This 4 day Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari takes you exploring the Kibale Forest National Park jungle, “the primate capital of the world”, to trek the wild but habituated chimpanzees and to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the home of the more than half the population of the World’s remaining 1004 Mountain Gorillas, to trek the gentle apes that share more than 90% of their genes with humans.
In between these two Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari highlights will be a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp to see other primates, colourful birds, rare plants and insects; and to view the picturesque lakes and landscapes in the crater lakes region around the National Park.
Fore more information, read A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda and Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda great articles to give you post safari data.
Safari Highlights
- The unforgettable experience of trekking Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in their natural habitats and observing them closely as they go about their daily routines
- Discovering Africa’s other primates and wildlife, colourful birds, rare plants and beautiful insects
- Enjoying scenic views of the awesome volcanic landscapes and picturesque crater lakes
- Meeting the local people to learn about their traditional activities and lifestyles.
- Standing in two hemispheres at the same time at the Equator line.
Activity Schedule
Day 1: Travelling to Kibale Forest National Park, nature walk / sightseeing
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and nature walk in Bigodi swamp and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Batwa cultural experience
Day 4: Return Journey to Kampala
You will be met by our trusted Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari guide that will drive you and your party westwards
to Fort Portal town. The drive will take about 4 -5 hours. Have lunch in Fort Portal and continue to Kibale. In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of Kibale forest is bigodi wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys baboons otters mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs and among others. For bird watching enthusiasts, check out this article Birding and birding sites in Uganda
Dinner and overnight will be at your reserved lodge.
Luxury: Ndali lodge/Primate lodge/Kibale forest/Kyaninga lodge
Moderate: Mountains of the moon/Kibale forest camp
Budget: Rwenzori travelers/Kibale forest camp/Chimpanzee forest guest house
Meal plan: Full Board Basis
After a big Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari breakfast, report at the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre (Park Headquarters) at 08.00 am for a briefing on the rules for tracking the chimpanzees. Kibale Forest National Park has the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee known to be a delightful ape. The trek takes 2-3 hours and it will provide you with the opportunity to also see a variety of other primates & animals as well as birds. You will return to the lodge for lunch and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park arriving late in the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge of your booking.
Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Travellers Rest Hotel Kisolo / Gorilla Valley Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Silver Back Lodge / Lake Kitandara Camp / Chameleon Hill Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort.
Up market: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Satari Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board Basis
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Today enjoy gorilla tracking in Bwindi. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before the highlighting of the trip. Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day.
We trek the gorillas through the rain forest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers ,in search of a mountain gorilla family, the walking can sometimes be tough and long ,but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten.
When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up 8 hours.
Expect to walk along distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.
Overnight will be at your Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari lodge of booking.
Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Travellers Rest Hotel Kisolo / Gorilla Valley Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Silver Back Lodge / Lake Kitandara Camp / Chameleon Hill Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort.
Up market: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Satari Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board Basis
You will have breakfast and drive to Kampala arriving in time for a transfer to the airport for your departure flight or for dinner and overnight at the hotel of your booking.
End of the Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari
