Wildlife, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Tour in Uganda. Uganda is one of the few countries on earth where you can track wild mountain gorillas, follow chimpanzees through ancient rainforest and watch elephants and lions on the savannah, all on a single trip. The country is compact, the parks line up along well-travelled routes, and the primate encounters are among the most reliable in Africa. A combined wildlife, chimpanzee and gorilla tour in Uganda is therefore the most rewarding way to experience the Pearl of Africa.
This guide explains what each part of the trip involves, what it costs, when to go and how to fit everything into about a week. If you would like a local team to organise it, start at Afrigaze Uganda Safariz, where we plan primate and wildlife safaris across Uganda. Prices and rules are current as of September 2026, so always confirm final figures with the Uganda Wildlife Authority before you pay.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: Bwindi and Mgahinga
The gorillas are the highlight for most travellers. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects about 459 mountain gorillas, almost half of the world’s remaining population, across four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Nearby, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a single habituated family on the Virunga volcanoes.
Each trek ends with one hour beside a habituated family. According to the UWA gorilla tracking page, the walk to find them can take between two and seven hours, so moderate fitness is needed. Read more about the animals 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, with the discounted permits non-reschedulable. Permits for foreign visitors are generally booked through licensed operators and paid in full at booking, so reserve them first and build the rest of the trip around your date. For planning your stay in the forest, see our guide on where to sleep in Bwindi National Park, and compare comfortable bases such as Gorilla Safari Lodge and Heritage Safari Lodge.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda: Kibale, Budongo and Kyambura
Chimpanzees make a lively contrast to the calm of the gorillas. Kibale National Park is the best place in the country to find them, with 13 primate species and more than 1,500 chimpanzees living in at least 12 communities. UWA reports guided walks from Kanyanchu Visitor Centre at 8:00, 11:00 and 14:00, lasting two to five hours, with a success rate above 90 percent. Groups are limited to six people and the minimum age is 16. You can read UWA’s overview of chimpanzee tracking before you choose a forest.
Expect noise and movement. Chimpanzees hoot, chase and feed high in fig trees, and you may spend your hour craning your neck while they swing overhead. Budongo Forest, in the Murchison Falls area, and Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park are also popular, and both are reported to cost less than Kibale. A comfortable base for Budongo is Budongo Eco Lodge.
Permit prices for foreign non-residents are reported at around USD 250 in Kibale for 2026, USD 200 in the low season and USD 300 from 2027. The full-day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, in which you follow a semi-habituated group from dawn to dusk, is reported at USD 300 to 400. Because sources differ, confirm the exact figure with UWA or your operator.
Wildlife Safaris: Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks
For big game, two parks stand out. Queen Elizabeth National Park covers 1,978 square kilometres and straddles the equator. It hosts more than 95 mammal species and over 600 birds, and its 40-kilometre Kazinga Channel is famous for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds on boat cruises. In the Ishasha sector, lions are known to climb fig trees, one of the rarest sights in African wildlife.
In the north, Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest at 3,840 square kilometres. Here the Victoria Nile squeezes through an 8-metre gorge and plunges 45 metres, and the savannah beyond is home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles. It has no lions or rhinos, but the Nile cruise and shoebill sightings are spectacular.
Prepare for the north with our guides to Murchison Falls, 15 interesting facts about Murchison Falls and the beauty of Murchison Falls National Park. Plan the Murchison Falls boat ride and consider Lake Albert. For lodging, look at Murchison River Lodge and Red Chilli Rest Camp, and read more about tourist attractions in Northern Uganda.
A Sample 8-Day Wildlife, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Itinerary
Eight days is the minimum for a full circuit, and ten gives a more relaxed pace. This route runs from Entebbe up to Murchison Falls, then south through Kibale and Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi.
Days 1 and 2: Entebbe to Murchison Falls
Drive north on day one, then spend day two on a morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise to the base of the falls, watching for elephants, hippos and crocodiles.
Days 3 and 4: Kibale Forest and Chimpanzees
Travel south to Kibale on day three. Track chimpanzees on day four, either with a standard morning walk or with the full-day habituation experience if your permit allows.
Days 5 and 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy a Kazinga Channel cruise and a game drive, then continue south through Ishasha, where you may spot tree-climbing lions on the way to the gorilla forest.
Days 7 and 8: Gorilla Trekking and Return
Trek gorillas in Bwindi on day seven. On day eight, fly or drive back to Entebbe, remembering that the road can take most of a day. To stretch the trip into neighbouring countries, read our guide to combining Uganda gorilla trekking with the rest of East Africa, and see our tips for Uganda safaris as a solo traveller if you are travelling alone.
Best Time to Go, Costs and What to Pack
The driest months, June to September and December to February, offer the easiest trekking and the best game viewing, since animals gather at water. They are also the busiest, so book permits six to nine months ahead. April, May and November are wetter and cheaper, with discounted gorilla and chimpanzee permits, but discounted permits cannot be rescheduled. Check the Uganda National Meteorological Authority seasonal forecast when you settle on dates.
Budget for more than permits. Park entry fees apply for each national park, and UWA lists USD 40 for foreign non-residents at Queen Elizabeth and USD 45 at Murchison Falls. Add accommodation, meals, a driver-guide vehicle, porters and tips. The Uganda Tourism Board’s activities guide shows extras such as boat trips and cultural visits.
Pack sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, a waterproof jacket, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, binoculars and a small daypack. Choose muted colours for the forests and a warm layer for early mornings. Travel insurance that covers permits, medical care and evacuation is strongly advised.
Getting There, Visas and Where to Stay
Most international visitors fly into Entebbe. 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 time the application around your permits and flights.
Roads between the parks are long, so a private vehicle with a driver-guide is the easiest choice, and domestic flights can save a day. For the southern end of the trip, the Kisoro Homely Suite Hotel is a practical stop on the way to Mgahinga.
Book Your Uganda Wildlife, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Tour
A week of gorillas, chimpanzees and big game will change how you see the natural world. Send us your dates through Afrigaze Uganda Safariz and we will secure permits, plan transport and match lodging to your budget.
