5 Days Uganda Big 5 Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

This 5 Days Uganda Big 5 Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking tour begins with a 1 hour flight to Bwindi, this will give you an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Uganda from the sky and you will really appreciate that indeed Uganda is true pearl of Africa and then drive through the rolling hills of either Kihihi or Kisoro before entering impenetrable forest for a Night and where you will meet face to face with Gorillas as we do the gorilla trekking tour, transfer to queen via ishasha sector for tree climbing lions and chimps in Kyambura gorge.

Tour the Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. It is home to more than 73 animal species e.g. buffaloes, leopards, lions, and elephants, 3/4 of the world’s population of Rothschild’s giraffes, and a healthy population of herbivores. There are over 610 chimpanzees, 451 bird species, and 23 Albertine Rift endemics. See the magnificent falls where the Nile forces its way through a gorge in the rocks and tumbles 43m below, flowing westwards into Lake Albert.

5 Days Uganda Big 5 Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Highlights

Day 1: Arrival and Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Tree Climbing Lions

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge and an afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga channel

Day 4: Drive/Fly to Murchison Falls National Park hike to the top of falls

Day 5: Early morning sunrise game drive and transfer back to Entebbe with a Stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

Detailed 5 Days Uganda Big 5 Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Fly to Kihihi – Transfer to Bwindi Forest

You will be received by our company representative at Entebbe International Airport and assist you for your flight to the west of Uganda.

There are 2 flight schedules, the morning and afternoon options. Upon confirmation of your trip, our travel consultant will book your flights and provide you with the details.

In Kihihi, a representative from the company will be waiting for you. He will transfer you to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Optional: you will head out for a community walk where you will visit the Batwa, which is an Indigenous group of people that have lived in the forest for 500,000 years, and enjoy traditional dances. .

Journey time: 1h45 flight, 1.5 hours transfer to your 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 centre.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Tree Climbing Lion

5 Days Uganda Big 5 Gorilla and Chimpanzee — Gorilla Trekking in Rushaga Sector

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger-guide) on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken (4-8 hours) and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The time with these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the lodge, and rest after a strenuous trek.

After lunch, 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

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge

Mweya safari lodge

Mweya Safari Lodge offers visitors an unforgettable experience. Located on a peninsula within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mweya Safari Lodge is surrounded by the magical Rwenzori Mountains aptly described as the ‘Mountains of the Moon’.

To the east, lie the guardians of the birthplace of mankind, the Great Rift Valley hills, separated from the Mountains of the Moon by the meandering Kazinga Channel.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge and an afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga channel

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. 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 at the water shores. *After the boat trip, you can decide either to return to the lodge to rest or first proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.

Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge

Day 4: Drive/Fly to Murchison Falls National Park hike to the top of falls

Have breakfast, check out and embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants among others. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts about 450 bird species including the grey parrot, dwarf king fisher and the Goliath heron among others. Expect lunch en route. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way (with very little/no room to be bored). *Note: You can decide to do a game drive first and then finally, proceed to the booked accommodation. Otherwise, we can go straight to the accommodation, check in and stay at leisure.

Accommodation: Paraa safari lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge

Paraa Safari Lodge is in Murchison Falls National Park. The lodge is located in the north west of Uganda overlooking one of nature’s best kept secrets, the River Nile, on its journey from its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake Albert – here it is suddenly channelled into a gorge only six meters wide, and cascades 43 meters below.

The earth literally trembles at Murchison Falls – one of the world’s most powerful flows of natural water.

Paraa Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Each of the rooms is a haven of style and serenity, complete with balcony and private bathroom.

Day 5: Early morning sunrise game drive and transfer back to Entebbe with a Stop at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.

After breakfast, you will check out and set off for the drive back to Kampala. Along the way, you will make a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for the nature walk where rhinos are being reintroduced to the wild in Uganda. You will have a complete feel of the African Big Five mammals as it is the rhinos, out of the Big Five that are missing in Murchison Falls National Park. Here you will go for a trek around the sanctuary on foot. You will have lunch at the sanctuary and some relaxation for an indefinitely short time and embark on an exciting road trip back to Kampala Entebbe International Airport.

Package includes the following services:

Exclusive Safari transport in custom made Safari 4x4WD Land Cruiser with AC
Services of English-speaking driver guides
Gorilla trekking Permit
Chimpanzee trekking Permit
Pick-up and drop-off to Kigali
Bottled water
All Meals included
All Accommodations

Package 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 and French

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 litres 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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