Kibale and Bwindi Tour. If you could only choose two primate experiences in Africa, Kibale and Bwindi would be hard to beat. Kibale Forest is the best place in Uganda to track chimpanzees, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest protects almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Together they give you our closest relatives in two very different forests, with the scenic western Uganda countryside in between.
This guide shows how to plan a Kibale and Bwindi tour, including the route between the parks, a sample itinerary, permits, costs and the best time to go. If you would like a local team to organise it, start at Afrigaze Uganda Safariz, where we design primate safaris for every budget. Details are current as of September 2026, and you should always confirm final prices with the Uganda Wildlife Authority before you pay.
Kibale National Park: Chimpanzee Tracking and Primates
Kibale National Park is home to 13 primate species and more than 1,500 chimpanzees living in at least 12 communities. UWA reports that guided tracking walks leave Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 8:00, 11:00 and 14:00 and last between two and five hours, with a success rate above 90 percent. Groups are limited to six people and the minimum age is 16. The park also shelters over 120 mammal species and around 370 bird species.
Chimpanzee tracking is energetic and noisy. Once the trackers locate the group, you spend an hour watching them feed, groom and chase through the canopy. For a longer experience, the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience lets you follow a semi-habituated group for most of the day. You can read more about chimpanzee tracking on the UWA site before you decide.
The Kibale permit for a foreign non-resident is reported at about USD 250 in 2026, USD 200 in the low season and USD 300 from 2027, with the habituation experience at USD 300 to 400. Sources differ, so confirm the exact figure with UWA or your operator. If you would like a second chimpanzee forest, Budongo in the north is another option, and Budongo Eco Lodge is a comfortable base there.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Gorilla Trekking Sectors and Permits
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 321 square kilometres of misty rainforest. UWA reports about 459 mountain gorillas here, almost half of the world’s remaining population, and more than 120 mammal species, 350 bird species and over 200 butterflies. Visitors trek in four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Buhoma is gentler and popular with first-timers, Ruhija is high and quiet, Rushaga has the most families and Nkuringo is the most demanding.
According to the UWA gorilla tracking page, gorilla treks can last two to seven hours and reward you with one hour beside a habituated family. Learn more about the species on UWA’s mountain gorilla page.
A standard permit for a foreign non-resident is reported at USD 800 in the high season and USD 600 in April, May and November. The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, which allows up to four hours with a semi-habituated family, was reported at USD 1,500 through 2026 and USD 1,800 from 2027. Foreign visitors generally book permits through licensed operators and pay in full at booking, so secure yours first and build the trip around it.
For lodging near the forest, read our guide to where to sleep in Bwindi National Park and compare Gorilla Safari Lodge with Heritage Safari Lodge.
The Route From Kibale to Bwindi: Distance, Drive Time and Stops
The road from Kibale to Bwindi is one of Uganda’s most scenic drives. Operators describe the direct journey as roughly 350 to 430 kilometres and eight to ten hours, usually running from Fort Portal through Queen Elizabeth National Park and on toward Buhoma or Rushaga. The road is mostly sealed from Ishaka to Fort Portal, but the last stretch near the forest is murram, which slows travel in the rains, so a 4×4 with an experienced driver-guide is strongly advised.
Most travellers break the journey. One operator lists Kibale to Queen Elizabeth at about three to four hours and Queen Elizabeth to Buhoma via Ishasha at five to six hours, with Ishasha to Buhoma or Rushaga taking two to three hours. Staying a night in Queen Elizabeth National Park lets you take a Kazinga Channel cruise and look for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha before the final leg.
There are pleasant stops near Fort Portal, including the crater lakes of Nkuruba, Nyabikere and Kyaninga and tea plantations that are worth a short visit. Leave early, carry water and snacks, and keep flexible time in your schedule.
A Sample 6-Day Kibale and Bwindi Itinerary
Six days is the shortest comfortable version of this tour, and seven gives you a rest day. The plan below starts near Entebbe and finishes with a flight or drive back.
Day 1: Entebbe or Kampala to Kibale
Drive west toward Fort Portal, a journey of about five to six hours, and settle into your lodge near Kibale for an early night.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Join a morning tracking group at Kanyanchu for your hour with the chimpanzees, or take the full-day habituation experience if you have booked it. Spend the afternoon at a crater lake or tea plantation.
Day 3: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive south for three to four hours, then enjoy an afternoon game drive or a Kazinga Channel cruise.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi
Cross Ishasha, looking for tree-climbing lions, and continue to your lodge near Buhoma or Rushaga.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Trek to your gorilla family for one unforgettable hour, then relax with a village or forest walk.
Day 6: Return to Entebbe
Fly from a nearby airstrip or drive back, remembering that the road takes most of a day. If you are travelling alone, our guide to Uganda safaris for solo travellers explains how to share a vehicle and split costs.
Best Time to Go, Costs and What to Pack
The driest months, June to September and December to February, offer the easiest trekking in both forests. They are also the busiest, so book gorilla permits six to nine months ahead and chimpanzee permits at least three to six months ahead. April, May and November are wetter and cheaper, but discounted permits cannot be rescheduled. Check the Uganda National Meteorological Authority seasonal forecast when you settle on dates.
Budget beyond permits. UWA lists park entry at USD 40 for foreign non-residents at both Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth, and you should add accommodation, meals, a vehicle with a driver-guide, porters and tips. The Uganda Tourism Board’s activities guide lists extras such as cultural visits and boat trips.
Pack sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, a long-sleeved top, a waterproof jacket, thin gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen and a daypack. Mornings in the forest are cool and afternoons humid. Since gorillas and chimpanzees catch human illnesses, anyone with a cold may be turned back, so take travel insurance that covers permits. For a longer trip, see our guide to combining Uganda gorilla trekking with the rest of East Africa.
Where to Stay and How to Get Your Visa
Most visitors need a visa, and the government’s official Uganda e-visa portal is the site to use when you apply. Our guide on how long it takes to get a Uganda tourist visa will help you plan the timing around your permits and flights. If your gorilla trek is in the southern sectors, the Kisoro Homely Suite Hotel is a practical base in Kisoro town, and Red Chilli Rest Camp suits travellers watching their budget.
Extend Your Safari North to Murchison Falls
If you have more time, add Uganda’s largest park. Murchison Falls National Park has a Nile cruise, game drives and one of Africa’s most powerful waterfalls. Prepare with our guides to Murchison Falls, 15 interesting facts about Murchison Falls and the beauty of Murchison Falls National Park. Then plan the Murchison Falls boat ride, explore Lake Albert, stay at Murchison River Lodge and browse tourist attractions in Northern Uganda.
Book Your Kibale and Bwindi Tour With Afrigaze
Chimpanzees in the morning light and gorillas in the mist make an unforgettable pair. Send us your dates through Afrigaze Uganda Safariz and we will arrange permits, transport and lodging for the whole route.
