Depending on your arrival time at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional local female safari guide.
After meeting your guide, you will receive a briefing about the safari, including the destinations you will visit, the activities planned and important information about gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.
You will then transfer to your hotel in Entebbe for dinner and overnight.
If your international flight arrives early enough, optional activities around Entebbe can be arranged depending on your interests and available time.
Accommodation: Hotel in EntebbeMeal Plan: Dinner
9 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
Uganda
Plan This SafariThe 9 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Safari is an extraordinary primate and wildlife safari designed for travelers who want to experience mountain gorillas on two separate trekking days while also exploring some of Western Uganda's most remarkable wildlife destinations.
The safari combines Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its chimpanzees and diverse primate population, with Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will enjoy game drives, a Kazinga Channel boat cruise and a wildlife experience in the Ishasha Sector. The highlight of the journey is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you will undertake two separate gorilla trekking experiences, giving you the opportunity to visit two different habituated gorilla groups on different days.
The journey begins with an overnight in Entebbe before continuing to Kibale Forest, where you will trek chimpanzees and explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. From Kibale, you will travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park for savannah game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
The safari then continues south through the Ishasha Sector, where you may have an opportunity to see its famous tree-climbing lions, before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
On Days 7 and 8, you will undertake two gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi, each involving a separate trekking allocation. This provides a special opportunity to experience the mountain gorillas in different forest conditions and observe the social behaviour of different gorilla groups.
The safari ends with a domestic flight from the Kihihi area back to Entebbe, making the final transfer more convenient after several days of road travel.
Safari Route
Your Safari Itinerary
After breakfast, you will check out and begin the journey from Entebbe towards Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda.
The drive takes several hours and takes you through Uganda's changing landscapes, rural communities and agricultural areas.
Along the way, you will have an en-route lunch and enjoy scenic views of the countryside. Depending on weather conditions and the route, you may also have opportunities to see the distant Rwenzori Mountains, tea plantations, crater lakes and rolling hills of western Uganda.
Upon arrival in the Kibale area, you will check into your lodge and have time to relax before the following day's chimpanzee trekking experience.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga LodgeMid-range: Turaco Treetops, Isunga LodgeBudget: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast, your driver-guide will transfer you to the Kanyanchu Visitors Centre for registration and briefing before your chimpanzee trekking experience.
You will be assigned to a chimpanzee tracking group and accompanied into the forest by experienced park guides and trackers.
The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movement of the chimpanzees. Kibale Forest is home to a remarkable diversity of primates, so along the trail you may encounter species such as red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and other forest wildlife.
Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing them in their natural habitat. You may see them feeding, climbing through the canopy, grooming, playing, calling and interacting with one another.
After the chimpanzee experience, you will trek back to the starting point and meet your driver-guide before returning to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed wetland located near Kibale Forest.
The guided walk offers opportunities to observe different primates, birds, butterflies and wetland vegetation. Depending on the season and conditions, you may encounter red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys and other wildlife.
Birdwatchers can also look for species associated with the wetland and surrounding forest, including the colourful Great Blue Turaco.
After the walk, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga LodgeMid-range: Turaco Treetops, Isunga LodgeBudget: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will check out and begin the relatively short journey from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The drive takes approximately 2–3 hours depending on your lodge location, road conditions and stops along the way.
The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda, with opportunities to enjoy views of crater lakes, tea plantations, farmland and rural communities.
Upon arrival, you will check into your lodge and have lunch.
In the afternoon, you will head out for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park's diverse habitats support a wide range of wildlife. Depending on the area visited and animal movements, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks and other antelopes.
There may also be opportunities to see predators such as lions and leopards, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
After the game drive, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains LodgeMid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Marafiki Safari LodgeBudget: Kazinga Channel View Resort, Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains.
The open savannah provides excellent habitat for Uganda kob and other grazing animals. During the drive, you may encounter large herds of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs and other antelopes.
Depending on availability and the arrangements for your safari, you may also participate in a lion tracking experience, which provides an opportunity to learn more about lion behaviour, movements and conservation.
You may also encounter other predators such as leopards and hyenas, although sightings depend on wildlife movements and conditions on the day.
