7 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Tour
Our classic great ape safari in Uganda
This popular 7-Day gorilla and chimpanzee safari in Uganda combines gorilla trekking at Bwindi Lodge with chimpanzees and wildlife at Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
This unique safari will give you a unique insight into the endangered great apes, their habitats and the communities living nearby. Combine wonderful wildlife sightings with opportunities to participate in conservation and community projects, run by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust.
Enjoy a fireside chat the evening before your gorilla trek with staff from one of the conservation partners, Gorilla Doctors and Conservation Through Public Health, and learn about their conservation work in the park. Explore the Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Project which aims to protect the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura’ in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute.
Learn about lion conservation with the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team and take part in an annual carnivore survey during your game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
7 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Tour Highlights
Gorilla Trekking
Trekking mountain gorillas in dense African forests is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Groups of eight visit per day, maintaining a 10m distance to protect the gorillas. Treks last 3-8 hours, requiring some fitness, but all levels are accommodated for this unforgettable adventure.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Experience the thrill of chimpanzee trekking in the natural high canopies and across river bridges. Starting from Kyambura Gorge Lodge, the 2-3 hour trek involves navigating steep gorges and log bridges, demanding agility and fitness. Nearby Kalinzu Forest also offers a glimpse into the lives of 40 habituated chimpanzees.
Kyambura Wetland Walk
The Kyambura Wetland Walk offers a 2-hour guided experience through a 45-acre wetland area, which has been regenerating after years of being used as an illegal brick works. Now home to over 200 species of birds, mammals, and primates, this project showcases conservation and community efforts.
Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation
The Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation, located near Kibale and Kyambura Gorge Lodge, features a gallery and bronze foundry showcasing world-class sculptures inspired by Uganda’s clan totems. In 2024, VSPT partnered with the Foundation to support local artists. Guests can view sculptures at Kibale Lodge and visit the Foundation.
Roots and Shoots
Since 2021, VSPT and the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda have collaborated to support chimpanzee conservation at Kyambura Gorge and, in 2024, expanded efforts to Kibale Lodge. Initiatives include empowering women leaders and supporting schools in the Roots and Shoots Program, fostering environmental awareness and action among students. Guests can visit participating schools.
Fireside Chat with Gorilla Doctors
Join a veterinarian from Gorilla Doctors for an enlightening briefing on gorilla health and conservation strategies. Learn about their unique One Health approach and life-saving veterinary practices dedicated solely to the conservation of endangered mountain and eastern lowland gorillas.
Visit Conservation Through Public Health Headquarters
Explore the Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Center in Buhoma, Bwindi. This behind-the-scenes tour offers insights into gorilla conservation efforts and the CTPH’s initiatives, including health monitoring, community health, and livelihood programs.
Bwindi Bar
In 2015, VSPT opened Bwindi Bar near Bwindi Lodge to train disadvantaged youths in hospitality, providing practical skills and internships to boost employment opportunities in the Bwindi area. The bar serves delicious local dishes like the Ugandan ‘Rolex’ wrap and the signature ‘Gorillini’ cocktail.
Beekeeping
In 2013, the VSPT launched a beekeeping initiative at the Volcanoes Safaris Virunga Lodge in Rwanda, inspired by the success of a similar project in Kyambura. Situated on a designated plot near the lodge, this project features 11 colonized beehives and offers tours for guests to learn about honey production and harvesting. Five local beekeepers, each contributing a traditional beehive with a colony, participate in this venture, which continues to support local livelihoods and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative
The Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative offers vocational training and a sustainable income source for twenty local women, many facing significant challenges. They cultivate over 2,500 coffee plants organically, which are processed locally and served at Volcanoes Safaris lodges. This initiative not only supports these women but also serves as a wildlife buffer, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. Contributions help expand the project and sustain the community.
Kyambura Gorge Buffer
Since 2009, the VSPT has developed a 3km buffer along Kyambura Gorge, showcased through a guided walk that offers views over the Gorge, Park, and local homesteads. Plans for 2024 include expanding this buffer by twenty acres to further protect wildlife and support local communities. Contributions towards this effort are crucial for continued conservation success.
Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project
Launched in August 2023 by the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project, led by Dr. Alexander Braczkowski, collects data on Uganda’s carnivores like lions, leopards, and hyenas in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, enhancing local livelihoods and supporting long-term conservation goals.
7 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Rates
| High Season Safari Rates 2025 | Per Person Sharing | Single Traveler Supplement |
| 7 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Bwindi and Kyambura | $14,106 | $3762 |
High season rates are applicable on bookings from 1st June to 30th September and 15th December to 28th February. Rates are based on a minimum of 2 people.
| Low Season Safari Rates 2025 | Per Person Sharing | Single Occupancy |
| 10 Day Primates of the Great Rift Valley Safari | $10,512 | $1926 |
Low season rates are applicable from 1st October to 14th December and 1st March to 31st May. Rates are based on a minimum of 2 people.
