4-Day Gorillas, Wildlife, and Kalinzu Chimpanzee Trek

This 4-day adventure is the best of wildlife safaris in Uganda, offering you the opportunity to spot creatures from Uganda’s myriad of natural wonders. See the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, catch a glimpse of the tree-climbing lions, and venture into the natural wonderland that is Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve, famous for its numerous species of trees and primates.

Tour Highlights

.Track the rare mountain gorillas through the mountains of Bwindi National Park

.Spot the unique tree-climbing lions, as they lazily hang from candelabra trees in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park

.Observe other animals in the QE National Park such as hippopotamus, leopards, and elephants

.Follow the trails of chimpanzees through Kalinzu Forest, also home to six other species of primates

.Explore the flora and fauna in Kalinzu Forest with its 414 species of trees and 378 species of birds

Trip overview

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi National Park in Uganda

We will pick you up at Kigali Airport or downtown Kigali and drive you to Bwindi National Park. The scenic 4-5-hour drive to Uganda will take you through Rwanda’s northern town of Ruhengeri and then cross over into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border post. The trip continues through the nearby Kisoro or Kabale town and finally into Bwindi National Park. Arriving at Bwindi National Park in the early afternoon will allow you to do optional activities such as hiking, canoeing, or visiting the local community. ​

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Bwindi National Park

Today is a special day! The gorilla safari Uganda is famous for. You will head to Bwindi National Park immediately after breakfast to get a briefing about the gorilla trek. The presentation will cover the basics of what to expect during the trek, how to approach the animals for both your and their safety. The national park guide will assign all visitors a gorilla family to track and after that, your adventure begins. Depending on how far the gorillas are inside the forest, the trek can last from 3 to 8 hours, the average time being between 3 and 5. Venture into the vegetation until you come across these incredible creatures, it is a truly unique experience. After the trek, you will return to the lodge to relax, eat dinner, and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha Sector

We will start the journey in the morning from Kisoro/Bwindi area and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through the stunning landscapes of southwestern Uganda. Our first stop will be the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, popularly known for the tree-climbing lions. Unlike their counterparts on the Kasenyi plains, the lions at Ishasha have found a way to climb the fig trees to enjoy the warm temperatures. While the sighting of the tree-climbing lions is not 100% guaranteed, a stopover at Ishasha is well worth a visit.

If we arrive at the Mweya Peninsular by 3 pm, you can join an optional boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to enjoy possible sightings of hippos and elephants.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest Reserve & Transfer to Kigali or Kampala/Entebbe

After breakfast, we will drive to Kalinzu Forest to experience tracking the chimpanzees in their forest home. Kalinzu Forest is a haven for chimp trekking in Uganda and visitors have more than a 50% chance of encountering the animals. If you are lucky, on the Kalinzu trek you might encounter one of the 6 different species of primates that call the area home. These include the colobus monkey, the olive baboon, and the red-tailed monkey. After our exhilarating morning of wildlife sightings, it’s time to end the trip and we will take you to Kigali or Kampala/Entebbe.

Accommodation & Meals
Day 1 & 2:
Lake Mutanda Resort
Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Bakiga Lodge
Gorilla Mist Lodge
Meals:
Day 1: Dinner

Day 2: All meals included
Day 3:
Buffalo Safari Lodge(opens in a new tab) – All meals included
The Bush Lodge(opens in a new tab)
Day 4: Breakfast & lunch
We will choose from one of these lodges according to availability.

Optional Activities on Days 1 & 3:
Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – $90 USD
The Batwa Trail Cultural Tour inside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – $80 USD
Visit the Batwa Community in the Village – $30 USD
Canoe Trekking at Lake Mutanda – $30 USD
Coffee-Making Experience – $30 USD
Mabungo Community Village Tour in Kisoro – $30 USD
Boat trip on the Mweya Peninsular – $30 USD
See our Local Experiences(opens in a new tab) page for more information on each activity.

INCLUDED
Meals: 3 x breakfasts, 3 x dinners, 3 x lunches
Accommodation included: 3 nights
Transport in 4×4
Gorilla trekking permits ($700 per permit)
Park entrance fees:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve

NOT INCLUDED

Optional activities (see tab 4)
Visas, travel insurance, and items of personal nature
Flights (domestic and international)
WHAT TO BRING
Hiking boots
Garden gloves
Rain jacket or poncho
Long-sleeved shirt/blouse
Cameras and extra batteries
Hat/cap and sunglasses
Pair of binoculars
Flashlight (torch)
Mosquito repellent
Other items to include: zoom lens for wildlife shots and energy bars/bites

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

Age restriction: 15-80 years old
A valid passport is required on the day of travel
This tour is not wheelchair accessible
We advise against people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions participating on this tour
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level

GOOD TO KNOW
On day 2, depending on the availability of gorilla permits, we may propose trekking gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.