Exciting 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari: Gorillas & Chimpanzees
This 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari combines two of Uganda’s most celebrated primate trekking destinations into a single, perfectly paced trip. You’ll venture into two of the country’s most remarkable national parks, enjoying a gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, with a bonus stop in Queen Elizabeth National Park to round out the experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in Uganda’s southwest, is one of the most popular gorilla trekking destinations in the world, sheltering roughly 50% of the entire global mountain gorilla population across some 20 gorilla families fully or semi-habituated for trekking.
Kibale Forest National Park, meanwhile, is a must-visit chimpanzee trekking destination in its own right, home to around 13 primate species and 6 habituated chimpanzee communities, with the added bonus of a Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary visit for even more primates and birdlife.
7 Days Uganda Primates Safari: Tour at a Glance
| Duration | 7 days, 6 nights |
| Parks Visited | Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park |
| Highlights | Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi wetland walk, Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Ishasha tree-climbing lions, gorilla trekking |
| Permits Included | Gorilla permit and chimpanzee permit |
| Transport | Private safari vehicle throughout |
| Best Season | June–September and December–February |
| Starting Point | Entebbe |
| Ending Point | Kampala |
| Accommodation | Luxury, midrange, and budget lodges at each stop |
| Ideal For | Primate enthusiasts wanting both gorillas and chimpanzees in one trip |
Highlights of the 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
- Hike deep into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the mountain gorillas
- Walk through the natural rainforest of Kibale to see chimpanzees going about their daily routines
- Take a walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a wealth of primates and bird species
- Take a guided community walk near Bwindi
- Spot the Ishasha tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Cruise the Kazinga Channel for hippos, crocodiles, and elephants
Brief Itinerary: 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda
- Day 2: Scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park via Mubende and Fort Portal
- Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland walk
- Day 4: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park — Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Day 5: Game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6: Bwindi National Park — gorilla trekking and cultural tour
- Day 7: Kampala — departure
Detailed Itinerary: 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Welcome to beautiful Entebbe! Depending on your arrival time and how tired you are after the long flight, you may have free time to explore this charming lakeside town — the gateway into Uganda and a genuine tourist destination in its own right, with sites like the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, Entebbe Botanical Gardens, and the Uganda Reptiles Village all worth a look. You’ll then continue to Kampala City for dinner and your first overnight.
Accommodation: Latitude 0 Degree Hotel (luxury), Villa Kololo (midrange), or Yellow Haven Lodge (basic). Meals: Lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Scenic Drive to Kibale Forest National Park via Mubende and Fort Portal
After breakfast, you’ll leave Kampala and transfer roughly 6 hours west to Kibale Forest National Park, a genuine primate haven and one of Uganda’s best chimpanzee trekking destinations. Lunch is taken en route in Fort Portal Town, with a scenic Crater Lake tour built into the drive before you check into your lodge, with the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy lodge facilities before dinner.
Accommodation: Crater Safari Lodge or Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge (luxury); Primate Safari Lodge or Turaco Treetops Lodge (midrange); Chimpanzee Guesthouse or Kibale Forest Camp (budget). Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Today is dedicated to chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. You’ll head to the Park Headquarters at Kanyanchu Visitor Center for a briefing on the dos and don’ts of the activity, before setting out to walk 1–3 hours through the forest in search of the chimpanzees.
Once found, you’ll spend a full hour watching and photographing them as they go about their daily routines, before returning to the lodge for lunch.
The remainder of the afternoon is spent exploring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, right on the boundary of Kibale Forest National Park, home to a wide variety of primates and bird species beyond the chimpanzees themselves.
Accommodation: Same as Day 2. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 4: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park — Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Your journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park, roughly a 2.5-hour transfer via the scenic Crater Lake route. After lunch and freshening up, you’ll meet at Mweya Jetty for the afternoon’s main event: a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, delivering a massive concentration of hippos and crocodiles alongside elephants, buffaloes, and colorful birdlife along the water’s edge — genuinely one of Uganda’s best wildlife-viewing activities.
Accommodation: Elephant Plains or Mweya Lodge (upmarket); Buffaloes Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge (midrange); Kazinga Channel View Resort or Simba Safari Camp (budget). Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The day starts early with a Queen Elizabeth National Park game drive, spotting elephants, hippos, buffaloes, Topis, Uganda Kobs, olive baboons, bushbucks, and plenty more.
From here, you’ll continue the drive toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a stop in the Ishasha sector for a chance to spot the region’s famous tree-climbing lions draped across fig tree branches. Lunch is at Savannah Resort Kihihi, with arrival in Bwindi by evening.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp (luxury); Bwindi Lodge or Kigezi Forest Cottages (midrange); Engagi Lodge or Ride 4 a Woman Bandas (budget). Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Tour
This is the day you’ve been building toward — gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After breakfast, you’ll head to Park Headquarters for a full briefing on the guidelines for trekking and being in the presence of the giant apes.
Starting at 8:00am, you’ll walk through the forest spotting animals and birds along the way, typically taking 1–4 hours to find your allocated gorilla family. The reward: a full hour of observation and photography with the family up close.
The afternoon is reserved for exploring the surrounding area through the Ride 4 a Woman community project, checking out handcrafts made by local women and traditional dance performances.
Accommodation: Same as Day 5. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Kampala — Departure
It’s time to bid farewell to Uganda after a full week of nonstop primate safari. Your private safari driver will meet you at the lodge and transfer you to Kampala, and finally to the airport for your international departure.
End of the 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari.
What’s Included in the 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
Your package includes the gorilla permit, chimpanzee permit, road transfers by private safari vehicle, park entry fees where applicable, the boat ride through Kazinga Channel, a cultural encounter, relevant government taxes, bottled water and snacks, and the Bigodi wetland walk.
Not included: personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry fees, souvenirs, gratuities, and visa fees.
Primate Tracking Rules and Regulations in Uganda
Primate tracking in Uganda follows strict guidelines to protect both visitors and the animals themselves. Key gorilla and chimpanzee trekking rules include:
- Maintain at least 7 meters distance from primates at all times
- Maximum of 8 trekkers per gorilla or chimpanzee group
- Do not touch or feed the primates under any circumstances
- Stay on marked trails and follow your guide’s instructions immediately
- Anyone showing symptoms of a communicable illness will not be permitted into primate habitat
- Only one hour is allowed in the presence of the primates
- Flash photography is strictly prohibited
- Children under 15 are not permitted to track primates, particularly mountain gorillas
- Avoid loud noise, and never eat or drink near the primates
- Follow each park’s specific rules and regulations for its particular primate group
Uganda Primate Tracking Gear to Pack
For a comfortable and successful primate tracking experience in Uganda, consider packing: sturdy, lightweight hiking boots for rough terrain; lightweight, long-sleeved clothing to protect against vegetation and insects; a hat and sunglasses for sun protection; insect repellent and sunscreen; a camera with a zoom lens (and no flash); a water bottle, energy snacks, and a portable first-aid kit; and binoculars to make the most of the birdwatching opportunities along the way, particularly at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Best Time to Track Primates in Uganda
The best time for primate tracking in Uganda — both gorilla trekking in Bwindi and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale — falls during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February.
During these months, trails are considerably less muddy, wildlife is easier to spot, and trekking conditions overall are far more favorable, making this the ideal window for a Uganda primates safari.
Extend or Adjust Your Uganda Primate Safari
If seven days isn’t quite the right length, this itinerary scales in both directions. Our 6 Days Uganda Safari covers similar ground on a tighter budget and timeline, while our 5 Days Primates Safari Uganda compresses the same core experience further for travelers on a shorter trip.
Those wanting to go deeper should consider our 12 Days Uganda Safari, which adds Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo to the same primate-focused foundation, or our Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Tour for a more dramatic take on the Bwindi gorilla experience through its remote southern sector.
Birders should also look at our 7 Days Uganda Birding Safari, which covers much of this same route from a birdwatching-first perspective.
For a broader sense of how this itinerary compares to Uganda’s other top options, see our full Uganda safari itineraries guide and our dedicated advice for first-time Uganda safari visitors.
FAQ: 7 Days Uganda Primates Safari
Does this safari include both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking? Yes — gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park are both included, along with their respective permits.
How long does gorilla trekking take in Bwindi? Typically 1–4 hours of walking to locate your assigned gorilla family, followed by one hour of observation.
Can I see tree-climbing lions on this itinerary? Yes — the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, visited on Day 5, is one of the few places in Africa where lions regularly climb trees.
What is the minimum age for primate trekking in Uganda? 15 years old — children under 15 are not permitted to track mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
What is the best time of year for this safari? June to September and December to February, Uganda’s dry seasons, offer the most favorable trekking conditions.