UGANDA SAFARI: Gorilla trekking 2027
Uganda Group Trip: Gorillas, Chimps & Wildlife
Gorillas face to face, chimps in the forest, and some of the wildest, least-crowded safari country left on the planet, with a small group of fellow adventurers and me along for the whole ride.
See Pricing & Book Your Spot
Ten Days, Four National Parks
This is a proper African safari. We’ll travel in two private 4×4 extended safari Land Cruisers with pop-up roofs, stay in a mix of safari lodges and treetop camps, and spend our days tracking wildlife on foot, by boat and by vehicle across some of East Africa’s most dramatic landscapes. Gorilla trekking and chimp trekking are the headline acts, but the game drives, boat cruises and rhino tracking in between are just as special.
Organised and hosted by Sari, this 10-day group trip takes you through four of Uganda’s best national parks, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, rhino tracking at Ziwa, and game drives across Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo in search of lions, elephants, hippos and more.
- Duration10 Days / 9 Nights
- Dates23 June – 2 July 2027
- Group Size13 guests (7 twin rooms)
- Travel StylePrivate Group Safari
- TransportTwo Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruisers
- HighlightsGorillas · Chimps · Rhinos · 4 Parks
The Itinerary
DAY 123 June — Arrival in Entebbe
Touch down in Entebbe and you’ll be met and transferred straight to our hotel. We’ve kept day one relaxed on purpose, everyone’s flying in from different places, so there’s no rush. Check in, settle in and shake off the jet lag at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe.
If your flight lands early enough, there’s an optional excursion to Mabamba Swamp, one of Uganda’s best birding spots, explored by traditional canoe while you search for the famous shoebill stork.
DAY 224 June — Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary → Murchison Falls
After breakfast we head north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino-tracking walk, a chance to get up close to southern white rhinos and hear how Uganda’s rhino population has been brought back from the brink.
From there it’s on to Murchison Falls National Park, where we’ll visit the Top of the Falls, the point where the entire Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before thundering downstream. Plenty of time for photos before we check in for the night.
DAY 325 June — Game Drives & Nile Boat Cruise
An early morning game drive across Murchison Falls’ northern savannah, on the lookout for giraffes, elephants, buffalo, Uganda kobs and, if we’re lucky, lions or leopards.
After breakfast and some downtime, we’ll take to the water for a Nile boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles and birdlife along the banks, followed by an evening game drive. For anyone who wants more, there’s an optional night game drive at an extra cost.
DAY 426 June — On to Kibale Forest
We check out and head south through western Uganda’s countryside, tea plantations, rolling farmland and villages, to the Kibale Forest region, checking in at Turaco Treetops.
In the afternoon, a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its monkeys, colourful birds and butterflies, with a local guide explaining how community tourism supports conservation here.
DAY 527 June — Chimpanzee Trekking → Queen Elizabeth NP
Today’s the big one, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. After a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, we head into the tropical forest in search of a habituated chimp community, with time to watch them feeding, grooming and swinging through the canopy.
From there, we transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and check in at Buffalo Safari Lodge for the evening.
DAY 628 June — Queen Elizabeth NP & Kazinga Channel
An early game drive across the Kasenyi plains, home to elephants, buffalo, Uganda kobs and the park’s lions, leopards and hyenas.
In the afternoon, a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, one of the best places in Uganda to see hippos, elephants and birdlife side by side, before an evening game drive.
DAY 729 June — On to Bwindi via Ishasha
We check out and head south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, routing through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. There’s no dedicated game drive here, but our driver-guides will keep an eye out along the way, and we’ll stop if the lions are close to the route.
The landscape shifts from open savannah to rolling hills and dense tropical forest as we arrive in Bwindi, with the afternoon free to relax and prepare for the next morning’s main event.
DAY 830 June — Gorilla Trekking → Lake Mburo NP
The day we’ve all been waiting for. After an early breakfast, we head to the briefing point for a safety and conservation talk from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before setting off into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with experienced trackers in search of our assigned mountain gorilla family.
Trek time varies depending on where the gorillas are that day, but once you’re face to face with them, watching them feed, rest and interact just metres away, it’s worth every step.
Afterwards, we transfer directly to Lake Mburo National Park, checking in at Rwakobo Rock for dinner and a well-earned rest.
DAY 91 July — Lake Mburo & the Uganda Equator
An early game drive through Lake Mburo’s open savannah and acacia woodland, spotting zebras, impalas, elands, topis and giraffes, species you won’t see anywhere else on this trip. Then a guided walking safari on foot with an experienced ranger, a completely different way to experience the bush.
After breakfast, we start the drive back to Entebbe, stopping at the Uganda Equator for photos and a browse of the local craft stalls, before checking back in at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe for our last night together.
DAY 102 July — Departure
A relaxed final morning in Entebbe. After breakfast, check out and we’ll transfer you to Entebbe International Airport in good time for your onward flight, departing Entebbe at any time on 2 July.
And that’s it, ten unforgettable days of gorillas, chimps and wild Uganda behind you.
What’s Included
Included
- Airport transfers for the group
- 9 nights’ accommodation in 7 twin rooms (2 nights in Entebbe, 7 nights across the parks)
- Private ground transportation in two 4×4 extended safari Land Cruisers
- Professional English-speaking safari driver-guides
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees, Top of the Falls visit, morning & evening game drives, Nile boat cruise
- Bigodi Wetland guided walk
- Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees, morning & evening game drives, Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Transit through Ishasha with a tree-climbing lion search
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi
- Lake Mburo National Park entrance fees, morning game drive & guided walking safari
- Uganda Equator stopover
- Bottled drinking water throughout
- Government taxes and applicable levies
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Optional Mabamba Swamp excursion
- Optional night game drives (Murchison Falls & Queen Elizabeth)
- Lunches unless specified
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Laundry
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Good to Know
- This trip is capped at 13 guests, travelling together in 7 twin rooms, I’ll pair roommates where needed, or let me know if you’d like to request a private room (only two available, €600 supplement, limited availability).
- Passports need at least 6 months’ validity beyond your return date, and a Uganda tourist visa is required (applied for online in advance, details sent closer to departure).
- Good news, Uganda no longer requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry (as of late 2026), though it’s still recommended by the WHO and worth discussing with your travel doctor.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking both involve walking on uneven forest terrain, sometimes for a few hours, a reasonable level of fitness is recommended, but porters are available on trek days if you’d like one.
- Dietary requirements can be catered for, just let me know in advance.
Pricing
Price is based on twin-share accommodation. A single/private room is available on request for a €600 supplement, limited availability. Spots are limited to 13 and tend to go fast, so don’t wait too long to lock yours in.
Payment & Deposit Structure
To secure your place, payments are made in instalments rather than one large upfront payment. The standard structure is:
- 25% deposit, at time of booking
- 25% payment, 30 Jan
- 25% payment, 28 Feb
- 25% final payment, 20th Apr
If you’d prefer a different payment schedule, email me to request a custom plan, as long as the full balance is paid no later than 8 weeks before the tour begins.
Cancellation Policy
We know plans can change, so we’ve kept our cancellation policy clear and fair. A non-refundable deposit is required at booking, and your final balance is due 8 weeks before departure. If you need to cancel:
- 16+ weeks before your trip: you’ll only lose your deposit
- 13–15 weeks before your trip: 50% of your trip cost is non-refundable
- 9–12 weeks before your trip: 75% of your trip cost is non-refundable
- Less than 8 weeks before your trip: no refund can be given
The deposit is non-refundable because planning, flight bookings and trip preparation begin immediately once your place is confirmed, often with upfront costs from the moment your booking is made, and it helps ensure everyone on the trip is committed.
FAQ
Do I need a visa?
Yes, a Uganda tourist visa is required and is applied for online in advance. I’ll send full instructions closer to departure.
Do I need any vaccinations?
As of late 2026, Uganda no longer requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, but it’s still recommended by the WHO, chat to your travel doctor about this plus routine and malaria precautions.
How fit do I need to be?
You don’t need to be a marathon runner, but gorilla and chimp trekking both involve walking on uneven, sometimes steep forest terrain for a few hours. A reasonable level of fitness will make the experience far more enjoyable, and porters are available on trek days.
Will I have to share a room?
This trip is priced on twin-share, and I’ll help pair up roommates. If you’d prefer your own room, let me know, a private room supplement applies.
What should I pack?
Neutral-coloured clothing for game drives and treks, sturdy closed shoes for trekking, a light rain jacket, a hat and sunscreen, and a good zoom lens if you’re into photography. A full packing list will be sent after booking.
Are flights included?
International and domestic flights aren’t included, you’ll need to book your own flights into Entebbe International Airport (EBB), arriving on or before 23 June 2027 and departing any time on 2 July 2027.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, comprehensive travel and medical insurance (including trekking cover) is required for this trip and is not included in the price.
Is gorilla trekking ethical?
Yes, when done responsibly, gorilla trekking is a genuine conservation success story. Permits are strictly limited (only a handful of habituated families can be visited each day), groups are capped at 8 trekkers per gorilla family, viewing time is limited to one hour, and a safe distance is maintained throughout. Permit fees go directly towards ranger salaries, anti-poaching patrols and local community programmes, and this funding is a major reason mountain gorilla numbers have grown rather than declined in recent decades. We’ll follow Uganda Wildlife Authority guidelines closely, including staying home if you’re unwell, since gorillas are highly susceptible to human illness.
Why do the gorilla and chimp permits cost so much?
The gorilla permit alone is USD 800 per person, with the chimp permit adding a further USD 200–300 (it’s a chunk of the overall trip cost), and it’s worth knowing why. The fees fund gorilla and chimp conservation directly: anti-poaching patrols, veterinary teams, habitat protection and community projects in the areas bordering the parks. Keeping permit numbers and prices high also regulates tourism, preventing overcrowding that could spread human-borne disease to the animals or damage their sensitive habitat. It might feel steep, but without that revenue the future of these species, and the livelihoods of the communities who share their home, would be at serious risk. By trekking, you’re directly contributing to their survival.
What’s the weather like in Uganda at the end of June?
Great timing, late June sits right at the start of Uganda’s long dry season, which is the best time to visit. Expect warm days and cool nights across the itinerary, roughly 17–27°C (63–81°F) depending on region. Entebbe stays warm and a little humid, but by the end of June the chance of rain drops off sharply and humidity eases too. Down in the south-west around Bwindi it’s cooler and drier, which makes for easier, more comfortable gorilla trekking on drier forest trails. Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth are also in their drier stretch, which tends to mean better wildlife viewing as animals gather near water sources. Pack layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons, a light rain jacket just in case, and sturdy shoes for trekking.
Ready for Uganda?
This is a bucket-list trip, gorillas, chimps, rhinos and some of Africa’s best wildlife, all in one incredible 10 days, with a small group and me there the whole way. Spots are limited to 13, and presale pricing of €3,599pp won’t last.
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