Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda are the top two most popular tourist experiences a traveler intending to visit Uganda must not miss. We unfold to you this chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, providing you the greatest opportunity of having both chimpanzee trekking and gorilla trekking experiences twice, in one trip.
Visitors will have 2 days of chimpanzee trekking with each day offering a unique safari experience, and then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for double gorilla trekking safari experience.
We will secure two (2) gorilla trekking permits for your Uganda gorilla trekking safari and ensure that two (2) gorilla families are booked for you. Do not miss out this double-double chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safari.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Kampala – Kibale National Park:
You’ll leave Kampala after breakfast for a fascinating drive through papyrus swamps and thick jungle of the Nile delta to Kibale National Park, just below the Rwenzori Mountains. Then get on an afternoon guided walk through the crater lakes area for outstanding views.
Meals and overnight stay at Kyaninga Lodge (luxury facility) or Primate Lodge/Forest Cottage (mid range) or Chimpanzee Guest House (budget facility). All with stunning location overlooking dramatic crater lakes and the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” in the background. Meal plan: L & D
Other Optional Activities
- Tea Estate Walk
- Villa Farm Visit
- Canoe ride on Crater Lakes
- Cycling around the Craters
- Community and orphanage center visit
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Kibale:
After early breakfast, report at Kanyanchu Tourist Centre where tourist activities begin and set out to track chimpanzees in Kibale forest. Chances of viewing the chimps are over 90%, but not a guarantee.
The forest walk will be guided to provide information not only on chimpanzees and primates but also on other forest species, making it interesting. In addition, this walk will reward you with other primates like Olive baboons, Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys and L’Hoest’s Monkeys.
After lunch, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary from where you will take on a guided walk around the swamp. This walk provides an opportunity to see a wide range of flora and fauna, a variety of butterflies, bird species and other insects. You’ll also have a tour of the crater region around Ndali lodge. You may also stop over at any tea plantation along the road if you wish.
Meals and overnight stay at Kyaninga Lodge (luxury facility) or Primate Lodge / Forest Cottage (mid range) or Chimpanzee Guest House (budget facility). Meal plan: B, L & D
Note: For visitors that wish to do Chimpanzee habituation, you will need to add US$ 70.00 per person. Chimpanzee habituation gives you an opportunity to spend the whole day with the Chimpanzees
Day 3: Second Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale
Again, after breakfast you will be transferred to Kibale Headquarters for a briefing before setting off for another forest walk in search for chimpanzees. The guided forest walk provides information not only on chimpanzees and primates but also on other forest species, thus making it interesting.
The walk will reward you with other primates like Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, and L’Hoest’s Monkey, so you don’t have to miss it.
Meals and overnight stay at Kyaninga Lodge (luxury facility). Meal Plan: B, L & D
Day 4: Kibale – Bwindi Forest National Park
Begin your morning with a visit to the Nyakasura Falls (Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru) in Fort Portal, and thereafter drive to the south into Bwindi Forest. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds, valleys, hilltops and papyrus swamps.
Dinner and overnight stay at either Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs/Gorilla Safari Lodge (high end lodge) or Sliverback Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge (Mid range) or Buhoma community Bandas/Wagtail Eco Camp (Budget facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari
Begin the day with breakfast ready for gorilla trekking, which begins at 8:00am after a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority staff. Ensure that you carry a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks and jungle boots among other gears, because of the forest experience ahead.
The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy primates for a group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare mountain gorillas, for one of the most exciting wildlife experiences. This tracking may take between 2 to 6 hours, but its well worth the effort.
Dinner and overnight stay at either Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs/Gorilla Safari Lodge (high end lodge) or Sliverback Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge (mid range) or Buhoma community Bandas/Wagtail Eco Camp (Budget facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Second Gorilla Trekking Experience
After breakfast, you will go for the second gorilla tracking, but in another group or family, returning in the afternoon for relaxation and sightseeing around the lodge.
Dinner and overnight stay at either Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs/Gorilla Safari Lodge (high end lodge) or Sliverback Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge (mid range) or Buhoma community Bandas/Wagtail Eco Camp (Budget facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe
After your morning breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala using Mbarara – Masaka highway. Make a first stop over at Igongo Cultural Center, for a lunch break and then proceed to the Equator crossing, before driving to Kampala. Here, you will be dropped off at a place, hotel of your choice or Entebbe International Airport, for your outbound flight back home. Meal Plan: B & L.
Double Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Safari Inclusions and Exclusions:
Includes
- Transportation by a 4wd safari Land Cruiser
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- Park entry fees,
- Two Kibale chimpanzee permit
- Two Gorilla safari trekking permits
- Bigodi guided nature walk
- Services of English speaking Driver/guide.
- En route lunches
Excludes
- Expenses of personal nature like; visa, drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, porter fee while trekking, personal insurance, and tobacco