05 Dec 2026
Twin share
£6,229pp
Single from £7,004
Escorted tour
Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda: Kibale, Bwindi & Lake Mburo – 11 Days
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, mountain gorillas in Bwindi and safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo, with both permits included.
11 days
From £6,229
Tour overview
This 11-day small-group trip is built around two of Africa's great wildlife encounters: tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Both permits are included. Groups have 4 to 14 travellers aged 16 and over, with an expert tour leader and local guides. You travel in specially designed 4×4 vehicles with pop-up roofs, and stay in lodges chosen to be close to the wildlife, several of them community-owned. Breakfast is included every day, with 10 lunches and 9 dinners. The trip starts and ends in Entebbe on Lake Victoria, with an arrival transfer for any flight.
The first stop is Kibale Forest, perhaps the best place in the world to track chimpanzees. On generally easy trails you are surrounded by birdsong and can expect to see several other primates, including grey-cheeked mangabeys and red-tailed monkeys. In the afternoon you walk through the community-run Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. A second chimp trek is optional the next morning, followed by a hike around the crater lakes.
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A long drive south takes you through Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions, with a game drive on the way to Bwindi. After a free day for a Batwa cultural walk, a forest walk or a community visit, you set off to find mountain gorillas. Tracking can take from under an hour to more than six on steep, muddy slopes, and you then spend a precious hour with a gorilla family. A second gorilla trek is possible the next day if you book a permit in advance.
Leaving the forests, you drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the only park in southern Uganda with zebras, giraffes and impala, and a good place for leopards. A game drive explores acacia woodland, wetlands and rocky hills, with optional walking or boat safaris. On the final day you visit Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places to see the rare shoebill stork, before returning to Entebbe.
Expect long, sometimes rough drives and one demanding trek. The trip suits wildlife lovers with reasonable fitness who want close encounters with great apes in a small group.
Trip highlights
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Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest (Day 3)
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The community-run Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary (Day 3)
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A game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, home of tree-climbing lions (Day 5)
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An hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi (Day 7)
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A game drive for zebras, giraffes and leopards at Lake Mburo (Day 10)
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Searching for the shoebill stork at Mabamba Swamp (Day 11)
Your route
6 stops from Entebbe to Mabamba Bay
- Entebbe Days 1 & 11
- Kibale Forest Days 2–4
- Bigodi Wetlands Day 3
- Buhoma (Bwindi) Days 5–8
- Lake Mburo National Park Days 9–10
- Mabamba Bay Day 11
Why choose this tour
Chimp and gorilla permits are included, and lodges are chosen near the forests to cut travel time on trekking days. Optional second treks, community-owned lodges and visits to local projects add depth to the wildlife.
Best suited to
- Wildlife lovers set on seeing gorillas and chimpanzees
- Photographers and birdwatchers
- Travellers with reasonable fitness for a hard forest trek
- Anyone interested in community-based tourism
Day-by-day itinerary
11 days from Entebbe, Uganda to Entebbe, Uganda
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Day 1 · Entebbe Arrive in Entebbe
Arrive in Entebbe on the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, with a free transfer to your hotel about 15 minutes from the airport. As many flights arrive late, there are no activities today.
- Hotel
- 2 Friends Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel
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Day 2 · Kampala, Kibale Forest To Kibale Forest
Meet your tour leader and group, then drive west to Kibale Forest, a journey whose length depends on Kampala's traffic. Your solar-powered lodge sits in rainforest on the edge of the national park.
- Hotel
- Turaco Treetops or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3 · Kibale Forest, Bigodi Wetlands Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetlands
After an early breakfast, head into Kibale Forest to track chimpanzees on generally easy trails, watching for grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys and other primates. In the afternoon, walk through the community-run Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
- Hotel
- Turaco Treetops or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Kibale Forest, Crater lakes Optional second trek and the crater lakes
You can join an optional second chimp trek this morning, booked in advance. In the afternoon, take a two to three-hour hike around the crater lakes near Kibale, with views over the volcanic landscape.
