10-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee Trekking, & Big5 Wildlife Safari from Kigali City

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Winton Africa Safaris Ltd as we take you through a remarkable 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari experience. This journey blends extraordinary wildlife encounters, immersive cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes, creating a well-rounded African adventure. Our expertly crafted itinerary allows you to track mountain gorillas in the lush forests of Bwindi, follow chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, and explore Uganda’s stunning national parks, home to the iconic Big Five. Starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda, the tour offers a perfect fusion of Uganda’s wildlife and rich cultural heritage.

Your 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari adventure is enhanced by two unforgettable cultural experiences — the Batwa people of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village in Rwanda. These encounters provide profound insight into the ancient and modern lives of indigenous communities, their customs, and their deep connection to nature. Let’s dive into the day-by-day experience of this amazing trip, and don’t miss the cultural immersion at the end of the 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari itinerary, where we elaborate on the rich cultures around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

At Winton Africa Safaris Ltd, we pride ourselves on delivering unforgettable wildlife and cultural experiences. This 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and immersion into the local cultures of Uganda and Rwanda, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari Highlights

Detailed 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Drive from Kigali, Visit Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village, and Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari journey begins in the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda. Upon arrival, our experienced guide will meet you for a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. But before crossing into Uganda, you’ll visit the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village, an insightful stop that will immerse you in Rwanda’s rich cultural history. This cultural village is operated by former poachers who have turned their efforts toward wildlife conservation, offering visitors a chance to experience traditional Rwandan life.

You will participate in demonstrations of traditional hunting techniques, watch performances of Rwandan drumming and dancing, and even partake in a mock king’s coronation ceremony. The visit emphasizes the importance of conservation and community empowerment while offering a fun and educational experience. This is an excellent way to understand how culture and conservation can go hand in hand.

After the visit, you’ll proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The lush forests and rolling hills of Bwindi are a haven for mountain gorillas and other wildlife. Your accommodation for the night is the luxurious Four Gorillas Lodge, nestled in the heart of the forest, offering comfort and stunning views of the surrounding nature.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Batwa Cultural Experience

On this day, prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience — gorilla trekking in the ancient jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After an early breakfast, you will be briefed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, who will provide important information about the trek. Accompanied by 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari expert rangers, you’ll embark on a hike through the dense forest to track the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the gorilla’s location, but the experience is well worth the effort.

Upon finding a family of mountain gorillas, you’ll have the rare opportunity to spend one hour in their presence. Watching these gentle giants in their natural habitat is a humbling and deeply emotional experience. The gorillas, with their human-like behavior and expressions, remind us of the fragile connection between humans and the animal kingdom. This is a truly magical moment that few will ever forget.

In the afternoon, you will immerse yourself in the Batwa Cultural Experience. The Batwa are the indigenous people of the Bwindi Forest, having lived as hunter-gatherers in the jungle for centuries before being displaced for gorilla conservation. The Batwa will take you on a 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari of their community, where you’ll learn about their traditional practices such as fire-making, herbal medicine use, and hunting techniques. You will also hear captivating stories about their history, spirituality, and the forest that once sustained their way of life. This experience not only educates but also supports the Batwa community, contributing to their preservation in the modern world.

After a fulfilling day of 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari adventure and culture, return to Four Gorillas Lodge for a well-deserved rest.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Evening Game Drive in Ishasha Sector

This morning, after breakfast, you’ll depart from Bwindi and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a park renowned for its wide range of wildlife and stunning landscapes. The 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari journey takes you through scenic roads, providing opportunities for picturesque views of Uganda’s rolling hills and villages. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most biodiverse park, boasting everything from savannah to wetlands and the famous Kazinga Channel.

Upon arrival in the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you’ll embark on an evening game drive to look for the famous tree-climbing lions. This rare phenomenon occurs only in two places in Africa, and the sight of lions lounging on fig tree branches is simply spectacular. In addition to lions, Ishasha is home to elephants, buffaloes, and a variety of bird species. As the sun sets, the park comes alive with wildlife, providing excellent photography opportunities.

Tonight, you’ll stay at Enjojo Safari Lodge, a beautiful lodge located near the park. It offers a perfect blend of comfort and a true wilderness experience.

Day 4: Game Drives and Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today is dedicated to exploring the wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The day begins with a thrilling game drive through the park, where you’ll encounter a wide array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and several species of antelope. The park is also home to over 600 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is famed for its high concentration of hippos and crocodiles, as well as its abundant birdlife. As you glide along the waters, you’ll see large herds of elephants and buffaloes coming to drink, creating a unique and serene wildlife viewing experience.

After a day of adventure, you’ll retire to Elephant Hab Safari Lodge for a peaceful evening.

Day 5: Morning Game Drive, Visit Twin Lakes, Transfer to Kibale for Chimpanzee Tracking

Your day starts with another morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering more chances to spot the park’s incredible wildlife in the golden morning light. After the game drive, you’ll visit the famous Twin Lakes, two stunning crater lakes near the park, providing a picturesque stop for photography and relaxation.

