Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking: 10-Day Safari Tour

Summary

Wildlife Encounters & Primate Tracking in Uganda’s Top National Parks

If you’ve ever wanted to see wild gorillas up close or hear chimpanzees calling through rainforest trees, this trip delivers all that—and more: classic game drives at sunrise, boat cruises past hippos on the Nile, quiet moments by crater lakes or campfires under starry skies. It’s not always easy travel—but every muddy bootprint is worth it for those once-in-a-lifetime encounters.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping out of Entebbe airport was the warm, slightly humid air—mixed with a faint scent of rain on red earth. Our driver was waiting right outside, holding up a sign and grinning like he’d been expecting us for ages. After a quick chat about the week ahead (he called it “the adventure of a lifetime,” which sounded cheesy but turned out pretty true), we headed to our hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you might squeeze in a stroll through Entebbe Botanical Gardens—watching weaver birds dart between branches—or even zip into Kampala for a peek at Kabaka’s palace or the Kasubi Tombs. I remember the city traffic: boda-bodas weaving everywhere, music drifting from roadside stalls.

The next morning started early—Ugandan coffee is strong and sweet—and we set off northwest through Luwero Triangle. The drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary took us past roadside fruit stands stacked with jackfruit and tiny bananas. At Ziwa, we joined a small group for rhino trekking. There’s nothing quite like standing quietly just meters from a grazing white rhino, hearing its slow breathing and the crunch of grass underfoot. Cameras ready; you don’t want to miss those moments. After lunch (simple local fare—matoke and beans), we continued to Murchison Falls National Park. The landscape opened up: rolling savannah dotted with acacia trees, and every so often, giraffes poking their heads above the brush.

Game drives here are something else. We bumped along dusty tracks at sunrise—the air cool enough for a sweater—spotting elephants lumbering across open plains and lions lazing under fig trees. Our guide knew every bird call; he pointed out grey crowned cranes strutting near the water’s edge. In the afternoon, we boarded a boat up the Nile toward Murchison Falls itself. Hippos grunted nearby; crocodiles sunned themselves on muddy banks. You could feel the spray before you saw the falls—a deep roar as water squeezed through that narrow gorge. The hike up to the top left my legs wobbly but wow, what a view.

Leaving Murchison behind, we drove south toward Kibale Forest National Park—the “primate capital.” It’s about six hours on winding roads (don’t expect smooth tarmac all the way). By evening, mist hung low over the forest canopy as we checked into our lodge overlooking crater lakes below. Early next morning: chimpanzee trekking day! After a briefing from park rangers (they’re strict about rules), we set off into thick jungle trails. You hear chimps before you see them—high-pitched calls echoing through tangled vines—and when you finally spot them swinging overhead or grooming each other on mossy logs… it’s pure magic.

Later that day, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary offered something quieter but just as memorable: walking wooden boardwalks while butterflies flitted around our ankles and rare birds flashed blue or yellow in the reeds. Our local guide rattled off names I’d never heard before—Great Blue Turaco, Pin-tailed Whydah—and somehow spotted tiny chameleons clinging to leaves.

Queen Elizabeth National Park was next—a patchwork of savannah and crater lakes where buffaloes graze alongside warthogs and baboons lope across dusty tracks. We joined researchers for lion tracking in Ishasha sector; sometimes you get lucky and spot tree-climbing lions sprawled across low branches (we did!). Boat rides along Kazinga Channel meant herds of hippos so close you could smell their wet hide mixed with river mud.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park felt different—cooler air, thick mist in early morning, everything green and alive with birdcalls. Gorilla trekking here is tough going (muddy slopes, tangled roots), but when you finally sit quietly among a family of mountain gorillas… well, I still get goosebumps thinking about it. You only get an hour with them but it feels longer somehow.

Afterwards, Lake Bunyonyi was pure relaxation: terraced hillsides reflected in glassy water dotted with tiny islands. Locals paddled dugout canoes between villages; evenings were spent sipping tea by a crackling fire as frogs sang outside.

The last stop: Lake Mburo National Park—a smaller reserve but packed with zebras and impalas darting through golden grass at dusk. We even tried horseback safari one morning; riding quietly among wildlife is surreal (and yes, zebras do stare back). By late afternoon on day ten, we were back on the road to Entebbe—dusty boots and memory cards full.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and City Tour

• Arrival at Entebbe Airport and transfer to accommodation
• Optional visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens or Kampala city tour

Day 2 — Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls

• Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Drive to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 3 — Game Drive and Falls Exploration

• Morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
• Afternoon boat cruise to bottom of Murchison Falls
• Hike to top of Murchison Falls
• Evening game drive

Day 4 — Transfer to Kibale Forest

• Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
• Check-in and overnight at Kibale lodge

Day 5 — Chimp Trekking and Wetland Visit

• Morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
• Visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
• Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 6 — Lion Tracking and Kazinga Cruise

• Lion and leopard tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Boat cruise along Kazinga Channel

Day 7 — Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha

• Drive through Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions
• Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Check-in and overnight at Bwindi lodge

Day 8 — Gorilla Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi

• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and sightseeing

Day 9 — Lake Mburo Game Drive

• Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
• Evening to night game drive in Lake Mburo

Day 10 — Horseback Ride and Departure

• Horseback ride in Lake Mburo
• Return to Entebbe International Airport

Top questions

How difficult is gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

You’ll need decent fitness—it can be steep and muddy—but guides go at your pace and help along tricky spots.

Are permits included for chimpanzee and gorilla tracking?

Yes! Both permits are arranged ahead of time so you’re all set for those experiences.

What should I pack for this safari?

I’d recommend sturdy boots (it gets muddy), long sleeves/trousers for forest walks, insect repellent, sunscreen—and binoculars if you have them!

Is there Wi-Fi or phone signal at lodges?

Most lodges have patchy Wi-Fi; some spots are better than others but don’t count on being connected everywhere.

Can dietary needs be accommodated?

Just let us know ahead—we can arrange vegetarian/vegan meals or work around allergies at most lodges.

What’s included

You’ll have all transport within Uganda covered—including airport pickup/drop-off—plus accommodation each night at comfortable lodges (with great views). All park entry fees are sorted; both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are included too! Guided activities like game drives, boat cruises on Nile/Kazinga Channel/Lake Mburo plus expert local guides throughout your journey make sure you don’t miss anything special along the way.