7 Days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzee and wildlife safari – Big four and primate tracking safari – Budget safaris in Uganda
Our 7 days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari starts and ends in Kampala Uganda, it involves both Gorilla tracking and Chimpanzee trekking permits worth USD250 and USD800 per person in the costing. you will be viewing wildlife species as well as tracking the Mountain Gorillas and the Chimpanzees. The main National Parks to visit include; Kibale Forest National Park which is famous for harbouring 13 different primate species including the Chimpanzees, Olive baboons, Vervet monkey, Black and White colobus monkeys and many more.
Another one is Queen Elizabeth National Park a famous place for a variety of wildlife species including the tree climbing lions as well as the Kazinga Channel which connects both Lake George and Lake Albert and it also inhabits crocodiles, hippos, different bird species and the buffaloes.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is famous for Mountain Gorillas and it inhabits over half of the total number of the remaining Mountain Gorillas. The National Park harbours many other animal species including the Chimpanzees, monkeys, elephants and many species of birds.
Detailed Itinerary
Day One: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After your early morning breakfast, you will drive to Kibale Forest National Park. You will pass through local villages and small towns as you enjoy the good views of different landscapes. You will stopover in Fort portal town for your lunch and after proceed to the National Park. Have a good time and also take some photos, en-route and enjoy the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and then continue to Kibale Forest National Park and check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Kibale Forest National Park is 1100 -1600 metres above sea level and it contains both montane and lowland forests with 13 different primate species including the Chimpanzees and monkeys like the red colobus monkeys as well as the rare L’Hoest’s monkeys. The National Park was gazetted 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, 60 mammal species, and 14 wild fields. On your arrival at the park, you will visit the scenic crater Lakes region and get a chance to check out the terraced tea states.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ndali Lodge
Mid-range: Turracco treetops
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Day Two: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Community Walk
After your early breakfast, you will drive to the park headquarters where you will be briefed about Chimpanzee trekking. By 8:00 am, you will be starting your search for the Chimpanzees in the forest. These primates are the closest relatives to the human being that 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’s monkeys, Black and white colobus monkeys, Grey checked Mangabey, Red-tailed monkeys, the Olive baboons, and many bird species. This National Park is one of the great rain forests in Africa and it has the largest community of Chimpanzees where each community has 1 -100 individuals and each community has a complicated social structure.
Adult males dominate the group and protect the territory against the rest of the males from other territories. The Chimpanzees are located by simply listening for their pant hooting calls, and then head to the place from which they replied. Here you can observe them as they feed, play as well as socializing with each other.
Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Bigodi community where you will also watch primates and bird species. It’s mainly maintained by the local people and they earn a living from there. You will enjoy many bird species here including; the Great blue Turaco, and many more, the other primate species to view here include; the baboons.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ndali Lodge
Mid-range: Turracco treetops
Budget: Kibale Forest Lodge
Day Three: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will drive directly to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes 3-4 hours and you will pass through the craters and arrive at the National Park in the lunch hours, On your arrival, check at the lodge and enjoy your lunch as you prepare to enjoy an evening game drive in the Kasenyi plains, and expect to view many animal species including the elephants, lions, buffalos, Uganda kobs, and many different species of antelopes and many more.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for the many wildlife species and the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The National Park is the second biggest among the ten we have in Uganda and commonly known as a home to the tree-climbing lions as well as crater lakes. After the game drive, return to your lodge for an overnight and dinner.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kyambura Game Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge
Day Four: Morning game drive and a boat safari
On this day in the morning, return to the Kasenyi plains to engage in an early morning game drive to view the early morning risers, get chances to view many animals including; lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and many different antelopes, etc. These animals can be seen at a closer range. Return to the lodge for an early lunch as you prepare to enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, where your eyes will be fed with a variety of water animals and bird species.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Kyambura Game Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge
Day Five: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Early in the morning after your breakfast, drive towards Ishasha sector the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park through the great shinning Savannah vegetation as you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park On your arrival at the park, check-in at the lodge, enjoy lunch and after proceed for a community walk near and around Bwindi forest.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range: Silverback Lodge
Budget: Ride 4 a woman
Day Six: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Have early morning breakfast, and after proceed to the park headquarters to have a briefing about the dos and don’ts of Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest. The ranger guides 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 to be with a certain level of fitness.
Trekkers are always advised to carry their raincoats and boots because the weather there is always unpredictable. Some potters always help with carrying your luggage on behalf of the visitors but at a small cost. On sighting the Gorillas, the rangers will guide you on handling 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 3 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, depending on the time you finish your trek 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: Ride 4 a Woman
Day Seven: Departure
Breakfast in the morning and after starting your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, you will have a stopover at the Equator line for some photos and lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre. You might also opt to visit the museum here and after proceed to Kampala reaching late afternoon.
This marks the end of your 7 days Uganda Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Wildlife Safari. Please note that the lodges mentioned can be changed depending on your budget and interests. Contact Great Adventure Safaris now to book your slots on this 7 days Uganda Gorillas Safari on your next trip to Uganda Africa