Trekking gorillas in Uganda
12-day adventure

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda
  • Kandoo Safaris
  • Kandoo Trekking
  • Kandoo Multi-activity
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Code: UGGT

12 days
Easy
Emissions 584 kg/pers.
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Kandoo's view

Our 12-day trip immerses you in the abundance of wildlife that inhabit Western Uganda. Spending time in the well-known national parks of Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Mburo, you will have the opportunity to view a whole host of incredible wildlife, from delicate birdlife to the gentle gorillas that roam across the forest floor; this trip really encapsulates the true heart of Africa. Beginning in Kibale Forest we spend time tracking the families of playful chimpanzees before heading on to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to the elusive tree-climbing lions as well as hippos, leopards and elephants. We then continue on to Bwindi where we follow the sights and sounds of the forest to track the humble, mountain gorillas...a real once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Completing our checklist of National Parks we end our trip in Lake Mburo, famed for it's dazzles of zebra and fretful impala.

Trip highlights

  • Watch chimpanzees roaming through their natural habitat in Kibale Forest National Park
  • Search for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Meet the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
  • Relax in the knowledge this trip is fully carbon offset

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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Welcome to Uganda

    All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Entebbe International Airport (EBB). At EBB, you will be met by a member of our team and transferred to your hotel. Early the next morning you will meet your local Kandoo representative and have a full pre-trip briefing.

    • Transport: Private transfer
    • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Day 2

    Entebbe - Kibale Forest

    After breakfast this morning we meet the rest of the group and have a pre-trip briefing at our hotel. We then hop into our private 4x4 vehicle and make the long drive to Kibale Forest. As this is a 6 hour journey, we stop on route to visit several points of interest and stretch our legs, keeping our eyes peeled for the primates that inhabit these areas. Upon arrival in Kibale, we can have a wander around the local community, immersing ourselves in the eclectic traditions and culture of the local people.
    Kibale Forest showcases spectacular jungle and is known worldwide for its incredible range of primates; from chimps and baboons to colobus monkeys and grey cheeked mangabey, the sights and sounds we can experience beneath the canopy are unrivalled.

    • Transport: 4wd Safari Vehicle
    • Accomodation: Lodge
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
  • Day 3

    Kibale Forest - Chimpanzee Tracking

    This morning we head out into the lush canopy of the rainforest to track our inquisitive Chimpanzee neighbours. Depending on how long it takes us to track them down, we may have time to go on the Bigodi Swamp Walk, a delve into a wildlife corridor rich in diversity. Famed for its birdlife such as the Great-blue Turaco and Yellow-billed Barbet, the Bigodi Swamps are also home to Sitatungas, Bushbucks, wild pigs and otters. We then return to our lodge and spend the evening relaxing and reflecting on our wildlife encounters.

    • Hiking time: 2 hours
    • Accomodation: Lodge
    • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Uganda trip map See the map

Details

Trip information

Difficulty

Although going on safari is not physically strenuous, it can be very tiring. You will be spending large amounts of time inside your safari vehicle, the weather will be hot and to have the best chance of seeing the big game you need to get up very early in the morning.  You do not need a high level of fitness but you should be prepared for some long, hot days of travelling.  

On this trip you will also be trekking through the forests whilst searching for Chimpanzees and Gorillas. These treks will not be strenuous, however we recommend you have a base level of fitness to ensure you have an enjoyable trip. 

Food & drink

All safari lodges are booked on a full board basis - expect to sample local cuisine such as matoke, cassava, chicken and beef stews, fresh fish and millet bread. Western alternatives are also available in most lodges. Any additional drinks required are for your account, which must be settled when you check out of the lodge. If you are out driving during the day, your driver will take a packed lunch for you. Any dietary requirements noted  upon booking will be passed to the safari team, but please let your safari guide know if you have any further requirements.

Your hotel in Entebbe is booked on a B&B basis. You can purchase meals at the hotel or head out in to the city to find a restaurant. You will find restaurants offering both Ugandan and western alternatives. Beer is probably the most widely available alcoholic drink across Uganda as well as the locally made fermented banana beer - Pombe. 

Water

Whilst on safari you will be provided with bottled mineral water. 

Accommodation

Your full day by day itinerary shows what is included in terms of accommodation and meal basis. All of our pre- and post- trip accommodation is based in Entebbe. Where your hotel basis is B&B, you can usually purchase snacks or meals at the hotel, which can be paid in Ugandan Shillings, or often in US Dollars. When you arrive at the hotel, take a moment to familiarise yourself with the layout and the procedures in the event of a fire, especially your escape routes and fire exits. Please be aware that Uganda is still a developing country and cut offs in both water and electricity supply still happen regularly. The hotel will help as far as they can, but these outages are outside their control.


During your safari you will stay in comfortable safari lodges in spectacular locations. Rooms will be either double or twin with en-suite facilities and your stay will be on a full board basis. 

Your guide

You will have a Kandoo guide meet you on Day 1 of your trip and give you your pre-trip briefing, they will then be with you until drop you off at the airport on your final day.

Transport

On this trip we use comfortable 4x4 safari vehicles for all our transfers. 

Luggage

You will need two bags for this trip. One main duffel bag which will be transferred with you in your safari vehicle each day. Please ensure this is no more than 23kg.  Please note: Do not leave computers, tablets, cameras and valuable objects in your main bag. One 30-40L rucksack with a large chest strap that you will carry during the day.  You will carry your own personal equipment (camera, waterproofs, water bottle, sun screen and valuables), as well as your packed lunch on some days, in your rucksack.

 

PLASTIC BAG BAN

Similar to many African countries, Uganda has introduced a ban on all single-use plastic bags.  Please support this fight against plastic by using more sustainable alternatives in your luggage, such as packing cubes and dry bags. Passengers with plastic bags in their luggage may be asked to surrender them on arrival at the airport.

 

The zip-lock bags required to carry liquids and toiletries in cabin baggage on airplanes will still be permitted.

How do I get there?

All of our tours begin and end in Entebbe, which is just south of Kampala, Uganda's capital.  You will need to arrive into Entebbe International Airport (EBB). KLM and Brussels Airlines fly to EBB from all of the major UK airports. Flights tend to leave early in the morning, transferring at Luchthaven Schiphol, Amsterdam’s main airport or Brussels, then Kigali International airport, before arriving at EBB late that same evening. Emirates also offer flights via Dubai. From the US, Delta offer flights with a similar flight path to KLM, however arrive the next day. Emirates and Qatar also offer flights, transferring in Dubai and Doha respectively. 

 

We will arrange transport from the airport to your hotel at any time, including the late evening or early morning. The transfer takes approximately 40 minutes. As flights into Entebbe tend to arrive around 10pm in the evening, we would recommend planning in an additional rest day after such a long flight to recover and prepare yourself and your kit for the trip, rather than heading out straight away the next morning.

 

If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.

 

Travelling Responsibly

 

Here at Kandoo, we like to support our guests to make their travel more sustainable. As of 2025, we are offsetting the carbon on all of our trips from your arrival in destination to drop off at the airport. As we don't include flight travel in our trips these aren't included in our offsetting calculations, so we are providing you with the calculator below for you to do this yourselves. 

 

eC02 Flights Calculator 

Pre-trek briefing

It is a requirement of joining any of our trips that you attend a pre-trip briefing prior to the trip beginning. This gives our guides the opportunity to speak to you about your adventure, and sort out any last-minute queries or concerns. Most flights into Entebbe arrive late in the evening so our briefing in Uganda is held at 7am on the morning of Day 2, in the restaurant at your pre-trip hotel. 

Budget & change

The Ugandan Shilling is a closed currency so you will not be able to buy these at home before you arrive. It is advisable to travel with US Dollars, as these are widely accepted and can be easily exchanged. It is very important that US bills be new (no more than 10 years old), crisp and untorn. If you need to take out more local currency whilst in Entebbe then we can take you to an ATM or bank.  If you are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it won't work when you really need it. Please note that not all hotels can accept card payments so you may need to use an ATM to access funds.

Please also note that although the need for rescue is unlikely, should you have any medical issues in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and require assistance to make it back down, there is a US$300 rescue fee to be paid to the rescue team before rescue will take place. We recommend you carry this amount with you whilst trekking here. 

Tips

Tipping customs vary all over the world and can be very confusing when travelling to a new country. In Uganda tipping is always appreciated - it is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual. Tips are not a substitute for good wages: our guides are all well paid and well looked after.  If you are pleased with the service your guides have provided and feel you have been well looked after, we would recommend the following tips for your trip: 
  • US $5 per person day for the Kandoo guide and drivers
  • US $2-5 per person per day for Chimpanzee and Gorilla guides and rangers

We would recommend budgeting $80-$100 for your tips. 

Formalities & health

Passport

Please double check that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Uganda. We recommend that you take a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, and this will be useful if the original is lost while you are travelling. You must carry your passport with you at all times.

Visa

For visitors traveling to Uganda, it is mandatory to apply for a visa online. We advise you to apply at least one month before departure.

Visas can be acquired via the following website - https://visas.immigration.go.ug/

For each visa you need to upload the following documents:
Copy of your passport (photo page with bio-data). Validity of at least 6 months after returning from Uganda
Recent Passport size photograph
Copy of Vaccination Certificate Yellow Fever (copy or photo of page with Yellow Fever vaccination)
Return Ticket

All documents must be in pdf, jpeg, png or bmp format, small file size (minimum file size 5 KB, maximum file size 250 KB).

