7 Days Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Safari

A family of Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park

The 7 days Uganda chimpanzee trekking and gorilla safari gives you the most interesting safari memories in Uganda. It is a well assorted Uganda safari itinerary taking you to Uganda‘s most spectacular tourist places and attractions.

Explore, discover and experience the best of Uganda by taking part in chimpanzee safari in Kibale National Park. Then visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an outstanding gorilla trekking experience, while passing through Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a unique wildlife safari.

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Kampala – Kibale National Park

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

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale

Views of shy chimpanzees on a trekking experience

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.

After tracking the chimps, you will go for a nature walk to the Bigodi swamp- to see unique flora and fauna, in the afternoon.

Meals and overnight stay: 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

Day 3: Kibale National Park – Queen Elizabeth

Begin your morning with a visit to the Nyakasura Falls (Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru) in Fort Portal, and thereafter drive to the south into Queen Elizabeth National Park, with amazing sightseeing and game viewing en route.

Dinner and overnight stay: Mweya Safari Lodge/Jacana Safari Lodge (luxury facility) or Enganzi Lodge (mid range) or Ihamba Safari Lodge Bandas (budget facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park

A family of Rothschild giraffes spotted in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Dawn a game drive in Uganda’s best park, where all the big game can be seen in abundance. Queen is famous for tree climbing lions, giant African elephants and various antelopes like kobs. Expect to see some rarer animals like giant forest hogs, waterbucks and some bushbucks. There are more than 638 recorded bird species in the park!

After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lakes Edward and George, with large numbers of buffaloes, hippos, bird species and other species on its bank.

Dinner and overnight stay: Mweya Safari Lodge/Jacana Safari Lodge (Lodge Facility) or Enganzi Lodge (Mid Lodge) or Ihamba Safari Lodge Bandas (Budget Facility). Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Travel From Queen to Bwindi

Today’s drive is through what is probably East Africa’s most spectacular scenery, the highland rainforests, which reach the volcanoes in which the mountain gorillas live. A visit to the bat cave close to Maramagambo forest or a glance of Kyambura gorge is a must!

Make a game drive at Ishasha on your way to Bwindi in search of the tree climbing lions. And later on drive to Bwindi via the beautiful scenery of the tea plantations. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds.

The afternoon shall be spent on a foot safari with the local communities living around the park.

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: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

A closer up of a feeding Mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Credit: BucketListly.blog

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 7: Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe

After this chimpanzee and gorilla safari, you will return to Kampala, then Entebbe, with lunch en route. Get a stopover at Igongo Cultural Centre, to explore the life style of the Ankole and Bahima. Thereafter, proceed to the Equator crossing before your evening departure back home. Meal Plan: B & L.