Gorilla & Chimp Trek Safari Bwindi Kibale 4-Day

Track mountain gorillas and chimpanzees across two forests in four days

A 4-day gorilla and chimp trek safari departing from Kampala takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale Forest National Park with a live guide, all transport and lodging included. You trek through thick forest to find mountain gorillas in their habitat, spend one hour observing them at close range, then move to Kibale to track chimpanzees and spot other primates swinging through the canopy. The route also includes a stop at the Equator and a nature walk through Bigodi swamp to see rare birds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Breakfast in Kampala
• Travel westwards to Bwindi
• Stop at the Equator for photos
• Lunch break in Mbarara town
• Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Dinner and overnight at Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

• Early breakfast
• Briefing at Park headquarters
• Gorilla trekking in forest
• One hour with Gorillas
• Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
• Dinner and overnight at Hawk's Eye Lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest and Bigodi swamp walk

• Breakfast
• Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
• Lunch in Fort Portal
• Visit Bigodi swamp eco-tourism site
• Dinner and overnight at Kibale Forest Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee tracking and travel to Kampala

• Breakfast
• Briefing for chimpanzee trekking
• Chimpanzee tracking in forest
• Return to lodge for lunch
• Travel back to Kampala

The experience

The safari starts with an early breakfast in Kampala and a 9–10 hour drive westward through rolling hills to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a brief stop at the Equator and a lunch break in Mbarara. You arrive late afternoon and overnight at Broadbill Forest Camp. On day two, you wake early for a 7:45 am briefing at the park headquarters, then trek into the forest with your guide to locate mountain gorillas. A search that can take anywhere from one to eight hours depending on where the groups are that day. Once you find them, you have one hour to watch and photograph them feeding, playing and resting at close range. After the trek, you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, a deep crater lake in what locals call the Switzerland of Africa for its cool highland climate and scenery. The lake is one of the few places in Uganda considered safe for swimming.

Day three takes you to Kibale Forest National Park, a drive that passes the Mountains of the Moon on the road to Fort Portal. After lunch in Fort Portal, you visit Bigodi swamp, an eco-tourism site where you walk among uncommon plants and spot rare bird species like the Great Blue Turacco and Rwenzori Turaco. On the final day, you head into Kibale Forest at 8:00 am for a half-day chimpanzee trek. Your guide briefs you on the rules, then you search the forest for chimps while watching other primates (Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Red-Colobus, Blue-tailed and Red-tailed monkeys) move through the canopy. The guide explains the behavior and ecology of each species you encounter. After lunch back at the lodge, you drive back to Kampala, arriving late in the afternoon.

All transport between Kampala and the parks is included, as are three nights of accommodation and a live guide who speaks English, Spanish, French or German. The trek itself requires a moderate level of fitness and involves steep, densely forested terrain with animal trails. The minimum age is 15. Alcohol is not included in the package.

What’s included

• All transport from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale Forest National Park and back.
• three nights of accommodation at Broadbill Forest Camp, Hawk's Eye Lodge and Kibale Forest Lodge.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, French or German.
• entry to both national parks for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking.
• a stop at the Equator.
• lunch in Mbarara and Fort Portal.
• and a nature walk through Bigodi swamp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 80 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kaara Adventures

Is this one for you?Pickup from Kampala is included, so you do not need your own transport or a separate car rental to reach either national park. The four-day schedule fits both gorilla trekking and chimp tracking into a single trip, which would take much longer if arranged separately.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does it take to find the gorillas once you start trekking?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can take anywhere from one to eight hours depending on where the groups are located that day. The forest is steep and densely vegetated, but animal trails crisscross through it to allow access. Once you locate a gorilla group, you spend one hour observing them.

What is Lake Bunyonyi like, and can you swim in it?

Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa at 900 meters deep and is considered one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is one of the few places in the country where swimming is considered safe because it is free of bilharzia.

What other primates will I see besides gorillas and chimpanzees?

In Kibale Forest during the chimp trek and the Bigodi swamp walk, you will see Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Red-Colobus monkeys, Blue-tailed monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, and various rare bird species including the Great Blue Turacco, Rwenzori Turaco, and Narina Trogon. Your guide will explain the behavior and ecology of each species you encounter.

What is included in the 4-day package?

The package includes all transport from Kampala to both national parks and back, three nights of accommodation at Broadbill Forest Camp, Hawk's Eye Lodge and Kibale Forest Lodge, a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, French or German, and entry to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale Forest National Park for both the gorilla trek and chimp trek.

Is this tour physically demanding?

Yes, the tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through steep, densely forested terrain with thick undergrowth and creepers. The minimum age is 15, and the trek is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or those who are pregnant.