5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimp safari
5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimp safari
5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimp safari ( uganda primates safari): This is a 5 days primate safari in Uganda. The main highlight of these 5 days Uganda gorillas and chimps safari will be trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and later transfer to Kibale National Park from where you will do chimpanzee trekking.
Detailed Itinerary for the 5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimp safari.
Day 1: Pickup from Kampala and Transfer to Bwindi National Park.
Pickup & Transfer to Bwindi: On day 1 of your 5 days Uganda gorillas and Chimps safari, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala. Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is located in Kanungu district in the southwestern region of Uganda. You will have a stopover at the equator monuments in Kayabwe where you can take some pictures. Later proceed with your drive to Bwindi with your second stopover at Igongo Cultural Center in Mbarara for lunch. After lunch, you will be transported to Bwindi where you will check into your lodge upon your arrival at the park. Dinner and accommodation at Silverback Lodge/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Ichumba Gorilla Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Trail Experience.
Gorilla trekking: This is the day you have been anxiously waiting for. Have breakfast very early at you lodge as your guide will pick you up at 6am. You will embark on a short journey to the Parks headquarters in Buhoma. You are supposed to be at Buhoma at exactly 7am for a briefing by the park’s head ranger which will begin at 8am and then you will be put in groups of 8 individuals per group depending on the gorilla group you are going to track. Tracking begins at exactly 8:30 am hence endeavor to always keep time.
Each tracking group consists of strictly eight individuals with each group having a park guide and ranger. Tracking can take about 1- 6 hours depending how easily and quick the gorillas are spotted. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be give exactly an hour with them; hence you should maximize your time well and don’t forget to take lots of pictures without using your camera’s flash. The tracking trails can be very wet, steep and slippery thus you should wear a good pair of hiking boots.
Batwa Trail Experience: After your gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Forest, you will proceed to do the Batwa Trail Experience, which is conducted by local Batwa guides. Get to learn more about the Batwa’s long and ancient history with the forest, and also learn how to make some local herbal medicines, and Batwa traditional hunting skills. Later head back to the park’s headquarters for your gorilla trekking certificate and transfer back to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Transfer to Kibale: After having breakfast at your lodge, you will be transported to Kibale Forest National Park. The national park is located in the western part of Uganda just a few kilometers from Fort Portal town. It will take you about 7 to 10 hours driving to the park from Bwindi. Once you get to Kibale national park, check into your lodge for dinner and accommodation at Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk.
Chimpanzee Trekking: This is one of the top highlights of any visit to Kibale national park. Wake up early in the morning and head out to Kanyanchu Visitor’s Center, where your chimpanzee trekking activity will commence. You will be expected to report to the park by 7am for a briefing from the head ranger at the park. Actual trekking begins at 8am after you have been placed into trekking groups that consist of not more than 6 members per group. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park can take between 2-5 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees. You will be given an hour to spend with the chimpanzees once they have been located. Head back to the park headquarters in Kanyanchu for your chimpanzee trekking certificate and drive back to your hotel/lodge for lunch in case you didn’t not pack any in the morning.
Bigodi Swamp Walk: Later in the Afternoon, you will proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is just adjacent to the national park. Here, you will embark on a guided nature walk in the Swamp; where you will get to sight a number of bird species like; the Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Superb Sunbird, Black Bishop bird and the rare Shoe Bill Stock to mention but a few. There are about 138 bird species in Bigodi Swamp alone. Later head back to your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala and Departure.
Transfer Back to Kampala: After having breakfast from your lodge, you will be transported back to Kampala. You will stopover at the equator monuments and also have lunch before proceeding with your transfer back to Kampala. Once in Kampala, you can have your guide drop you off at your preferred hotel or at the airport in Entebbe. End of Tour.
