8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari

Overview for the 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari

8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari takes you to Lake Mburo National Park for game drive and a boat ride on the Lake in search for wildlife, to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel and game drive and then to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Wetland walk. Thereafter you will drive back to Entebbe to catch your flight out.

This 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala. This safari is guided by our new normal post lockdown Safari guidelines

8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari – Highlights

• Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Meet the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
• Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – Walk through Uganda’s primate capital and track our closest relatives.
• Game Drives in Lake Mburo & Queen Elizabeth National Parks – Spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, and more.
• Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel – Cruise along one of Africa’s densest hippo and crocodile territories.
• Scenic Wildlife Viewing & Landscapes – Enjoy Uganda’s lush rolling hills, crater lakes, tea plantations, and rich savannahs.
• Cultural Encounters – Learn from local communities and conservation initiatives during Bigodi Wetland Walk.
• Equator Crossing Experience – Take photos and enjoy a fun science demonstration at Uganda’s iconic equator line.
• Fully Guided, All-Inclusive Tour – Expert English-speaking guide, comfortable lodges, gorilla and chimpanzee permits included.

This 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari is ideal for travelers seeking an unforgettable wildlife and primate adventure across Uganda’s top safari destinations.

Detailed 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari Itinerary

Arrival for 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari

You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel). Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost

DAY 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport for your 8 Days Gorilla Tracking Tour.

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park through the small towns of Uganda. Make a stopover at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photograph and some informative talks and experiments. Enjoy an en route game drive as you drive to your lodge\hotel for check in and lunch. After lunch you will take a boat on the lake in search of Hippos, Crocodiles and water birds among others.

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lodge: Lake Mburo Safari lodge/Rwakobo Rock

Drive time: 5-6 hours

DAY 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After breakfast, enjoy an en route game drive through Lake Mburo National Park and then Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in South Western Uganda. This journey takes you through the green rolling hills of Uganda with banana and tea plantations which offer great scenic views. Lunch will be served en route and you will arrive in Bwindi in the evening.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Lodge: Rushaga Gorila Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tervan Lodge.

Drive time: 6-7 hours.

DAY 3: Gorilla Tracking Day.

After an early morning breakfast, with your packed lunch, you will report to the Park Headquarters at about 7:45 am for registration and then you will join other trackers for a briefing about the Dos and the Don’ts during your Gorilla Trekking safari. Your guides will lead you through the thick creepers and undergrowth as you trek to find the Gorillas.

This trek can take you half an hour to three quarters of the day. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The amount of time you take during the trek largely depends on the movement of the gorillas. But it is an extraordinary feeling being with these beautiful yet endangered Creatures.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Lodge: Rushaga Gorila Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tervan Lodge.

DAY 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning you will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. So, be prepared for some incredible scenery along the way.

You will arrive in time for Lunch at the lodge and an afternoon game drive in the plains of Kasenyi in search for Savannah wildlife that may include herds of buffaloes, antelopes, elephants and if you are lucky, you will spot some wild cats such as lions and leopard.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Lodge: Elephant Hab Lodge\Pumba Safari Lodge

Drive time: 4-5 hours.

DAY 5: Morning Game drive and afternoon boat on Kazinga Channel.

This morning you will head back to the plains of Kasenyi for a morning game drive to try to find what you could have missed seeing the previous day.

Lunch will be served at the lodge. After lunch, you will head to the jetty along the Kazinga channel for the afternoon boat cruise. This cruise offers you beautiful chances of viewing animals like: hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and some water birds which flop the channel to drink water.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Lodge: Elephant Hab Lodge or Pumba Safari Lodge

DAY 6: Morning game drive and transfer to Kibale National Park

After an early breakfast, you will drive to the Northern bank of the Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasenyi) area in search of some wild animals which include: Elephants, Buffalo, and some wild cats, different species of antelopes such water buck, Uganda kobs etc. as well as Savannah birds. After lunch you will drive to Kibale National Park arriving at your lodge in the evening.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest guest house/Isunga Lodge

Drive time: 3-4hours.

DAY 7: Chimp Tracking.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kibale National Park Headquarters located at Kanyanchu. Here, you will join other trekkers for briefing before you proceed into the forest for chimpanzee trekking. You will be led by a well-trained and experienced ranger/guide who will take you for a guided primate walk inside Kibale Forest National Park. This forest provides an opportunity to visit one of the habituated communities of chimpanzees. You are allowed to spend an hour with these Great Apes while observing their behaviour.

You are allowed to take photographs. So make sure your cameras are nearby. Kibale National Park is also home to other 13 primate species which can also be spotted while trekking the Chimpanzees. Of course there are also numerous species of forest birds. In fact, this is another haven for bird lovers. After lunch, you will head to Bigodi wetland for a wetland walk with opportunities to see primates and several bird species.

This walk will enable you appreciate the role of the of the local people around Bigodi in conserving the wetland. You can choose to support them through donation in kind. Please note that this is a voluntary act.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.

Lodge: Chimpanzee Forest guest house/Isunga Lodge

DAY 8: Departure

This morning, after breakfast you will be transferred to Kampala\ Entebbe International Airport for your next flight out.

Why Book This 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda

The 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Uganda’s most iconic national parks combining close-up encounters with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and Africa’s classic Big Game. Whether you’re a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned traveler, this all-inclusive itinerary offers a perfect balance of wildlife, nature, and culture.

Here’s why this safari stands out

• Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: Spend a magical hour with a mountain gorilla family deep in Uganda’s ancient rainforest — a bucket-list experience.
• Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park: Hike through the tropical forest and meet one of the largest populations of wild chimpanzees in Africa.
• Unmatched Wildlife Viewing: Explore Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks with game drives and boat cruises — spot elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, and over 600 bird species.
• Scenic Drives Across Uganda’s Heartland: Travel through rolling highlands, tea plantations, and the Great Rift Valley, with stops at the Equator and local communities.
• All-Inclusive Comfort: This 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari includes gorilla and chimp permits, private transportation, quality lodges, meals, park fees, and professional guiding.

This safari is perfect for travelers seeking an immersive and affordable way to see gorillas in Uganda while also exploring the best of its wildlife and culture.

Why Book With Nextgen Safaris – Uganda’s Trusted Primate Safari Experts

At Nextgen Safaris, we don’t just sell trips — we deliver authentic, ethical, and expertly guided safari experiences backed by local knowledge and international standards. With hundreds of successful trips and happy clients, we are proud to be one of the most trusted names in gorilla trekking and Uganda wildlife adventures.

Here’s why you should choose Nextgen Safaris for your 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari:

• Locally Owned & Operated: We are a Ugandan-based company with deep connections to the land, wildlife, and communities we operate in.
• Gorilla Permit Guarantee: We pre-book your gorilla and chimpanzee permits early to ensure availability, even during peak seasons.
• Professional Guides: Our English-speaking driver-guides are trained in wildlife tracking, customer care, and safety.
• Tailor-Made Options: We customize each itinerary to your preferences, budget, and travel style from luxury to midrange and budget-friendly.
• Transparent Pricing: What we quote is what you pay no hidden fees, and everything is clearly explained before booking.
• 24/7 Support & Peace of Mind: From your first inquiry to the final airport drop-off, our team is with you every step of the way.

Book your 8 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari with Nextgen Safaris and experience Uganda through the eyes of passionate local experts.