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15-DAY UGANDA GORILLAS & CHIMP Trekking WITH RELAXATION DAYS IN ZANZIBAR
From
$ 5,931
Tour Overview
Uganda is one of the few places in Africa where you can see both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat. This journey is designed to give you close wildlife encounters, varied landscapes, and a smooth ending on the coast of Zanzibar. During the first 10 days, you explore three of Uganda’s national parks. You trek chimpanzees through tropical forest and later meet mountain gorillas in misty mountain terrain. Between these highlights, you enjoy game drives and a boat safari to see savannah wildlife such as elephants, lions, buffalos, hippo, crocodiles, leopards and more. The route is varied, moving between forest, lakes, and wide plains, so the scenery is always changing.
After your safari, you return to Entebbe for a relaxed overnight stay. The following day, you fly to Zanzibar and arrive directly into a completely different world; warm ocean air, white sand beaches, and a relaxed island atmosphere. The final five days are flexible and unhurried. You can spend your time by the beach or choose optional activities such as visiting Stone Town, exploring Jozani Forest, touring spice farms, or snorkeling around Mnemba Atoll. Everything is easy to arrange locally, depending on your mood. Zanzibar also offers excellent food and culture, from fresh seafood to rich Swahili flavours. A visit to The Rock Restaurant is a well-known highlight.
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Welcome to the pearl of Africa!
The time has come! The adventure through East Africa begins today. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a driver who will take you to the first accommodation in Entebbe (15 min). Here, you can enjoy a drink under the African starry sky and a well-deserved night’s rest.
Accommodation: Via Via Hotel or similar
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
In the morning, you will meet your guide and receive a briefing about your trip. Your final destination for today is Kibale Forest National Park. You will drive past villages, rainforests, tea plantations, and crater lakes towards Fort Portal. On a clear day, you can see the Rwenzori Mountains with their snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival at Kibale Forest, you enter a completely different world: a world of monkeys!
You can enjoy the pool and the beautiful location in the afternoon. You can also take a short walk (1 hour) through the adjacent rainforest. A truly beautiful walk, where you can spot all kinds of monkeys right away ($12 pp).
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest is one of the most primate-rich rainforests in Africa. Thirteen different primate species live in the forest, including the red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, red colobus monkey, diademed monkey, black-mantled mangabey, and the galago. The protected nature reserve is situated at an average altitude of 1,300 meters and is surrounded by tea plantations to the north and papyrus swamps to the south. In addition to the primate species, many special bird species can also be found in the forest and the Bigodi swamp.
Forest Walk Turaco Treetops – (optional)
Turaco Treetops is situated on 13 hectares of lush rainforest, which is directly adjacent to Kibale Forest National Park. You can therefore start exploring the forest immediately. During the Forest Walk, you will hike through sections of rainforest and wetlands, where you can encounter 6 species of primates: the Black-and-White Colobus, the Red-backed Colobus, the Red-tailed Monkey, L’Hoëst’s Monkey, the Black-backed Mangabey, and the Vervet. Walk in the enormous footprints of forest elephants and across boardwalks, and admire the native trees. You can spot many bird species, such as the Giant Turaco, Lady Ross’s Turaco, Grey-eared Hornbill, Senegal Kingfisher, Brown-headed Pygmy Kingfisher, and many more. The forest walk is not strenuous and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Proceeds from this walk go directly to the Chris Roberts Forest Foundation.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops – Luxury Cottages or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and much more!
Today is entirely dedicated to the diverse monkey species that live in this beautiful rainforest and adjoining swamp area. In the morning, you will go on a chimpanzee trek and meet your closest relatives. You can spend the afternoon however you like. You can relax by the lodge’s pool, but there are also plenty of activities to do in the immediate area (optional). See the options below.
Chimpanzee trekking Kibale Forest – Morning
You will undertake the extraordinary chimpanzee trek. Guided by broken branches, droppings, food remains, and sounds, you will search for these noisy primates together with a ranger.
It is always a question of how you will encounter the chimpanzees, but coming face-to-face with an ape that bears a striking resemblance to us is a fascinating experience. This excursion takes place in the morning.
Bigodi Swamp Walk – Afternoon (optional)
Today you will take a swamp walk through Bigodi Swamp, where, in addition to several monkey species, you will also look for the extraordinary giant turaco; one of Uganda’s most beautiful birds. You will take the walk in the afternoon. It gets cooler then, and you will see most monkey species going foraging.
