“See the wild side of the Pearl of Africa”
5-Day Gorillas, Wildlife, and Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest
Wildlife safaris in Uganda might not be as well-known as others, but they certainly do not disappoint. See Africa’s ‘big four’ on this 5-day adventure, go to the home of half the world’s mountain gorilla population, go on game drives through QE National Park to see hippos, elephants, and tree-climbing lions, and finally trek through a kaleidoscope of wildlife and nature in the Kalinzu Forest to track chimpanzees.
Tour Highlights
>> Track mountain gorillas in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bwindi National Park
>> Spot unique tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of QE National Park
>> Drive through the Kasenyi Plains to glimpse the ‘big four’: lions, buffalos, elephants, and leopards
>> Cruise down the Kazinga Channel to see crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and birds
>> Track chimpanzees through Kalinzu Forest Reserve with expert guides
5-Day Gorillas, Wildlife, and Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest
BOOK NOW
- Small-Group Tours
- Socially Conscious Ethos
- Competitive Pricing
CONTACT US
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:
- Downtown Kigali
- Kigali International Airport
AVAILABILITY
Monday to Sunday, year-round
DURATION
Five days
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate – uphill trekking
GROUP SIZE
1 to 5 persons
INCLUDED
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- One chimpanzee trekking permit per person
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Accommodation as described in the itinerary
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) as specified in the itinerary
- Drinking water when in the safari vehicle
- Park entrance fees and other costs are described in the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED
- Domestic flights in Uganda
- International flights from the country of origin
- Accommodation for days not listed in the itinerary
- Airport transfer only available on the day of the trip
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Visas, travel and medical insurance
- Gifts, gratuities, and tips
- Other costs of personal nature
- Optional activities (see tab 4)
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
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 Forest National Park
Our representative will pick you up at Kigali Airport or downtown Kigali and drive you to Bwindi National Park. The 4 to 5-hour scenic drive to Uganda will go through Rwanda’s northern town of Ruhengeri where you will cross over into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border posts. The trip continues through the nearby towns of Kisoro or Kabale and finally into Bwindi National Park. Arriving at the park early afternoon will allow you to choose from our optional activities such as hiking, visiting the Batwa community, or trying your hand at the local industry: coffee making.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Adventure in Bwindi National Park
After an early morning breakfast, we will have a short drive to the Bwindi National Park gate to receive a gorilla-trekking briefing. The national park guide will conduct the presentation that covers the basics of what to expect during the gorilla trek and how to act to ensure the safety of both guests and the gorillas. Once you are assigned to a group, our adventure into the rainforest begins! Follow your guide through dense vegetation until you encounter these impressive creatures in their natural habitat. Depending on how far inside the forest the gorillas are, the trek can take from between 3 hours up to 8, but most last between 3 and 6 hours. After the gorilla trek, we will take you back to the lodge to enjoy a well-deserved dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Day 3: Transfer From Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha Sector
We will start the journey in the morning from Bwindi National Park and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The tour will take you through the stunning landscapes of western Uganda and get you to the park by early afternoon. We will drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, popularly known for the tree-climbing lions. Unlike their counterparts at 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!
Day 4: Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
We start our action-packed fourth day with an early morning breakfast at the lodge. Afterward, we proceed to the famed Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park to spot various species of wild animals. The Kasenyi plains are found in the vast savannahs of the Albertine Rift in Queen Elizabeth National Park and it will be a morning full of adventure! Expect to encounter lions, herds of buffalos, elephants, Uganda kobs, topi, and bushbucks. While spotting the ‘big five’ in the park is not guaranteed, on a lucky day, you may sight leopards to make it the ‘big four.’ We will return to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, join the Kazinga Channel boat cruise for an afternoon of wild game viewing. We’ll have the chance to spot crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and a wide range of bird species on the channel waters.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest & Departure
After an early morning breakfast, we will drive to the Kalinzu Forest to experience tracking the chimpanzees in their forest home. Visitors to Kalinzu Forest have more than a 50% chance of encountering these creatures. Kalinzu Forest is not only a haven for chimps but it’s also home to 6 more species of primates, and if you’re lucky, on the Kalinzu trek you might encounter other different colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and red-tailed monkeys.
After our trekking adventure is over, it’s time to end the tour with the transfer to either Kigali or Kampala/Entebbe.
Accommodation & Meals
- Day 1: Rushaga Gorilla Camp – Dinner
- Day 2: Rushaga Gorilla Camp – All meals included
- Day 3: The Bush Lodge – All meals included
- Day 4: The Bush Lodge– All meals included
- Day 5: Breakfast & lunch
Optional Activities on Day 1
- 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
See our Local Experiences page for more information on each activity.
