5 DAYS UGANDA GORILLA AND CHIMPANZEE SAFARI
Overview
The 5 days Uganda safari with chimpanzee and gorilla trekking will take travelers to two out of Uganda’s ten national parks both located in the Western and Southwestern part of Uganda. Visit Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park for gorilla trekking, a park that covers an area of 331 sq km and home the most endangered species, the mountain gorillas as well as a number of other wildlife species like over 220 butterfly species, 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, trees, plants, ferns among others. You also have a cultural encounter with the Batwa people.
The trip then takes you to Kibale forest National Park the primate capital of the world homing 13 primate species and mostly known for Chimpanzees with over 100 individuals in each community. Tourists also see other primates like black and white colobus, baboons, bush babies, LHoests monkeys among others.
Highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale national park
Day 2: Chimp trekking and Bigodi community
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Day 4: Gorilla trekking
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala
Details
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale national park
Early morning, after breakfast, be picked by our experienced and knowledgeable drive to Kibale forest national park in western Uganda. The park is also known as the primate capital in the world in more than 400 chimpanzees dwelling here plus several other primates.
The journey itself is an experience of its own. It takes about five hours, which is almost a full day including also the stopovers. The journey to the park goes through huge tea estates that were only known to Canada. Reach Fort Portal town and have a lunch stopover and then proceed to Kibale forest national park.
Arrival will be in the evening just to check-in at the lodge, relax and wait for dinner and overnight.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Primate Lodge (Luxury cottages)
MIDRANGE –Kibale Forest camp
BUDGET – Rwenzori view guest house
Day 2: Chimp trekking and Bigodi community
After a delicious breakfast, we shall go to the park headquarters for briefing on what to do and not and what to have and not. Then we shall start trekking our near cousins in the jungle. The trek is simply unpredictable whether it will take a full day or one hour, however the movements are extremely amazing, following the chimps at challenging speeds as well as spotting other primates and bird species plus butterflies.
After lunch we shall have a community walk in Bigodi to experience the way of life of the local people around. Have an interaction with the local people, buy hand crafted souvenirs to carry back home. Simply have a chance to see the world through the eyes of the local people.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Primate Lodge (Luxury cottages)
MIDRANGE –Kibale Forest camp
BUDGET – Rwenzori view guest house
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Have breakfast and check out of the lodge. Embark on the safari vehicle and travel to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, the prime home for mountain gorillas in Uganda. This park harbors more than 400 gorillas that is almost 3 quarters of the total population of mountain gorillas in the world.
The travel journey to the park is an experience of its own because it gives you beautiful views of the rift valley and the alluring savannah plains.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Buhoma Lodge
MIDRANGE –The Haven Lodge
BUDGET – Buhoma campsite
Day 4: Gorilla trekking
Immediately after breakfast, head to the park office headquarters for a simple briefing by the guide and then start off with the trekking. Do not forget to carry some packed lunch. Trekking usually takes between 1 to 8 hours or even a full day basing on the location of gorillas. And on seeing them, it becomes great and fun time watching them.
Only 1 hour is permitted to watch these beautiful and calm giants of the forest. Also make sure you carry enough water with you, hats, sun glasses, rain coats, and non-flash cameras. Walking through the thick jungle in search of these mammals is a thrilling experience that can never be regretted. On the trekking journey you won’t only see mountain gorillas, but also other wildlife species like the forest elephants, different bird species and butterflies, all these combined create an awesome experience while trekking the gorillas.
ACCOMMODATION
LUXURY – Buhoma Lodge
MIDRANGE –The Haven Lodge
BUDGET – Buhoma campsite
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala
In the morning, have breakfast and then travel back to Kampala. It’s almost a full day journey that will expose you to beautiful views of the Kasese hills, Rwenzori Mountains of the moon and the savanna plains.
Have a lunch stopover at Igongo cultural center in Mbarara town and proceed to Kampala or directly to Entebbe to catch up a flight back home.
That will be the end of the trip
