9 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
from $3500 per person
This 9-day Uganda primates safari is perfect for travelers seeking unforgettable encounters with Africa’s remarkable primates, combining mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park. Beyond the primate experiences, the journey offers lush rainforest scenery, diverse wildlife, birdwatching, cultural encounters, and the opportunity to explore some of Uganda’s most spectacular natural landscapes. From the thrill of tracking endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat to following playful chimpanzees through the ancient Kibale rainforest, this safari delivers a memorable combination of wildlife, rainforest adventure, and authentic Ugandan experiences.
Safari Details: 9 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Gorilla Trekking & Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
Overview
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Destination: Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & selected wildlife destinations in Uganda
Safari Type: Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking & Primate Safari
Start Point: Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda
End Point: Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda
Main Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla viewing, primate watching, rainforest exploration, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, cultural experiences
Accommodation: Luxury, Mid-range, or Budget Lodge
Best Time to Visit: June to September & December to February
The 9 Days Uganda Primates Safari is designed for travelers seeking an immersive journey into Uganda’s extraordinary primate habitats, combining chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park with unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, the safari offers opportunities to experience Uganda’s spectacular landscapes, forest wildlife, birdlife, local communities, and diverse ecosystems.
Uganda is widely recognized for its exceptional primate diversity, and this safari brings together two of the country's most sought-after wildlife experiences. In Kibale Forest National Park, travelers venture into a lush tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities, with opportunities to encounter other forest primates and bird species along the way. The forest experience can also include visits to nearby communities and the Bigodi Wetland area, depending on the itinerary.
The journey continues to southwestern Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas. The ancient montane rainforest creates a challenging yet rewarding setting for gorilla trekking, where travelers follow experienced guides and trackers through the forest before spending regulated time observing a habituated gorilla family in its natural environment.
This 9-day Uganda primates safari provides more time than a short gorilla or chimpanzee trip, allowing travelers to experience Uganda's rainforests without rushing between destinations. Depending on the selected route, the itinerary may also include wildlife viewing and scenic experiences in areas such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, creating opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, hippos, and a variety of birds alongside the primate encounters.
The safari can be tailored around the preferred gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo, subject to permit availability and itinerary planning. Travelers can also choose accommodation according to their budget and travel style, from comfortable budget lodges to mid-range and luxury properties.
Combining chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, rainforest exploration, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and cultural experiences, this 9-day Uganda primates safari offers a comprehensive introduction to some of the country's most remarkable natural attractions. It is an ideal choice for travelers who want to experience both of Uganda's iconic great-ape encounters while exploring the landscapes and communities that make southwestern Uganda so distinctive.
Detailed Itinerary: 3 Days Gorilla trekking safari to Bwindi
Day 1: Kampala/Entebbe – Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, meet your professional safari guide and begin your journey westward toward Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s premier destinations for chimpanzee tracking and primate experiences.
The journey takes you through changing landscapes, including busy urban areas, rural communities, tea-growing regions, farmlands, wetlands, and rolling countryside. Along the way, you will have opportunities to enjoy scenic views and observe everyday life in rural Uganda.
Depending on your departure time and route, there may be stops for photography, refreshments, and lunch before continuing toward the Kibale region.
Arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest in the afternoon or evening. Check in, relax, and prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee tracking experience. Your guide can brief you on the forest, the activity and what to expect during your time in Kibale.
Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading to the Kibale Forest chimpanzee tracking briefing point.
Following registration and a briefing by the park rangers and guides, begin your chimpanzee tracking adventure in the lush rainforest. Kibale is known for its rich concentration of primates, and the forest provides an immersive experience of Uganda’s tropical rainforest ecosystem.
Your experienced ranger will lead you along forest trails while explaining the behavior and ecology of chimpanzees and other primates. During the walk, you may encounter other wildlife, monkeys, birds, butterflies and a remarkable variety of trees and plants.
Tracking chimpanzees requires patience because their movements and location can vary. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have an opportunity to observe their natural behavior as they feed, climb, communicate, groom and move through the forest.
After the chimpanzee tracking experience, return to the starting point and transfer back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, depending on your interests and the safari schedule, you may visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature and community experience. The area is known for its birdlife, primates, vegetation and local community initiatives.
Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the scenic journey from Kibale Forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The drive takes you through beautiful western Ugandan landscapes, with views of crater lakes, rolling hills, farmland and local communities. As you approach Queen Elizabeth National Park, the landscape gradually changes into open savannah and wildlife habitat.
Upon arrival in the park area, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch before relaxing.
Depending on your itinerary and time available, you may have the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon game drive. The park is known for diverse wildlife, and you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and a variety of bird species.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay surrounded by the landscapes of western Uganda.
Accommodation: Lodge in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Wake up early for breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The early hours offer an excellent opportunity to explore the savannah while wildlife is active. Your guide will drive through different areas of the park while helping you identify wildlife and explaining the ecosystem.
You may encounter elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs, hippos and a variety of bird species. Sightings are naturally dependent on wildlife movements and conditions on the day.
