The cost of 5-Day Luxury Uganda Primates Safari
Are you planning of standing face to face with a mountain gorilla in the wild? This 5-Day Luxury Uganda Primates Safari turns that dream into reality. Over five days, you travel through two of Uganda’s most celebrated parks – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Kibale Forest National Park. You trek through dense forests, watch gorillas go about their day, and sit quietly as chimpanzees swing through the treetops above you. Between these incredible moments, you rest in high-end lodges surrounded by stunning scenery. Whether you fly in by chartered aircraft or travel by road, this safari is designed to give you comfort, wildlife, and memories that stay with you long after you return home.
What this Safari Costs
The price depends on how you choose to travel.
- If you use chartered domestic flights, the cost is $7,450 per person for two people sharing accommodation and lodge transfers.
- If you travel entirely by road using a 4×4 Land Cruiser, the cost drops to $5,850 per person for two people sharing both transport and accommodation.
The price covers:
- Transportation (domestic flights or 4×4 Land Cruiser transfers)
- All meals and accommodation
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits
- Nature walks and cultural experiences
- House non-premium wines, soft drinks, local beers, teas, coffees and mineral water
Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Flying into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Your adventure begins the moment an Iconic Africa Safaris representative picks you up from your lodge in Entebbe and drives you to the airport. You catch a domestic flight to Kisoro Airfield, where your guide is already waiting. From there, you drive for about one hour to the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi.
Once you check in at Gorilla Heights Lodge, you take a breath and let the surroundings sink in. The lodge sits at the highest point of the Bwindi sector. It looks out over the impenetrable forest, with the Virunga Mountain Ranges stretching across the horizon. Gorilla Heights Lodge is an eco-friendly retreat built inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It blends comfort with tranquillity in a setting that few places on earth can match.
If you still have energy in the afternoon, ask your guide about a short community walk in the nearby village.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation: Gorilla Heights Lodge, Nkuringo Sector
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and an Optional Cultural Evening
This is the day most travellers look forward to from the moment they book. You wake up between 5:30am and 6:30am and eat a filling breakfast before heading to the park headquarters. The trekking briefing starts at 7:30am, where rangers divide trekkers into small groups of eight people per gorilla family. Groups are matched by fitness level and age, so everyone stays comfortable.
Before you set off, think about hiring a local porter for between $15 and $20. The porter carries your bag, helps you on steep ground, and your fee goes directly to the surrounding community.
At 8:00am, you step into Bwindi’s forest alongside armed rangers who clear the path and keep you safe. The trek takes anywhere from one to six hours, depending on where the gorilla family has moved that morning. When the rangers finally spot them, they signal for silence.
For one full, precious hour, you watch the family living their daily lives. A silverback stands guard. Mothers nurse their young. Juveniles tumble through the undergrowth and play without a care. You stand among them quietly, and it changes something in you.
After the trek, you head back to the starting point, collect your Gorilla Trekking Certificate, and return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
In the evening, you have two options. You can join the Batwa Pygmies Cultural Experience, where this forest-dwelling community shares their ancient traditions, songs, and survival skills. Or you can take a slow walk through nearby villages and pick up handmade crafts to bring home.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation: Gorilla Heights Lodge
Day 3: Flying to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast at the lodge, your guide transfers you back to Kisoro Airfield. You board a flight to Kasese Airfield, and from there, your driver takes you on a two-hour road trip to Kibale Forest National Park.
You check into Mirima Kibale Lodge, which sits on a quiet ridge above three crater lakes — Lake Nyamirima, Lake Nyinabuliitwa, and Lake Nyabikere. The light shifts beautifully over the water throughout the day. Kibale’s forest line sits on the horizon. The lodge is perfectly placed so that your chimpanzee trekking morning starts without any rush.
In the evening, take a slow walk around the crater lakes with your guide and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation: Mirima Kibale Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and the Bigodi Wetland Walk
You wake up between 5:30am and 6:30am again and eat a hearty breakfast before driving to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. The trekking briefing begins at 7:30am. Rangers divide trekkers into small groups, and at 8:00am, everyone heads into the forest.
The trek to find the habituated chimpanzees takes between one and four hours. You follow the sounds — loud calls, crashing branches, laughter-like hoots. Then you find them. Some swing through the treetops. Others groom one another on the ground. A few stare back at you with bright, curious eyes. You spend one full hour watching them up close.
Back at the lodge, you enjoy a relaxed lunch. In the late afternoon, you head to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. You spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons. Birds fill the trees — the great blue turaco, African pygmy kingfisher, papyrus gonolek and many more.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Accommodation: Mirima Kibale Lodge
Day 5: Flying Back to Entebbe and Departure
Your final morning is relaxed. You eat breakfast at the lodge, pack your bags, and your driver takes you to Kasese Airfield. You board your flight back to Entebbe, carrying your certificates, your photos, and memories that will stay with you.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: None (can be arranged at extra cost if needed)
Important things to Know About Pricing
The prices listed above can change based on a few factors: the number of people in your group, updates to lodge pricing, or changes to your chosen activities. For example, if you choose the gorilla habituation experience (four hours with the gorillas & chimps) instead of the regular trek (one hour), the price goes up slightly. Adding extra destinations or game-viewing activities also affects the final cost.
When to Book this Safari
If you travel by flights, this safari runs in all months except March, April, May, and November due to bad weather conditions during those periods. Book your dates four to six months in advance to secure your trekking permits, lodge rooms, and flight seats.
If you travel entirely by road, the safari runs throughout the year. The months of April, May, and November actually bring discounted lodge prices and lower permit costs, so road travellers benefit from visiting during the quieter season.
What to Pack for Your Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking
Packing the right gear makes your trek comfortable and enjoyable. Here are 12 essential items to carry:
- Sturdy hiking boots — waterproof and ankle-supporting
- Long-sleeved shirts — protect against scratches and insects
- Long trousers — preferably thick, quick-dry fabric
- Garden gloves — grip vegetation on steep slopes
- Rain jacket — forest weather changes fast
- Insect repellent — keep bugs away
- Sunscreen — protect exposed skin
- Refillable water bottle — stay hydrated on the trail
- Snack/energy bar — fuel long treks
- Camera — capture every moment
- Small backpack — carry your essentials
- Hat — shade from sun and rain
How to Book this Safari
Booking your 5-Day Uganda Primates Luxury Safari is simple. Choose whichever option works best for you, and a safari consultant responds within 12 hours.
- Email: Send your travel details, preferred dates, and any special requests to info@iconicafricasafaris.com
- WhatsApp: Chat directly at +256767585369 or tap the WhatsApp icon on the right side of your screen
- Booking form: Fill out the form below and our team will engage you with confirmation and next steps in shortest time possible.
Whichever way you reach out, the team guides you through availability, helps you tailor the experience, and makes sure everything is in place before you travel.
