The 5-day Kibale and Bwindi tour focuses on primate trekking. It includes chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In Kibale, your chimpanzee trek will begin at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. The park has about four groups of chimpanzees ready for tracking.
Kibale National Park is also home to other primates such as vervet monkeys, galagos, l’hoest monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, pottos, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. It is often called the primate capital of the world because it has the highest number of chimpanzees—over 1,500 individuals.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is where you will go gorilla trekking. This experience gives you a chance to see mountain gorillas up close.
Bwindi has four trekking sectors where each trek starts with a briefing by a park official. These sectors are Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Bwindi has about 24 habituated gorilla families, and only 8 visitors are allowed to track each group per day. Your Kibale and Bwindi trekking adventure will start and end in Entebbe or Kampala.
5-Day Uganda Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Pick-Up & Drive to Kibale via Mityana–Fort Portal Route
- Day 2: Morning Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Bigodi Wetland Walk
- Day 3: Travel to Bwindi via Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
Detailed 5-Day Uganda Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-Up & Drive to Kibale via Mityana–Fort Portal Route
After breakfast at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, you will meet your safari guide. You will learn about your travel plan and then start your journey to Kibale National Park.
You will travel through the Entebbe/Kampala–Mityana–Mubende–Fort Portal–Kamwenge route, which takes about 6 hours. Enjoy the views along the way, including Matiri Forest, tea farms, and the Rwenzori mountain ranges.
You will stop in Fort Portal for lunch. After lunch, continue to your pre-booked lodge to relax, have dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 2: Morning Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Bigodi Wetland Walk
After breakfast, your guide will take you to Kanyanchu. You will check in with park staff and join a briefing to learn the rules for tracking chimpanzees. A park official will divide visitors into groups of six and assign ranger guides.
You will start tracking from Kanyanchu or be dropped off at a point inside the forest to begin the search. The trek lasts 2 to 4 hours, including one hour with the chimpanzees. You can take photos and observe their behavior.
While in the forest, you may also see other primates like colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, and olive baboons, as well as birds, plants, and butterflies. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, go to Bigodi Wetland next to Kibale. Enjoy a guided nature walk where you may see more monkeys and birds. Common animals include red-tailed monkeys, bushbucks, grey-cheeked mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, sitatungas, and birds like the great blue turaco.
Day 3: Travel to Bwindi via Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, enjoy views of crater lakes and Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will also stop at the Equator crossing in Kikorongo for photos.
At the southern end of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you might see tree-climbing lions (optional game drive). Lunch will be along the way. After that, continue to your gorilla lodge to relax.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Start your day with tea or coffee. Leave your lodge with packed lunch and drinking water. Go to the park trailhead for a briefing and group assignment. Each group of 8 people will track one gorilla family.
The trek starts at 8:00 AM and lasts 2 to 6 hours. You will spend one hour watching the gorillas. You may see how they play, eat, and interact with each other.
Afterward, return to the starting point where you will receive a certificate. Then go back to your lodge to rest.
If you still have energy, you can visit the Batwa community in the afternoon (optional). This cultural experience teaches you about the Batwa’s old traditions and way of life.
Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After a relaxed breakfast, check out of your lodge. Your safari guide will drive you back to Kampala or Entebbe.
You will stop in Mbarara City for lunch. Another stop will be at Kayabwe to take photos at the Uganda Equator. You can also buy souvenirs. Afterward, continue to Entebbe or Kampala.
End of tour.
Visit Kibale National Park in Uganda with these recommended Uganda chimpanzee companies or inquire with us below to book your tour directly through this website.
