This is the holiday you have always dreamt of! A 16 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari for Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro hike via the Machame route, also known as the “whisky route,” with the highest success records and offering some of the most exciting hiking experiences.
Uganda and Tanzania are Africa’s top safari destinations found in East Africa.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, and it takes about 7 days to reach its Uhuru summit.
Other activities include cultural encounters, guided nature walks, birding, and a city tour, among others.
Pick-up at Entebbe International Airport and drop-off at Arusha, Tanzania.
See detailed itinerary for this 16 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari below.
16-Day Uganda Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Uganda & Hotel Transfer
- Day 2: Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 3: Chimp trekking and Isunga Cultural Encounter
- Day 4: Kibale to Bwindi National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Arusha, Tanzania
- Day 7: Transfer to Kilimanjaro National Park
- Day 8: Machame Gate to Machame Campsite (11km 5-7 hours)
- Day 9: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (9km 4-6 hours)
- Day 10: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (12km; 6-8 hours)
- Day 11: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (7km; 4-5 hours)
- Day 12: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (6kms; 3-4 hours)
- Day 13: Barafu Camp to the Summit – Mweka Camp (6-7 hours)
- Day 14: Mweka Camp to your hotel
- Day 15: Afternoon Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Tour
- Day 16: Departure
Detailed 16-Day Uganda Gorillas & Kilimanjaro Climbing Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda & Hotel Transfer
Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, our company representative will be there to welcome you for this amazing 16-day primate and mountaineering experience.
He will brief you about the activities and destinations to be visited before driving to Kampala for a city tour. You will visit the national museum to uncover more about historical attractions and also the Kasubi tombs to learn about the former Buganda kings.
Buganda is one of the main kingdoms in Uganda and a major player in the country’s independence. Thereafter, have lunch in town before heading for dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 2: Kampala to Kibale Forest National Park
You will kick-start the day with a breakfast meal at the lodge before embarking on a 7-8 hour drive to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of the world.
Kibale is located in western Uganda and harbors over 13 unique primate species, notably the chimpanzees, Columbus monkeys, and baboons among others, as well as birds, plants, flowers, and more.
You can expect to enjoy amazing views of the breathtaking landscape, tea plantations, towns, and rolling hills on your way to the park, with a stopover for lunch and some relaxation.
You will reach Kibale Forest in the evening and be welcomed by hospitable locals. Check-in late in the evening for dinner and a peaceful sleep.
Day 3: Chimp trekking and Isunga Cultural Encounter
After a restful sleep, wake up for breakfast and head to the park headquarters for document verification and briefing by the park custodians.
The rangers are well-versed in the jungle and will help you identify the different primate species you encounter during the chimpanzee trekking.
Chimpanzees are regarded as man’s closest relative, sharing over 98% of DNA.
You will observe them using unique eating tactics such as picking ants using grass and small sticks as forks.
Trekking these creatures can last roughly 1-5 hours, plus an additional hour for returning to the lodge for lunch, followed by a rewarding cultural encounter at Isunga cultural community with exciting local dances, village walks, and stories.
End the day with dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Kibale to Bwindi National Park
After breakfast, check out of the lodge for a scenic drive from Kibale Forest National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
It’s a drive through various flourishing plantations with views of mountain backdrops and different networks of vegetation cover.
In the distance, the misty Bwindi Forest will reveal itself, and you will enjoy a gentle drive to your accommodation for check-in, dinner, and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
From bed to the breakfast table, you will be glad this day has come as you head to the park headquarters for registration and the ultimate trekking experience.
At the park headquarters, ranger guides will brief you about the trekking dos and don’ts, assign a maximum of 8 people to a gorilla family, and the trekking exercise begins.
The tracking exercise lasts roughly 1-6 hours depending on how far the apes have moved and your trekking speed, plus an additional hour to take photos, watch them feed, and interact.
Relax before having a lunch break. Gorillas don’t spend nights in one place, hence the reason why the search begins from where they were spotted the previous time, all the way to where they are suspected to be.
You will also encounter several birds, primates, and plants on your way to these gentle apes.
Spend the entire evening at the lodge, relaxing and enjoying amazing views of the beautiful landscape, flowers, and birds. You have the option to visit the Batwa pygmies before calling it a day with dinner and a peaceful nap.
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Arusha, Tanzania
After breakfast, check out for a transfer to Entebbe International Airport for a flight to Arusha, Tanzania.
The drive lasts roughly 8-9 hours, with an en-route stopover at the equator for lunch, photography, and the equator experiment.
