7-Day Uganda Gorillas, Golden Monkeys & Chimps Tracking

After breakfast, you are collected from your accommodation in Kampala and driven to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with lunch taken en route. On arrival, check in and take the chance to meet the local community living close to the forest before returning for dinner and an overnight stay.

Distance: Road transfer from Kampala to Bwindi, approx. 8-9 hours

Activity: Travel day, community visit on arrival

Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast and a briefing from your guide, enter the park with a packed lunch for the day ahead. Bwindi’s rainforest is spectacular, with dramatic, densely forested terrain crisscrossed by animal trails. The time and ground covered vary with the gorillas’ movements, but once a group is located you are guaranteed a full hour in their presence, an unforgettable encounter with these gentle, endangered giants. Return to the lodge for a late lunch, dinner and overnight stay.

Distance: Full-day gorilla trek, duration varies with gorilla location

Activity: Gorilla trekking

Accommodation: Lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (second night)

Meals: All meals included, drinking water provided

After breakfast, transfer to the volcanic forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for an afternoon nature walk. The park sits in Uganda’s far southwest, near three extinct volcanoes, Mount Sabinyo, Mount Gahinga and Mount Muhavura, any of which can be climbed by travellers who want to extend their stay in the area.

Distance: Road transfer to Mgahinga, then afternoon forest nature walk

Activity: Forest nature walk

Accommodation: Lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Meals: All meals included, drinking water provided

An early start brings you to the Mgahinga rangers’ point for a briefing, before heading into the forest in search of golden monkeys. Once located, you are allowed a full hour in their presence, watching these energetic, brightly coloured primates move through the bamboo forest. Return to your accommodation to relax for the rest of the day.

Distance: Morning golden monkey trek

Activity: Golden monkey trekking

Accommodation: Lodge near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (second night)

Meals: All meals included, drinking water provided

After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park, with lunch taken en route and arrival in the evening. Settle into your lodge ahead of tomorrow’s chimpanzee trekking.

Distance: Road transfer from Mgahinga to Kibale, approx. 6-7 hours

Activity: Travel day

Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest

Meals: All meals included, drinking water provided

After breakfast, set off chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, home to one of the highest concentrations of primate species anywhere in the world. Once the chimpanzees are located, you have a full hour in their company. In the afternoon, choose between a hike through the crater lakes, taking in small lakes set among gentle hills, or the Bigodi Swamp walk, a strong spot for sighting further primates and birdlife including the great blue turaco.

Distance: Morning chimpanzee trek, afternoon choice of crater lakes hike or Bigodi Swamp walk

Activity: Chimpanzee trekking, then choice of crater lakes hike or swamp walk

Accommodation: Lodge near Kibale Forest (second night)

Meals: All meals included, drinking water provided

After breakfast, transfer back to Kampala, bringing the week of primate trekking to a close.

Distance: Road transfer from Kibale to Kampala, approx. 5-6 hours

Activity: Travel day and departure

Accommodation: N/A, end of safari

Meals: Breakfast