Uganda · Primate Tours

5-Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda with Lake Bunyonyi

5 Days Round trip from Kampala Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Enjoy an amazing launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel
02 Engage in chimpanzee and gorilla tracking
03 Observe mountain gorillas at close range in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
04 Relax amid the green and lush terraced hills of Lake Bunyonyi

This 5-day trip takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for unforgettable chimpanzee and gorilla tracking in Uganda. Enjoy magnificent views of the Rift Valley floor around Lake Edward and Lake George, search for wildlife on game drives, and cruise along the Kazinga Channel. In Bwindi, experience the rare privilege of observing mountain gorillas at close range as adults feed, groan, and rest while the youngsters play in a pleasantly comical demonstration. The journey ends with time to relax at the green and lush terraced hills of Lake Bunyonyi.

The time allowed to be with these gorillas in Uganda is 1 hour, and every minute of the experience is worth the time spent searching for them.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will be picked up by our guide at 7:00 am from Kampala and embark on your journey to the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park covers an area of about 1,978 sq km, and its position provides magnificent views of the Rift Valley floor that occupies Lake Edward and Lake George. The park has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any national park in the world and is well known as a habitat for about 95 mammals along with 612 species of birds. You will briefly stop in Fort Portal for lunch.
Afterwards, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can do an optional evening game drive depending on your arrival time. This journey takes 5-6 hours.

Day 02

Chimpanzee Tracking and Kazinga Channel Launch Cruise

After an early breakfast, you will catch up with the early risers as your driver takes you to track our closest cousins, the chimpanzees. This is an absolutely amazing experience to have.
You will later return to your lodge for relaxation. After lunch, you will go for an amazing launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where you will have exciting and unforgettable memories. The water cruise also provides a magnificent platform for photography and across-the-board game viewing.
As you retire from the boat cruise, you will drive back to the hotel for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 03

Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi

After an early breakfast, you will catch up with the early risers as your driver takes you for the morning game drive. It is an amazing experience to have, with great chances of spotting wild animals such as buffalo, Uganda kobs (Uganda's national antelope), elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, waterbucks, warthogs, among others.
After that excellent drive, you will return to your lodge for lunch and then embark on your journey to Rushaga near the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This park is most famous for its rare mountain gorillas. The drive to the park is incredibly scenic, passing through various local villages and the lush green countryside and hills that characterize so much of southwestern Uganda. Once you are in the forest park, you will find one of the richest ecosystems in Africa, and the diversity of species is a feature of the park. It provides a habitat for some 120 species of mammals and 348 species of birds.
Later on, you will go to your lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 04

Gorilla Tracking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, along with your packed lunch, you will report to the park premises for registration by 8:00 am. Here, you will be briefed by Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides.
You will then start trekking through the bumpy bushes in search of the amazing gorillas. There is also a great opportunity to see other species like birds, monkeys, chimpanzees, and beautiful butterflies, among others. The trek could take between 1-8 hours. It is truly an exciting experience watching them protest or play with each other. You will enjoy the special moment of being with these fabulous human-like primates. The time allowed to be with these gorillas in Uganda is 1 hour, and every minute of the experience is worth the time spent searching for them.
As you retire from the forest, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, "the place of many little birds," for relaxation at the lodge. Lake Bunyonyi is popular for its green and lush terraced hills and many islands that you can admire all day.

Day 05

Return to Kampala via the Equator

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Kampala as you view beautiful scenery along the way. You will have lunch en route and thereafter proceed for another stopover at the equator for the water experiment and Kodak moments.
You will then continue the journey, and your driver will drop you at your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. The journey takes 7-8 hours.