Uganda is one of the few places where you can track both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees on the same trip. This itinerary does both in four days: a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, then a drive north to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking on the final morning.
The two experiences are surprisingly different. Gorillas are quiet and slow-moving once found; you sit with a family as they feed and rest. Chimpanzees are loud and fast - you often hear a troop long before you see it, and they move through the canopy and along the ground in bursts.
The pace is brisk, with long but scenic drives through south-western Uganda's hills between the two forests. It suits travellers who have done a savannah safari before and want to concentrate on forest wildlife. Your driver-guide handles permits, park entry and timing throughout.
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BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (permit included)
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest (permit included)
Two very different primate encounters in one short trip
Scenic drives through south-western Uganda
A long drive south-west from Entebbe to the Bwindi area, with stops along the way. You arrive in time to rest before tomorrow's early start.
The trek starts with a briefing at the park office, where rangers assign you to a gorilla family. Trackers go ahead to find where the group spent the night, and you follow with your ranger guide. The walk can take under an hour or several hours over steep, muddy ground, depending on where the gorillas have moved. Once you reach them, you spend one hour watching at close range before walking back.
A transfer day north through rolling hills and farmland to Kibale. If you arrive in good time, an optional late-afternoon nature walk is possible; otherwise rest ahead of tomorrow's tracking.
An early guided walk through Kibale with a ranger to find a habituated chimpanzee troop. Encounters here are generally more predictable than gorilla treks, though not guaranteed. Afterwards you drive back to Entebbe.
Planning tip: see our guide on Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: How It Works and How to Prepare.
Accommodation: Three nights at mid-range lodges near Bwindi and Kibale, upgradeable to luxury.
Vehicle: 4x4 safari vehicle
Gorilla trekking runs all year. The drier months, roughly June to August and December to February, make trails less slippery and are the most popular, so permits sell out earlier. The wetter months still see treks every day.
Full Bwindi Impenetrable Forest destination guide »
Usually it is shorter and the terrain is gentler, but you still walk on uneven forest paths for an unpredictable length of time. Good shoes and moderate fitness help.
As soon as possible. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are both limited and sold separately, and gorilla permits can sell out months ahead.
Yes. Queen Elizabeth National Park lies between Kibale and Bwindi and is easy to add - see our 7-day Uganda safari.
Send us your travel dates and group size and we'll confirm availability and pricing.
