Gorilla & Chimpanzee Safari

7 days—Discover the best of Uganda with this unique tour! Enjoy the flexibility and personalised service of a private guided tour.

From

$4613 USD

Safari summary

Included in the price:
- Airport transfer to/from Entebbe Airport
- Ground transport per private 4WD safari vehicle (LAND CRUISER)
- English speaking driver/guide
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary, based on a shared twin/double room
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Gorilla Tracking Permit
- Permit for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
- Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
- Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
- Activities and excursions mentioned in the program
- Detailed map of Uganda
- AMREF Evacuation Air Ambulance insurance
- VAT for hotels and lodges outside Kampala

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Primate trekking
	Activity level	Moderate activity
	Best months	All months
	Countries	Uganda
	Parks	Bwindi Impenetrable Kibale

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Arrival- Entebbe Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the Protea Hotel Entebbe. (B&B) ** Note: the airport pickup will be arranged by your guesthouse or hotel. **

Day 2

Kibale

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale Forest NP After a relaxed breakfast we will depart the capital city and head west to Fort Portal, with lunch en route. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for the many tea plantations. From this lovely town we will continue to Kibale National Park. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge luxury cottages.

Day 3

Kibale

Day 3: Kibale Forest NP & Bigodi Village Today the forest opens for a sensational chimp tracking adventure. Kibale Forest is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. After a pre-tracking briefing at walking distance from your accommodation, you will start your hike into the forest. You will be tracking a large habituated family of chimpanzees, with over 120 individuals that has made Kibale one of the best locations in Africa for viewing this remarkable primate. En route your guide will explain more about the forest and the other inhabitants, including other primates and birds such as the blue breasted Kingfisher, black billed Turaco, Pied Hornbill, Chestnut winged Starlings and many more. Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will stay with them for one unforgettable hour as they continue their daily routine – growling, grooming, feeding, taking care of the young ones and effortlessly climbing up trees. It certainly is one unforgettable wildlife encounter and the hour is always over too soon. After your forest walk, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we transfer to Bigodi Village for a community walk that will bring you closer to the local tribe that lives in this area. Accompanied by a local guide, who can tell you everything about the traditional customs and lifestyle, you will follow the village path and visit a primary school, traditional homesteads and learn more about the crops in the fields. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge luxury cottages.

Day 4

Bwindi Impenetrable | Kibale | Queen Elizabeth

Day 4: Kibale Forest NP – Queen Elizabeth NP - Bwindi NP After an early breakfast we head to depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas. En route we will pass the vast savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park where we will go in search of the tree climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route before we finally reach Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, for an overnight in the middle of the African jungle. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Lodge. (B-L-D)

Day 5

Day 5: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi NP Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants! Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family to track in groups of 8 people as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide who will explain the species in general and the nuances of the family you will be tracking as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However, the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort! Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long trousers and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera. Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling with the juveniles – it is a unique and unforgettable experience! Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Lodge. (B-L-D)

Day 6

Lake Mburo

Day 6: Bwindi NP - Lake Mburo NP After breakfast we depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head to Lake Mburo National Park. En route we shall stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch. The cultural centre illustrates the culture and traditional way of life of the local tribes in this area, including a museum, garden with indigenous trees and plants and traditional homesteads. As we enter the Lake Mburo it is likely that you will spot some wildlife. After checking in you have the opportunity to go on a boat ride on the lake to view the rich bird life and many hippos that make the park their home. If you would like to continue your wildlife viewing, have an early dinner before going on an optional night game drive in an open Landrover with a spot light. This special game drive of 2-3 hours provides good chances of seeing the elusive leopard and of course other nocturnal animals. (There is an additional charge for this excursion ) Lake Mburo is the smallest national park in Uganda and conveniently located in the west of the country. Despite its size, the area offers amazing scenery. The five lakes are surrounded by forested hills, open savannah, acacia woodland and papyrus swamps. Wildlife includes some special species such as impalas, zebras and the gigantic elands, which are found almost nowhere else in the country. Lake; Mburo is an excellent place for bird watching as well. About 315 species are recorded in this area. Besides exploring the network of game tracks by car, guided safari walks and boat rides on Lake Mburo can also be arranged. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge. (B- L-D)

Day 7

Lake Mburo

Day 7 Lake Mburo NP – Entebbe An early start on your last day as we will go for a bush walk guided by a ranger. Experience a safari on foot that will allow you to notice the smaller, often overlooked, details and usually brings you much closer to the wildlife than when in a car. Return to the lodge for breakfast and with a game drive on our way out we depart the protected area and head back to the capital. En-route we will pass the Equator where we will make a stop for lunch, photos and souvenir shopping. In time you will be dropped at Entebbe Airport for your international flight. (B-L)

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