This 6-day Uganda safari combines gorillas, chimps and big game into a complete primate-and-wildlife circuit, building directly on the shorter Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi combination with an added chimpanzee tracking day at Kibale. Moving from Kibale’s chimps through Queen Elizabeth’s savannah and finishing at Bwindi’s gorillas follows a logical geographic flow south, minimizing backtracking across the route while spacing the two demanding trekking days apart for genuine physical recovery.
Key Highlights
- Both gorilla ($800 permit) and chimpanzee tracking (separate permit) included within a single six-day structure
- Queen Elizabeth’s game drives and Kazinga Channel boat cruise sit between the two trekking days, aiding recovery
- Route runs Kibale to Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi, following a logical south-moving geographic flow
- Covers Uganda’s three headline wildlife experiences (chimps, big game, gorillas) in one realistic week
- Booking both trekking permits through a single operator avoids scheduling conflicts between the two systems
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Kibale
The itinerary begins with transfer toward Kibale National Park, positioning chimpanzee tracking early in the trip before continuing south toward the gorilla and big-game portions.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale
Kibale delivers a full morning forest tracking experience, with sighting rates commonly cited above 90% thanks to the park’s exceptional chimpanzee density, distinct in pace and terrain from the following days’ gorilla trekking and savannah activities.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth
A relatively short transfer connects Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with an afternoon game drive possible depending on arrival timing.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth Game Drives and Boat Cruise
Game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise round out the big-game component, delivering genuine savannah and waterway wildlife diversity, and giving both legs a physical rest between the two trekking days.
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi and Trekking Briefing
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sets up the following morning’s gorilla trekking, with an evening briefing covering what to expect from the physically demanding day ahead.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Departure
The final trekking day delivers the itinerary’s signature experience, a strict one-hour encounter with a habituated gorilla family, before the departure transfer.
Budgeting for Two Permits and Why This Pacing Works
Both the $800 gorilla permit and a separate chimpanzee tracking permit factor into this itinerary’s overall budget, forming the two largest single cost items beyond accommodation and transport. Spacing the two trekking days apart with the Queen Elizabeth big-game stretch between them helps travelers recover physically rather than facing two demanding forest days back-to-back, and booking both permits through a single experienced operator avoids the scheduling conflicts independent booking across two separate systems could introduce.
Comparing the Two Trekking Days Physically
Chimpanzee tracking and gorilla trekking demand different physical efforts, Kibale’s forest terrain is generally more consistent underfoot than Bwindi’s, and understanding this difference beforehand helps travelers pace their energy appropriately across a trip that asks for two separate peak-effort days rather than one.
A Shorter Alternative Without Chimps
Travelers willing to drop the chimpanzee tracking day can instead consider the 5-day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi itinerary, this route’s shorter predecessor covering the same core big-game and gorilla combination.
Extending Toward Murchison Falls
Travelers with additional time should consider our 8-day itinerary, which adds Murchison Falls to this same core primate-and-big-game structure.
Confirming Permit Availability Before Committing to Dates
Since this itinerary depends on securing two separate permits for specific consecutive-window dates, confirming availability for both before finalizing flights and other bookings avoids the disappointment of a well-planned route falling apart over a single unavailable permit date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this itinerary include both gorillas and chimps?
Yes, both gorilla and chimpanzee tracking are included within the six-day structure.
Is six days enough for this much wildlife coverage?
Yes, this circuit covers Uganda’s three headline experiences within a realistic timeframe.
Can I add Murchison Falls to this trip?
Yes, our 8-day itinerary extends this same route to include Murchison Falls.
Plan Your 6-Day Gorillas, Chimps and Big Game Safari
Tell us your travel dates and we’ll build a 6-day Uganda safari covering gorillas, chimps and big game. See our full chimpanzee tracking permit guide to budget for the second trekking day.