5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Uganda, Bwindi & Kibale
Embark on our signature 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari in Uganda, a unique opportunity to get up close with both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Expect to begin your primate safari in Kibale National Park, where you will enjoy chimpanzee trekking.
At Kibale, your trek will involve exploring the Kanyanchu or Buraiga chimpanzee community.
Overall, Kibale protects an estimated 1,500 chimpanzees –the highest chimp population in East Africa.
At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will embark on gorilla trekking, and the park boasts over 24 habituated gorilla families that can be visited.
Bwindi is a special spot with over 500 mountain gorillas, and they reside within the 4 sectors –Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Nkuringo.
Explore the detailed itinerary below to get started;
Summary of the 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe/Kampala & Drive to Kibale
Day 2: Go on a trek with Kibale chimpanzees and visit Bigodi
Day 3: Kibale to Bwindi, take pictures at the Kikorongo Equator site
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience plus a tour in the Batwa community
Day 5: Leave Bwindi for Entebbe –Depart at night
Detailed 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
Day 1: Pick up from Entebbe/Kampala & Drive to Kibale
Today is dedicated to pick up only at the hotel/airport in case you landed at night.
Get briefed on the rewarding 5-day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee safari.
Afterward, you will set off for Kibale National Park via the Mubende route.
Getting to Kibale will take at least 6 hours, and expect a stopover for photography at the tea farms.
Lunch break will also be part of your journey, and this will be done on arrival at the beautiful Fort Portal, Kabarole District.
From Fort Portal, proceed up to Kibale while appreciating the breathtaking landscapes characterized by scenic Crater Lakes, Rwenzori Mountain views, and more.
Kibale supports an estimated primate population of about 13 species plus 375 bird species.
Beyond seeing chimps, you should also be prepared to find a range of other amazing primates such as the olive baboons, colobus monkeys, and pottos.
The 795 sq. km Kibale National Park also features different red colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and bush babies.
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Go on a trek with Kibale chimpanzees and visit Bigodi
A delicious meal will be provided to get you started with your day. Join the park officials for orientation starting at the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre.
Arrive early and have yourself cleared by the reservation team. Continue to the briefing room and get highlights on the chimpanzee tracking regulations.
The Kibale National Park official will also use this period to assign you a habituated chimpanzee community (Kanyanchu or Buraiga).
The actual visit to Kibale chimpanzees will commence at 8:00 am after you have been allocated a park ranger guide.
Trekking with the Kibale chimpanzees may take about 2-4 hours.
This session also covers a mandatory one hour for observing how chimpanzees behave, bond, and play.
You can also maximize this duration for taking pictures.
Bigodi Wetland/Sanctuary tour in the afternoon will start after lunch.
At the Bigodi Wetland, you will have 2 hours of penetrating the lush forest as you look out for more primates and birds.
Bigodi is home to about 138 bird species, plus several mammals, including not only primates but also sitatungas.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Kibale to Bwindi, take pictures at the Kikorongo Equator site
Today, you will be picked up from the lodge and expect to connect up to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Your journey will involve photography at the Kikorongo Monument and a glimpse of some of the amazing wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Cross to Bwindi through the Ishasha sector in the south but expect to enjoy lunch along the way.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience plus a tour in the Batwa community
Join the rest of the tourists at the Bwindi park offices to get orientation on gorilla trekking regulations.
First, ensure you have dressed well, preferably in environmentally friendly attire, and wear waterproof walking/hiking boots.
At the park offices, the official will highlight the regulations for gorilla trekking to be observed.
He or she will also allocate the park ranger guides plus gorilla groups to you, and then the actual visit can begin at around 8:00 am.
After having about 2-6 hours, you will also have one hour just for observing the unique behaviors of mountain gorillas.
Later, expect to retreat from the gorilla trek and have your gorilla trekking certificate, then proceed to the lodge to relax.
In the evening, you also have an option of visiting the Batwa pygmies.
These are a few indigenous people, and they lived in Bwindi and Mgahinga forest for decades before being displaced by authorities when the need arose to gazette the two places as parks.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Leave Bwindi for Entebbe –Depart at night
Early morning, you will only have breakfast, and later, you should expect to bid farewell to Bwindi National Park.
Today’s journey will involve driving through Mbarara city and making a stopover at the Equator site for you to take pictures.
Lunch break will be enjoyed in one of the best restaurants, and you can continue up to Entebbe –wait for the night flight or remain at the hotel for relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch plus drinking water
End of 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari
Inclusions
- Free airport transfers
- Chimpanzee and gorilla permits
- Bigodi sanctuary tour
- En route lunches
- Adequate drinking water
- Accommodation and all meals
- Transportation by road for the 5 days
- All the fuel expenses and driver services
- Batwa visit and all activities except the optional
Exclusions
- Airfare costs
- alcoholic/premium drinks
- Tips (to all service providers-waiters, waitresses, or driver guides)
- Laundry services
- Telephone expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Visas (Uganda & any international visa)
- Passports
- Hiring porter services (at Bwindi or Kibale)
- Expenses incurred during shopping