5-day Gorillas, Wildlife, And Chimpanzee Trekking At Kalinzu Forest
About this tour
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.
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
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
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: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
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: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
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: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
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: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda
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 Kigali
What's 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 described in the itinerary
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
Languages spoken
What to know
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 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
Route & locations
Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda