Uganda’s two great apes on one route. Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, cross Queen Elizabeth National Park, then spend up to four hours with a gorilla family in Rushaga.
In short: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, a night in Queen Elizabeth National Park with a game drive, the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga and Lake Bunyonyi before the drive back to Entebbe.
Uganda is one of the few places where you can see chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on the same trip. Kibale Forest National Park, near Fort Portal, has one of the highest densities of primates in Africa and is the best place in the country to track chimpanzees. Bwindi’s Rushaga sector is the only place to do the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
Between the two lies Queen Elizabeth National Park, so the route works naturally from north to south: chimps first, a savanna night and game drive in the middle, gorillas at the end, and a rest at Lake Bunyonyi before the drive home.
Chimpanzee trekking is faster-paced than a gorilla day. Chimps move quickly through the canopy and call loudly, so it is lively and very different from the quiet of a gorilla encounter.
Drive west from Entebbe through Mubende to Fort Portal and the crater-lake country around Kibale, around 5 to 6 hours. Afternoon at leisure or a walk in the Bigodi Wetland on the forest edge.
Overnight: Lodge near Kibale Forest · Meals: Lunch, dinner
A morning chimpanzee trek in Kibale with a ranger guide, following the calls of a habituated community through the forest. After lunch you drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time for sunset over the Kazinga Channel.
Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
An early game drive on the Kasenyi plains for Uganda kob, buffalo, elephant and lion, then a long scenic drive south to Rushaga on the edge of Bwindi, arriving by late afternoon.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Registration and briefing at the Rushaga park office, then up to four hours with a gorilla family still being habituated, alongside the trackers and researchers.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
A rest day after the trek, or add a Batwa cultural visit, a village walk or a standard trek with a second gorilla family.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
A short drive to Lake Bunyonyi for a canoe trip among the islands and a quiet evening by the water.
Overnight: Birdnest Resort, Lake Bunyonyi · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Drive back to Entebbe, arriving in the evening for international departures.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
On the Mweya peninsula above the Kazinga Channel, steps from the boat launch and close to the Kasenyi plains. Read our guide.
Forest-edge cottages 6 km, about 10 minutes, from the Rushaga briefing point. En-suite rooms, full-board meals and packed lunches on trek days. Read our guide.
Lakeside cottages on Lake Bunyonyi, a calm place to rest after the forest and break the drive back to Entebbe. Read our guide.
Lodges are chosen for location first. We can swap any of them for a different style or budget.
Priced per person and quoted for your dates, group size and lodge choice, always including the US$1,500 habituation permit. Groups of four are the most cost-effective, because four people fill a whole habituation group.
See our gorilla trip cost guide for typical flight, visa, insurance and tipping costs.
Yes. Kibale Forest for chimpanzees and Bwindi for gorillas are linked by road through Queen Elizabeth National Park, which makes a natural one-week route.
Gorilla habituation is usually longer and steeper. Chimp trekking is quicker-paced because chimps move fast, but the terrain in Kibale is flatter.
The longest days are Entebbe to Kibale, around 5 to 6 hours, and Queen Elizabeth to Rushaga, most of a day with a game drive first.
Yes. We can replace the return drive with a flight from Kisoro to Entebbe to shorten the last day.
No. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are non-refundable once issued.
Only eight habituation places open each day in Uganda. Send your dates and we will confirm availability and a price, usually within one working day.
+256 716 068 279Check Availability