5 Days Budget Gorillas and Chimpanzee Safari in Uganda

During this trip, you will start off in Kampala and head to Kibale Forest on day one. On the next day, you will go on a chimp walk in search of primates and take a walk through Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. You will continue your journey on day three through beautiful mountainous landscapes to Kisoro. Day four is the time for embarking on your Gorilla tracking adventure and viewing this endangered species from up close at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. On the last day, you will make a stop at the Equator to take photos before heading back to Kampala.

Day 1: Kampala to Kibale Forest

Early in the morning, you will get picked up from your guesthouse or hotel and leave for Kibale Forest. You will get there in the afternoon. In the night, you will experience sleeping to the sounds of the tropical rainforest at Kibale Forest Camp. Sometimes, you will stay at Chimpanzee Guesthouse instead which overlooks Nyabikere Crater Lake. The lake is famous for its frogs that give beautiful concerts at night. Driving time will take around six and a half hours.

Day 2: Chimp and swamp walk

At 8:00 a.m., you will start off with a four-hour chimp walk, during which you may also get to see 10 other primates. Kibale park is well-known for all the butterflies and birds that live there as well. In the afternoon, you will walk through Bigodi Swamp which is home to a community-based project.

Day 3: Kibale Forest to Kisoro

Early in the morning you will leave for Kisoro. You will cross Kazinga Channel traveling through Queen Elizabeth Park and reach Kabale in time for lunch. From Kabale, you will continue on through a beautiful landscape nicknamed the Switzerland of Africa, passing mountains, lakes, hills with cultivated terraces, tropical rainforest, and bamboo forest.

On the last hill, the landscape unfolds beneath you, offering great views of the vast planes between Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and of the Virunga volcanoes dominating the landscape. You will descend into the valley and stay overnight at the famous Travellers Rest Hotel near Kisoro.

In the sixties, the famous American ‘gorilla-woman’, Dian Fossey, visited the Travellers Rest Hotel many times to do paperwork, relax, or meet people. Fossey said about the hotel that it was her second home. Travellers Rest Hotel is just outside of Kisoro and offers a cozy stay for tourists coming to see the endangered mountain gorilla. The hotel, built in a somewhat colonial style, and entirely renovated in 1999, has a comfortable atmosphere. Driving time will take around eight hours.

Day 4: Gorilla tracking day

This day will be gorilla tracking day. You will rise up early and feel the excitement as you get ready for this unforgettable experience. You will travel about one hour by car from the Travellers Rest Hotel in Kisoro up to Nkuringo in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Once there, you will receive a briefing and start tracking around 8:30 a.m. Once you have found the gorillas, you will be able to spend up to one hour with them. You are expected to be back at the starting point by 7:00 p.m. at the latest. Being physically fit is recommended.

Day 5: Kisoro to Kampala

Early in the morning after your breakfast, you will travel back to Kampala. On the way back to the city, you will have lunch in Mbarara town and after passing Masaka town, there will be an opportunity to stop at the Equator for photos and buying souvenirs. Driving time will take around nine hours.

During this safari, you will travel through the Switzerland of Africa and go trekking to see chimpanzees, birds, and butterflies in Kibale park.

The safari will take place in Uganda.

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During this safari, you will be provided four delicious breakfasts and complimentary bottled water.

Activities at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

• Enjoy bird-watching
• Experience Mahoma falls
• Explore crater lake
• Participate in tea plantations walk
• Top of the world trek
• Visit Rwaihamba open-air market

Activities at Kibale Forest Camp

• Explore the crater lakes
• Night walks
• Take a trip to Mahoma waterfalls
• Visit the tea estates

• All activities as per itinerary
• Park entrance fees
• An English speaking driver and guide
• 2 nights accommodation in Kibale Forest
• 2 nights accommodation in Kisoro
• 4 breakfasts
• Bottled water
• All transfers

• Please note you will need to purchase both a mandatory Gorilla permit & Chimp permit in order to go on this tour (these are not included in the price, and will need to be paid on arrival, or will be invoiced to you before the tour starts).
• Gorilla Permit price: Before Apr 2020: USD 630, After Apr 2020: USD 735
• Chimp Permit price: Before Apr 2020: USD 157.5, After Apr 2020: USD 210
• Airfare
• Airport departure tax
• Accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
• Food and drinks (other than water)
• Personal expenses
• Medical and travel insurance
• Porters
• Tips and gratitude

• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.