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6 days - Kibale's chimpanzees and Bwindi's gorillas

Primates, Kibale Forest and the Bwindi gorillas

Six days from Entebbe to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking and the Bigodi wetlands, then on to Bwindi Impenetrable for a morning of gorilla tracking and an evening with the Batwa community.

1 Country
3 Stops
5 Nights
Medium to Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Chimpanzees and gorillas
Chimpanzees and gorillas Avoid
January Primary window

Dry season: firmer trails on the Bwindi ridges and clearer light for photographs.

Dry trails

The route

Entebbe Kibale Forest Bwindi
01

Uganda

Entebbe, Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable.

Upon arrival to Uganda on this day, you will meet our safari representative, who will transfer you to a hotel in Entebbe for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, you will prepare for a transfer to Kibale forest national park, commonly known as the world's Primate capital. This park is home to chimpanzees as well as several other primate species. You will arrive at Fort Portal town in the afternoon for lunch. Later, proceed into the park for dinner and an overnight stay at a lodge.
You will spend this day with the human’s closest relatives, the chimpanzees. After breakfast at the lodge, we'll transfer you to the briefing area, where you'll meet the ranger guides, who are ready to take you on a memorable journey. You will proceed to visit the chimpanzee family allocated to you. During this process, you may also spot several other species of animals and birds. In the afternoon, you will proceed to the Bigodi wetlands, where you may encounter several bird species, including the rare Papyrus Gonolek. Here you can also find several species of primates, including black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys.
This day, after breakfast, you will prepare for a transfer to the home of the rare mountain Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable forests. This park offers guests an excellent encounter with the rare mountain Gorillas, with about one hour to be spent with the Gorillas once they have been tracked. Upon arrival at the park, we will transfer you to a lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
The long-awaited day is finally here. You will start this day with an early morning breakfast in the lodge; thereafter proceed to the briefing area. The ranger guides allocated to you will take you through the whole process; thereafter lead you into the forests to meet with the gentle giants. Once the Gorillas have been tracked, you will spend about an hour with the Gorillas, a perfect opportunity for you to take as many pictures as possible. You will thereafter visit the indigenous Batwa communities for a cultural experience. These communities have unique ways of life and cultures, giving you a taste of the true African cultures.
On this day, you will prepare for a transfer back to Entebbe for your outbound flight. After breakfast, you will start with the journey, targeting the first stopover in Mabarara town for lunch. You will have another stopover at the Equator before proceeding to Entebbe for your outbound flight. End of safari.

The detail

About this trip

This 6-Day Uganda package will give you an excellent experience with the primates. You will visit Kibale forest national park, home to human’s closest relatives, the chimpanzees, and several other primate species. While in Kibale, you will have a rewarding chimpanzee tracking experience. Optional chimpanzee habituation experience (Full-day is also possible). 

In Bwindi Impenetrable national park, the Gorilla tracking experience is an activity that will give you a more incredible experience with the primates in the Pearl of Africa.

What is included

  • Park fees (For non-residents)
  • All activities (Unless labelled as optional)
  • All accommodation (Unless listed as an upgrade)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
  • Round-trip airport transfer
  • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
  • Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

What is not included

  • International flights (From/home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government
  • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How do we get from Entebbe to Kibale and Bwindi?
The trip is by road. On day 1 a safari representative transfers you to a hotel in Entebbe. On day 2 you drive to Kibale Forest, with lunch in Fort Portal on the way. On day 4 you travel on to Bwindi. Day 6 is the journey back to Entebbe, with lunch in Mbarara and a stop at the Equator before your outbound flight.
When is the best time for the Uganda primate trip?
June to August, January, February and December score highest. The main dry season opens in June with the firmest trails, July is dry and busy and permits sell out early, and August is the peak, with clear air and the first month to sell out. March and September are alternatives. April, May, October and November are wetter, though tracking continues.
What do the tracking days look like?
Day 3 is chimpanzee day: after breakfast you go to the briefing area, meet your ranger guides and track a chimpanzee family, followed by the Bigodi wetlands in the afternoon. Day 5 starts with an early breakfast and a briefing, then gorilla tracking with about an hour with the gorillas, followed by a visit to a Batwa community for a cultural experience.
What is flexible on the 6-day Uganda itinerary?
Trek lengths depend on where the chimpanzees and gorillas are found, so keep days 3 and 5 open. The route is fixed between Entebbe, Kibale and Bwindi, so the choices are your dates and your flight times for day 6. Permits sell out early in the dry months, so share your dates early. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Adult chimpanzee resting in green undergrowth with two young chimpanzees beside it

Book it in this order

Work down the list. Each step depends on the one above it.

Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

The world's primate capital

Kibale is known for its primates, so keep an eye out for other monkeys on the trek, including black and white colobus. The Bigodi wetlands in the afternoon add red-tailed and vervet monkeys.

Papyrus gonolek

The Bigodi swamp walk is a birding walk, and the rare papyrus gonolek is among the birds you may see.

Dressing for the forest

Long sleeves, long trousers, gaiters and waterproof boots protect against nettles and mud on both treks. Bring a rain jacket and gloves.

One hour with the gorillas

When the gorillas are found, you have about an hour with them. Keep your distance and follow your ranger's guidance.

The Batwa community

On day five you visit an indigenous Batwa community for a cultural experience. Ask questions, and buy crafts directly where offered.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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