7 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking, Wildlife and Rwenzori

This 7 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking, Wildlife and Rwenzori safari will send you to the top of Uganda’s highest mountain, the Rwenzori after embarking on a wildlife safari that will also bring you face to face with the highly-sought Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s a unique that will test your physical resolve as you set out to conquer the historical ‘Mountains of the Moon’ while your heart will surely be melted by clapping your eyes of an animal that resembles humans 98%. Get your climbing gear, and let’s get going!

7 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking, Wildlife and Rwenzori Highlights

Day 1: Pick up from Kigali

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa experience

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha for tree-climbing lions and connect north Queen

Day 4: Morning Game drive and Transfer to mountain Rwenzori

Day 5: Transfer to Sine Camp

Day 6: Descend back to the base of the mountain and depart for Kibale National Park.

Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking and transfer to Kampala Entebbe

7 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking, Wildlife and Rwenzori Itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from Kigali

Our professional driver guide will pick you up from Kigali where he will brief you about the entire 3-day safari and all the routes that will be used. You will cross via the Katuna border to check in Uganda and have a stopover in Kabale town for lunch. Later proceed with the journey to check in at your booked lodge.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Four Gorillas Lodge

Four Gorillas lodge Uganda offers the best Luxury Accommodation of all worlds to those who travel to Bwindi Forest National Park. In this oasis of privacy, serenity and rejuvenation, there are no crowds, just Mountain Gorillas as well as the soothing sound of birds, rustling trees, soft breezes and breath-taking views – the Four Gorillas Lodge is the closest to the headquarters of the Bwindi National Park, only 10 minutes away from the Gorilla tracking and briefing center.

The Four Gorillas Lodge in Bwindi National Park Uganda offers perfect contemporary luxury while satisfying the human craving to become one with nature and our fellow apes.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa experience

7 Days Gorilla and Chimp Trekking, Wildlife and Rwenzori

Gorilla trekking is done early morning, therefore, after breakfast drive to the Park offices for briefing. A ranger guide will lead you into the jungles and about 6 hours will be spent trekking these primates – 1 to 2 hours while searching for the gorillas, 1 hour in their presence then the last hour retreating to the office to meet your safari guide but this all depends on your trekking speed and how far gorillas have moved.

You will enjoy the gorilla group in that one hour admiring how they groom each other, climbing techniques, and mothers giving care to the infants, if lucky enough they can even come close for up-close photo shoots.

In the afternoon after lunch, you will have another amazing activity, Batwa community experience where you will walk through the pygmy villages. Interact with the Batwa people meet elders for storytelling and hear how these people used to survive while in the jungle, and get involved in their cultural music, and traditional performances.

Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha for tree-climbing lions and connect north Queen

Be up early, have breakfast and embark on a transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70% but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey).

Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), exit and head to the booked accommodation in the north sector. Check in and take rest. *Optional: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains.

Accommodation: Enganzi Game Lodge

Enganzi Game Lodge.

The perfect gateway to the mighty Queen Elizabeth National park, a perfect setting to begin your journey into the wild. The captivating Enganzi Game Lodge is nestled on a hill bordering the Queen Elizabeth National Park and overlooking unspoilt bush in the cradle of western Uganda’s magnificent wild.

Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Morning Game drive and Transfer to mountain Rwenzori

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will transfer to Rwenzori Mountain for the hike the next day

Accommodation: Snow Height Lodge

Day 5: Transfer to Sine Camp

You will transfer to the footsteps of the mountain to start the Climb up from 1,450 to Sine Hut 2,680m where you spend a night. This hike starts from the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro Montane Forest Zone and continues with a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest.

At times visitors may see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the treetops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey, which are part of the Bukonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance.

There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s fall are just 300 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 meters we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below. For those who are fit and want to proceed to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 metres.

Accommodation: Nyabitaba camp

Day 6: Descend back to the base of the mountain and depart for Kibale National Park.

After breakfast return back down the mountain, transfer to Kibale National Park. A guided nature walk in the Bigodi wetland sanctuary to see various bird species, butterflies, and primates. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Turaco Treetops.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops

Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking and transfer to Kampala Entebbe

Today you will track the most famous inhabitants of Kibale National Park, the chimpanzees. Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes making them our closest living relatives. They are found in 21 countries throughout Africa but are most easily sighted in Uganda due to their dense populations. Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The chimpanzee trekking experience here is done on several well-maintained walking trails.

After tracking, you will receive your certificates and set off to Kampala Entebbe for your flight back home.

Package cost offer includes the following services:

Exclusive Safari transport in custom made Safari 4x4WD Land Cruiser with AC
Services of English-speaking driver guides
Park entrance fees
Gorilla trekking Permit
Chimpanzee permits
Pick-up from Kigali and drop-off in Kampala
All park entrance fees
Bottled water
All Meals included till dinner

Package cost excludes the following services

International and Visa entry charges to Uganda.
All items of personal use i.e. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, gratuities, personal travel insurances – etc.
Activities not listed in the itinerary

GENERAL INFORMATION

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

All visitors to Uganda must have a valid passport with at least 4 consecutive blanks pages. Any applicable visa and/or relevant documentation are the responsibility of the traveller. For further information on Visa requirements visitors are advised to contact their nearest Uganda Embassy or Consulate.

LANGUAGE:

English

TIME:

GMT +3

VOLTAGE:

220 Volts/AC50Hz. Sockets are UK style, 3 pin square plugs. Power is from the UMEME in the city/major towns and generator with inverter back up in the Safari Lodges and Camps.

CURRENCY:

Foreign currency must be changed at the Bank, Bureau de Change, and Hotel/Safari lodge/Camp/Resort. Major Credit Cards, Master card, Visa, American Express, are usually accepted throughout the country. Where credit cards are accepted, the payment will normally be recorded in US$ regardless of the card’s default currency.

CLOTHING:

Dress is mainly informal and should be comfortable as well as practical. Something warm should be brought along for early morning and evenings. Safari clothes are available from hotels/lodges/camps.

BAGGAGE:

Where possible, travel light. Baggage space on safari is limited to medium suitcase or soft bag per person plus reasonable amount of hand luggage. There is 15 Kilogram per person limit on all flights to the wildlife sanctuaries. Excess luggage must be stored in your arrival hotel.

WATER:

You will find many different of opinion of what is safe and what is not. We recommend for peace of mind, to drink local Bottled Mineral water. It is important to drink plenty of water especially during the hotter months. We would recommend that guests drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration.

HEALTH;

East Africa is a safe and secure destination; however, it is a good idea to take a few precautions. Kindly consult your GP or local doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel, with regards:

Malaria prophylactics. East Africa is a known malaria area and preventive measures are essential. You are advised to take one of the recommended anti-malarial drugs. Be sure to wear long sleeved shorts and trousers after sunset and spray the exposed parts of your body with a mosquito repellent spray

Remember to protect yourself from direct sun rays with sunscreen cream or safari hat.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:

For those guests with specific dietary requirement, please ensure we are notified prior to travel

GRATUITIES:

As a guideline and dependent on how happy you are, we would suggest the following:

The General Hotel/Lodge/Camp Staff – Approximately U$ 10.00 per person per day

Driver Guides – Approximately US$ 15.00 to US$ 20.00 per person per day

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Please be careful when photographing public buildings, airports, bridges, the national flag and people in uniform. Ensure that you have sought permission before photographing local people and their villages. If in doubt, please check with your guide.

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