5 Day Short Uganda Primate and Savannah Escape
Kibale's chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth's game drives and Kazinga Channel cruise, and a Bwindi gorilla trek, in five days.
Go beyond the expected.
A compact western Uganda circuit: chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, game drives and a boat trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi, with every night in a mid-range lodge or tented camp.
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Private pop-up roof 4x4
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers to and from Entebbe
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle for game drives and transport
- Chimpanzee tracking, game drives, Kazinga Channel boat cruise and gorilla trek, with permits subject to availability
- Accommodation for four nights and meals as specified
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Entebbe to Kibale
Entebbe, Fort Portal and Kibale National Park
Your guide meets you at Entebbe airport and you drive west to Kibale, with lunch on the way.
Day 2 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Kibale National Park
Track a habituated chimpanzee community in Kibale and spend an hour with them.
Day 3 Queen Elizabeth game drive and boat cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives in the pop-up roof vehicle and the launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 4 Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
Ishasha Sector and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive south through the Ishasha sector to the Ruhija side of Bwindi for the mountain gorilla trek. Start early, as the drive and the trek share the day.
Day 5 Return to Entebbe
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Entebbe
A long drive back to Entebbe, with breakfast and lunch included, in time for an evening flight.
Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
Uganda Family Travel Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Trekking Age Limit: Can Children Go?
The age rule explained, and what children under fifteen can do instead.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
Wellness Safari Uganda: Lake Bunyonyi, Forest and Gorillas
Lake canoes, forest walks and one gorilla trek at a slow pace.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Multi-Country Safaris
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Gorilla Safari: Routes and Planning
Plains, craters and gorillas across three countries.
East Africa Conservation Culture
Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
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Questions about 5 Day Short Uganda Primate and Savannah Escape
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.
What is the best time to visit Uganda?
Uganda can be visited year-round. The drier months (roughly December–February and June–September) are generally easiest for trekking and game viewing, while the wetter months bring lush scenery, fewer crowds and lower lodge rates. Gorilla trekking is possible in any month, since it happens in rainforest regardless of season.
What wildlife is Uganda known for?
Uganda is best known for mountain gorillas, it holds roughly half of the world’s remaining population, alongside strong chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and over 1,000 recorded bird species, an exceptional figure for a country of its size.