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Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Volcanoes National Park
Tour Highlights
What makes this trip special
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your trip, day by day
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your driver-guide. After a brief orientation, depart for the scenic drive to Kibale Forest National Park. The journey takes you through the lush countryside of western Uganda, past verdant tea plantations and traditional villages. Stop at Fort Portal, known as the "Switzerland of Africa," for panoramic views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Check into your lodge near Kibale Forest for dinner and a briefing on tomorrow's chimpanzee tracking adventure. Morning: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Clear immigration and collect your luggage. Your professional driver-guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. Depart Entebbe for the scenic 5-hour drive to Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda. The route passes through Kampala, Uganda's bustling capital, and continues through rolling hills and tea plantations. Afternoon: Stop at Fort Portal for lunch with views of the Rwenzori Mountains - the legendary "Mountains of the Moon." Fort Portal is surrounded by crater lakes and offers excellent photography opportunities. Continue to Kibale Forest National Park and check into your lodge. Relax and settle in. Evening: Dinner and briefing at the lodge. Your guide will provide a detailed overview of the chimpanzee tracking experience, including what to expect, what to pack for the trek, and essential etiquette when encountering the chimpanzees. Overnight in the Kibale area.
Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk
After an early breakfast, head into Kibale Forest for the highlight: chimpanzee tracking. Walk with experienced guides to find habituated chimp families, observing their social behaviour, vocal displays, and foraging habits up close. In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk - home to red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, butterflies, and over 200 bird species. Overnight in Kibale area. Morning: Early breakfast at the lodge at 6:00 AM. Head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing, then enter Kibale Forest with your guide and ranger for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees - the highest concentration in East Africa. Walk through the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimp families. In addition to chimps, you may encounter red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch. At 2:00 PM, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk. This pristine wetland is managed by the local community and offers excellent birding and primate viewing. Look for red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and the spectacular great blue turaco among the 200+ bird species recorded here. Evening: Relax at the lodge surrounded by the sounds of the tropical forest. Enjoy a sundowner and dinner. Overnight in the Kibale area.
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, depart Kibale and travel south through the stunning Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive takes you through the terraced hills of the "Switzerland of Africa" region. On clear days, the views of the Virunga Volcanoes in the distance are spectacular. Arrive at your Bwindi area lodge by late afternoon. Evening briefing on gorilla trekking rules and etiquette. Overnight in Bwindi area. Morning: Breakfast at the lodge and check out from Kibale. Depart for the scenic 5-6 hour drive south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The route passes through the Kigezi Highlands, known as the "Switzerland of Africa" for its steep terraced hills and lush green landscapes. The drive offers stunning views of the countryside and distant mountains. Afternoon: Stop for lunch en route overlooking the beautiful Ugandan landscape. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive at your lodge and check in. Take time to relax and enjoy the serene environment of the forest. Evening: Comprehensive briefing from your lead guide about the gorilla trekking experience scheduled for tomorrow. The briefing covers trekking rules, gorilla etiquette, what to pack for the trek, and photography tips in the forest. Enjoy a hearty dinner and an early bedtime - gorilla trekking starts at sunrise.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
The day you have been waiting for! After an early breakfast and briefing, enter Bwindi's misty forest with your gorilla trekking group. The hike can take 1-5 hours depending on the gorilla family's location. Once you find them, spend one unforgettable hour observing the mountain gorillas - watching the silverback protect his family, mothers nurse their infants, and juveniles play-fight. This is widely considered one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth. Overnight in Bwindi area. Morning: Early breakfast at 5:30 AM with packed snacks for the trek. Transfer to the park headquarters for a final gorilla trekking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Groups of 8 visitors are assigned to specific gorilla families. Enter Bwindi's misty forest with your group, lead guide, trackers, and armed rangers. The trek can take 1-5 hours through steep, dense, and often muddy terrain. Afternoon: Once the gorilla family is located, spend one unforgettable hour in their presence. Watch the silverback protect his family, mothers nurse their infants, juveniles play-fight, and the entire group feed on bamboo shoots and forest vegetation. After the hour, trek back to the trailhead. Photography tip: use a fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) and high ISO in the dark forest conditions. Turn off your flash - it is prohibited. Evening: Return to the lodge to celebrate your gorilla trekking achievement. Receive a gorilla trekking certificate from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Enjoy a celebratory dinner and share stories with your trekking group. Overnight in Bwindi.
Departure back to Entebbe
After a final breakfast, depart Bwindi for Entebbe. The drive takes you through the scenic Kigezi Highlands and Mbarara town, the heart of Uganda's cattle-keeping region. Stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping. Continue to Entebbe for your airport transfer or onward connections. End of tour. Morning: Final breakfast at the lodge at 7:00 AM. Depart Bwindi for the journey back to Entebbe. Drive through the scenic Kigezi Highlands and Mbarara town. The rolling green hills dotted with long-horned Ankole cattle provide a beautiful backdrop for the final day of your safari. Afternoon: Stop at the Uganda Equator for photos and souvenir shopping at the local craft markets. This is a memorable photo opportunity standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy lunch en route. Continue the drive to Entebbe. Evening: Arrive in Entebbe (approximately 5:00-6:00 PM). Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or onward connections. End of tour. We recommend booking flights departing after 8:00 PM to allow ample time for the drive.
What's Included & Excluded
Know exactly what your package covers
Included
- Kilimanjaro National Park entry & camping/hut fees
- KPAP-certified mountain guides, cooks and porters
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, hot drinks)
- Mountain camping equipment or hut accommodation (route-dependent)
- Treated drinking water throughout the climb
- Government rescue fees
- Airport transfer on arrival/departure
- Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
- All national park entrance fees
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full board accommodation at camps/lodges
- Game drives per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
Not Included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel & medical evacuation insurance
- Tips for guides, cooks and porters
- Personal climbing gear (boots, jacket, sleeping bag)
- Alcoholic drinks and snacks
- Hotel accommodation before/after the climb (unless stated)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver-guide and camp/lodge staff
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities (hot air balloon, cultural visits) unless stated
- Personal expenses
Best Time to Travel
The clearest, driest climbing conditions fall in two windows: late June through October, and January to mid-March. Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but the short and long rains (November, and April-May) bring wetter trails and lower summit visibility.
Mountain camping/huts + safari lodges and tented camps
Full board throughout — mountain meals during the climb, lodge/camp meals on safari
What to Pack
Suggested gear for this trip
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