5-Day Double Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda: A double gorilla trekking safari gives you the rare opportunity to visit mountain gorillas twice within the same trip. This five-day itinerary takes you deep into the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most ancient forests, and ends with a boat trip to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. For anyone serious about primates and wilderness, this safari delivers an experience that is truly hard to match.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: First gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Day 3: Second gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Day 4: Drive back to Entebbe
- Day 5: Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and depart
Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your driver guide picks you up early from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala and begins the long drive southwest to Bwindi. The journey covers approximately 530 kilometers and takes eight to nine hours, excluding stopovers. Use this time to take in the changing landscapes as you move from the city through rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural communities.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically rich forests. Scientists believe it survived the Ice Age that destroyed many other forests across the continent. The park has existed for more than 25,000 years and is home to over 200 tree species, 88 mammal species, 350 bird species, 10 primate species, and 312 butterfly species. It currently hosts approximately 19 habituated gorilla trekking families and four gorilla habituation experience families. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, check in, and rest for the evening.
Recommended lodges include Clouds Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Silverback Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and Bwindi View Bandas, among others.
Day 2 – First Gorilla Trek
Wake up early, have breakfast, and head to the ranger station for your pre-trek briefing. At the briefing point, rangers verify your permits, explain the rules, and assign each group to a specific gorilla family. If you want help carrying your pack, hire a porter at the trailhead for around $20. Porters ease the physical load significantly and also provide valuable income to local community members.
After the briefing, your ranger guide leads you into the forest along the trail most likely to connect with your assigned gorilla family. The time it takes to find the gorillas varies from day to day, as mountain gorillas move freely through the forest. Along the way, keep your eyes open for other wildlife. Bird lovers can expect to spot over 100 species on the trail, with the Ruhija sector being particularly rich for birding. However, once you find the gorillas, you spend one hour in their presence, watching them feed, interact, and go about their daily lives. Return to the lodge afterward and spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Day 3 – Second Gorilla Trek
Rise early again for your second gorilla trek. Request a different gorilla family from the one you visited the previous day. Besides, each family has its own unique personality, social dynamics, and territory. On the other hand, visiting two different families gives you a broader and richer understanding of mountain gorilla behavior. A family that was easy to find on day two may be deep in the forest on day three, so every trek brings a different physical and emotional experience.
As you follow your ranger guide through the undergrowth, look out for clues the gorillas leave behind, including footprints, freshly chewed leaves, and soft vocalizations. Watch out for other forest primates and listen for birdsong echoing through the canopy. Once you reach the gorilla family, take in every moment and photograph as much as you can. No two encounters are ever the same. Return to your lodge in the afternoon to rest before the long drive ahead.
Day 4 – Drive Back to Entebbe
After breakfast, pack up and begin the eight to nine-hour drive back to Entebbe. Along the way, stop at the Equator monument for a fun photo opportunity standing on both the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. Arrive in Entebbe in the evening and check into your hotel for a final overnight stay.
Recommended accommodation in Entebbe includes Protea Hotel Entebbe, Serena Hotel Kigo, The Boma, Lake Victoria Hotel, and Travelers Inn.
Day 5 – Ngamba Island and Departure.
Join the early morning boat group sailing to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria. This sanctuary serves as a permanent home for orphaned and rescued chimpanzees that cannot return to their wild communities. The sanctuary operates under the care of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, linked to the Jane Goodall Institute. However, on the island, you will watch chimpanzees move freely through the forest and participate in a feeding session from the visitor platform. You can also opt for a Keeper for the Day experience or a Chimpanzee Up-Close interaction for a more personal encounter. Return to the mainland, check out of your hotel, and transfer to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.
Best Time to Book
The dry season from June to October and December to February offers the best trekking conditions. Trails are firmer, rivers stay within their banks, and animals spend more time in open areas where they are easier to spot. However, dry season permits sell out quickly, so book at least six months to a year in advance. The wet season from March to May and in November is quieter, and gorillas remain accessible throughout, though trails can be muddy and slippery.
Permit Costs
Uganda gorilla trekking permits cost $800 per person per day for international non-residents, $700 for international residents, $500 for other African nationals, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Since this safari includes two trekking days, budget for two permits per person.
What to Pack
5-day Double Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda. Bring waterproof safari boots, long-sleeved shirts, khaki trousers, warm layers, a raincoat, garden gloves, insect repellent, a face mask, sunscreen, a torch, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a travel adapter, a foldable hat, some cash, and a camera.
Contact Anthill Safaris today to book your five-day double gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