Return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise offers opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds and other wildlife gathered along the shores.
After the boat cruise, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Lodge in or near Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to Uganda’s mountain gorillas.
The route takes you through the scenic countryside of southwestern Uganda, with opportunities to see terraced hills, farmland, local settlements and dramatic changes in landscape as you approach the Bwindi region.
Depending on your route and trekking sector, there may be stops for photography, refreshments and lunch along the way.
As you get closer to Bwindi, the landscape becomes increasingly forested and mountainous. Your guide will explain the gorilla trekking arrangements and help you prepare for the following day’s adventure.
Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening, check in and relax.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before transferring to the appropriate Bwindi gorilla trekking briefing point.
After registration and a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and guides, begin your gorilla trekking adventure through the ancient rainforest.
The trek can involve walking through dense vegetation and navigating steep, uneven and sometimes challenging terrain. Trekking duration varies depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family being tracked.
As you explore the forest, your ranger guides will help you understand Bwindi’s ecosystem while looking for signs of gorilla activity. Along the way, you may encounter birds, monkeys, butterflies, plants and other forest species.
Once the gorilla family is located, you will spend the permitted viewing period observing the animals in their natural environment. You may see them feeding, resting, grooming, playing or moving through the vegetation.
The experience is conducted under carefully managed conservation guidelines. Your guides will explain the appropriate behavior and viewing practices to help protect both visitors and the gorillas.
After the trek, return to the briefing point before transferring back to your lodge to rest and recover.
Depending on your energy and schedule, you may also have the opportunity to enjoy a community or cultural experience around Bwindi.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Bwindi – Community Experience / Forest Experience – Relaxation
After breakfast, enjoy a more relaxed day around the Bwindi region following your gorilla trekking experience.
Depending on the selected itinerary and your interests, you may participate in a local community and cultural experience, visit a nearby village or enjoy a guided nature walk in the surrounding area.
A community experience can provide an opportunity to learn about local traditions, livelihoods, crafts, food and daily life around Bwindi. These activities can also complement the conservation-focused experience of your safari.
Alternatively, you may choose to spend the day relaxing at your lodge and enjoying the surrounding forest scenery.
Your guide will help organize the activities according to your interests, available time and the conditions of the day.
Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, check out and begin the journey toward the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi region.
Travel through the spectacular highlands of southwestern Uganda, characterized by rolling hills, terraced farmland and scenic rural communities.
Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi and check in at your lodge overlooking the lake. Enjoy lunch and some time to relax after the previous days of trekking and travel.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by green hills and numerous small islands. The peaceful setting provides a relaxing contrast to the rainforest adventures earlier in the safari.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and your final overnight stay in southwestern Uganda.
Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Bunyonyi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi – Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, check out and begin the return journey from southwestern Uganda toward Kampala or Entebbe.
Travel through the scenic landscapes of Uganda’s countryside, with opportunities to enjoy views of rolling hills, agricultural communities and rural settlements along the way.
Depending on your departure schedule and the selected route, there may be opportunities for photography, refreshments and lunch during the journey.
Continue toward Kampala or Entebbe while enjoying your final views of Uganda’s countryside.
On arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight, or to your hotel for an additional overnight stay if required.
Your 9 Days Uganda Primates Safari ends with unforgettable memories of chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, wildlife encounters in Queen Elizabeth National Park and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Trip Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at Entebbe International Airport
- Transportation throughout the safari in a private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of a professional English-speaking safari guide/driver
- Accommodation for 8 nights in selected safari lodges
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Chimpanzee tracking permit in Kibale Forest National Park
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Lake Bunyonyi boat excursion
- Game drives as specified in the itinerary
- All scheduled activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Driver/guide allowances and vehicle fuel
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
Trip Excludes
- International flights to and from Uganda
- Uganda entry visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and souvenirs
- Alcoholic and other premium beverages
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, lodge staff and other service providers
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Porter services during gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking
- Any costs arising from flight delays, cancellations, route changes or other unforeseen circumstances
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Safari Includes
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What our travelers say
Robert KVerified
Bucket list seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Just an awesome trip . Everything went smoothly from booking to the end . All was as promised never missed anything , always on time , friendly etc. resort that was recommended was perfect , great food , comfortable . Saw the gorillas easily all was perfect . Jonathan the owner even took me in Kampala to buy the right clothes , took me him self . Noel and driver were excellent , never an issue they really cared. I trust this company , will use them again and highly recommend .
Maltes TravellerHighly recommended We had a wonderful experience with Jonathan. He welcomed us at the airport and took great care of us from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. The selection of hotels was impeccable, and the route he designed was perfectly planned. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and went the extra mile to make sure we saw lions and all of the Big Five during our visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. He was always attentive, patient, and eager to make our experience unforgettable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide — highly recommended!
bharti nExceptional experience, enriching and truly unforgettable. From the moment we landed we received a warm welcome. Jonathan was friendly and readily available to answer any queries throughout our trip. He was incredibly accommodating with our requests to visit schools, residences ensuring that we achieved everything we wanted from the trip. We had a great time with Jonathan and driver Isaac. Jonathan was very funny and very knowledgeable he became part of the family and the time just flew whilst we were there, we felt safe at all times. The food at each venue catered for all our needs. Definitely leant a lot on this trip. Just need to be aware that food ordered in restaurants do take a long time as they make it from scratch so if pushed for time might be advisable to pre order. We had unforgettable holiday and this company went above and beyond to make every moment special. I would recommend them to anyone.
vjparGreat service from this local company We done a road trip across East Africa from Uganda to Tanzania. Jonathan and his team facilitated our trip across Uganda and Kenya which proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Guided knowledge provided by Jonathan was excellent as was his humor and wit. We always felt safe and informed, he managed the journey very well indeed. We would definitely use Jonathan's services again.
Adam John SmithMagical Uganda Safari Journey – February 2025! I had an unforgettable experience with Ababa Uganda Safaris! From the moment I arrived, everything was well-organized, and the team was incredibly friendly and professional. The tour guides were knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the wildlife and culture. Seeing gorillas up close in Bwindi and exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park was a dream come true. The accommodations were comfortable, and every detail was taken care of. I truly felt immersed in Uganda’s beauty without any stress. If you're planning a trip to Uganda, I highly recommend Ababa Uganda Safaris for a seamless and memorable adventure!
MadhviVerified
.gorilla trek Our KQ flight was horribly delayed. From 2.30 pm to arriving @ almost 3 am the following day. Jonathan kindly arranged for airport pick at this early hour of day and even rescheduled our departure for bwindi so we could get some rest. That was very accommodating.the drive to bwindi was a long drive -11 hrs- n he informed hotel of our late arrival. The lodge he chose for us was good and comfortable. However the vehicle for transporti g us could be better as it was quite hot without air conditioning. Gorilla trek was good but tough. Overall Ababa safaris were very accommodating. I wouldrecommend them. The hotel in Kampala- Speke hotel leaves a lot to be desired
mo-marvinSuch a wonderful experience!! My family and I contacted Jonathan to help us plan our first Murchison Falls safari. Jonathan arranged our transport from Kampala, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and guided game drives through Murchison falls. Ronnie, our professional driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and paid close attention to details to make us comfortable. He met with us a day before takeoff to answer any outstanding questions and recommended a time for us to set off to avoid any traffic. His experience made our trip even more enjoyable because we knew what to expect for entry fees into the park, where to stop to use clean washrooms, eat good food, and also what side of the boat cruise to sit on for the best views! We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, job, rhinos, buffaloes and many other animals. We would definitely go with them for our next safari in Uganda! They had great communication, value for money, professionalism, knowledge of the industry and were very reliable.
Katelyn OA must-hire company! Punctual, professional, great communication. We used Ababa Safaris for a trip from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park. I would HIGHLY recommend! Our driver picked us up in a large safari vehicle with a pop up roof. The driver was very punctual and had excellent communication while preparing for the trip and during the trip. Ronnie took us to a nice restaurant for a rest stop that had clean bathrooms and good food. He was friendly with many people we met along the way at the Rhino Sanctuary, on the safari trails, and at our chosen lodging. It felt as though he had good connections with people, which we took as a good sign. Ronnie was very knowledgeable about the best places to see the animals and gave us a great safari experience. As the person in the family who does much of the planning, it was a very enjoyable experience to hand all of that over to Ababa and really get to enjoy myself.
HoehlenhonkAnimals and beautiful nature in Uganda and Rwanda From being picked-up from Entebbe airport in the middle of the night until the drop-off eleven days later in Kigali it was a perfect tour. Jonathan, our guide, and the driver Moses was a perfect team - very friendly, knowledgable and always in time. We visited Entebbe for a tour through the botanical gardens and the zoo, did safaris and boat trips in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth NP and did trekkings to the chimpazees in Kibale and to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The primates are a must visit when you travel to this region. It's expensive but worth every dollar. The safari parks are of course not as rich in animals as for example the Masai Mara. But they are much cheaper, there are much lesser tourists and nevertheless it doesn't become boring regarding animal sightings. We saw a lot of different antelopes, beautiful giraffes, lions, many elephants, buffalos, a lot of hippos and crocodiles and much more. The choice of hotels was very good, simple and cheap where there was only a short overnight stay and a bit more expensive where it was worth to spend the money for staying close to the places of interest, e.g. close to the starting point for primate trekkings or in the middle of QENP and Murchison NP for not loosing game-drive-time.
Dilip PUGANDA SAFARI WITH ABABA We had a nice holiday with ABABA SAFARI in Uganda it was a nice experience in Uganda and the travel agent as well especially Jonathan was our tour guide very nice person he was always very helpful and kind. we traveled about 1200km but had no problem I am a vegetarian and wherever we go he always arranges something for me i recommend them at and competitive price I give them a 5-star