5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzee safari
The 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari is an adventurous and exciting safari where you will have an encounter with the most visited attractions in Uganda which are the endangered mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees. During the safari you will explore the misty Bwindi impenetrable national park which is located in southwestern part of Uganda and famously known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking daily and they are found in four sectors namely Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Rushaga. On your 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari you will also explore the primate capital which is Kibale national park. Kibale national park harbors 13 primate species including chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, baboons, various bird species and some animals like the bush pigs, forest elephants among others.
Highlights of the 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale national park
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and nature walk
Day 5: Departure to Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 of the 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari
On the first day of your 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you about your safari and then start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park. It’s a long journey which takes about 8 to 9 hours’ drive passing via Masaka, equator in Kayabwe where you will have a stopover for photos and then continue the journey to Mbarara where you will have en-route lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre.
After lunch you will continue the journey via Ntugamo, Kabale and then Bwindi impenetrable national park. Though it takes a whole day to Bwindi impenetrable national park, it’s worth it in that you will have spectacular views of the beautiful scenery, landscapes, terraced farmlands, homesteads, local people among others on the way. Upon arrival in the park, you will drive to the lodge check in, freshen up, have dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
After an early breakfast on the second day of your 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari, you will carry your packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about gorilla trekking. After the briefing you will be grouped into 8 people and allocated a gorilla group to visit. Grouping of individuals is however done according to age, personal preferences and physical fitness therefore in case you are not physically fit, you are advised to communicate to your guide so that they allocate you a gorilla family that is easy to trek.
Trekking of the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas and once they are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat taking photos, recording the moments and learning more about their lifestyle, behaviors and habits. After the one hour interaction with the mountain gorillas, you will trek back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking and then meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale national park
You will wake up, have breakfast on the third day of your 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee safari, check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kibale national park. On your way to Kibale national park you will pass via Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park where you will be able to view the tree climbing lions. Ishasha sector is famously known for the tree climbing lions which are viewed during the game drive lying up in the acacia, fig tree branches. After the game drive in Ishasha sector, you will have lunch and then continue the journey via Fort Portal and then Kibale national park. The journey takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive and upon arrival you will check into the lodge, have dinner and overnight
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
On the fourth day of your 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee safari, you will have an early breakfast at the lodge and then meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations of chimpanzee trekking. After the briefing you will be grouped into 6 people and then start trekking in the jungle with a park guide who will be sharing information about the chimpanzees and well conversant with the trails in the jungle. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on their location and once the chimpanzees have been located, you will spend one hour with them in their natural habitat learning more about their life style, behaviors, watching them feed, breastfeed, play in the trees as you record videos and take plenty of pictures with a flash less camera.
After the one hour with the chimpanzees, you will trek back to Kanyachu Visitors Centre, meet up with your driver guide and drive back to the lodge for lunch. After lunch you will go for a nature walk in Bigodi swamp where you will have great views of different bird species like the great blue turaco, papyrus gonolek, primates like the black and white colobus monkey, blue monkeys, red tailed monkey, plant species, butterflies, enjoy the cool breeze, breath fresh air, listen to the sweet sounds of birds and also interact with the local people to know more about their lifestyle, culture among others. After the nature walk, you will meet up with your driver guide and drive back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Departure to Kampala
After a relaxed breakfast on the last day of your 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kampala where you will have en-route lunch in Mbarara and then proceed to Kampala. Upon arrival your driver guide will drop you off at Entebbe airport or at any place of convenience.
End of 5 days gorillas and chimpanzee safari
Tour includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Nature walk in Bigodi swamp
- An English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Park entrance fee
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
Tour excludes
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, hiring a porter, tips among others.
