5-Day Luxury Gorilla Habituation and Chimp Trekking Safari

Our 5-Day Luxury Gorilla Habituation and Chimp Trekking Safari is ideal for those who want to spend more time with the world’s great primates, including mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This trip takes you to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the Rushaga region, for a gorilla habituation experience, and then to Kibale National Park for a chimpanzee habituation experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only park in the world offering a gorilla habituation experience. As such, you will have an opportunity to spend four hours with mountain gorillas compared to one hour of gorilla trekking. From Bwindi National Park, you will drive to Kibale National Park to spend a whole day with chimpanzees in what is calledthe chimpanzee habituation experience. Enjoy and compare these two experiences while in Uganda.

Summarized Itinerary

  • Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe to Bwindi National Park
  • Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi National Park
  • Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
  • Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
  • Day 5: Transfer Back to Entebbe or Kampala

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe to Bwindi National Park

You will be picked up by an Anthill Safaris driver/guide to start your 5-day luxury gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Our safaris normally start very early in the morning with stops at the Equator crossing for photography and a lunch break in Mbarara town. You will then proceed to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because this is where the gorilla habituation experience is currently taking place. This journey is very scenic as you have an opportunity to see the Kigezi rolling hills and valleys as you travel to Kisoro or the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Also, you will stop by the equator for photos and stretching after the hours-long journey. You will arrive late afternoon for Dinner and Overnight.

Check in at the Lodge and relax, anticipating the Gorilla Habituation Experience the next morning.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Drive Time: 7–9 hours

Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi National Park

You will wake up early in the morning and head to the park headquarters to join other clients for a briefing about dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas on your habituation experience. After the briefing, you will start your trek into the forest guided by researchers and guides. During your trek, you may encounter several birds, other animals, and primates in the forest, and once you have found the gorillas, you will spend four hours with them and return to the Lodge overnight. You will have an opportunity to listen to and observe researchers doing their work with habituating gorillas, and if possible, you will be called upon to participate by collecting samples, naming group members, making calls, and so much more.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park

You will drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Kibale Forest National Park on this third day of your 5-day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari. You will drive through the Kigezi Highlands and through scenic drives of western Uganda, and indeed appreciate the country.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Chimpundu Lodge / Primate Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Kibale National Park for a briefing about the dos and don’ts while with a community or party of chimpanzees. After the briefing, you will start your trek in the forest with chances of seeing 11 other primates in the forest. You will spend one hour in the forest with guides for observation and photography. Return to the Lodge for Dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Luxury: Chimpundu Lodge / Primate Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Transfer Back to Entebbe or Kampala

After breakfast, embark on the 5-6 hour Journey back to Entebbe or Kampala, marking the end of your 5-day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari in Uganda.

With the heart full of emotions and a camera full of memories, you will travel back to your hotel or the airport, and the spirit of Uganda will forever be attached to you.

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Drive Time: 5–6 hours

End of Tour

Cost Includes

  • Airport/final day transfers
  • 4×4 safari vehicle & professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Fuel for the entire trip
  • Accommodation & meals as per itinerary
  • All park entrance fees
  • Drinking water in a vehicle
  • Gorilla Habituation Permit (USD 1500 per person)
  • Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (USD 250 per person)

Cost Excludes

  • Pre & post-tour accommodation in Entebbe
  • International flights
  • East African Visa (USD 100)
  • Tips, drinks, laundry, and personal items

Things To Consider

Gorilla Habituation Permits

Gorilla permits are the main component of your safari cost.

  • Non-residents: USD 1500
  • Foreign residents: USD 1000
  • Rest of Africa: USD 1000
  • East African citizens: UGX 750,000

Chimpanzee Trekking Permits

  • Non-residents: USD 250
  • Foreign residents: USD 200
  • Rest of Africa: USD 200
  • East African citizens: UGX 180,000

Each permit includes park entry, ranger guides, and your hour with the gorillas.

Transport Options

Drive: 7–9 hours from Entebbe to Bwindi

Drive: 5–6 hours from Kibale to Entebbe

Fly to Bwindi: 1–2 hours from Entebbe (optional)
All safari vehicles are 4×4, comfortable, air-conditioned, and driven by expert guides.

Gorilla Habituation Experience Region

Rushaga

Additional Costs

  • Rwanda–Uganda Visa: USD 100
  • Optional Batwa visit: USD 50
  • Optional Bigodi wetland walk: USD 30
  • Tipping, drinks, and personal expenses

Best Time to Go & Booking Advice

Peak trekking seasons are:

  • June–September
  • December–February

Permits should be booked 2–6 months in advance.
Trekking is possible year-round, with fewer crowds in rainy seasons and a 99% chance of seeing gorillas year-round.

What to Pack

  • Neutral long trousers & long-sleeved shirts
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Lightweight rain jacket
  • Gardening gloves
  • Hat, sunscreen & insect repellent
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Camera with extra batteries
  • Passport & essential travel documents