Cultural village walk Bigodi – (optional)
During this village walk, you will visit the traditional doctor who will tell you more about medicinal plants, herbs, and spirits. Additionally, you will learn more about the culture and history through a home visit. The village elder will tell you many stories about traditional weddings, special ceremonies, and tribal life.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops -Standard Cottages or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: On safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After your stay in the first rainforest of this trip, you continue today towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Today you travel through rural life, from the green hills full of tea plantations and crater lakes to the dry savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, you will come across various Matoke markets.
In the afternoon, you will take your first game drive through this park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Queen Elizabeth National Park, spanning nearly 2,000 km², lies in the Rift Valley and borders the Rwenzori Mountains to the north and Lake Edward to the west. Central to this nature reserve lies the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. You can take amazing boat safaris here. To the west of the Kazinga Channel lies a landscape of beautiful volcanic craters. The Kyambura Gorge is a massive rift in the savannah landscape, home to a rainforest and the habitat of chimpanzees. Elephants, buffaloes, topi, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and many more live in Queen Elizabeth NP. More than 600 bird species live there.
Queen Elizabeth Game Drive – Afternoon
During the safari at Queen Elizabeth, you will search for large herds of buffalo, elephants, elegant Ugandan kobs, topis, lions, leopards, and hyenas. The landscape varies from grasslands with candelabra euphorbias, crater lakes, and denser forested areas. As the sun slowly sets, you will look for wildlife during the safari and enjoy the views over the volcanic craters and the Kazinga Channel. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner under the African starry sky.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Safari activities Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is dedicated to nature in Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the morning, you will go on a game drive through the park, and in the afternoon, you will take one of the most spectacular boat safaris the African continent has to offer. Between activities, you will enjoy lunch and a moment of rest at your accommodation. There are also several great optional activities that can be booked. See options below. To schedule this, you will either need to book an extra day at this park or replace one of the planned activities.
Queen Elizabeth Game Drive– Morning
After an early breakfast, you drive towards the rising sun during the safari. In the morning, mist still hangs over the savannas, and you hear the typical sounds of the African wilderness. An ideal start to a day in nature!
Queen Elizabeth Boat Safari – Afternoon
Queen Elizabeth National Park is surrounded by Lake Edward and Lake George. These lakes are connected by the natural Kazinga Channel, which is teeming with wildlife! A boat trip along this channel is therefore one of the absolute highlights of your visit to the park. You will really see so many hippos in a single day! In addition to the hippos, you can spot enormous crocodiles, bathing buffaloes, and a huge variety of birds. When you also see a group of elephants spraying each other with water, you know your day has been a complete success!
Predator Tracking Queen Elizabeth – Morning (optional)
In the morning, you will go on a special safari accompanied by a park biologist. This biologist studies the behavior and movements of various lion prides and a number of individual leopards. This allows you to see through the eyes of biologists and learn about the king of the savannah in a unique way! The lion prides (and leopards) are tracked using radio collars, ensuring you will encounter the lions at all times. Leopards are not guaranteed. Because you are accompanying the biologist, you are permitted to leave the roads and paths. The proceeds from this activity are used to fund the research. This excursion takes place in the morning.
Private Boat Safari Queen Elizabeth – Afternoon (optional)
You can book your boat safari on a private boat. This offers enormous added value compared to the large general boat, as a small boat allows you to get much closer to the wildlife. You also set the pace yourself, and it is wonderful to share this experience exclusively with your own group.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Off to the fairytale-like Lake Mutanda near Bwindi
In the morning, you leave the savannas and travel to the volcanoes of southern Uganda. The drive is truly beautiful and typifies Uganda’s diversity. You drive past rainforests, crater lakes, coffee plantations, and over mountains and hills until you reach the volcanoes at picturesque Lake Mutanda. What a view!
Over the coming days, you can have a wonderful time on and around the lake. You can swim, go sailing, take a trip on the motorboat, go on a village tour, and/or go hiking.
You can take the paved road to Lake Mutanda, which is comfortable. The route is also very scenic. Alternatively, you can choose to take the off-road route via Ishasha, Bwindi, and Lake Bunyonyi. This is perhaps the most beautiful route of the trip. If you choose this option, you will be on the road for 1.5 hours longer and the ride will be a bit bumpier. You could even go on a short safari in Ishasha along the way, looking for the famous tree-climbing lions. However, this will add another 1.5 hours.
Lake Mutanda
The fairytale-like Lake Mutanda lies in the far southwest of Uganda, at the foot of the Virunga volcanic range. This imposing volcanic chain connects the countries of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Various rainforests, home to the endangered mountain gorilla, are located in the vicinity of Lake Mutanda. The lake is therefore an ideal base for one of Uganda’s most extraordinary excursions: gorilla trekking. The mountain gorilla can be found in the nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, among others. However, a wide variety of animals and plants can also be found in the immediate vicinity of the lake. For instance, it is possible to spot kingfishers and the grey crowned crane there. In addition to plants and birds, otters, chameleons, frogs, and lizards also live on the shores of the lake. In short: a large collection of unique animal species.
Activities at Lake Mutanda – (optional)
From Mutanda Lake Resort, you can enjoy fantastic water sports activities. You can take a refreshing swim in this bilharzia-free lake or sunbathe from one of the three swimming jetties. If you want to be a bit more active, you can go canoeing in one of the dugout canoes. There is also a motorboat available for a trip across the lake to spot birds or simply enjoy the surroundings (with a glass of wine). Whatever you choose, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the serenity of this fairytale lake.
You can book all activities on-site at Mutanda Lake Resort.
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort Luxury Cottage or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking and relaxation
In the morning, you travel to Bwindi National Park for perhaps the absolute highlight of your trip: the gorilla trekking. In the afternoon, you reflect on this special encounter.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The mountain rainforest of Bwindi, together with the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, is the most important area for gorilla trekking. This relatively small nature reserve is home to nearly half of all mountain gorillas living in the wild. In addition to the mountain gorillas, a total of 120 species of mammals and 350 species of birds live there.
Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest
During the gorilla trekking, you will walk and crouch through the dense forest of Bwindi. Accompanied by the most experienced rangers of the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), you will search for traces of a family of mountain gorillas. Droppings, nests, gnawed bamboo stalks, and broken twigs reveal that we are getting closer. When the moment arrives that you come face to face with a silverback protecting his family, observing you seemingly without hesitation, you know that this will be an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Gorilla habituation day Bwindi Forest (optional)
Greenway Nature Tours offers you the opportunity to undertake the unique gorilla habituation day instead of the gorilla trekking. During this special excursion, you will join a group of researchers to experience how a gorilla family becomes habituated. Participants are allowed to stay with the gorilla family for no less than four hours, and the excursion is undertaken in a group of only four people. A truly unique insight into the habituation of the gorillas.
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort Luxury Cottage or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Free day at Lake Mutanda
Since you are staying three nights at the stunning Lake Mutanda, you have time today to explore the beautiful surroundings. There is truly something for everyone here! For instance, you can take a very enjoyable cultural tour of the area or visit the Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga National Park. You can also go swimming, or sailing on the lake. Whatever you choose, it will be a wonderful day in a magical place!
Bwindi & Lake Mutanda Excursions – (optional)
In this green and diverse environment, there is truly something for everyone. Various fun excursions can be enjoyed on and around Lake Mutanda. A sundowner tour (with a drink) on a motorboat is also highly recommended. In Mgahinga National Park, you can go on a Golden Monkey trek, and in the Bwindi rainforest, in addition to the gorilla trek, you can also take various beautiful hikes. Furthermore, you can visit the Batwa Pygmies or take a village tour nearby. Do you have specific interests? Let our travel specialist know your wishes. You can discuss with the travel specialist what you book in advance and what you would like to arrange on-site.
Water sports Lake Mutanda – (optional)
From Mutanda Lake Resort, you can enjoy fantastic water sports activities. You can take a refreshing swim in this bilharzia-free lake or sunbathe from one of the three swimming jetties. For a more local experience, you can go canoeing in one of the dugout canoes. There is also a motorboat available for a trip across the lake to spot birds or simply enjoy the surroundings (with a glass of wine). Whatever you choose, enjoy the beautiful scenery and the serenity of this fairytale lake.
You can book all activities on-site at Mutanda Lake Resort.
Golden Monkey trekking Mgahinga – (optional)
You are going on a trek to see the rare Golden Monkeys! Several habituated groups live in Mgahinga National Park. The trek takes place at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes. Once in the forest, you may stay with the monkeys for an hour. They love jumping, swinging, and playing. Photographing these special animals will therefore be a real challenge.
Lake Mulehe canoe trip and walk – (optional)
Lake Mulehe is located next to Lake Mutanda, and it is well worth exploring the surroundings of this lake as well. The activity begins in the morning with a boat/canoe trip across Lake Mulehe, followed by a beautiful walk along the lake. Enjoy the stunning views of both Lake Mutanda and Lake Mulehe, with the Bwindi rainforest and the Virunga volcanoes in the background. During the walk, you will meet friendly locals, fishermen, and a medicine man. A local lunch is also included. The walk is partly uphill but not extremely strenuous. The tour lasts approximately 6 hours in total and is an ideal mix of being active, enjoying beautiful vistas, and having special encounters with the local people. You can book this excursion on-site at Mutanda Lake Resort.
Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort Luxury Cottage or similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Travel to Lake Mburo National Park
It is with very intense memories that you leave Lake Mutanda behind. Not only is the experience with Dian Fossy’s protégés (‘Gorillas in the Mist’) etched in your memory for a lifetime, but also the beauty, the power, and the unique allure of Central African nature.
You drive to lovely Lake Mburo National Park via the road connecting Rwanda with Kampala and Kenya. You arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, where you can enjoy the pool and the beautiful surroundings for the rest of the day. You can also choose to go on a night safari in the early evening (when it gets dark) (optional).
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest safari area in Uganda and the only nature reserve where the impala and the eland live. Located centrally in the park is Lake Mburo, home to hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species.
Night Safari Lake Mburo – (optional)
Just before dinner, you will go on an exciting night safari where you search for galagos and hyenas, and also stand a good chance of spotting a leopard!
Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Morning game walk and transfer back to Entebbe
In the morning, you will go for walking safari through the park. Since there are no lions or elephants living in this park, this can be done safely. It is a great way to explore this park and its wildlife in an intimate setting. After your morning activity and a (late) breakfast, you drive back to Entebbe across the equator.
Walking Safari Lake Mburo – Morning
Accompanied by a ranger, you will walk through the park in search of zebras, buffaloes, eland antelopes, and giraffes. This is also an excellent way for bird lovers to take beautiful photos, as there are no fewer than 310 species of birds found in Lake Mburo National Park!
Accommodation: Via Via Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Flight to tropical Zanzibar
In the morning, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel. After that, our driver will take you to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival, a representative of Greenway Nature Tours will be waiting for you and taken to your accommodation. The coming days will be dedicated to relaxing on the pristine white beaches of Zanzibar!
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a very accessible island with many attractions. It is the ideal way to end a trip for sun worshippers who love Swahili cuisine and culture. Fun tropical activities are also organized all over Zanzibar, including sunset dhow cruises, snorkeling, diving, and spice tours and cooking classes, as well as a visit to historic Stone Town. In addition, Zanzibar has beautiful accommodations for every budget, situated right on the pristine white beach.
Accommodation: Sharazād Boutique Hotel – Beach Front Suites or Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 To 14: Enjoying the beautiful tropical holiday in Zanzibar.
These days are entirely dedicated to enjoying the tropical afterglow on the white beaches of Zanzibar. You can choose to explore the island or simply relax and enjoy yourself at your accommodation.
Zanzibar Excursions – (optional)
There are plenty of fun excursions available on Zanzibar. Head out to Jozani Forest, Spice Farms, Prison Island, the historic Stone Town, and/or go snorkeling at the Mnemba Atoll. It is also fun to explore the beaches on foot and marvel at the colorful Zanzibaris out there. Don’t forget to take a look at the beautiful restaurant, The Rock. And be sure to enjoy the excellent Swahili cuisine and fresh seafood available everywhere. You can easily book all excursion options at the reception of your accommodation. This way, you are in control of your own time in Zanzibar.
Accommodation: Sharazād Boutique Hotel – Beach Front Suites or Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 15: Return home
You can spend the last hours of your journey relaxing. At an appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your flight.
Accommodation: Not Included (End of tour)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Greenway nature tours
We are a fully licensed tour company accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board. We design and operate safaris in Uganda and East Africa. Our operations are based in Kampala, Uganda, the heart of our safari planning and coordination. Though our company was officially established in 2025, our team brings deep, hands-on knowledge of East Africa.
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