8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

Arrival for this 8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

You’ll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1: Start from Entebbe or Hotel, transfer to the Edge of Kibale National Park

This 8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari starts with a pick-up from your hotel or the airport upon arrival. The assigned professional English-speaking tour driver-guide will pick you up/receive you and we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight at the edge of Kibale Forest National Park. Upon arrival at the accommodation, check-in and just relax.
#Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested and time allows, we can proceed with the crater lakes excursion. You will enjoy the beauty of the numerous small lakes, surrounded by gentle hills, and stunning views all over. Else, just enjoy your rest at the facility.

Accommodation: (Rweteera Safari Park-[Cabin]-Budget Level)

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Transfer time: Approx. 5-6 hours.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Rweteera Safari Park

Budget lodge located just outside Kibale NP

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 2: Bigodi Wetlands Excursion and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive

Have breakfast and proceed for the Bigodi Wetlands excursion. The Bigodi Wetland boasts of extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primate species like the black and white Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the area is the great blue turaco. From Bigodi, we shall embark on a transfer (about 2 hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

You will reach Queen National Park early enough to have lunch, rest and then proceed out for game viewing. During the game drive, look out for wild animals like reedbuck, bushbuck, kob, warthog, elephant, lion and buffalo to mention but a few. Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). Later return to the accommodation and take your rest.

Accommodation: (Tembo Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 2-3 hrs.Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation: Tembo Safari Lodge

Budget lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge, Afternoon Boat Trip at Kazinga Channel and Game Drives

We shall have breakfast and proceed for the chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. The gorge is home to habituated chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch.

After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation: Tembo Safari Lodge

Budget lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4: Sunrise Game Drive – Kasenyi Plains and Head to Ishasha Sector, Then Connect to Bwindi

Be up early and proceed for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Return to the lodge and check out then head to Ishasha Sector in search of tree-climbing lions.

The chance of spotting these lions is about 70% though sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get to spot them, the sight is picturesque and memorable. From Ishasha, we shall continue to the accommodation at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector). With a strenuous day ahead, we recommend that you check in and relax in preparation for tomorrow’s trek.

Accommodation: (Ride 4 a Woman-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 4-5 hours.Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman

Budget guest house located just outside Bwindi NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Later Move Out for Community, Cultural Tour

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The time taken and the terrain varies with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence.

The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation and have some rest before moving out for the late afternoon-to-evening local community and cultural encounter. This involves cultural dances from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, and weaving among others. Return for dinner and your overnight stay.

Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman-Budget Level

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Ride 4 a Woman

Budget guest house located just outside Bwindi NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6: Bwindi Forest Walk/Hike (Waterfalls Trail) and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation

Enjoy your breakfast and then move out for the forest walking along the waterfall trail. This is the perfect way to experience the depth of this “impenetrable” forest. Starting from Buhoma, at the north gate, the Munyaga River trail gets you to some beautiful pristine waterfalls, a truly rewarding experience. Along the way, you will encounter some flora and fauna, black and white Colobus monkeys, sometimes blue monkeys among others.

Return to the accommodation and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. The lake is framed by lush, green-terraced hills that reach a height of (2,200 – 2,478m) but it’s the 29 islands of various shapes and sizes scattered across the water that make it most magical—you could admire them all day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours.

Main Destination:Lake Bunyonyi

Accommodation: Itambira Island

Mid-range hotel located in or near Lake Bunyonyi

Day 7: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and Enjoy Afternoon (evening) Game Drives

Have breakfast and set off to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara City. You will arrive at the accommodation in Lake Mburo in time and rest before moving for an afternoon-to-evening game drive. On the game drive, expect to see the gigantic eland antelopes, zebras, topis, impalas, Uganda kobs and Cape buffalos among others. Later, relax at the accommodation where you will spend the night.

Optional (extra cost 30$): If interested, you may consider the night game drive to encounter nocturnal creatures which will be a rare sighting compared to the regular daytime sightings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer Time: Approx. 4-5 hrs.

Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation: Hyena Hill Lodge

Lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

Day 8: Morning Walking Safari in the Park and Return to Entebbe to Catch Flight

Enjoy your early breakfast and proceed for the Mburo morning park (bush) walk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter (at close range): zebras, giraffes, elands, topis and other antelopes, Cape buffaloes among others.
Take the trail to the top of the hills and see Lake Mburo and beyond. From this vantage point, you will have a great view of 9 of the twelve lakes surrounding Lake Mburo National Park. Thereafter, return to your accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to Entebbe Airport to catch your flight (6:00 pm or later).

Accommodation: Recommended on request

Drive Time: Approx. 4 hours.

Main Destination: Entebbe (City)

End of 8 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

You’ll be dropped off at the airport.