- Overview
- Trip Itinerary
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- FAQ
Uganda fly-in safari with gorillas: on this 12-day itinerary, you fly in from Entebbe to Kibale. Then, you fly out from Bwindi back to Entebbe. As a result, the two longest drives are cut from your trip. On a fully road-based Uganda safari, those same legs can eat up two full travel days. So, flying both legs saves that time for the forest instead.
In between, you travel by road through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Specifically, this includes the Ishasha sector, home to tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos. Before that, in Kibale, you spend a morning tracking chimpanzees. Also, you'll see black-and-white colobus monkeys along the way. In fact, it's one of the best chimp-trekking experiences in East Africa.
Above all, the heart of this Uganda fly-in safari with gorillas is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here, you complete two separate gorilla treks on consecutive days. Each trek visits a different habituated family. Additionally, every trek is led by Uganda Wildlife Authority-certified guides. Furthermore, all treks follow the standard 10-meter distancing rule. This protects the gorillas' health. Permits for this itinerary include one chimpanzee permit and two gorilla permits. Specifically, these cost $800 per person through the official UWA portal.
Overall, this trip works well as a standalone Uganda circuit. Alternatively, it can serve as a base for a Rwanda extension if you'd like to compare gorilla trekking between the two countries. For more detail, see our Uganda vs. Rwanda gorilla trekking guide.
Finally, full board accommodation, a 4x4 vehicle, and an English-speaking driver guide are included throughout.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival at Entebbe
Today, you arrive in Uganda. Then, you relax for the rest of the day. Afterward, you await your domestic flight to Kibale National Park the next morning.
Day 2
Domestic flight to Kibale National Park
Early in the morning, you transfer to the airport. Next, you catch your domestic flight to Kibale National Park. Once there, you spend the night resting. This prepares you for chimpanzee trekking the following morning.
Day 3
Chimp Trekking, Bigodi Swamp Walk
Today, you enter the forest to trek chimpanzees. Along the way, look out for other primates too. For example, black-and-white colobus monkeys are common in this area.
Day 4
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth at Leisure
Today, you check out from Kibale. Then, you take a road trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Afterward, you will have lunch at the lodge and you await an evening game drive. You also have a choice to just relax at the lodge
Day 5
Game Drive, Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, you embark on a game drive in the park. Later, you enjoy an afternoon boat cruise.
Day 6
Transfer to Ishasha Sector
Next, you drive to Queen Elizabeth's other sector: Ishasha. Here, you get a chance to see the famous tree-climbing lions.
Day 7
Full Day Ishasha
Today, you enjoy one last Ishasha game drive. Then, you head toward Bwindi's misty jungles.
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Day 8
Transfer to Bwindi
Today, you take a scenic drive from Ishasha to Bwindi. This is the home of Uganda's mountain gorillas.
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Day 9
First Gorilla Trekking
Today, you trek through Bwindi's thick forest. As a result, you experience an unforgettable first gorilla encounter.
Day 10
Second Gorilla Trekking
Next, you complete a second trek to visit a different gorilla family. In other words, double the magic.
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Day 11
Fly back to Entebbe
Today, you take a domestic flight from Kihihi or Kisoro back to Entebbe. Optionally, you can add afternoon activities. Then, take the rest of the day to reflect on your safari.
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Day 12
Transfer back to Entebbe Airport
Finally, we transfer you back to the airport for your departure flight. We hope to see you again soon.
- 2 Gorilla Permits
- One Chimpanzee permit
- Full Board Accomodation
- Domestic flight
- English SPeaking Driver Guide
- 4x4 Safari Vehicle
- International airtickets and visa
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Anything not under inclusions
Yes. This itinerary includes two domestic flights: Entebbe to Kibale National Park at the start, and Kihihi or Kisoro to Entebbe at the end. The middle section, from Kibale through Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha, and Bwindi, is covered by road.
Two. You'll trek different gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on Day 9 and Day 10, plus one chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale on Day 3.
A Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 per person, issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is roughly half the cost of Rwanda's $1,500 permit.
Domestic flights between Entebbe and the western parks typically run under 90 minutes, compared to a 6-7 hour road transfer on the same route.
Chimpanzees and black-and-white colobus monkeys in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, general game (elephant, buffalo, hippo) in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
Yes. The two fly-in/fly-out transfers reduce the total driving time compared with a fully road-based Uganda itinerary, which makes the pace easier for travelers new to East African safaris.