- Hotel
- Turaco Treetops or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, Buhoma Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi
A long drive of about eight hours, with a picnic lunch, via the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, the best place in Uganda for tree-climbing lions. A game drive along the way also looks for elephants and buffalo before you reach Bwindi.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 · Buhoma, Bwindi Free day in Bwindi
A day to rest before the gorilla trek, staying at a community-owned lodge. Optional activities include the Batwa experience, learning about the forest's Indigenous people, a forest walk or the Ride 4 a Woman community project.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Mountain gorilla tracking
Set off with expert trackers into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to find a mountain gorilla family. The trek can take from under an hour to more than six, on steep and slippery trails. Once you find them, you spend an hour watching the gorillas, one of the world's great wildlife experiences.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Bwindi Optional second gorilla trek
A free day, with the option of a second gorilla trek if you booked a permit in advance. Otherwise, you could take one of the nearby walks or relax at the lodge.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Mbarara, Lake Mburo National Park To Lake Mburo
Leave the forests and drive about five hours to Lake Mburo National Park, stopping in Mbarara for lunch. This is the only park in southern Uganda with zebras, giraffes and impala.
- Hotel
- Rwakobo Rock or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 · Lake Mburo National Park Lake Mburo game drive
A game drive through acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hills and rocky outcrops looks for plains animals and the elusive leopard. You can add an optional walking safari or a boat safari on the lake.
- Hotel
- Rwakobo Rock or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 11 · Mabamba Swamp, Entebbe Mabamba Swamp and Entebbe
Drive back towards Entebbe with a picnic lunch on the way. Visit Mabamba Swamp, about 40 kilometres from Entebbe and one of the best places to see the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. The trip ends in Entebbe in the early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Where you stay
- Entebbe (1 night) 2 Friends Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel
- Kibale Forest (3 nights) Turaco Treetops or similar
- Buhoma, Bwindi (4 nights) Haven Lodge Buhoma or similar
- Lake Mburo (2 nights) Rwakobo Rock or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 10 nights in hotels and lodges
- Meals 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners
- Permits one chimpanzee permit and one gorilla permit
- Transport specially designed 4x4 vehicles with pop-up roofs, an arrival transfer for any flight and a group departure transfer
- Activities chimp tracking, Bigodi Wetlands, the crater lakes hike, a Queen Elizabeth game drive, gorilla tracking, a Lake Mburo game drive and Mabamba Swamp
- Expert tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights to and from Entebbe
- Visa for Uganda
- A second chimp or gorilla permit, and optional activities such as the Batwa experience or a boat safari
- Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You dislike long drives — the drive to Bwindi takes about eight hours
- You have limited fitness — the gorilla trek can take over six hours on steep, muddy slopes
- You need specialist foods — gluten-free and dairy-free products are hard to find in Uganda
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Uganda
Departures & prices
From £6,229 per person, twin share, tour only. 10 upcoming departures.
30 Jan 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
20 Feb 2027
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£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
12 Jun 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
26 Jun 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
10 Jul 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
31 Jul 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
21 Aug 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
04 Sep 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
04 Dec 2027
Twin share
£6,529pp
Single from £7,344
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are the permits included?
Yes, one chimpanzee permit and one gorilla permit are included. A second chimp or gorilla trek is optional, but permits are limited, so request them when you book.
How hard is the gorilla trek?
Expect at least three hours on rough, muddy slopes with steep ascents and descents, and sometimes more than six. Strong footwear is essential, and hiring a local porter is recommended. The chimp trek is much easier.
Are flights included?
No. You fly to and from Entebbe. A free arrival transfer is provided for any flight, and a group departure transfer is available.
What are the vehicles like?
Comfortable 4x4s, usually Toyota Land Cruisers, with open roof hatches for game viewing. Some drives are long and roads can be rough after rain.
What meals are included?
10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 9 dinners. Vegetarian diets can be catered for if you tell the team in advance, but gluten-free and dairy-free products are rare in Uganda.
Does the trip support local communities?
Yes. Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is community-run, the Buhoma lodge is community-owned, and the Kibale lodge runs on solar power.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary