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 Chimpanzee trekking Safari 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 begins and ends in Kigali, including border crossings to and from Uganda. This trip is presented to you by Uganda’s best safari company and prepared by top-rated safari consultants.
Uganda is arguably a beautiful destination for travellers, 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 harbouring half of the world’s mountain gorillas and unique wildlife experiences following the iconic game drives in the savannah National Parks. Uganda prides its sellf to host a total number of 10 beautiful national parks. Each park has something unique and different from the other.
On this 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari, we are visiting Uganda’s toprated safari destinations. These are the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Expect to have game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will have a variety of wildlife viewing, and a thrilling boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. Whether you are a first-time safari goer or seasoned traveller, this incredible 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimp Safari 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 meet and greet your guide. Your guide will take you through a briefing of the 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari, 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, proceed for about 4 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the western part of Uganda. The journey from Kigali to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes about 6 hours of driving, while sparing at least 1 hour for lunch at one of the local restaurants. Arrive at the lodge and check in for your 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 and drive to Kyambura Gorge for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. After the briefing, you will start your chimpanzee trekking experience in Kyambura Gorge as you spot other wildlife of the park, including monkeys, baboons, and different bird species. Once you find the chimpanzees, spend 1 hour with them, maintaining a safe distance while following the instructions of your rangers. Remember to carry some of the essentials like a face mask, enough drinking water and a packed lunch while going 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. Along the boat cruise, you will have chances to spot a variety of animal species such as elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, and other wildlife of the park. The boat cruise shall take you about 3 hours and return to the lodge for your dinner. You will have an evenning 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 and proceed for an early morning game drive in the northern part of the park, where you will spot some wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, and other wildlife of the park.The lion and Leopard population in Queen Elizabeth National Park has gone low 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% chances. As of 2026, the price of this experience is $250 per person and this doesnot include the entrance fees. However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority increased the price for this activity to $500 per person with effect from 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 shall take you about 4-6 hours depnding on your Bwindi Trekking sector, arrive at the park, and check in for your dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Experience (Optional)
Enjoy your breakfast and later gather at the visitor’s information centre, you will be welcomed by a traditional local dance to warm you up for gorilla trekking, and later be briefed about gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be assigned a particular gorilla family and park rangers for your safety. You will start your gorilla trekking experience as you trek 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 some good level of fitness so advance preparation is highly recomended. However if you are not fit enough its highly recomended to hire a potter to help you carry your back pack, pull, push plus giving you company during Gorilla trekking. This service is paid in cash for $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. The main reason for eviction was for conservation of these endangered mountain gorillas and their natural habitats. You will have a chance to learn about their traditional connection with the forest as well as participate in their 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.
