Gorilla Trekking with Chimps Tour in Uganda. This tour combines Uganda’s two most sought-after primate experiences into one seamless itinerary: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park and mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Together, these two destinations showcase the very best of Uganda’s primate diversity, taking you from the energetic, noisy chimp communities of Kibale to the profound, close-up encounters with mountain gorillas in Bwindi’s ancient rainforest.

At Kenlink Tours, this is one of our most requested itineraries for travelers who don’t want to choose between gorillas and chimps — here’s everything you need to know before booking.

Tour Overview

• Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
• Starting and Ending Point: Entebbe or Kampala
• Main Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, forest walks, optional wetland/cultural excursions
• Group Size: Private or small group (typically 2-6 travelers)
• Difficulty Level: Moderate (both treks involve forest hiking on uneven terrain)
• Best For: Primate enthusiasts wanting a complete Uganda gorilla-and-chimp experience in one trip

See our full Uganda safari itineraries for other ways to combine these destinations.

Day 1: Entebbe/Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park

Your tour begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. The drive west to the Kibale Forest region, near Fort Portal, takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, covering roughly 300 kilometers.

Along the way, you’ll pass through the scenic Rift Valley escarpment and, as you near Fort Portal, into a landscape of rolling tea plantations and crater lakes framed by distant views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Many itineraries include a stop at a scenic crater lake viewpoint for lunch or a short break before continuing to your lodge.

You’ll arrive near Kibale Forest in the afternoon, with time to settle in and relax before dinner and an early night ahead of the next day’s trek.

Overnight: Lodge near Kibale Forest National Park

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Morning Briefing and Trek

Kibale Forest is widely regarded as the primate capital of East Africa, home to over a thousand chimpanzees. Your day begins with an early breakfast, followed by a briefing at the Kanyanchu park headquarters, where rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority organize trekking groups and share background on the forest’s habituated chimp communities.

The trek takes you through dense, humid rainforest, with chimp locations often first revealed by their loud, echoing calls carrying across the canopy. Once located, you’ll spend up to one hour observing them feeding, grooming, and moving through the trees — a fast-paced and often noisy encounter, quite different in character from gorilla trekking. Along the way, keep an eye out for other primates such as red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and blue monkeys, all commonly seen in the forest.

For more detail on this activity alone, see our Kibale chimpanzee tracking guide.

Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk

In the afternoon, most itineraries include a guided walk through the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run reserve bordering Kibale Forest. This gentler activity is excellent for birdwatching, with over 200 recorded species, along with additional primate sightings and insight into local conservation efforts led by the surrounding community.

Overnight: Same lodge near Kibale Forest National Park

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a drive of approximately 2 to 3 hours through the scenic Kichwamba escarpment, with sweeping views over the Rift Valley floor as you descend toward the park.

You’ll arrive in time for an afternoon game drive or a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where you can expect to see large pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, elephants at the water’s edge, and abundant birdlife. This is a welcome change of pace after two days of forest trekking, offering classic open-savanna scenery and easy wildlife viewing from the comfort of a vehicle or boat.

Read more about this stop in our Queen Elizabeth National Park guide.

Overnight: Lodge in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early breakfast, you’ll begin the scenic drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a journey of approximately 4 to 5 hours. The route often passes through or near the Ishasha sector, home to Uganda’s famous tree-climbing lions, with some itineraries including a short game drive detour here to look for lions resting in the branches of large fig trees.

You’ll arrive at your lodge near Bwindi in the afternoon, with time to settle in and take in the forested surroundings before a briefing on the following day’s gorilla trek. Many lodges here sit on ridges overlooking the forest canopy, offering spectacular sunset views.

Overnight: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Morning Briefing

Your fifth day begins early with breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a 7:00 AM briefing. Rangers organize visitors into small groups of a maximum of 8 people per gorilla family and share background on the specific family you’ll be tracking, along with safety guidelines for the trek ahead. Permit allocation and gorilla family assignments are managed through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which oversees all gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi.

The Gorilla Trek

Bwindi’s terrain is steep and densely forested, true to its name. Trekking times vary considerably depending on the gorilla family’s location that day, ranging from a relatively easy 1-2 hour walk to a demanding 6-8 hour hike through thick, hilly rainforest. Hiring a porter at the trailhead is highly recommended, both for practical support and to contribute directly to the local community.

