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7 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimps safari

Overview

Uganda is a pearl of Africa with several attractions and is mostly known because of its famous primates or the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. In Uganda, the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris are carried out mainly in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national Parka (mountain gorillas), Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison falls National Park for chimpanzee trekking.  Gorillas stay in the two national parks of Bwindi and Mgahinga and Uganda harbors half of the endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world and more than 1500 chimpanzees situated in Kibale Forest National Park making chances for seeing these primates so high.

Gorillas and Chimpanzee safaris and where they are conducted.

Gorillas and chimpanzee safari enables visitors to enjoy the maximum adventure of the great Uganda jungles of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, and  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is found in southwestern Uganda in the district of Kanugu, Kisoro, and Kabale. The park is known for harboring the endangered gorillas and the park has got over 18 habituated gorilla families that are available for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking activity is carried out in 4 sectors of the park which include Rushaga and Nkuringo in the southern part, Ruhija in the eastern and Buhoma in the northern. Visitors will have to book the gorilla permits allocated according to sectors to see the gorillas in this park. Other bird species can encounter as well as a visit to Batwa cultural group for a wonderful community experience.

Gorillas and chimpazee safari
mountain-gorilla

In case you miss an opportunity to trek gorillas in Bwindi, you can also book a gorilla permit to Mgahinga national parks that house only one habituated mountain gorilla family Nyakagezi available for trekking. The park also is inhabited by golden monkeys in a place known as where the Silver meets Gold. Other activities here include birding, the Batwa community experience, and mountain climbing (Gahinga, Muhavura, and Sabinyo).

Our chimpanzee safaris are majorly done in Kibale Forest National park with over 1500 chimpanzees and this makes it the world’s primate capital. While in Kibale National Park you have an opportunity to meet the chimpanzees and other primates including a variety of beautiful birds. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest. There are 13 species of primates in Kibale National Park. The park protects several well-studied habituated communities of common chimpanzee, as well as several species of Central African monkey including the Uganda mangabey (Lophocebus ugandae), the Ugandan red colobus (Procolobus tephrosceles) and the L’Hoest’s monkey.

Additionally, there are other 12 species of primates in Kibale and you will see blue monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Red colobus monkeys among others.

Other places for our chimpanzee safaris include Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls National Park. In Queen Elizabeth National Park chimpanzee tracking is done in Kyambura gorge while in Murchison it is done in Budongo forest. Prime safaris can as well be combined with Wildlife Viewing and boat cruise safaris at the Kazinga channel and the Nile. Enjoy Ishasha tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth national park among other species. Only a group of 8 visitors are allowed to visit each habituated gorilla or chimpanzee family. Booking the primate safaris is open throughout the year in Uganda.

All about the 7 Days Uganda Gorillas and Chimpanzee safari.

Our 7 Day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari enables visitors to enjoy maximum adventure of the great Uganda jungles of Kibale and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. While in Kibale forest you have an opportunity to meet the chimpanzees and other primates including a variety of beautiful birds. Heading to Queen Elizabeth in the next days, this brings you closer to nature; you will have to spot the big four including the lions, Leopard, Bufallo and the Elephants.

Safari Highlights

  • Chimpanzee trekking
  • Gorilla trekking
  • wildlife viewing
  • Nature walks

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala to Kibale National Park

Leave Kampala after breakfast for the fascinating drive through papyrus swamps and thick jungle of the Nile Delta to Kibale National Park just under the Rwenzori Mountains. Afternoon guided walk in the crater lakes area of the park for outstanding cultural visit. Meals and over night at your lodge.

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

In the morning you will have breakfast to transfer to Kibale Head quarters for briefing before setting off for a forest walk in search for chimpanzees. The forest walk will be guided to provide information not only on
chimpanzees and primates but also on small organisms making it interesting. The walk will reward you with other primates like Grey cheeked Mangabeys, Colobus monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, phoestes, and butterflies. After tracking the chimps in the afternoon you will go for a nature walk to the Bigodi swamp- to see unique flora and fauna. Meals and over night at your lodge.

Day 3: Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Begin your morning with a visit to the Nyakasura falls in Fort Portal, thereafter drive to drive to the south into Queen Elizabeth National Park, sightseeing and game viewing en route. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 4: Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park

Dawn game drive in Uganda’s best park, where all the big game can be seen in abundance. Famous for elephant and kob, expect to see some rarer animals like giant forest hog. There are 638 recorded bird species in the park! After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lakes Edward and George, for large numbers of buffalo and hippo. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 5: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today’s drive is through what is probably East Africa’s most spectacular scenery, the highland rain forests which reach to the volcanoes in which live the mountain gorillas. A visit to the bat Cave close to Maramagambo forest or a glance of Kyambura gorge is a must! Make a game drive at Ishasha on your way to Bwindi in search of the tree climbing lions. Later, drive to Bwindi via the beautiful scenery of the tea plantations. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds. The afternoon is spent on a foot safari around the local communities living around the park. Dinner and over night at your lodge.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Begin the day with breakfast ready for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, which begins at 8:00 a.m with a briefing from the UWA staff. Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots etc The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. There are now only 650 left in the world! The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but its well worth the effort. Dinner and over night at your lodge.

Day 7: Transfer from Bwindi to Kampala / Entebbe

Return to Kampala, then Entebbe, with a lunch enroute with stopover at Igongo cultural centre to explore the life style of the Ankole and Bahima, thereafter proceed at the Equator Uganda before your evening departures home.

Tour Includes

  • Travel in a 4×4 car
  • Professional guide
  • Park fees
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • All Activities In Itinerary

Tour Excludes

  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Laundry
  • Tips
  • Shopping
  • Insurance
  • Anything not included per itinerary