7-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

Tour Overview

This Uganda safari offers the amazing experience of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as well as chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, home of primates, where you may also spot black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkeys. The tour will be spiced up by other big game viewings in the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can search for the lions which climb the trees and rest in the branches.

General Information

Safari types:

Chimpanzee Safari, Gorilla Safari, Guided Safari, Primate Safari, Wildlife Safari
You will visit:

Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park
Wildlife:

Birds, Mountain Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Hyena, Antelope, Red-tailed Monkey, Grey Mangabey, L'Hoest Monkey, Patas Monkey, Ugandan Kob, Hippo, Crocodile, Topi, Warthog
Activities:

Game Drive, Trekking, Boat Cruise
Getting around:

4x4 Safari Vehicle
Start/end:

Start/end in Entebbe
Minimum age:

16

Day by Day Overview

Day 1

Arrive at Entebbe - Transfer to your Hotel

Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. Relax from your long flight and prepare for your upcoming adventure in the countryside.

Overnight at Via Via Guest House

Day 2

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Start the safari with pick up at 9 am for the transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with lunch in Fort Portal area near Kibale Forest National Park. You can have stopovers in the countryside that to view tea plantations along the drive. Check in late evening for an overnight stay in a beautiful area close to the crater lakes zone bordering Kibale Forest.

Accommodation at Isunga Lodge

Day 3

Chimpanzee Tracking - Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing and then go for the most popular activity in this park – chimpanzee tracking. Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primates species. Other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow-spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, crowned eagle, black bee-eater as well as mammals such as elephants, can also be seen in this trek. Have lunch and relax for some time. Later transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you may see wildlife en route as you transfer to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Park View Lodge

Day 4

Game Drive - Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Have early morning breakfast then go for a morning game drive within the park. Anticipate seeing some of the big five including buffalos, elephants, lions as well as other mammals like giant forest hog, bushbucks, kobs, hyenas and waterbucks. In the afternoon, enjoy a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel and look out for elephants, hippos, buffalo and crocodiles. A number of bird species can also be seen along the river including the rare shoebill. Later head back to the lodge for a relaxed evening plus dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Park View Lodge

Day 5

Game Drive in Ishasha - Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Transfer through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park on the way to Bwindi. The Ishasha sector is known for its tree-climbing lions which rest high in the fig tree branches. As well as the lions, look for topis and elephants. Have lunch in Ishasha and continue with the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Here you will experience a change in the landscape from flat savannah via cultivated hills to jungle-covered mountains. You will check-in at the lodge for a relaxed evening plus dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman Guest House

Day 6

Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Experience

After early morning breakfast, and with your picnic lunch, we take a short drive to the park offices for a briefing where we meet the excellent local guides and trackers who give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest to a spot where gorillas were seen the previous night and track from there. Trekking may take anything between 1 to 6 hours depending on the location of the family and altitudes, which is in excess of 7500 feet. The terrain is rough and muddy calling for physical fitness. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Later in the afternoon, you will go for the Batwa community encounter which takes you to meet the original indigenous people who live in this conservation area. They will entertain you through their cultural dance and music as well as giving you their historic stories. Later go back to the lodge for a relaxed evening plus dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at Ride 4 A Woman Guest House

Day 7

Transfer back to Entebbe

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Entebbe International Airport. You will have a stopover at the Equator and have a feel of standing at latitude zero degrees.