Once your group locates the gorillas, you’ll have a full hour to observe them at close range — watching silverbacks, mothers with infants, and juveniles moving through the dense vegetation. This encounter is widely regarded as one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in the world, and after the previous days spent with chimps, the calmer, more grounded presence of the gorillas offers a striking contrast.

For everything you need to prepare, see our Bwindi gorilla trekking guide.

Afternoon Rest or Cultural Visit

After the trek, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and a well-earned rest. Travelers with extra energy can opt for an afternoon visit to a local Batwa community, learning about the indigenous forest people’s traditional way of life and their historical connection to the forest.

Overnight: Same lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 6: Return to Entebbe/Kampala

After breakfast, you’ll begin the long drive back to Entebbe or Kampala, a journey of approximately 8 to 9 hours given Bwindi’s remote southwestern location. Given the distance, some travelers opt for a domestic flight from Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip back to Entebbe, cutting travel time to under two hours.

If traveling by road, the drive retraces scenic routes through western Uganda, with stops for lunch and rest along the way. You’ll arrive back in Entebbe or Kampala in the evening, in time for an international departure flight or a final night in the city.

What’s Typically Included

• All transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide
• Park entrance fees for Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• One chimpanzee trekking permit
• One gorilla trekking permit
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• 5 nights’ accommodation as per itinerary
• Meals as specified (usually full board while in the parks)
• Bottled water during transfers and trekking

What’s Typically Not Included

• International flights or domestic flights (if chosen instead of road transfer)
• Visa fees
• Tips and gratuities for guides, porters, and lodge staff
• Travel insurance
• Optional activities such as the Batwa community visit or Bigodi Wetland walk (unless specified)
• Alcoholic and specialty beverages

Packing Recommendations

• Waterproof hiking boots with strong ankle support for steep, muddy terrain
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts for protection against forest vegetation
• A rain jacket, as weather in both forest regions can change quickly
• Gardening-style gloves for gripping vegetation on steep sections
• Binoculars for game drives and birdwatching
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• A camera with a zoom lens for both fast-moving chimps and gorillas
• A daypack for water, snacks, and camera equipment

Important Notes for Travelers

• Permit availability: Both gorilla and chimpanzee permits are limited and should be booked well in advance, ideally 3-6 months ahead for gorilla permits, especially during peak season (June to September and December to February). Check current permit pricing and availability directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
• Visa requirements: Most travelers can apply for a Uganda visa online through the Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, or via the East Africa Tourist Visa if combining Uganda with Rwanda or Kenya.
• Age requirement: Trekkers must be at least 15 years old for gorilla trekking; there is generally no strict minimum age for chimpanzee tracking, though it is recommended for older children and adults.
• Physical fitness: Both treks involve walking on uneven, sometimes steep terrain for one to several hours, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
• Health requirements: Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Uganda; check current guidance from the World Health Organization before travel.
• Travel time: This itinerary involves significant road time, particularly the return leg from Bwindi; travelers wanting to reduce driving can inquire about scheduled flights connecting the region to Entebbe.
• Weather: Both parks can experience rain at any time of year, even in the dry season, so packing for variable weather is advised.

Why This Itinerary Works So Well

This tour brings together Uganda’s two flagship primate experiences into one complete journey, moving from the lively, high-energy chimp communities of Kibale to the quiet, awe-inspiring presence of mountain gorillas in Bwindi, with a scenic stop for classic savanna wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park along the way. It’s an ideal itinerary for travelers who want to experience the full depth of Uganda’s primate tourism without needing to choose between chimps and gorillas — offering both in a single, well-paced trip.

For travelers with additional time, this itinerary can be extended with a detour to the Ishasha sector for a dedicated tree-climbing lion search, or a relaxing finish at Lake Bunyonyi before returning to Entebbe or Kampala. Browse our full range of Uganda gorilla and wildlife tours to find the itinerary that fits your travel plans.

Ready to book your Uganda gorilla and chimp adventure? Get in touch with Kenlink Tours today, and let our team put together a seamless, well-timed itinerary for you.