5 Days Primates Safari Uganda for Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking
This 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda itinerary takes primate enthusiasts to the west and south-west, into the dense jungles to get up-close and personal with Great Apes that are considered mankind’s closest relatives.
On this 5 Days Uganda safari, you will embark on a thrilling gorilla trekking in Bwindi to encounter these incredible world famous primates and even spend one hour watching them go about their daily routines of playing, resting, grooming each other, foraging and mating.
The same applies to the chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, watching these intelligent primates going about their day-to-day activities that also include playing, resting and many others.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most renowned and endowed safari destination in Uganda with over 120 mammal species that include 10 primates (such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys and blue monkeys among others).
The Park has the highest concentration of mountain gorillas, totaling to about half the entire World’s population and also, it has over 20 habituated gorilla groups for trekking (the highest ever-recorded number). This Protected Area is also a birding hot spot with over 350 bird species that include over 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
Kibale Forest National Park is where the chimpanzees will be trekked during this 5-day Primates safari and has over 1500 of the 5000 individuals in Uganda. Six chimpanzee communities have been habituated for trekking by 6 visitors each session, each group.
Besides trekking chimpanzees, visitors will also undertake guided walks through the nearby Bigodi wetland Sanctuary where over 8 primate species and about 200 bird species are sheltered.
Highlights of the 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda
- Trekking the chimpanzees within Kibale Forest National Park.
- Spend time with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Enjoy the guided walks through Bigodi wetland Sanctuary, haven to 200 bird species.
- A chance to learn from the Batwa pygmies.
5 Days Primates Safari Uganda Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Kibale Forest National Park & sightsee.
- Day 2: Trek chimpanzees through Kibale Forest National Park and spot lots of birds in Bigodi wetland Sanctuary.
- Day 3: Arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Queen Elizabeth National Park, 6-7 hours’ drive.
- Day 4: Trek to see the mountain gorillas within Bwindi & learn from the Bigodi Pygmies.
- Day 5: Depart Bwindi Impenetrable National Park- End of the 5-day safari.
Detailed Itinerary for the 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda
Day 1: Arrive in Kibale Forest National Park & sightseeing
Today, head to the primate Capital of the World! First be treated to a hearty breakfast at the Hotel in Kampala and receive briefing from your safari driver.
Start driving through the busy streets of Kampala, towards Mityana, Mubende and Fort Portal while relishing views of lush countryside, vast tea plantations until Fort Portal Town for Lunch.
You will have lunch and continue sightseeing before arriving your place of Lodging within or in the outskirts of the Forest. Have some time to explore your surroundings, relax and later have dinner.
Overnight at:
- Crater Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops (luxury).
- Primate Lodge or Mountains of the Moon Hotel (midrange).
- Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (budget).
Meals: Lunch and Dinner.
Drive time: 6-7 hours, including en-route stops
Day 2: Trek chimpanzees through Kibale Forest National Park and spot lots of birds in Bigodi wetland Sanctuary
Following a sumptuous breakfast, your private safari driver will transfer you to the Kanyanchu Visitor Center for briefing and registration before beginning the trek for chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Get your trekking gear for this 1-4 hour search for the Great Apes in the jungle as you will be crossing dense forests, swamps, open areas and others before reaching these primates.
See and photograph them as they play, rest, groom and forage under the watchful eye of the Alpha male. Spend one hour in the presence of the chimpanzees then head back to the Lodge for lunch.
Spend the afternoon in a guided wetland walk through Bigodi and this lasts 3-4 hours for a round trip as different primate and bird species are watched in this beautiful community-owned wetland.
Take time learning about the behavior of different primate species as well as birds that call Bigodi wetland Sanctuary home. You will get back to the Lodge in the evening, relax and later dine.
Overnight at:
- Crater Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops (luxury).
- Primate Lodge or Mountains of the Moon Hotel (midrange).
- Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 3: Arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Queen Elizabeth National Park, 6-7 hours’ drive
Today, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to visit the extraordinary mountain gorillas that call this Jungle home. You will go through the Crater road while spotting different beautiful Crater Lakes and be at Queen Elizabeth National Park in two hours.
Drive through while spotting different animals that include elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Topis and warthogs. Head towards Ishasha sector for a chance to see the tree-climbing lions in the southern side of the Park.
Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site (Bwindi) with lunch break at Savannah Resort Kihihi.
Overnight at:
- Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Lodge (luxury).
- Engagi Lodge or Silverback Lodge (midrange).
- Ride for a woman or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Trek to see the mountain gorillas within Bwindi & learn from the Bigodi Pygmies
Very early in the morning, you will have a hearty breakfast and walk/drive to the Park Headquarters for registration and briefing on the procedures to be followed while trekking and spending time in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
Start the search for mountain gorillas by ascending and descending densely-forested slopes and during this process, you will come across lots of bird species, primates and so much more before finally coming across the mountain gorillas.
After enjoying the one hour encounter with these Giant Apes in their natural habitat you will begin the trek down and meet your driver to continue to the Lodge for lunch.
Later in the late afternoon, consider walking to the community of Batwa Pygmies to learn about their culture and traditions. From here, enjoy a sumptuous dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Overnight at:
- Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Lodge (luxury).
- Engagi Lodge or Silverback Lodge (midrange).
- Ride for a woman or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Depart Bwindi Impenetrable National Park- End of the 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda
On this day, our 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda comes to an end. Enjoy breakfast and transfer to Kampala with lunch en-route. Safe travels!!!!
This 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda package includes;
- Gorilla trekking permit.
- A chimpanzee trekking permit.
- Bigodi walk fees.
- Park entry fees.
- Visit to the Batwa pygmies.
- 4 nights’ accommodation in only the best accommodation facilities within Kibale and Bwindi.
- Services of a fulltime safari guide.
- Transportation by a customized safari vehicle.
- Bottled water.
- Related Government taxes and levies.
- Meals per the meal plan.
Our 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda package excludes;
- Domestic and International flights.
- Visa fees if required.
- Medical and Travel insurance.
- Laundry fees.
- Souvenir shopping.
- Telephone calls.
Best Time for Primate Tracking in Uganda
The best time for primate tracking in Uganda is during the dry seasons, typically ranging from June to September and December to February. These come with more accessible trails making trekking less challenging. They are also featured with less vegetation makimg it easier to spot primates in their habitats.
Chimpanzee trekking permit Vs. Gorilla Trekking permit
When planning to embarkbon both of the activities, you will need two separate individual trekking permits for each activity.
As of 2024/25, a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda costs about $250 per person per day and it comes with only one hour of observing the chimps once you have encountered them in their natural habitat. A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 per person and it alloss you access to the gorilla natural habitats, that’s in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Gorilla trekking permits are literally more expensive than the chimp permits because of their limited availability, high demand and the critically endangered status which demands for reasonable funds to aid conservation.
Both permits are non transferable, support conservation, and require to be booked in advance especially during the peak travel seasons.
Uganda Packing List to Consider for this Primate Safari
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing
- Rain jacket/poncho
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and hat
- Backpack for essentials
- Reusable water bottle
- Binoculars
- Camera with waterproof cover
- Gloves for gripping vegetation