After the morning activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward.
The cruise provides a different perspective of Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife and bird watching. Large concentrations of hippos can often be seen in the water, while crocodiles may be observed along suitable sections of the shoreline.
Elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other animals frequently visit the channel to drink and bathe.
The channel is also an important habitat for water-associated bird species. Depending on the season, you may see kingfishers, cormorants, pelicans, fish eagles, herons and other birds.
After the cruise, you will return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains LodgeMid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Marafiki Safari LodgeBudget: Kazinga Channel View Resort, Pumba Safari Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will check out and begin your journey towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes you through the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the spectacular Ishasha Sector.
You will have a game-viewing stop in Ishasha, where you will search for the sector's famous tree-climbing lions.
The lions are sometimes seen resting in the branches of large fig or acacia trees, particularly during the warmer parts of the day. The Ishasha plains also support Uganda kob, topi, elephants, buffaloes and other wildlife.
After the Ishasha game drive, you will continue towards Bwindi with an en-route lunch.
The landscape gradually changes as you approach the Kigezi Highlands, with steep hills, cultivated slopes and rural communities surrounding the forested mountains.
Upon arrival in the Bwindi area, you will check into your lodge, have dinner and relax in preparation for your first gorilla trekking experience.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla LodgeMid-range: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Silverback LodgeBudget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast, you will prepare for your first mountain gorilla trekking experience.
You will carry your packed lunch and meet your driver-guide before transferring to the appropriate park headquarters for registration and a briefing.
During the briefing, park officials will explain the trekking rules, safety procedures and responsible gorilla-viewing practices.
You will then enter Bwindi's dense forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers.
The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movement of your assigned gorilla group. The forest terrain can be steep, muddy and challenging, but the journey provides an opportunity to explore one of Uganda's most important montane forest ecosystems.
Along the trail, you may encounter different bird species, primates, butterflies and a variety of plant species.
Once your gorilla group is located, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing the gorillas in their natural habitat.
You may watch them feed, rest, groom, play and interact with members of their family group. Your guides will help you understand their behaviour and the conservation work protecting them.
After the gorilla encounter, you will trek back to the starting point.
You will then meet your safari guide and return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla LodgeMid-range: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Silverback LodgeBudget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will once again transfer to the appropriate park headquarters for another gorilla trekking briefing.
For your second trek, you will be allocated another gorilla group, subject to park allocation and permit arrangements.
You will enter the forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers and begin the search for your assigned gorilla group.
The second trek offers a different experience from the previous day because gorilla groups have different personalities, social structures, movements and forest territories.
Once the gorillas are located, you will spend the permitted viewing time observing their natural behaviour. You may see them feeding, grooming, resting, playing and caring for younger members of the group.
After the trek, you will return to the starting point and meet your safari guide.
You can then return to the lodge for relaxation. Depending on your energy level and timing, an optional community or cultural experience may be arranged, providing an opportunity to interact with local residents and learn about their traditions, livelihoods and relationship with the surrounding forest.
You will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla LodgeMid-range: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Silverback LodgeBudget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your scheduled domestic flight to Entebbe.
The flight provides a convenient way to conclude the safari without undertaking another long road journey.
Flight schedules are subject to airline availability and may change, so your exact departure time will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will connect to your onward international flight or continue with your travel arrangements.
This marks the end of your 9 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Tour, combining two gorilla trekking experiences with chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth wildlife, Ishasha, the Kazinga Channel and the scenic landscapes of Western Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Safari Highlights
Accommodation
Entebbe – Day 1
Luxury: Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe / Lake Victoria Serena
Mid-range: Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe / Papyrus Guest House
Budget: Airport View Hotel / Airport Guest House
Kibale Forest National Park – Days 2 & 3
Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge
Mid-range: Turaco Treetops, Isunga Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Queen Elizabeth National Park – Days 4 & 5
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge
Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget: Kazinga Channel View Resort, Pumba Safari Cottages
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Days 6, 7 & 8
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Silverback Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp
Accommodation is subject to availability and may be replaced with a comparable property in the same category and location.
What's Included
What's Not Included
Pack List
Safari Tips
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