5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights

Destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Kibale National Park – Kampala/Entebbe

Main Experiences: Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Batwa Cultural Experience, Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Nature Walk

 

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Your adventure begins in the morning with a pick-up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe by your professional safari driver-guide. After a short briefing about the safari, you will begin your journey southwest towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you through some of Uganda’s most scenic countryside. As you leave Kampala and Entebbe behind, the landscape gradually changes from urban surroundings to open countryside, agricultural communities, rolling hills and traditional homesteads. You’ll have a stop over at Mbarara City where you’ll enjoy lunch before proceeding with your drive to Bwindi.

You’ll arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon and proceed to your booked safari lodge. Check in at the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Community Experience

After an early breakfast, prepare for your mountain gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will drive to the d park headquarters/trekking point for briefing before entering the forest. Your ranger guides will provide information about gorilla trekking procedures, safety, forest etiquette and responsible wildlife viewing.

Once the briefing is complete, you begin your trek into the forest. The trek can vary considerably in duration depending on where the assigned gorilla family is located on that particular day. You will hike through dense vegetation, following forest trails and looking for signs of the gorillas. Along the way, your ranger will interpret the forest environment, pointing out plants, birds, insects, animal tracks and other signs of wildlife.

You’ll later encounter the gorillas and have an opportunity to observe them as they feed, rest, groom and interact with one another. The observation period is usually 1 hour strictly. After your time elapses, you’ll trek back to the starting point or headquarters. Return to your lodge for lunch and some well-deserved relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, you will visit a Batwa community for a cultural experience. The Batwa have a deep historical connection with the forests of southwestern Uganda. During the visit, community members can introduce you to aspects of their traditional knowledge, stories, music, dance and crafts.

The experience provides an opportunity to understand the cultural heritage of people historically associated with the forest while also supporting community-based tourism initiatives. Later return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation after an eventful day.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 3: Transfer from Bwindi to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey towards Kibale National Park, Uganda’s renowned primate destination. You will travel through the beautiful countryside of western Uganda, passing through rural communities, cultivated hillsides, valleys and small towns.

Lunch will be taken en route and later you’ll continue with your journey to Kibale. Arrive in the afternoon and proceed to your booked safari lodge. Check in at the lodge for a relaxing afternoon.

You will have dinner at the lodge and retire early in preparation for the following morning’s trek.

 

Accommodation: Tabebuia Spa & Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Nature Walk

After an early breakfast, you will proceed to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre, where chimpanzee tracking activities begin. After the briefing, you will enter the forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers.

Unlike gorilla trekking, chimpanzees are highly mobile and can move quickly through the forest canopy and undergrowth. The trackers use signs such as vocalisations, feeding remains, nests and other evidence to determine where the chimpanzee community has moved. As you walk along the trails, you may encounter other primates and forest wildlife, potentially including: Red colobus monkeys, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, Red-tailed monkeys, Olive baboons, and Numerous forest bird species.

You’ll continue with your trek and once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend time observing them in their natural environment. You may see them feeding, climbing through the trees, grooming, calling to one another or moving between different parts of the forest.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Bigodi Wetland area for a guided nature walk. The walk takes you through wetland and community-managed habitats where you can experience the relationship between local communities and the surrounding natural environment. The wetland is also home to numerous bird species and primates that you might encounter during the tour. After the nature walk, return to your lodge in the evening.

Enjoy your final dinner in the Kibale area and relax after a full day of primate and nature experiences.

Accommodation: Tabebuia Spa & Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala/Entebbe

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. The journey takes you through western Uganda, providing a final opportunity to appreciate the country’s countryside, agricultural landscapes and local communities. Lunch will be en route.

Your driver-guide will drop you off at your preferred location (Hotel or Airport)

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

 

Safari Inclusions

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • Private 4×4 safari vehicle for the entire safari.
  • Services of an English-speaking professional driver/guide.
  • Fuel and transportation costs throughout the safari.
  • Kampala/Entebbe hotel pick-up and drop-off.
  • Mountain gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi.
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale.
  • Batwa community cultural experience/tour.
  • Bigodi Nature Walk with a local guide.
  • Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle during transfers and activities.
  • Applicable government taxes and tourism levies on the included services.
  • Driver-guide allowances.

 

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights to and from Uganda.
  • Domestic flights, unless specifically included in the quotation.
  • Uganda entry visa and visa processing fees.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Medical and personal insurance.
  • Personal expenses, including telephone calls, internet, and laundry
  • Alcoholic drinks and specialty beverages.
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Porter fees for gorilla trekking, should the traveler choose to hire a porter.
  • Personal trekking equipment, including hiking boots, rain jackets, walking sticks and backpacks.
  • Personal photography and video equipment.
  • Souvenirs, crafts and other personal purchases.
  • Additional activities not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Anything else not specifically mentioned under