What You Need to Know: This 7-day private safari tracks chimpanzees in Kibale, adds a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, then crosses into Rwanda for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. It costs from US$5,124 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including the chimpanzee and gorilla permits.
Is the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Right for You?
It is the shortest trip that combines both great apes.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want chimpanzees and gorillas in one week | You want two gorilla treks: see the 9-day Uganda and Rwanda safari |
| You are happy with one long drive day | You only want gorillas: see the 3-day Rwanda trip |
| You fly home from Kigali | You want more savannah: see the 14-day Uganda and Rwanda safari |
The 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Route at a Glance
Four nights in Uganda, then two in Rwanda.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Entebbe | Airport transfer, 15 minutes | Entebbe |
| 2 | Entebbe to Kibale | Drive 5–6 hours | Kibale / Fort Portal |
| 3 | Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale | Chimp trek 2–4 hours | Kibale / Fort Portal |
| 4 | Kibale to Queen Elizabeth | Drive 2–3 hours, game drive | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| 5 | Queen Elizabeth to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | Drive 7–8 hours, border crossing | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 6 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 7 | Return to Kigali and departure | Drive 2.5–3 hours | — |
7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
The route runs from Entebbe to Kigali by road, crossing at Cyanika.
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Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport, on the shore of Lake Victoria, and takes you to your hotel nearby.
Airport transfer, 15 minutesEntebbeDinner -
Day 2: Entebbe to Kibale
Drive west through Mubende to Fort Portal and the crater lakes around Kibale Forest, with tea plantations near the end.
Drive 5–6 hoursKibale / Fort PortalBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Track a habituated chimpanzee community with a park ranger and spend up to an hour with them as they feed, call and move through the canopy. In the afternoon, walk the Bigodi wetland for monkeys and birds such as the great blue turaco.
Chimp trek 2–4 hoursKibale / Fort PortalBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
Drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park and spend the afternoon on a game drive or a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Drive 2–3 hours, game driveQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
A long drive south through Kabale and Kisoro to the Cyanika border, and on to Musanze below the Virunga volcanoes.
Drive 7–8 hours, border crossingVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Meet the rangers at Kinigi at 7:00 for the briefing, then climb through farmland into the bamboo zone to find your gorilla family. You spend one hour with them, then walk back down for a late lunch.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Return to Kigali and departure
Drive back to Kigali, about 2.5 hours, with a stop at a craft cooperative on the way, for your flight home.
Drive 2.5–3 hoursDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
- Kibale: chimpanzees and 12 other primate species
- Queen Elizabeth: elephants, buffaloes, hippos and tree-climbing lions
- Volcanoes National Park: mountain gorillas
How Much Does the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Cost?
From US$5,124 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Kibale chimpanzee permit | US$250 |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas
- Flights: the route is by road, so there are no regional flights to add
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Kibale chimpanzee tracking permit (UWA) | US$250 per person, including park entry (reported to rise to US$300 from January 2027) |
| Queen Elizabeth National Park (UWA) | About US$40 per adult per 24 hours |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
What the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide in each country
- 6 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Kibale chimpanzee permit, Rwanda gorilla permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
- Visas
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
How the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Treks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda and Rwanda | 7 | US$5,124 | Chimpanzees, one gorilla trek |
| Uganda and Rwanda | 9 | US$6,738 | Two gorilla treks |
| Uganda and Rwanda | 14 | US$9,398 | Rhinos, chimps, two gorilla treks |
To save the permit cost, you can trek gorillas in Bwindi instead of Volcanoes; we requote the trip.
How to Book the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
In Uganda and Rwanda this trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators. We plan and book it, send one written quotation, and stay your contact from arrival to departure.
This page covers what is particular to the 7-Day Uganda and Rwanda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- Uganda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- East Africa safaris: borders, flights and the East Africa Tourist Visa.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Can we trek gorillas in Uganda instead?
Yes: Bwindi's permit costs US$800 against Rwanda's US$1,500. The trip then ends in Entebbe or Kigali, and we requote it.
What is the minimum age?
15 for gorillas, 12 for chimpanzees in Kibale.
How much does the 7-Day Uganda Chimpanzee and Rwanda Gorilla Safari cost?
From US$5,124 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
One week, both great apes. Book early for June to September, when permits sell out first.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.