A dream trip for primate lovers along with other wildlife in 6 days, meet with the most endangered species in the world, the mountain gorillas and the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
This considered by many tourists as the most amazing and Africa’s adventure highlight. There is nothing as incredible as sitting among the family of the rare mountain gorillas in their natural setting. The feeling is like no other.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Early in the morning following breakfast, leave Kampala for Kibale National park. You will take Kampala – fort portal route, have stopover in fort. Have a good time and also take some photos, approach fort portal and enjoy the foot hills of the Rwenzori mountains and then continue to Kibale National Park.
This rainforest is 1100 -1600m above sea level and it contains both montane and lowland forests with 13 primate species including the chimpanzees and monkeys including the red colobus monkeys as well as the rare L’Hoests monkeys. The park was gazzetted in 1932 and established in 1993 to protect the then increasing number of animals and vegetation. The other species of animal species found in the park include; 250 tree species, 325 bird species, 13 primate species, 60 mammal species, and 14 wild fields.
On your arrival at the park, you will visit the scenic crater lakes region and get chance to check out the terraced tea states. Later on, proceed back to the lodge to relax for the evening and enjoy your dinner.
Accommodation Options; Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Guest, Budget: Kibale Forest camp
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After taking breakfast, you will go to the park headquarters where you will be briefed about chimpanzee trekking. By 8:00am, you will be starting your search for the chimpanzees within the park. These primates are the closest relatives to the human being and they share 98% of their DNA with that of the human beings. There are also many other primate species which will be seen along with the chimpanzees and these include; the L’Hoest monkeys, golden monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, grey checked Mangabey, red tailed monkeys, the bush babies, and many bird species which include; green breasted pitta, rumped tinker bird, yellow spotted nicator, and the green breasted pitta, this park is one of the great rain forest in Africa and it has the largest community of chimpanzees where by each community has 1 -100 individuals and each community has a complicated social structure.
In the group, the adult males dominate the group and provide protection to the territory against the rest of the males from other territories. The chimps are located by simply listening for their pant hooting calls, and then head to the place from which they replied from. Here you can observe them as they feed, play as well as socializing with each other.
Later in the afternoon, you will pack your bags and start a transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park; this is a 3 hours’ drive to Queen Elizabeth and you will feed your eyes with variety of wildlife species including the impalas, kobs, antelopes, topis, elephants, lions, giant forest hog as well as the buffalos. Arrive at the lodge and check in for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options; Luxury: Mweya safari Lodge, Mid-range: Kyambura game lodge, Budget: Bush Lodge
Day 3: Have a morning game drive & an afternoon boat cruise
We wake up early in the morning, proceed to the park to engage in an early morning game drive to view the early morning risers in kasenyi track, get chance to view many animals including; lions, elephants, solitary buffalos, Uganda kobs, antelopes, etc. these animals can be view at a closer range. Return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch as you prepare to enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga channel, were your eyes will be fed with variety of water animals and birds. The wildlife species include; the crocodiles, hippos, buffalos, pink backed pelicans, saddle billed stork, the malachite kingfishers. After, return to the lodge for your dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options, Luxury: Mweya safari Lodge, Mid-range: Kyambura game lodge, Budget: Bush Lodge
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Have early break fast enough at your lodge, after transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park which is known to harbor over 340 mountain gorillas. This park has four gorilla groups with 12 families which are visited by the clients on a daily basis. We shall pass via the Ishasha sector which is well known for the tree climbing lions and many other animal species including the birds and monkeys. You will have your lunch enroute and arrive at the park late afternoon for your overnight and dinner.
Accommodation options; Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Mid-range: Silverback Lodge, Budget: Buhoma Community Camp ground
Day 5: Gorilla trekking day in Bwindi forest & visit the Batwa community
Have an early morning breakfast, and after proceed to the park headquarters to have a briefing about gorilla trekking etiquette in Bwindi. The armed ranger guide will then accompany you to the rainforest to start your search for the gentle giants. This walk can sometimes be tough and it needs someone so strong. Trekkers are always advised to carry their rain coats and boots because the weather there is always unpredictable. There are also some potters who always help with the carrying of the luggage on behalf of the visitors but at a small cost. On sighting the gorillas, the rangers will guide you on handle them, especially by giving them a 6-meter distance as you enjoy them play around. It’s always not easy to predict how long gorilla tracking will take and this also depends on the location of some families since some of them are far from the park headquarters. However, it always takes 2 to 8 hours to come into contact with them and the rangers will always be there to guide you. Trackers are also advisable to be physically fit before going for tracking. After your trek, return to the lodge for your lunch and in the afternoon, you may opt to visit the batwa community to enjoy some cultural performances before retiring at your lodge.
Accommodation options; Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Mid-range: Silverback Lodge, Budget: Buhoma Community Camp ground
Day 6: Departure back to Kampala
Have your leisurely breakfast at the hotel and after start your transfer to Kampala, have lunch at Mbarara town and have another stopover at the equator to have some photos and experiments. After, proceed to Kampala arriving in the late afternoon.
END OF SAFARI
The tour package inclusions
- Transport in a 4×4 tourist Vehicle
- Photography and touring,
- Chimpanzee & Gorilla trekking permits.
- Fuel for the entire trip
- Full board accommodation,
- Full-time English-speaking professional driver/guide,
- All tour activities as detailed in the itinerary,
- Bottled water while on safari,
- All Park Entry fees
- All Government taxes
The Tour Package Exclusions
- Kampala hotel fees (the eve of the safari and the night after the safari),
- Tips,
- Laundry services,
- Beverages/ drinks at the Lodge,
- International flights,
- Visas,
- Cigarette smoking
- Items of a personal nature,
- Optional activities and any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary