5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali
Safari Overview
Imagine an encounter with the chimpanzees and gorillas in their natural Environment. The 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali offers an incredible adventure, including trekking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, creating an unforgettable experience. The 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali begins and ends in Kigali, including border crossings to and from Uganda. Uganda’s best safari company presents this trip, prepared by top-rated safari consultants.
Uganda is arguably a beautiful destination for travelers, with a diverse array of wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and rich, vibrant cultural traditions, earning it the title of the Pearl of Africa. The country prides itself on harboring half of the world’s mountain gorillas and unique wildlife experiences, including iconic game drives in the savannah National Parks. Uganda also boasts 10 beautiful national parks. Each park offers something unique.
On this 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali, we are visiting Uganda’s top-rated safari destinations. These are the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will enjoy a variety of wildlife, plus a thrilling boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. Whether you are a first-time safari goer or seasoned traveler, this incredible 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali will create memories of a lifetime. Below are the highlights of the 5-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari;
Highlights of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari through Kigali
- Day 1: Pick-up and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Kyambura Gorge and Boat Cruise Safari
- Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Experience
- Day 5: Drop-off at Kigali International Airport and Departure
Details of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali
Day 1: Pick-up and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
This will be the first day of your incredible Uganda safari, and you will meet and greet your guide. Your guide will take you through a briefing of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali, including the accommodation centers and activities to do on this tour, as well as the destinations to visit. You have an optional visit to the Kigali genocide memorial to learn about Rwanda’s dark history. This history has greatly shaped Rwanda’s Future.
After the briefing, you will embark on the thrilling scenic drive out of Kigali through the rolling hills and lush vegetation to the Katuna border for the border crossing to Uganda. Later, continue for about 4 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The drive from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about 6 hours, with at least 1 hour for lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive at the lodge, check in, and have dinner and overnight.
Note: Please remember to secure your Uganda Tourist Visa in advance to avoid inconveniences at the border. All Ugandan tourist visas are strictly applied for online. There is no Visa on arrival.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Kyambura Gorge and Boat Cruise Safari
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge, then drive to Kyambura Gorge for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. After the briefing, start your chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura Gorge as you spot other wildlife in the park, including monkeys, baboons, and various bird species. Once you find the chimpanzees, spend 1 hour with them, maintaining a safe distance and following your ranger’s instructions. Remember to bring essentials like a face mask, enough drinking water, and a packed lunch for this chimpanzee Experience. After this experience, meet your guide and drive back to the lodge for a refreshing lunch. The Chances of spotting chimpanzees in kyambura gorge are at 70%; however, there are other trekking destinations like Kibale Forest National Park and Kalinzu.
After lunch, you will embark on a thrilling afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which divides the park into southern and northern parts. During the cruise, you will have chances to spot a variety of animal species, such as elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, and other park wildlife. The boat cruise takes about 3 hours and returns you to the lodge for dinner. You will have an evening safari game drive as you drive to your lodge in the middle of the park.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have a hearty breakfast at the lodge, then head out for an early morning game drive in the northern part of the park, where you may spot wildlife such as lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and other species. The lion and Leopard population in Queen Elizabeth National Park has gone down significantly. The chances of spotting them on a standard game drive are low. However, the park management has a special activity called the experiential Game drive, where you drive off-road with a researcher to look for those cats. The chances of spotting lions on an experiential game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park are about 90%. As of 2026, this experience costs $250 per person and does not include entrance fees. However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority increased the price for this activity to $500 per person, effective 1st January 2027.
After the morning game drive, you will return to the lodge, check out, and embark on a scenic drive through the park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey will take about 4-6 hours, depending on your Bwindi Trekking sector; you will arrive at the park and check in for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Experience (Optional)
Enjoy breakfast, then gather at the visitor’s information center. You will be welcomed with a traditional local dance to warm you up for gorilla trekking, then briefed on the trek. After the briefing, you will be assigned a particular gorilla family and park rangers for your safety. You will begin your gorilla trekking experience by trekking through the impenetrable forests in search of the gorillas. Along the trek, you will encounter different wildlife species, including monkeys, baboons, and birds. Once you find the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them, maintaining a safe distance of 10 meters. Later, return to the starting point where you will meet your guide and enjoy your lunch.
Note: Gorilla Trekking requires a good level of fitness, so advance preparation is highly recommended. However, if you are not fit enough, we recommend hiring a porter to help carry your backpack, pull and push, and keep you company during Gorilla trekking. You pay this service in cash ($20) directly to the local porter. This is one way of directly supporting the community. If you are disabled, you can hire a sedan chair for gorilla trekking at $400. Learn more about gorilla trekking for elderly and disabled travelers in Uganda.
After lunch, you will visit the Batwa Community for a cultural experience. The Batwa were once the inhabitants of the forest as hunters and food gatherers who were later evicted from the park. They were evicted mainly to conserve the endangered mountain gorillas and their natural habitat. You will learn about their traditional connection to the forest and participate in cultural activities, such as cultural dances. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Drop-off at Kigali International Airport and Departure
Enjoy an early morning breakfast at the lodge and embark on a thrilling 4-hour drive to Kigali. This includes at least 1 hour of border crossing. Arrive at Kigali International Airport and check in for your departure. This will mark the end of your 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari through Kigali.
