Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tours. Are you looking for a primate safari in Uganda,  It’s a destination blessed with unrivaled natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and extraordinary primate encounters. Among its most captivating adventures are gorilla and chimpanzee tours, experiences that draw travelers from all corners of the globe. With dense rainforests, scenic mountains, and vibrant cultures, Uganda offers an immersive safari that goes beyond the ordinary, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of wild primates in their natural habitats.

The Magic of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. These gentle giants thrive in the mist-covered forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both located in the country’s southwest.

A gorilla trekking tour involves hiking through dense vegetation, climbing ridges, and crossing streams until you finally meet a gorilla family. The moment is surreal—you stand a few meters away from a silverback and his family, observing their social interactions, feeding, grooming, or simply resting. The experience is humbling, emotional, and transformative.

Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts over 20 habituated gorilla families spread across four trekking sectors—Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Mgahinga, though smaller, is equally enchanting, with its gorilla family often sharing the ecosystem with golden monkeys, offering visitors the chance for a “double primate experience.”

Each gorilla permit allows one magical hour with these endangered primates. However, the trek itself is part of the adventure, taking you deep into one of Africa’s most biodiverse rainforests.

The Thrill of Chimpanzee Tracking

While gorilla trekking is Uganda’s crown jewel, chimpanzee tracking offers a different, yet equally thrilling experience. Chimpanzees, our closest relatives sharing about 98% of human DNA, are highly intelligent, social, and vocal primates.

The most famous place for chimpanzee tracking is Kibale Forest National Park, also known as the “Primate Capital of the World.” The park is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, making it a haven for primate lovers. A tracking session here allows you to witness chimps swinging through trees, foraging on the forest floor, and communicating with loud pant-hoots that echo through the forest canopy.

Other chimpanzee tracking destinations include Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Each site offers unique encounters, ranging from short treks to full-day chimpanzee habituation experiences, where you spend extended time learning how chimps are gradually acclimated to human presence.

Combining Gorillas and Chimps: A Complete Safari

A Uganda safari that combines both gorilla and chimpanzee tours is the ultimate wildlife adventure. Most itineraries begin in Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking and then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for classic game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which is teeming with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. From there, travelers venture further southwest to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga for the highly anticipated gorilla trekking.

This combination offers a well-rounded experience of Uganda’s biodiversity. You witness not only the great apes but also elephants, buffaloes, lions (including the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha), leopards, antelopes, and over 1,000 species of birds.

Beyond the Trek: Cultural and Scenic Experiences

Uganda’s gorilla and chimpanzee tours are enriched by cultural and scenic add-ons. In Bwindi, visitors can interact with the Batwa pygmies, the forest’s original inhabitants, learning about their traditions, dances, and survival skills. Around Kibale, community walks and village experiences showcase Uganda’s rural lifestyle.

Scenic highlights include the volcanic landscapes of Mgahinga, the crater lakes around Fort Portal, and the serene waters of Lake Bunyonyi, a perfect spot to relax after a gorilla trek. These additions ensure your safari is not only about wildlife but also about people, culture, and landscapes.

A sample of a recommended Tour

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with our 7-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari, combining thrilling primate encounters with breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences. Track wild chimpanzees in the lush Kibale Forest, enjoy game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and stand face-to-face with the majestic mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, discover tree-climbing lions, relax at Lake Bunyonyi, and immerse yourself in Uganda’s vibrant culture. This safari guarantees unforgettable memories in the Pearl of Africa.

Highlights of This Safari

✅ Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
✅ Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
✅ Game drives in Queen Elizabeth NP
✅ Tree-climbing lions in Ishasha
✅ Scenic landscapes, crater lakes & Lake Bunyonyi relaxation
✅ Cultural encounters with local communities

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Transfer to Kampala

• Meet your safari guide upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport.

• Transfer to Kampala (approx. 1 hour).

• Briefing about the safari itinerary.

• Dinner and overnight stay in Kampala.

Recommended lodge: Cassia Lodge / Latitude 0° / Similar.

Day 2: Kampala – Kibale Forest National Park

• After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park (about 5–6 hours).

• Stopover in Fort Portal town for lunch and a view of crater lakes.

• Evening relaxation at the lodge.

• Dinner and overnight near Kibale Forest.

Recommended lodge: Primate Lodge / Turaco Treetops / Chimpanzee Guest House.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale – Bigodi Community Walk

• Morning briefing at Kibale Visitor Center.

• Head into the forest for chimpanzee tracking (2–5 hours).

• Spend 1 hour observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

• Afternoon guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for birds, monkeys, and cultural experiences.

• Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 4: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park

• After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (approx. 3 hours).

• Afternoon game drive through Kasenyi plains to spot elephants, lions, antelopes, and buffalo.

• Dinner and overnight inside the park.

Recommended lodge: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains / Marafiki Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Game Drive & Boat Cruise – Transfer to Bwindi

• Morning game drive in the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions.

• Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

• Evening relaxation at the lodge.

Recommended lodge: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp / Rushaga Gorilla Lodge.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

• Early breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters.

• Briefing by rangers, then start your gorilla trekking adventure.

• Trek may take 2–8 hours depending on gorilla location.

• Spend 1 hour observing a gorilla family.

• Return to the lodge for relaxation or cultural performance by the Batwa community.

• Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 7: Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala/Entebbe

• After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi for a scenic canoe ride and relaxation.

• Continue the journey back to Kampala or Entebbe (approx. 8–9 hours).

• Drop-off at the airport for your departure flight.