From there, you’ll journey to Kibale National Park, known as the primates’ capital of the world due to its large population of chimpanzees and other primates. This park is one of the best places in Africa to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The drive to Kibale offers beautiful views of tea plantations and rural Ugandan landscapes.

You’ll stay at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, located near the entrance to the park, preparing you for the chimpanzee tracking adventure that awaits.

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk in Kibale Forest

This day begins with a chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale National Park. After a briefing from the park rangers, you’ll set off into the forest to find the chimpanzees. Tracking them through the dense forest can take a few hours, but once you locate them, you’ll spend an hour observing their behavior. Watching the chimps swinging from trees, grooming each other, and playing is a delightful and entertaining experience.

In the afternoon, you’ll take a guided Bigodi Swamp Walk. The swamp is home to an incredible variety of bird species, butterflies, and other wildlife. The walk also provides a great opportunity to see more primates, such as the black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and blue monkeys. The community-run Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a great example of how tourism can benefit local communities while preserving natural habitats.

You’ll spend another night at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, reflecting on the amazing primate encounters of the day.

Day 7: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park, Hike to the Top of Murchison Falls

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a long but scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. Upon arrival, you’ll hike to the top of the Murchison Falls, where the Nile River forces its way through a narrow gorge and plunges 40 meters down into the Devil’s Cauldron. The power and beauty of the falls are breathtaking, and you’ll have the chance to take some incredible photos while learning about the geological history of the area.

You’ll spend the night at Pakuba Safari Lodge, offering stunning views of the park and the Nile River.

Day 8: Game Drives and Victoria Nile River Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

Today is dedicated to exploring the wildlife-rich Murchison Falls National Park. The day begins with an early morning game drive, where you’ll have the chance to spot elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and possibly even leopards. The park is also home to Uganda’s most abundant population of Rothschild giraffes.

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a Victoria Nile River cruise to the base of Murchison Falls. As you drift along the river, you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds. The boat will stop near the falls, allowing you to admire the force of the water up close.

After an exciting day, you’ll return to Pakuba Safari Lodge for another restful night.

Day 9: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for White Rhino Tracking and Proceed to Kampala

On your way to Kampala, you’ll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided white rhino tracking experience. The sanctuary is home to the only rhinos in Uganda and plays a critical role in reintroducing these majestic animals back into the wild. You’ll track the rhinos on foot with experienced guides, getting a chance to observe them from a safe distance in their natural habitat.

After the tracking, you’ll continue your 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari journey to Kampala, where you’ll check into Haylo Hotel in Lubowa for your final night in Uganda.

Day 10: Go Shoebill Tracking in Mabamba Swamp and Afternoon Departure at Entebbe Airport

On the last day of your 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari, you’ll venture out for an early morning trip to Mabamba Swamp, a birdwatcher’s paradise located near Entebbe. This wetland is famous for being one of the best places to spot the elusive shoebill stork, a prehistoric-looking bird that is a highlight for any bird enthusiast.

After an exciting morning of birding, you’ll return to Kampala or proceed to Entebbe for your afternoon departure flight, marking the end of an incredible 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari adventure.

  • Meals: Breakfast

End of 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari

Cultural Experiences: An Immersion in the Cultures Around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The Batwa People:

One of the highlights of your 10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari is the visit to the Batwa people, the original inhabitants of the Bwindi Forest. Their way of life, which for centuries revolved around hunting and gathering in the forest, has been deeply influenced by the surrounding nature. When the Batwa were displaced to create the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla conservation, their traditional lifestyle came under threat. Today, the Batwa Cultural Experience allows you to witness their resilient culture and ancient wisdom. You’ll engage with the Batwa elders, who share stories of their ancestral knowledge, including hunting techniques, herbal medicine, and their spiritual connection to the forest. The Batwa believe in the presence of spirits within the forest, and this belief plays a significant role in their rituals and ceremonies.

During your time with the Batwa, you’ll participate in traditional dances, music, and crafts, offering a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage. Despite the challenges they face in the modern world, the Batwa remain proud custodians of their culture, and their efforts to sustain it through tourism are both inspiring and heartwarming.

Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village:

Your cultural journey also extends to the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Village in Rwanda, where you’ll get a glimpse of Rwandan traditions. The village is a cultural center established by former poachers who have embraced wildlife conservation. Here, you’ll learn about traditional Rwandan life, including the roles of kings and queens, ancient warfare techniques, and the significance of cattle in Rwandan society. The experience is interactive, allowing you to try your hand at traditional crafts, participate in a mock king’s coronation, and enjoy vibrant performances of traditional dance and music. It’s a great way to connect with Rwanda’s cultural roots while understanding the importance of wildlife conservation.

10-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Big5 Wildlife Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Uganda and Rwanda visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, and laundry services
  • Any other activity not mentioned in the itinerary
Gorilla Trekking & Big5 Safari

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Experience