Arrive and fly to Arusha, where our company representative will meet, brief, and then take you to a hotel around Arusha, waiting for a transfer to Kilimanjaro the following day.
Day 7: Transfer to Kilimanjaro National Park
In Arusha city, enjoy a morning breakfast meal and then a city tour, visiting the different historical attractions, city museums, and local markets.
Thereafter, have lunch and drive to Kilimanjaro Mountain National Park, traversing the breathtaking landscape and arriving at your lodge late in the afternoon for refreshments, dinner, and overnight.
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the northern part of Tanzania, bordering Kenya.
Day 8: Machame Gate to Machame Campsite (11km 5-7 hours)
At daybreak, arrive, register, and be briefed about Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and the hiking experience.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest stand-alone mountain in the world, with its Uhuru summit covered by snow.
After briefing and getting a porter, proceed to Machame Campsite while enjoying the montane forest and the mountain backdrop.
It covers an average distance of 11km, at an altitude of 1800m to 3000m. Enjoy an exciting experience at the campsite, as well as dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 9: Machame Camp to Shira Camp (9km 4-6 hours)
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at the lodge and continue the hike to Shira Camp – a 4-6 hour hike at an altitude of about 3850m.
At this stage, you will feel the temperature change while tackling the rocky ridges and moorland vegetation. Enjoy an aerial view of the landscape, plantations, and vegetation.
Ascend approximately 9km, spending roughly 4-6 hours. Connect to the western edge of the mountain, across a river gorge to Shira Camp where you will have dinner and the last meal of the day.
Day 10: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp (12km; 6-8 hours)
After breakfast at Shira Camp, continue the ascent. This day is crucial for acclimatization as you prepare for the summit hike.
Expect mild altitude sickness and several other altitude effects. From 3850m, head to the lava tower at 4600m, take a break for lunch and rest.
The surrounding area is filled with scenic features and rocky valleys.
After your break, descend under the breach through the great Barranco Wall to Barranco Camp. Arrive and enjoy amazing views of the sunset rays, creating wonderful photo moments.
The hike covers approximately 12km and takes 6-7 hours through a semi-arid area.
Day 11: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (7km; 4-5 hours)
Start the day in high spirits with a hearty breakfast meal at your campsite. Then begin the journey to Karanga Camp, climbing the great Barranco Wall before reaching Karanga Camp.
Karanga Camp sits beneath the Heim and Decken glaciers and also the icefall of Kersten. Traverse the alpine desert; a 7km and 4-hour experience.
Enjoy lunch, dinner, and overnight with sunset views.
Day 12: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (6kms; 3-4 hours)
After breakfast at the lodge, embark on the hike, tackling the final stretch of the southern circuit.
Connect to the Mweka circuit, covering about 6km and a 3-4 hour hike, reaching an altitude of 4600m through the alpine desert.
At this point, you can see Kibo and Mawenzi summits, as well as several other mountain peaks and sceneries. Arrive at Barafu Hut and relax while awaiting the ultimate summit challenge.
Day 13: Barafu Camp to the Summit – Mweka Camp (6-7 hours)
Wake up to a hearty breakfast at the lodge around 00:00 hours local time, and then set off for the summit hike.
The purpose of leaving this early is to reach before the scorching heat melts the snow at the summit. Uhuru Peak is the highest summit in Africa, covered by snow and located between the Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers.
The hike is challenging and requires mental and physical endurance, heading northwest to Stella Point.
At the crater’s edge, take a break, relax while enjoying the beautiful sunrise, a sight you may have never seen.
Then, if the weather permits, proceed to the summit at 5732m above sea level, take photos, and savor every moment of success.
Descend to Mweka Camp through Barafu Hut where you will have lunch before heading to Mweka Camp at 3100m for refreshment, dinner, and overnight. The hike covers about 7km and takes 6-8 hours.
Day 14: Mweka Camp to your hotel
Start your day with a delicious breakfast and then continue descending to Mweka Trailhead, where you will be rewarded with hiking certificates.
It takes 3-4 hours over a distance of 8km. You will need a hiking pole to tackle the muddy and wet ground.
The driver-guide will meet you and take you to the hotel for lunch, relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Day 15: Afternoon Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Tour
Start the day with a refreshing cup of coffee and further relaxation. After lunch, take a guided nature walk in the park to observe different mammals, birds, and other park residents.
It’s a 2-3 hour experience before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 16: Departure
Begin your day with a relaxed breakfast at the lodge and then check out for a drive to Arusha city or Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
Optional city tour and lunch before flight time.