When filling in the form:
Visit: Uganda only
Visa or permit type: Visa
Category: Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa
Subcategory: Single entry

Single Entry visas cost US $50. This can be paid online or on arrival.

When you send the form, you will immediately receive a tracking code. This code helps you to keep track of how far your application has progressed. You can check its status using the immigration link above.
The Ugandan authorities will send you a letter via email after they have approved your application (please make sure to check your SPAM folder)
Print this letter and bring it with you when you arrive at Entebbe International Airport - you need it to collect or pay for your visa

Some nationalities do not require a visa, please check this in advance.

Vaccinations

The standard vaccinations required are Diphtheria; Hepatitis A; Polio; Tetanus and Yellow Fever, but you should always consult your doctor or travel clinic for the most up to date advice.
Please be aware that a Yellow Fever certificate will be necessary for your Ugandan visa application.

Insurance

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. If you are climbing Mount Stanley, we recommend cover up to 5200m of altitude. If you are climbing Mount Elgon you will need cover for trekking up to 4400m of altitude.

Please take a copy of your insurance policy to the pre-trek briefing, as the guide will need to collect your insurance details. We also ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.

Health

Malaria

There is a high risk of malaria in Uganda so you will need to plan anti-malarial medication for your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts, particularly at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and using a DEET based mosquito repellent.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many trekkers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Our routes have been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:

Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.

Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.

Diamox

There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start trekking to prevent altitude sickness, not once you are on the trek and symptoms have developed.

Dehydration

You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would so you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while trekking. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum, preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow trekkers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.

Medication

Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times but we recommend you carry the following items: - Painkillers - Anti-inflammatory tablets/gel - Second Skin Elastoplast (to prevent blisters)/ bandages - Sunscreen for lips and skin - After sun cream (for sunburn) - Any personal medication including malaria tablets

Minimum age limit

The minimum age for our open groups trips is 16 years old and private trips is 12 years old. Please be aware that the minimum age for Gorilla Tracking is 15 years old. If your child is under the age of 15 and wishes to join the Gorilla Tracking, they will need an exemption letter signed by a parent or guardian to be able to join on this activity. We are able to assist you with this, however, we would recommend this is done with plenty of time to allow for approval and confirmation by the local authorities. 

Equipment & clothing

Clothing to bring

Wear something cool and comfortable, as you will be in the vehicle or trekking for several hours each day and it will be very warm, humid and often wet in the parks, and on the drive between the parks. The vehicles are not air conditioned, although the pop-top will be open when you are in the parks. Avoid wearing dark blue or black, as these colours attract flies. 

HEADGEAR
  • Sun hat – preferably wide-brimmed for protection
  • Sunglasses – high UV protection
  • Headlamp (plus extra batteries)

UPPER BODY

  • Long sleeve shirt/t-shirt – light or medium weight, moisture wicking (x3)
  • Short sleeved shirt/t-shirt – lightweight, moisture wicking (x2)
  • Fleece or soft shell jacket 
  • Water/windproof hard shell outer jacket

LEGS

  • Trekking trousers – light or medium weight (x1) – convertible trousers work well
  • Lightweight trousers - linen trousers are cool in the heat
  • Water/windproof hard shell trousers
  • Gaiters - keep out unwanted guests whilst trekking through the forest

FEET

  • Trekking boots – sturdy boot with good ankle support. Some people prefer to wear Wellington Boots in the muddy jungle environments. 
  • Training shoe or similar – to wear around the lodges
  • Mid-weight trekking socks 

Equipment to bring

  • Binoculars
  • Camera (with spare battery and memory card)
  • Reference books for wildlife identification
  • Toiletries - including sun cream 
  • Small first aid kit
  • Insect repellant 
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Dates & prices

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14/06/2025 25/06/2025 £3,899 $4,995
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12/07/2025 23/07/2025 £3,899 $4,995
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09/08/2025 20/08/2025 £3,899 $4,995
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06/09/2025 17/09/2025 £3,899 $4,995
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18/12/2025 29/12/2025 £3,899 $4,995
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Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!

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Price includes

  • Meet on arrival at Entebbe Airport and transport to your hotel
  • All hotels and lodge accommodation
  • Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin room in hotels and lodges unless specified
  • Pre-trip briefing
  • Private, comfortable 4x4 safari vehicles
  • All National Park fees
  • Gorilla Tracking permit
  • Service of our qualified guides
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on safari
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Access to emergency first aid kit
  • Transfer to Entebbe Airport

Price does not include

  • Airfares and departure taxes 
  • Crew tips
  • Entry visa for Uganda
  • Personal travel insurance to include gorilla trekking
  • Meals & drinks not specified 
  • Single hotel occupancy - not available in mountain huts and must be requested at time of booking

Options

Additional nights are available before or after your trip in Entebbe

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