4-Day Gorillas, Wildlife, and Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest
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
4-Day Gorillas, Wildlife, and Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest
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- Small-Group Tours
- Socially Conscious Ethos
- Competitive Pricing
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Trip Details
Please inquire about the budget accommodation price; this is our mid-range accommodation tour
DEPARTURE TIME
Anytime between 7:00 am to 11:00 am Kigali time
MEETING POINT
We offer pick-up to the following places for this experience:
- Kigali city
- Kigali International Airport
AVAILABILITY
Monday to Sunday, year-round
DURATION
Four days
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate – uphill trekking
GROUP SIZE
1 to 5 persons
INCLUDED
- Meals: 3 x breakfasts, 3 x dinners, 3 x lunches
- Accommodation included: 3 nights
- Transport in 4×4
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Park entrance fees:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve
NOT INCLUDED
- Optional activities
- 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.
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. The drive from Kalinzu Forest Reserve to Kigali or Entebbe/Kampala is about 6-7hrs.
Accommodation & Meals
- Day 1 & 2:
- Mutanda Lake Resort (1.5hrs drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge (1.5hrs drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (5 minutes’ drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (5 minutes’ drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Meals:
- Day 1: Dinner
- Day 2: All meals included
- Day 3:
- Buffalo Safari Lodge – All meals included
- The Bush Lodge
- Day 1 & 2:
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge
- 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
- The Batwa Trail Cultural Tour inside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Visit the Batwa Community in the Village
- Canoe Trekking at Lake Mutanda
- Coffee-Making Experience
- Mabungo Community Village Tour in Kisoro
- Boat trip on the Mweya Peninsular
See our Local Experiences page for more information on each activity.
