodges with private verandas and gourmet dining.

Variation: Swap Queen Elizabeth for Lake Bunyonyi

If you’ve already done a savannah safari elsewhere in Africa, you can trade part of the wildlife section for a relaxing stay at Lake Bunyonyi after your gorilla trek. Dotted with 29 terraced islands, it’s one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes, ideal for canoeing, swimming and unwinding. We recommend keeping at least the Kazinga Channel cruise, though, as it’s a highlight few travelers want to miss.

Extending Your Quest Beyond Six Days

If you have more time, there are many ways to extend your great ape adventure:

• 8 days: our 8-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari adds Lake Mburo and more relaxed time
• 9 days: the 9 Days Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla and Big Five Safari combines both countries
• 10 days: our 10 Days Best of Uganda Primates, Wildlife and Culture adds Murchison Falls and cultural experiences
• 25 days: the 25-Day Wildlife, Gorilla and Chimps Uganda Adventure reveals almost every corner of the country

For comparison, Pick and Transfer Safaris offers a 7 Days Uganda Safari one-week tour, a 10 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife itinerary and a 14-Day Uganda Primates and Safari Adventure.

If you’re shorter on time, our 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tour in Uganda and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari condense the quest into five days.

What’s Included in the 6-Day Uganda Quest

Every Kenlink Tours safari is private and can be tailored to your needs. A standard 6-day gorilla and chimpanzee quest includes:

• One gorilla trekking permit and one chimpanzee tracking permit per person
• Park entrance fees for Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise and game drives in Kasenyi and Ishasha
• Bigodi Wetland guided walk
• Five nights’ accommodation in your chosen lodge category
• Meals as described in the itinerary
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof, fuel and a professional driver-guide
• Bottled drinking water and airport or hotel transfers

Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, porter fees, drinks and optional activities.

Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permit Costs

Permits are the largest single cost of any great ape safari. At the time of writing, approximate Uganda Wildlife Authority prices for foreign non-residents are:

• Gorilla trekking permit: around US$800 per person
• Chimpanzee tracking permit (Kibale): around US$250 per person
• Gorilla Habituation Experience: around US$1,500 per person

Rates for foreign residents and East African citizens are lower. Permit prices can change, so we always confirm current rates at the time of booking. Compared with Rwanda’s US$1,500 gorilla permit, Uganda remains the best-value destination for great ape trekking.

Gorilla permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day and often sell out months ahead in peak season. We recommend booking at least three to six months in advance. Once you confirm, we secure your permits directly and match your Bwindi sector to your route.

How Much Does the 6-Day Quest Cost?

The total price depends on your accommodation level, group size and travel season. Permits, park fees and the private vehicle make up most of the budget, while lodges range from simple and affordable to exclusive and luxurious. Traveling in a small group lowers the price per person, as does joining one of our group tours. Experienced drivers can also explore independently with our 4×4 car hire service.

Best Time to Go on the 6-Day Uganda Quest

Uganda’s great apes can be seen year-round, but conditions vary by season.

June to September and December to February are the drier months, with firmer forest trails, easier trekking and excellent game viewing as animals gather near water. These are the most popular months, so book early.

March to May and October to November are wetter, bringing afternoon showers, muddy trails and lush green landscapes. You’ll enjoy fewer crowds, lower lodge rates and outstanding birding. Gorillas and chimps don’t migrate, so sighting success stays high throughout the year.

What to Pack for Gorillas, Chimps and Game Drives

• Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and good grip
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in neutral colors
• A lightweight rain jacket and a warm fleece for cool forest mornings
• Garden gloves for gripping vegetation on steep slopes
• Gaiters or long socks to keep safari ants out
• Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens and spare batteries (no flash with primates)
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and sunglasses
• A small waterproof daypack for water and snacks

Remember your passport, visa, yellow fever certificate and travel insurance documents.

Fitness and Health Tips

Chimp tracking in Kibale is moderate, on mostly gentle trails. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is more demanding, with steep slopes at altitudes of roughly 1,160 to 2,600 meters. Regular walking or hiking in the weeks before your trip will help. On trekking day, hire a porter to carry your bag and lend a hand on slippery sections; the fee supports local families.

The minimum age is 15 for gorilla trekking and generally 12 for chimp tracking in Kibale. A yellow fever certificate is required for entry, malaria prophylaxis is recommended, and you can’t trek if you’re unwell, since great apes can catch human illnesses.

Where You’ll Stay

The quest is available in budget, mid-range and luxury versions. Near Kibale, lodges overlook crater lakes and tea estates. In Queen Elizabeth, you can stay above the Kazinga Channel on the Mweya Peninsula or in quiet camps near Ishasha. In Bwindi, lodges sit on forested hillsides where you may hear gorillas from your veranda. Our team personally inspects every property we recommend.

Why Book Your 6-Day Great Ape Quest With Kenlink Tours

Since 2010, Kenlink Tours has created private safaris across Uganda, Rwanda and East Africa. Our team is on the road every day of the year, checking lodges, routes and park conditions first-hand, so you get honest advice and a smooth journey.

We are licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and book gorilla and chimpanzee permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Our driver-guides are passionate naturalists who know Kibale’s chimp communities, the favorite trees of the Ishasha lions and how to prepare you for a safe, rewarding gorilla trek. Every itinerary is flexible and built around your dates, budget and interests. Read more on our About Us page. Part of our profits supports the Kigezi Foundation, which cares for orphaned children in southwestern Uganda.

If you’d like to focus on just one great ape, our 3-Day Uganda Gorillas Safari and Pick and Transfer Safaris’ 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari are great short options for gorillas, while their 3 Days Chimpanzee Tour in Uganda focuses on chimps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is six days enough to see gorillas, chimps and wildlife in Uganda?

Yes. Six days is ideal for tracking chimps in Kibale, enjoying a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth and trekking gorillas in Bwindi, all at a comfortable pace.

Which comes first, chimps or gorillas?

Starting from Entebbe, we track chimps first because Kibale is closer, and save gorillas for the finale. Starting from Kigali, the order is reversed.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

Travelers must be at least 15 to trek gorillas and generally at least 12 to track chimps in Kibale. Younger children can join game drives and boat cruises.

Are gorilla and chimp sightings guaranteed?

Sightings aren’t formally guaranteed, but success rates are excellent: above 95 percent for gorillas in Bwindi and above 90 percent for chimps in Kibale.

Can I see the Big Five on this quest?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. Rhinos are found only at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which can be added on a longer itinerary.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking three to six months ahead, especially for travel from June to September and December to February, when gorilla permits sell out quickly.

Begin Your 6 Days Uganda Quest with Gorillas and Chimpanzees

The 6 Days Uganda Quest with Gorillas and Chimpanzees brings together everything that makes Uganda the Pearl of Africa: lively chimpanzees in the canopy of Kibale, hippos and elephants along the Kazinga Channel, lions resting in the fig trees of Ishasha and the deeply moving hour you spend with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi. It’s a journey of contrasts, discovery and unforgettable moments, all within a single week.

With gorilla permits limited each day, the sooner you plan, the better your chances of securing your preferred dates. Let our experienced team handle the permits, lodges and logistics, so you can focus on the adventure.

Ready to start your great ape quest? Contact Kenlink Tours today for a free, tailor-made 6-day gorilla and chimpanzee itinerary, and one of our safari experts will reply within 24 hours.