Gorilla Trekking Uganda Itinerary in 1, 3, 5 and 7-Day Plans
The best gorilla trekking itinerary in Uganda depends on where you land. From Kigali, 2–3 days is enough: southern Bwindi is 4–5 hours away. From Entebbe, allow at least 3 days — Bwindi is 8–10 hours by road — or 5–7 days to add chimps in Kibale and a savannah park. A short flight to Kihihi or Kisoro cuts the drive to about an hour.
Updated Oct 2026 · Prices checked Oct 2026
Pick Your Gorilla Trekking Uganda Itinerary
Four plans, each built from real tours. Pick by the airport you fly into and the days you have.
1 day plan
Short on time, already in Kigali- 03:00Pickup in Kigali
- ≈ 06:30Cyanika border into Uganda
- 07:30Breakfast, UWA briefing
- 08:30Trek: 1–3 h in Mgahinga, 2–6 h in Bwindi
- MiddayOne hour with the gorillas
- ≈ 16:00Back across the border
- 17–19:00Kigali, hotel or airport
3 days plan
The classic trip- Day 1Drive to Bwindi — 4–5 h from Kigali, 8–10 h from Entebbe
- Day 2Gorilla trek and one hour with a family
- Day 3Back — or on via Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mburo
5 days plan
Gorillas and chimps- Day 1Arrive in Entebbe
- Day 2Drive to Kibale (5–6 h) — chimp trek
- Day 3Drive to Bwindi
- Day 4Gorilla trek
- Day 5Back to Entebbe — or finish in Kigali
7 days plan
A real safari with both primates- Day 1Arrive in Entebbe
- Day 2Drive to Bwindi
- Day 3Gorilla trek
- Day 4Drive to Queen Elizabeth (4–5 h)
- Day 5Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Day 6Kibale — chimp trek
- Day 7Back to Entebbe
The other three plans
- 03:00Pickup in Kigali
- ≈ 06:30Cyanika border into Uganda
- 07:30Breakfast, UWA briefing
- 08:30Trek: 1–3 h in Mgahinga, 2–6 h in Bwindi
- MiddayOne hour with the gorillas
- ≈ 16:00Back across the border
- 17–19:00Kigali, hotel or airport
On the road: ≈ 9–10 h in the car · Short on time, already in Kigali
1-day tours →- Day 1Drive to Bwindi — 4–5 h from Kigali, 8–10 h from Entebbe
- Day 2Gorilla trek and one hour with a family
- Day 3Back — or on via Lake Bunyonyi or Lake Mburo
On the road: 8–20 h in the car, by airport · The classic trip
3-day tours →- Day 1Arrive in Entebbe
- Day 2Drive to Kibale (5–6 h) — chimp trek
- Day 3Drive to Bwindi
- Day 4Gorilla trek
- Day 5Back to Entebbe — or finish in Kigali
On the road: Long drives on days 2, 3 and 5 · Gorillas and chimps
Gorillas + chimps →- Day 1Arrive in Entebbe
- Day 2Drive to Bwindi
- Day 3Gorilla trek
- Day 4Drive to Queen Elizabeth (4–5 h)
- Day 5Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Day 6Kibale — chimp trek
- Day 7Back to Entebbe
On the road: Shorter legs, a full loop · A real safari with both primates
Gorilla safaris →Sources: day-by-day itineraries on GetYourGuide listings · prices are the lowest full price with permits
3-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Itinerary
Three days is the most common gorilla trip — 36 tours on GetYourGuide. The airport changes everything.
Day 1 is a half-day drive with a border crossing; day 3 can include Lake Bunyonyi or golden monkeys.
Example tourFrom Kigali: 3-Day Uganda Gorilla and Monkey Safari Trek★ 5.0 (1) $1,650Check dates on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Days 1 and 3 are full days on the road (8–10 h); some trips break the drive at Lake Mburo or add a shoebill stop.
Example tour3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Forest and Shoebill★ 4.8 (7) $2,200Check dates on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)5- and 7-Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Itinerary
Five to seven days lets you add chimps in Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park, which lies between the chimp and gorilla forests.
- EntebbeKibale5–6 h
- Queen ElizabethBwindi4–5 h
- Bwindi southKigali4–5 h
It follows the airport: from Entebbe the road reaches Kibale first; from Kigali, Bwindi first. The experience is the same.
How to Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: Itinerary Booking Steps
- 1Choose your airport
Kigali for short trips to southern Bwindi; Entebbe for longer trips or a flight to Kihihi or Kisoro.
- 2Choose days and sector
The permit is for one sector and one date — the sector sets your route and lodge.
- 3Book a tour — or a permit through an operator
Foreign visitors can only get permits through licensed Ugandan operators, paid in full. Many tours include the permit.
- 4Sort the visa
$50 Uganda e-visa online, or the $100 East Africa visa if you also visit Rwanda or Kenya.
- 5Pack and prepare
Boots, gloves, rain jacket — and a few weeks of hill walks.
What to wear →
Entebbe → Kihihi (Buhoma) or Kisoro (Rushaga, Nkuringo) takes about 70 minutes, then about an hour by road — instead of 8–10 hours each way.
Luxury and fly-in trips →Gorilla Trekking Uganda Itinerary FAQ
How many days do you need?
From Kigali, 2–3 days is comfortable (one is possible). From Entebbe, at least 3 — or 5–7 to add chimps and a safari.
Fly into Kigali or Entebbe?
Kigali is 4–5 hours from southern Bwindi; Entebbe is 8–10 hours by road. For gorillas only, Kigali is quicker; for a longer Uganda trip, Entebbe.
How do I go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Pick an airport and dates, then book a tour that includes the permit — or get the permit through a licensed Ugandan operator, paid in full.
Can I trek two days in a row?
Yes, with two permits — one per day. Some travellers pair a standard trek with the 4-hour habituation experience.
What else can I add?
Chimps in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Bunyonyi, golden monkeys in Mgahinga, or rhinos at Ziwa on the way to Murchison.
How far ahead should I plan?
3 to 10 months for peak months; less for April, May and November, when permits are also cheaper.
Sources: GetYourGuide itineraries · Uganda Wildlife Authority · operator guides
More gorilla trekking Uganda pages
Pick a plan, then a tour
Every plan links to the tours that run it, with full prices.
Check Dates for Your Gorilla Trekking Uganda Itinerary
Prices and dates come straight from GetYourGuide.
